Survey shows four out of five teachers give their students toothpaste and brushes

Do we really need toothpaste? It was the suggestion after a shocking survey found that four out of five teachers are now providing toothpaste and toothbrushes to their students due to the cost of living crisis.

The results of a poll on hygiene poverty by the British Dental Association and charity Beauty Banks led commentator Giles Coren to state that toothpaste was not necessary as “it’s the abrasive act of brushing that makes the difference, not the paste”.

He was right up to a point, but the message is don’t ditch the toothpaste just yet.

“One of the things we try to do when we brush our teeth is remove bacteria that build up around the gumline and cause plaque [the sticky film that forms on the surface of teeth, leading to decay]says Sam Jethwa, clinical director of Bespoke Smile in Marlow, Bucks.

“So if this plaque is effectively removed with a good toothbrush and technique, you could just use water.”

It was the suggestion after a shocking survey found that four out of five teachers are now providing toothpaste and toothbrushes to their students due to the cost of living crisis

Toothpaste contains fluoride, which “has been extensively researched as strengthening enamel — the hard outer covering of teeth — and reversing tooth decay.”

However, toothpaste plays another important role.

A good toothpaste contains fluoride, which “has been extensively researched to help strengthen enamel — the hard outer covering of teeth — and reverse tooth decay,” he adds.

“So you’re doing two things at the same time when you brush with toothpaste – you’re mechanically removing plaque and adding fluoride to tooth enamel.

“That’s why we don’t recommend rinsing after brushing your teeth because the more fluoride left on your teeth, the better it can improve enamel strength.”

Mayur Pandya, Chief Clinical Officer of Together Dental chain, agrees, adding: “Your tooth enamel is made up of crystals of a mineral, calcium hydroxyapatite – when we eat, the bacteria in our mouth feed on that food and produce acids as a result.

“These acids begin to dissolve this mineral shell and begin to dig through the enamel, resulting in what is known as a white spot lesion, the earliest sign of tooth decay. The main task of a toothpaste is to transport fluoride, which counteracts this.’

But check the label: the recommended amount of fluoride in toothpaste for adults is 1,350 to 1,500 ppm; in children it is about 1,000 ppm. (For children under three, use just a dab of children’s toothpaste to avoid dental fluorosis, which can occur if teeth are exposed to too much fluoride during development.

This can cause staining on the tooth surface and in severe cases, the enamel can become discolored.)

“It doesn’t have to be expensive toothpaste, but it’s important that it contains the right amount of fluoride,” says Mayur Pandya.

Professor Justin Durham, senior scientific adviser to the British Dental Association, believes fluoridated toothpaste is making a significant difference to the nation’s teeth.

He told Good Health: “It is disheartening to see the benefits of fluoride toothpaste being so casually dismissed. It has been shown to help reduce the incidence of tooth decay and also alleviates some of the effects of deprivation.

“This has been exacerbated by the cost of living crisis and exacerbated by the access crisis in NHS dentistry.”

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk