Measuring Effective Tooth Brushing

Standard questions I ask my patients at their routine check-ups go like this:  When did you last brush your teeth?  Did you get them clean?  How do you know?  That elicits a wide variety of responses which, as you might imagine, are fun to explore with the patient.

My follow-up questions are often like:  If you were a tasty bug hiding in the grass so a bird couldn't find you, what color would you like to be?  If you are hiding on a tooth, what color would you be?  If the germs are white, how do you know if you got them off?  Most adults remember some time in their past when a dentist or dental hygienist gave them a red pill that turned the germs pink or purple.  That stuff is still around.  It is called disclosing tablets or disclosing solution.  If you color the germs pink and show yourself how to brush those places clean, you would learn the feel of brushing effectively.  If you re-test once a week, it would only take about 4 times to be very efficient with your toothbrush.  You will probably find tooth cleaning can be done very well in less time than you used to take.

There are also disclosing mouthwashes in the super market.  I have found, however, the color in so subtle it is hard to see unless the germs on your teeth are really gross.  If you can't find tablets or solution at your dentist or pharmacy, go to our website and look at our Clean Teeth Kit.  Learn how to effectively clean your teeth in less than 2 minutes a day and:

1) stop getting new cavities

2) prolong the life of your fillings by double or triple

3) Eliminate those embarrassing bleeding gums.

4) Next week read this blog with a brighter smile.

Next week:  Chew Gum for Fewer Cavities

Fillings Don't Stop Cavities

Few people realize that a filling does nothing to prevent another cavity. Cavities are caused by bacteria (germs) that live in our mouth. These bacteria infect our mouths as soon as we have teeth. The disease they cause is called caries. The acids and metabolic by products of these bacteria attack the teeth and gums. For the teeth the end product of the disease is a hole in the tooth; a cavity.

When you think about it, cleaning out that hole and patching it with a filling does absolutely nothing to stop the bacterial disease that is active in your entire mouth. As a matter of fact, the edge of the filling, no matter how good the filling, is a perfect niche for the bacteria to gather and begin eroding the tooth down the side of the filling. The result is a new cavity under the filling! Very discouraging.

The answer we all want is how to control the disease. If you are willing to dedicate 2 minutes of your day to the job you can control the disease. Controlling the disease means no more cavities. Even for people at high risk for cavities the disease can be controlled and cavities prevented.

Most people brush their teeth but do not get their teeth adequately clean because they have never known how to measure how well they are doing. When you establish a relationship with a dentist the very first task should be to learn from the dentist, hygienist and staff how to control caries (the disease) in your mouth. Any fillings done before the disease is controlled are at high risk of failing because new decay will invade the edges of the filling.

People who control the disease can get their fillings with confidence they will last for a very very long time.

If you have not learned from your dentist how to control caries in your mouth and how to measure at home how effective you are, then that is the first thing you should do, before more cavities are filled.

Next Blogs: 1) Measuring Effective Tooth Brushing.  2) The inherent weakness of the bacteria.  3) Help for High Risk Mouths  4) Reading Your Gums