Clean Molars, Ugly Smile?

CLEAN MOLARS, UGLY SMILE?

At every check-up for our patients we use disclosing solution to display for our patients where their most recent brushing/flossing was successful and where it was lacking.  We then give them the opportunity to take brush and/or floss and do a "practice" cleaning of their own teeth.  This helps them feel what they need to do differently to improve their cleaning effectiveness.  We also have "disclosing tablets" on hand for them to take home and do little training sessions themselves at home.

Most patients are surprised to find they are cleaning their molars more effectively than their front teeth.  Most of us think we are getting our front teeth the cleanest and need more effort in the back.  The truth is, the cheek muscles have little leverage against the tooth brush and so the brush gets the whole tooth easily.  The lips, on the other hand, are great protectors of our gums around our front teeth.  Their orientation allows them to interfere with the tooth brush and handle, preventing the brush from quite reaching the gum line.  The end result can be devastating!

Our exams reveal at the gum line of lower front teeth especially, more bacterial plaque, gingivitis, bleeding, and damaging tartar build-up than other areas of the mouth.  This explains why many of you notice the dark unattractive look of lower front teeth during conversations (when the lips reveal the teeth and gums for an effective smile).  It also explains why so many people lose their lower front teeth first from gum disease and infection.  This is definitely not attractive in a smile.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE:  Spend an extra 5 seconds on the lower front teeth, making sure your lip is getting out of the way and you are feeling the brush actually brushing the edge of the gums.  For some of you this may cause some bleeding of the gums the first week you do this.  Please persist!  If the gums are kept clean for a week the bleeding will stop.

Take a good look at those lower front teeth each day and you will see the improvement daily as red gingivitis goes away, the bleeding stops, the gum swelling goes away and reveals the tartar/calculus line and the stain line on your teeth.  Persistence over a long period of time will result in the stain diminishing if you have some coffee/tea stains on your teeth.  If you see that tell/tale line of tartar/calculus build-up, I recommend a professional cleaning soon after you have the gums healthier.  That stuff harbors plaque bacteria in it's porosity and it catches food incessantly.

With time you can watch the ragged look of unhealthy become the healthy pink look with beautifully rounded gum margins.
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Scott Thompson
(530) 305-7988
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