# Could Brushing Your Teeth Actually Increase your chance of gum disease? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 5, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794 "2017-04-05T02:42:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794/21 "2017-04-05T20:23:08Z")
Dude, brush your teeth and floss daily. You stink. People avoid you so they don’t have to smell your swamp mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Contemplation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794/22 "2017-04-05T21:29:39Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > [http://bigstory.ap.org/article/f7e66079d9ba4b4985d7af350619a9e3/medical-benefits-dental-floss-unproven](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/f7e66079d9ba4b4985d7af350619a9e3/medical-benefits-dental-floss-unproven) > > It’s all a scam perpetuated by Oral B and Johnson & Johnson! The ADA is probably getting kickbacks from Big Floss! I’ve read about that before. That thought led me to wonder about the topic of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794/23 "2017-04-05T22:28:13Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Last time I got my teeth cleaned, I mentioned that a previous hygienist had recommended an electric toothbrush–which I bought. She thought it was a good idea, but told me to concentrate on brushing the teeth–not my gums. In my case, they recommend concentrating on brushing the gums and not so much the teeth. My teeth are strong and not cavity-prone but I am prone to gingivitus. But yes, let the electric brush do the work; concentrate on angling it correctly so it cleans more efficiently. My dentist has threatened things like “scaling” and “root planing” so I need to get back to flossing! ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794/24 "2017-04-06T00:25:06Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > In my case, they recommend concentrating on brushing the gums and not so much the teeth. My teeth are strong and not cavity-prone but I am prone to gingivitus. But yes, let the electric brush do the work; concentrate on angling it correctly so it cleans more efficiently. > > My dentist has threatened things like “scaling” and “root planing” so I need to get back to flossing! I was always told I was borderline on gum disease when I was using a regular toothbrush. 4 years ago the hygienist got me to buy a Braun electronic brush and it was a measurable difference - I even brushed less often with the Braun than I did with a manual brush and had way better results. No pockets more than 2mm. It died after 3 years and I switched to a Sonicare - I like the Braun better and will go back to that when this Sonicare bites in a couple more years. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794/25 "2017-04-06T03:44:01Z")
I guess we’re not supposed to pitch brands here, but I love my Sonicare. My dentist and my hygienist seem to like it, too. My wife has a different brand, which she seems to like fine. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794/26 "2017-04-06T03:48:14Z")
My dental hygienist is cute. Every time I visit, I eat a whole package of Oreo cookies while waiting in the lobby. Sometimes she has to cancel the rest of the afternoon’s appointments. – Steven Wright ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794/27 "2017-04-06T17:39:37Z")
> [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](#): > > I guess we’re not supposed to pitch brands here, but I love my Sonicare. My dentist and my hygienist seem to like it, too. My wife has a different brand, which she seems to like fine. My dentist’s office definitely pushes the Sonicare as somehow much superior to other brands. I think they sell them, but I buy mine at WalMart. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794/28 "2017-04-06T18:39:27Z")
Oscillating-rotating are superior to sonic brushes according to studies (and my own experiences). > **[A randomized 12-week clinical comparison of an oscillating-rotating...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25122979/)** > > The oscillating-rotating toothbrush demonstrated statistically significantly greater reductions in whole mouth plaque at Weeks 6 and 12, as well as significantly greater gingivitis reductions over the long-term (12 weeks), compared to the new sonic... > **[Plaque removal efficacy of oscillating-rotating power toothbrushes: review of...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24073528/)** > > In total, 462 subjects completed the trials and were evaluable. While all toothbrushes provided significant post-brushing versus baseline plaque removal efficacy, the magnitude of the reduction was consistently superior for the O-R brush compared to... ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794/30 "2017-04-06T19:38:06Z")
I’ve had difficulty with brushing my teeth all my life. Most toothpastes burn my mouth, and I’ve lacerated my gums in the past using hard brushes. Right now I use a soft brush, a no-mint gel toothpaste, and I still don’t brush each and every day. Fortunately I got first rate fluoride treatment as a child or I’d probably be wearing dentures by now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794.md?page=1)