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| Should I use a tongue-scraper? A dentist’s essential guide to oral hygiene | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Dentists and dental hygienists despair every time they are confronted with a patient who has been told they are suffering from gum disease (gingivitis) or are at risk of decay, and three or six months down the line when they are recalled, they’ve not acted on our advice. Then they wonder why their gums are bleeding like Niagara Falls or they have a cavity the size of Stow-on-the-Wold. | Dentists and dental hygienists despair every time they are confronted with a patient who has been told they are suffering from gum disease (gingivitis) or are at risk of decay, and three or six months down the line when they are recalled, they’ve not acted on our advice. Then they wonder why their gums are bleeding like Niagara Falls or they have a cavity the size of Stow-on-the-Wold. |
| The news that the turnover of dental products in the UK appears to be growing has to be welcomed, but after having had some really hard days over the first couple of weeks of the school holidays, it doesn’t feel like increased oral hygiene product sales is translating into mouths safe enough to put your teeth in. It’s one thing buying the stuff, but it’s another thing entirely using it. “Interdental brushes? Yes we’ve got some in the bathroom cabinet. No, I don’t use them, the wife does though.” Some of the time I wonder whether patients are actually using the hairy end of the toothbrush. | The news that the turnover of dental products in the UK appears to be growing has to be welcomed, but after having had some really hard days over the first couple of weeks of the school holidays, it doesn’t feel like increased oral hygiene product sales is translating into mouths safe enough to put your teeth in. It’s one thing buying the stuff, but it’s another thing entirely using it. “Interdental brushes? Yes we’ve got some in the bathroom cabinet. No, I don’t use them, the wife does though.” Some of the time I wonder whether patients are actually using the hairy end of the toothbrush. |
| Related: Why neglecting your teeth could be seriously bad for your health | Related: Why neglecting your teeth could be seriously bad for your health |
| The most common cause of loss of teeth in adults is advanced gum disease (chronic periodontitis), where bacteria in the mouth that form plaque cause the body to produce inflammatory products to attack the bugs, but in doing so, causes shrinkage of the gums. Ultimately the jawbone can shrink to the point where teeth can become loose and lost (always try looking down the back of the sofa first). | The most common cause of loss of teeth in adults is advanced gum disease (chronic periodontitis), where bacteria in the mouth that form plaque cause the body to produce inflammatory products to attack the bugs, but in doing so, causes shrinkage of the gums. Ultimately the jawbone can shrink to the point where teeth can become loose and lost (always try looking down the back of the sofa first). |
| So with all these products increasingly available, what do you do with them? Brushing at least twice a day thoroughly is the minimum requirement to reduce the risk of gum disease and decay. Theoretically, if you removed all the plaque in your mouth through brushing, that would be enough to protect your teeth. The fact is, most people can’t – even dentists. | So with all these products increasingly available, what do you do with them? Brushing at least twice a day thoroughly is the minimum requirement to reduce the risk of gum disease and decay. Theoretically, if you removed all the plaque in your mouth through brushing, that would be enough to protect your teeth. The fact is, most people can’t – even dentists. |
| Electric or manual? It doesn’t matter as long as you are brushing just under the gums – ignore any bleeding, it means you are getting to the right place with the brush. A soft brush is better than a hard one since it’ll get into all the nooks and crannies. | Electric or manual? It doesn’t matter as long as you are brushing just under the gums – ignore any bleeding, it means you are getting to the right place with the brush. A soft brush is better than a hard one since it’ll get into all the nooks and crannies. |
| I don’t care if you have won prizes for brushing, using floss or interdentals once a day reaches the parts brushes can’t reach. Bugs love crevices. (Crevice and tartar are the two words I feel most ridiculous saying out loud to patients.) | I don’t care if you have won prizes for brushing, using floss or interdentals once a day reaches the parts brushes can’t reach. Bugs love crevices. (Crevice and tartar are the two words I feel most ridiculous saying out loud to patients.) |
| A regular date with the dental hygienist is recommended – take chocolates, they don’t appreciate flowers | A regular date with the dental hygienist is recommended – take chocolates, they don’t appreciate flowers |
| What about mouthwashes? Mouthwashes are a lazy person’s floss. Chlorhexidine is a mouthwash dentists prescribe in severe cases of gum disease short-term – a side-effect of use is black teeth and increased blood pressure, so don’t try this at home, kids. A good mouthwash is OK as an adjunct to brushing and flossing but it can take the roof of your mouth off. Fluoride mouthwashes are useful for protecting against decay but only if recommended by dentists. | What about mouthwashes? Mouthwashes are a lazy person’s floss. Chlorhexidine is a mouthwash dentists prescribe in severe cases of gum disease short-term – a side-effect of use is black teeth and increased blood pressure, so don’t try this at home, kids. A good mouthwash is OK as an adjunct to brushing and flossing but it can take the roof of your mouth off. Fluoride mouthwashes are useful for protecting against decay but only if recommended by dentists. |
| Chewing sugar-free gum can neutralise plaque acids and protect against decay, but it can give a false sense of security. Avoiding sugar in the first place is the best policy. | Chewing sugar-free gum can neutralise plaque acids and protect against decay, but it can give a false sense of security. Avoiding sugar in the first place is the best policy. |
| If you are prone to gum problems, a regular date with the hygienist is recommended – take chocolates, they don’t appreciate flowers. Hygienists can turn oral health around, providing the patient plays ball. These people are magic, albeit stern disciplinarians, and have usually trained at Hogwarts. | If you are prone to gum problems, a regular date with the hygienist is recommended – take chocolates, they don’t appreciate flowers. Hygienists can turn oral health around, providing the patient plays ball. These people are magic, albeit stern disciplinarians, and have usually trained at Hogwarts. |
| Finally, a newish thing is the tongue-scraper. The idea is that it removes the deposits on the tongue (I like to call this “munge”) that are thought to cause halitosis. Effectiveness? Jury is out. Some people think it helps (that may include tongue-scraper manufacturers), but it may not. Personally, I am unable to judge – I always wear a mask. | Finally, a newish thing is the tongue-scraper. The idea is that it removes the deposits on the tongue (I like to call this “munge”) that are thought to cause halitosis. Effectiveness? Jury is out. Some people think it helps (that may include tongue-scraper manufacturers), but it may not. Personally, I am unable to judge – I always wear a mask. |
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