Most people have been told from a young age that brushing two or three times a day with toothpaste is the way to healthy teeth. Now however, some dental experts are challenging that assumption.
It seems that some Americans may be brushing too much, in a bid to get a bright white Hollywood smile.
WBZ TV spoke to dentist Dr Stephen Greene, who said that brushing three times a day, as many people do, "causes at least as much damage as it prevents".
He revealed that he tells his patients to clean their mouths thoroughly once a day, which should be enough with today's fluoride toothpastes.
This view was backed up by Dr Gerald Kugel from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, who told the news procider that bacteria takes 24 hours to build up, so cleaning teeth once during that period should be adequate.
Dr Kugel also noted that over-brushing can cause gums to recede, explaining that "the problem with receding gums is the root surface isn't like enamel … it's more prone to cavities".
Recently president of the Florida Dental Association Dr Nolan W Allen told the St Petersburg Times that brushing is the key to good oral health, describing toothpaste as "window dressing".
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