Brushing your teeth: What is the right way?

NEW YORK (WABC) -- How do you brush your teeth, and how often do you brush? It turns out even dentists can't agree on the best way.

New research out Friday in the British Dental Journal looks at the brushing advice from dentists and dental associations in ten countries. Some recommend horizontal strokes, others say circular or a combination of both. Most dentists recommend brushing two times a day, but others say 3.

"Circles in the back and try to reach everywhere," says mother Lena Krasniqi.

Like Krasniqi, most parents are happy if their kids brush at all. At the NYU Dental School, Director of Education for Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Courtney Quinn says they recommend a small, circular motion with your brush at a 45 degree angle.

"We recommend doing half on the gums half of the teeth," says Dr. Quinn, "When you get to the front teeth, sometimes people do go vertical."

He says it is okay if you don't always brush perfectly, but you should always use a toothpaste with fluoride and a soft bristle brush that is not too big.

"That means using the head of the brush - it's small enough to access all areas of the teeth," adds Dr. Quinn.

The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes, but two minutes is actually longer than you think/

"A lot of times, we're doing brush, brush, spit and we're done," says Dr. Quinn.

The ADA website has two minute videos to help your kids know when to stop. Even if you use an electric toothbrush, it is important to take your time, and never brush too hard or too quickly - it can damage both the gums and the tooth structure right at the gum line.

The nylon-bristled toothbrush most of us use was invented in 1938. The authors of the new study say it is about time there are more consistent guidelines on how to use it.

For a video on proper teeth-brushing go HERE: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/brushing-your-teeth

For more on brushing for two minutes twice a day, go HERE: http://2min2x.org/

For more on healthy brushing habits for babies and kids, go HERE: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/healthy-habits