[Once or 3 times daily toothbrushing: theoretical basis and practical reality]

Should teeth be cleaned once or three times a day? Although scientific data imply that teeth may be efficiently kept clean by brushing them once but throughly, and although it is true that brushing one's teeth several times a day incompletely is a nonsense, such recommendations should be given only to the fully motivated and cooperative patient. Expecting results by telling this to children, teenagers and to 20--30 year old adults would provoke an increase of caries incidence particularly in the proximal area of the teeth. To renounce to the removal of food debris several times a day is indicated only in middle aged people, where the danger of new carious lesions is diminishing. With optimal home care one cleaning a day may suffice, but a patient who is sensitized to a clean feeling in his mouth will want to remove food debris all by himself.