How Often to Brush and Floss?

How Often to Brush and Floss?

If a person is cleaning their teeth effectively (see "Finding Hidden  Bacteria in Your Mouth" and "Why Are You Flossing?") then the teeth and gums are safe until the bacteria return, organize their bio-environment and begin causing damage.

Studies indicate it takes 24 hours or a little longer depending on mouth chemistry and diet.

So effectively cleaned teeth are safe for one full day. Most people will brush more than once per day because they are concerned about food particles showing in their smile and about food particles on teeth creating bad breath.

So most people will brush a couple times daily after meals. For "healthy" teeth, however, one "effective tooth cleaning" each day is enough for excellent oral health.

Scott Thompson,DDS

530-878-2357

Why Are You Flossing?

Why Are You Flossing?

The answer is kind of simple. For age 3 and older, 95% of the fillings I do are because of cavities between teeth.

Why? Because the bacteria hide between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot get them and they make their holes in the teeth there.

Most people don’t floss so I have cavities to fill. If people would listen and do, I could make my living doing teaching and check-ups for patients rather than fillings.

For adults, my periodontist friends who take care of all the gum problems tell me 100% of the periodontitis (gum problems) begins between teeth.

So… Are you flossing daily?

Scott Thompson, DDS

530-878-2357

Photo credit: wikipedia commons

How Long Should You Brush?

How Long to Brush?

Brush until they are clean. Most people try to brush for 2 minutes twice a day. Time is not the answer.

People who have taught themselves to be effective tooth brushers can get the job done in one minute. If you are brushing the way you have always brushed since a child, some places get clean and some don’t.

More times per day and more minutes per brushing just gets the clean spots cleaner and the not clean spots are still not clean!

Teach yourself to be an effective brusher (see "disclosing bacteria) and get the job done in one minute per day! Be sure to ask us to evaluate your effectiveness when you are in the office.

Scott Thompson, DDS

530-878-2357

What is a Cavity?

A cavity is a hole in the tooth. It is the end result of a contagious disease caused by bacteria. If these bacteria are allowed to live on the teeth (inadequate brushing and flossing) and we feed these bacteria sugars (juice, sodas, sweet teas, sweet coffees, pastries, candies, etc.) the acids they "poop" from their metabolism will dissolve holes in the teeth.

A filling or crown cleans the hole and fills it to support the damaged tooth, but DOES NOTHING TO STOP THE DISEASE.

If home care and diet is not resisting and removing the bacteria, the disease continues and new holes develop. They destroy that expensive dental work, make holes in new areas, and eventually destroy the teeth.

Learn how to "see" those bacteria and teach yourself to be an effective tooth brusher (see "Finding Hidden  Bacteria in Your Mouth" in these note files).

Scott Thompson,DDS

530-878-2357

Finding Hidden Bacteria in Your Mouth

Disclosing Bacteria

The bacteria that “hide” on our teeth and dissolve holes in them (cavities) are the same color as our teeth.  Like the grasshopper hiding in the grass from the bird is green and hard to find.  To find them we have in the office “disclosing solution” which colors the bacteria red and makes them easy to see.

If you can see the bacteria, it is easy to teach yourself  how to be an effective tooth brusher. 

If you “know your enemy” you will find getting teeth clean takes less time than most people normally use for brushing.

AT HOME you can use the vegetable food coloring you have in your kitchen cabinet.  The same stuff you use to color Easter Eggs and make blue cake with green frosting (yikes!). 

After you have done a normal brushing, just put 2 drops on your tongue and lick it all over your teeth.  Rinse real well with some water and then look.  The bacteria will be colored.  You will see the places your “normal brushing” is good and the places you are missing.

 Now teach yourself how to get all those places clean.  Someone who knows how to get her/his teeth clean will be able to do an excellent brushing in one minute.  WOW!

The benefits of excellent brushing are:
1) Whiter teeth!
2) No more bleeding gums!
3) Stop cavities.
4) What a smile!!

Scott Thompson, DDS
530-878-2357