Does brushing teeth really prevent cavities?
The article examines whether mechanical tooth brushing actually prevents cavities and concludes that fluoride plays the key role. It cites research findings: a 2018 systematic review found no significant difference in cavity prevalence between children who brushed thoroughly without fluoride and a control group. A 2003 Cochrane Collaboration review showed that fluoride toothpaste reduces the risk of cavities by 24%.
The article on Cursor Info questions the common belief that mechanical tooth brushing alone prevents cavities. Based on scientific data, the author explains that the main protective factor is fluoride, which strengthens enamel. The article cites a 2018 systematic review involving 743 children. Children in the experimental group, under researcher supervision, meticulously removed plaque using floss and a toothbrush, but without fluoride toothpaste. Despite intensive hygiene, no significant difference in cavity prevalence was found between this group and the control group. Another review, published by the Cochrane Collaboration in 2003, analyzed 70 studies involving tens of thousands of children. It showed that regular use of fluoride toothpaste reduces the prevalence of cavities in permanent teeth by an average of 24% compared to toothpaste without fluoride. The article also includes a historical overview: from ancient ideas about "tooth worms" to the invention of the modern toothbrush by William Addis in 1780 and the launch of the first clinically proven fluoride toothpaste, Crest, in 1955.