A new study suggests that a special brushing method can help protect against tooth decay.

Researchers at a university in Sweden say rubbing toothpaste on your teeth increases fluoride protection by 400%.

The researchers tested a toothpaste containing greater than three times more fluoride than standard toothpaste.

16 volunteers tested different brushing techniques using either high fluoride or standard toothpaste and brushing either twice or three times a day.

Rubbing toothpaste on to the teeth with a finger was found to be as effective as a third brushing in increasing the amount of fluoride in the mouth.