DENTAL CARE: THE BEST, WORST AND UNPROVEN TOOLS TO CARE FOR YOUR TEETH, ACCORDING TO UNIVERSITY STUDY: PART I A study undertaken at the University at Buffalo suggests interdental brushes and water picks work best to prevent gum disease, finds no extra power in powered toothbrushes, lists best mouth rinses, and more. Do probiotics prevent gum disease? Is flossing necessary? Many patients are unable to confidently answer these questions and more due to the abundance of conflicting medical information. However, new research led by the University at Buffalo aims to separate fact from fiction in determining which oral hygiene tools actually prevent gum disease. The paper, published in the Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology, examines the effectiveness of various oral hygiene devices. The result: only a handful of self-administered interventions provide additional protection against gingivitis and periodontitis beyond brushing one's teeth with a basic toothbrush. At the moment, all other oral hygiene interventions are only supported by insufficient evidence, says Frank Scannapieco, DMD, PhD, principal investigator and chair and SUNY Distinguished Professor of Oral Biology in the UB School of Dental Medicine. The findings, he says, will help dental practitioners and the public identify best practices for preventing gum disease, which affects nearly half of adults 30 and older in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Patients can be confident that the oral care tools and practices supported by research, as described in the paper, will prevent the initiation and progression of periodontal disease, if they are performed regularly and properly," says Scannapieco. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL1968453 DENTAL CARE : THE BEST , WORST AND UNPROVEN TOOLS TO CARE FOR YOUR TEETH , ACCORDING TO UNIVERSITY STUDY : PART I A study undertaken at the University at Buffalo suggests interdental brushes and water picks work best to prevent gum disease , finds no extra power in powered toothbrushes , lists best mouth rinses , and more . Do probiotics prevent gum disease ? Is flossing necessary ? Many patients are unable to confidently answer these questions and more due to the abundance of conflicting medical information . However , new research led by the University at Buffalo aims to separate fact from fiction in determining which oral hygiene tools actually prevent gum disease . The paper , published in the Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology , examines the effectiveness of various oral hygiene devices . The result : only a handful of self - administered interventions provide additional protection against gingivitis and periodontitis beyond brushing one's teeth with a basic toothbrush . At the moment , all other oral hygiene interventions are only supported by insufficient evidence , says Frank Scannapieco , DMD , PhD , principal investigator and chair and SUNY Distinguished Professor of Oral Biology in the UB School of Dental Medicine . The findings , he says , will help dental practitioners and the public identify best practices for preventing gum disease , which affects nearly half of adults 30 and older in the United States , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) . " Patients can be confident that the oral care tools and practices supported by research , as described in the paper , will prevent the initiation and progression of periodontal disease , if they are performed regularly and properly , " says Scannapieco . Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM - CL1968453