ORAL HYGIENE

Some of the most common questions that we are asked involve oral hygiene. Everybody wants to know what they can do to prevent [or stop] tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath [halitosis]. They also want to know which products to trust and use, since there are literally hundreds of oral hygiene products on the market.

Regular daily brushing and flossing is the key to preventing dental disease. You should brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.

A general note about dental care products. In order that you may be certain that you are purchasing a product that is safe and effective, you should look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The Seal is given to products and devices only after they have gone through a rigorous testing process. The testing process is paid for by the American Dental Association to ensure the impartiality of the process. You should visit the ADA web site if you want more information on the Seal of Acceptance.

Now if you are like most of our patients, you hate to floss. "The floss shreds in between my teeth…" "My teeth are so tight that I can’t floss…" We have good news for you! Or maybe bad news, depending on your perspective… Flossing has become a lot easier for everyone due to two developments. The introduction and widespread availability of Glide^TM brand floss is one of the best advancements in floss in years. Glide^TM is made of Gore-Tex, a high-tech material best known for high quality [and expensive] jackets and outerwear. Glide^TM is slippery enough to allow ease of flossing and has the remarkable tendency to break cleanly in the mouth, rather than shredding. The second major development is the introduction of the Oral-B Interclean^TM interdental cleaning device. This device, for all of the benefits, has one major drawback. It is very expensive. If you were to compare the cost of the device alone [not including the cleaning tips, which must be replaced every day] with the cost of Glide^TM floss [which is about 1 ½ times more expensive than regular floss], you could buy an eight year supply of Glide^TM. However, for the patient that has very tight contacts between their teeth, or fixed bridgework in their mouths, the Interclean^TM is a good choice as an oral hygiene aid. In the case of the patient with extensive dental work [or the possibility of such work] the cost of the appliance is a small investment compared to the investment already made in dental care.

Electric toothbrushes: The Oral-B/Braun Plaque Remover, and the Sonicare toothbrush.   The Oral-B Plaque Remover can be found in many stores [try Target, WalMart, etc. to get the best price]. Are you looking for a little something extra? Try the Sonicare toothbrush. It is fairly expensive [$100 +] and takes some time to get used to, but it is capable of removing stains [such as coffee and tobacco] and does an exceptional job of cleaning your teeth.

Now we realize that toothpaste is one product that gets very confusing…In some of our local grocery stores, the toothpaste aisle seems to go on forever. There are some fairly simple things that you need to look out for as an educated consumer, and beyond that, choosing a brand and type of toothpaste is a matter of personal preference.

1. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Dental products must pass extremely rigorous tests to receive this label. These tests are paid for and administered by the American Dental Association, and not by the companies involved, ensuring quality and safety to you.

2. Make sure that your toothpaste is fluoridated.

3. Tartar Control toothpaste works! Virtually all adults should use it.

4. Baking Soda toothpaste works very well, but can cause tooth sensitivity if used for prolonged periods.

If you are concerned about choosing a traditional manual toothbrush you should look for the following things:

1. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

2. Only use brushes with soft or extra-soft bristles.

3. Choose a brush size that will allow you to comfortably reach all of the areas of your mouth. [Ask your dentist for help if you are unsure.]

You should discard your toothbrush any time the bristles are bent or frayed, and you should replace your toothbrush after three months even if it shows no sign of wear [this probably means you should dust it off once in a while…].

Many of our patients ask if there is a specific mouth rinse/mouthwash that can be used to treat periodontal disease. The short answer is no. There is no "magic bullet" that can rinse away gum disease. Very simply, there is no way for a mouthwash to be effective below the gum line and between the teeth. This is not to imply that mouth rinses are completely ineffective. Several over the counter products have been shown to be very effective, with Listerine TM brand mouthwash generally leading the efficacy studies. We recommend the Fresh Mint and Cool Mint flavors, as the original "yellow" product is rather foul [it was originally marketed as a foot wash…yuck!]. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on any mouthwash product you are interested in purchasing. All mouthwashes should be used in conjunction with a regimen of brushing and flossing [otherwise it is like putting cologne on instead of bathing…].

A note to the patient that has been told that they need periodontal surgery:

There is no "magic" potion, lotion, rinse, paste, brush or drug to "cure" periodontal disease. There are many products available to you that will make exaggerated claims, telling you what you want to hear about their product. Remember, if it sounds too good [or too easy] to be true, it probably is. If a dentist has told you that you need periodontal surgery to save your teeth, you probably do. By all means, if you do not feel comfortable with the diagnosis, seek a second opinion. Do not confuse "not feeling comfortable" with avoidance and/or denial. Get a second, third and maybe fourth opinion, and make your decision to save or lose your teeth based on the information you are provided with. The decision is yours to make, and yours alone.