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A new type of toothbrush which is shaped like a mouthguard has been developed by manufacturers in the U.S., who claim it will fully clean teeth in a mere six seconds.The device is lined with 400 bristles that clean the surface of and in between the teeth. The bristles are the same as those on a toothbrush but are attached to the mouthguard at a 45-degree angle.
To use it, you bite down and release 10-15 times - allowing the teeth to move up and down against the fixed bristles, cleaning them and particularly the space underneath the gumline.
While your teeth are closed, you should grind them left and right and backwards and forwards to give an additional clean.
The new gadget - called the Blizzident - is moulded from plastic, and made from an impression of the patient’s own teeth. It is popped into the mouth along with a blob of toothpaste.
The manufacturers claim that tests show the device removes 100 per cent of plaque from teeth in just six seconds.
The device also contains a series of small holes through which dental floss can be inserted and woven through the gum shield.
This means that when the users bite and grind on the device, they can also floss at the same time.
The positions of the 'floss holes’ ensure that the floss tape is applied in between teeth with the correct amount of pressure, say the manufacturers (as flossing by hand can actually damage gums rather than benefit them if too much force is applied).
The tool itself costs around £200 (plus an additional £100 to have an impression taken by a dentist which must then be sent to the company in the U.S.) and should last around a year, after which the bristles can be replaced at a lower price.
Commenting on the gadget, Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser to the British Dental Association, said: 'This is a novel approach to cleaning your teeth, although we need further studies to be done in order to ensure that the device is safe and effective.
'And it is also most important to remember that when it comes to keeping our teeth healthy, it’s not really what sort of brush you use that counts, but just how well you brush with it.’
Prof Walmsley recommends holding a soft-bristled toothbrush against the gum at a 45 degree angle and then using gentle circular movements to clean the teeth.
'When brushing your teeth it is important to clean the inside, outside and chewing surfaces of all your teeth. It is important to brush teeth in a thorough and systematic manner, and for at least two minutes.’
Professor Walmsley adds: 'Don’t forget to brush the hard-to-reach teeth at the back, and where the tooth meets the gum, areas that are often overlooked.
'Use short gentle strokes, a fluoride toothpaste and wait for an hour after eating before brushing.’
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Meanwhile, studies suggest that high-dose statins may reduce gum disease.
In a study of 59 heart-disease patients, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the group were given a daily statin for 12 weeks. The health of their arteries was measured, but the researchers also tested their gum health, after earlier studies showed that gum disease is linked to inflammation in the arteries.
After four weeks of taking the statins, all the patients showed improved gum health, and reduced gum inflammation. The health of their arteries also improved.
The researchers behind the study, at Harvard Medical School, are unsure why the statins produced an improvement in gum health, but say this study provides further evidence that there is a crucial link between gum disease and heart health.
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