Coming clean on brushing

May 30 2005

By Craig Thompson, The Evening Chronicle

Experts at Newcastle University have revealed that two-thirds of gum disease patients ignore advice about how long to brush their teeth. Craig Thompson talks to those trying to make our smiles brighter. ********** Just one in three people who have suffered from gum disease are taking the advice of their dentists. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT It means more people than ever are suffering tooth loss and serious dental problems. But despite this, a new survey shows people still think their brushing habits are doing the job properly. However, the study, published in the British Dental Journal, showed many people thought their brushing habits were better than they actually were. Proper brushing can help to stabilise or even reverse the problem. But experts say the message is still not getting across. Professor Jimmy Steele, an expert in dentistry at Newcastle University, believes parents need to spend time with their children, teaching them how to brush properly. He said: "The worry is a lack of proper brushing can be habit forming for the rest of your life. "There is evidence out there that the earlier you start brushing, the healthier your teeth will be in the long-term." For the latest study, published in the British Medical Journal, patients were given advice on a regime - which in particular said they should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Each of the 17 study participants used an electronic 'data logger' powered toothbrush that recorded brushing time. They were also asked to fill in diaries detailing their brushing habits. The data from the logger toothbrushes showed approximately one-third of people followed the advice whereas the diaries suggested that more than half of patients thought they had been compliant. Lead researcher, Dr Giles McCracken, from Newcastle University, said: "Research has shown that brushing for two minutes is the optimum time for most people to remove the plaque from your teeth. "If you brush for less time, you aren't removing enough, and if you brush for longer the benefits may not be much greater. "Patients must understand their health is mainly their responsibility, and if they are not going to comply with the advice of health providers like dentists who have their best interests at heart, they must accept the consequences." The Newcastle researchers are carrying out further work into how advice is given in the dental chair and whether this can be specially adapted for each individual receiving treatment. Prof Steele added: "A lot of the problem has to do with the way we lead our lives. "Everyone is rushing about, too busy to spend the time thinking about how they are brushing teeth. "Most of us do brush at least twice a day but we don't brush the correct way. Just running a toothbrush over our teeth before we dash out to work isn't really doing much good." Professor Peter Heasman, who also worked on the study, said: "I think many dentists and dental hygienists are fully aware their patients do not always follow their professional advice. "Nevertheless, we were surprised to find so many of our patients who were unable to follow instructions accurately, even in the short term." Patients must understand their health is mainly their responsibility, and if they are not going to comply with the advice of dentists who have their best interests at heart, they must accept the consequences. ********* Teeth facts Adults usually have 16 teeth in each jaw. Four incisors for cutting food, two canines for piercing, and four premolars. They also have six molars for grinding. One in four adults unconsciously grinds their teeth, either to relieve tension or because their teeth are not aligned correctly. Known as bruxism, it can result in chipped or broken teeth. Teeth are protected from decay by a thin layer of calcified substance called enamel, which is the hardest substance in the whole body. ********* Broken smiles blight lives According to Government statistics, 14% of adults in the North East do not have a single natural tooth in their heads. While hundreds of thousands of others are missing at least some teeth, countless more wear dentures that are uncomfortable and out-of-date. One solution now being offered by Newcastle dentists is dental implants. This involves the building of replacement teeth which can last a lifetime - and don't have to be taken out and put in a glass of water at the side of the bed. People in the UK are seven to ten times more likely to be treated with dental implants than they are in many parts of Europe. Dr Louise Mullarkey, from Chapel House Dental Clinic in Newcastle, has recently been to the home of dental implant technology in Sweden. She said: "It's heartbreaking when people come into the surgery and they feel like they can't even smile. They're terrified of eating anything which requires an effort to chew. "Gaps in teeth or unsuitable dentures can shatter people's confidence and literally blight their lives. Imagine being in constant pain, never wanting to meet people or talk to them and living in constant fear of opening your mouth in public." ********* Top tips for teeth Brush twice a day, for two minutes, with fluoride toothpaste. Avoid sugary food, particularly between meals. Clean between teeth, using floss or a mini toothbrush. Chew sugar-free gum, particularly those containing the sweetener xylitol, after meals. Stop smoking.

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