Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the tooth brushing methods recommended by dental associations and toothbrush manufacturers in various countries including South Korea.Methods: Eighteen countries―6 Asian, 2 North American, 2 Oceanian, and 8 European―were selected from members of the OECD, EU, and APEC, using information obtained from the primary email address of each dental association and information obtained from the websites of the associations regarding the officially recommended tooth brushing methods. In addition, 12 major toothbrush manufacturers were selected based on their market share, including 4 Asian manufacturers, 2 North American, and 2 European. Information about recommended tooth brushing methods was obtained from their websites.Results: The countries recommending a particular tooth brushing method by name were South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. While South Korea recommended the “rolling” technique, Hong Kong and Taiwan recommended the “bass” technique. Except for these countries, the other countries presented their recommended methods by explaining the initial position or motion of the toothbrush. The most commonly recommended method was tilting the brush head at an angle of 45 degrees to the gingival margin; this was recommended by 8 countries (44%) and 6 toothbrush manufacturers (75%). Brushing with a vibrating motion was also recommended by 9 countries (50%) and 4 manufacturers (50%).Conclusions: The most recommended brushing method was initially positioning the toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees to the gingival margin and using a vibrating motion, which is effective against periodontal diseases. However, South Korea recommended the rolling technique, which is effective for controlling dental plaque. Given the high frequency with which periodontal disease occurs in South Korea, vibrating the toothbrush on the gingival margin should be recommended in addition to the rolling technique.

Keywords: Dental association, Oral hygiene, Rolling technique, Tooth brushing method