How do you take care of your teeth?

[ALLEX]

My dentist said that I should avoid eating many times per day, that it would eventually give me periodontitis if I'm not careful. Now I carry tooth brush, paste and mouth wash. Also, using inter dental brushes and visiting the dentist's office every 3 months.
What do you do?

 

[abolish the weak]

Man, I haven't been to a dentist in 4 years, I just brush them and live by the rule "if it aint broke dont fix it"

 

[btech]

....and visiting the dentist's office every 3 months.

damn, lucky you! my health insurance only allows me to get a checkup every six months. do you get a checkup each time you go?

I brush my teeth before i leave the house in the morning, in the late afternoon / early evening before i go out, and at night before bed. anything less than that is disgusting in my book.

 

[fsm]

Your dentist is right, eating is a major cause of tooth decay. Stop doing it now! LOL.

reasonable brushing and flossing, and cleaning every 4 - 6 months should allow you to keep your teeth 70 years or so.

 

[bigguns078]

I have very good genetics for my teeth.. Never had a cavity or any other issue in my life!! But, i recently went to dentist and he yelled at me for using a hard toothbrush.. He said i am literally wearing away my gums and eventually i will have sensativity issues... He said to NEVER use a hard brush... Always a softbrush... He also said i brush my teeth incorrectly... He showed me how to angle my toothbrush so the bristles lock between the gum line and the bottom of my tooth... From there he said you only need 5 or 6 short pulses and then release and move to the next spot, eventually going around the inside and outside of my teeth.. He explained that germs on your teeth are always present.. But the germs need to link together to form colonies to do any damage (tartar buildup, bad breath, etc.). So by brushing, you break up the colonies and maintain healthy teeth.. Obviously the more you brush the better.. I always thought you had to scrub the germs away.. But i was wrong... I asked my Dentist why he was telling me now and not when i was a kid.. He said he did tell me... And i agreed that i probably wasn't paying attention.... Sorry for the long ass story... Here is my regimen:

Brush in morning after meal 1
Brush in afternoon after meal 3
Brush when i get home from work.. after meal 5
Brush before bed...

I also bleech my teeth on occasion... I get 36% carbamide gel
I initially bleeched my teeth everyday for 2.5 weeks.. I didn't have bad stains... My teeth just took a very long time to respond.. Now i do touch ups every 6 months or so for a full week...

This is the site where i get my bleeching gel...

**broken link removed**

 

[kjreid]

I just had to go see a periodontist because it was 10+ years since I had seen a dentist.

Here is the run down if you don't keep good maintenance and hygiene:

root plaining: 4 sessions (by quadrant) 1.5 hours each cost: 695.67
Wisdom teeth pulled and xrays: 2 sessions cost: 365.00
3 sessions of cleaning and gum antibotics cost: 221.00
Good insurance covered: 672.00

So I am still out of pocket 600+

If I was taking regular care of my teeth (which I am now) my insurance covers 6 month cleanings and 50% of additonal cleanings. I would have been out 50-60 bucks. This is all in one year.


my periodontists gave me these cleaning instructions to maintain good health on teeth and yest he knows that I eat 6-7 meals a day.

Brush three times a day, floss at least once at night, "swish" listerine mouthwash every brushing (best antibacterial mouth wash). use a gum massager and with pressure push against your gums drawing a outline of your gumline both inside and out concentrating on between your teeth do this daily.

The gum massager according to the perodontist will tighten the gums around the base of the teeth to make it more difficult to get irratants down deep enough under the gum line to cause periodontal disease.

 

[pesty4077]

My dentist said that I should avoid eating many times per day, that it would eventually give me periodontitis if I'm not careful. Now I carry tooth brush, paste and mouth wash. Also, using inter dental brushes and visiting the dentist's office every 3 months.
What do you do?

I had my teeth completely done(cosmetic included) about 2 years ago. I spent $10,000 to have perfect teeth. I wish when I was growing up, that I took care for them like now. You only have one set, take care of them.

 

[Curiousity]

I would echo the importance of flossing. You need to break up the plaque between the teeth where you toothbrush won't reach.

I thought I'd add an interesting comment on a website that I visit semi-frequently.

http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=584
No More Cavities?
a story about Streptococcus mutans which "is responsible for the great majority of tooth decay in humankind"


post #68 and #69


Radiatidon #68 June 11th, 2008 9:57 am

This article reminded me about a well-known substance’s potential use discovered by Dr Koo and Dr. Bowen. This substance is made by bees from plants and used like plaster to patch holes in the hive and coat dead insects for later disposal. Called propolis, the bees make it by collecting various secretions from trees and plants, chew it up, and spit it into beeswax where the concoction is mixed and then used where needed.

They discovered that when this is applied to rat’s teeth it decreased the cavity rate by 60 percent give or take. Since rats and humans share common dental problems, what works with rats should work with human dental.

Propolis has been in use since around 300 BC and can be found in common products like creams, lotions, and believe it or not, chewing gum. Because of its capability to act as an anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and even anti-inflammatory, it has been discovered to aid in tissue regeneration. Thus it is used to help wounds heal faster, burn treatment, psoriasis, and even to control herpes. In Japan it is even used as a food additive.

**broken link removed**
**broken link removed**

The two doctors have discovered that two substances in propolis made by Brazilian bees target both the bacteria that form cavities and specific enzymes that create plaque. This bee spit attacks glucosyltransferase enzymes, which create glucans. Glucans are the building blocks that create a biofile commonly called plaque. Like the scum on the inside walls of a summer time water trough, this stuff allows bacteria to get a foothold on your teeth. Where the mini-critters setup housekeeping and crap acid on your teeth. The longer the plaque is allowed to remain, the larger the colony of bacteria becomes. Before long your gum line looks like Manhattan Island, congested with New Yorkers polluting your mouth but with the trash collectors, cleaners, construction, and maintenance workers on strike. Ew

Even the one-liter of saliva that the average human produces per day is far inferior to neutralize the gooey mass. Since the most common pathogen in the human mouth is Streptococcus mutans, they produce the greatest amount of plaque. Since it seems only this critter produces the GTF enzyme in our bodies, propolis is an excellent choice as a dental cavity preventative.

The Don


***********
***********

Radiatidon #69 June 11th, 2008 10:05 am

Oh, as a side note, if you have an allergic reaction to bee stings chances are you may be allergic to propolis.

The Don.


***********
***********

P.S. It also comes in an extract that you can put in water to use as a mouthwash.

 

[blackhole]

toothbrush with baking soda!

 

[Pekkerwood]

Toothbrush, waterpik, floss. Keep a portable, rechargeable waterpik at the office. Works better for me than floss. Made a big difference in my gum health. There are some indications of a relationship between gum disease and some major health issues (cancers, heart etc) I do not have proof handy and and only repeating what my failing memory serves. LOL

Pekkerwood

 

[mung]

Pekkerwood, your memory serves you correct.

I just went through three years of having all my teeth crowned as a result of night grinding and not wearing a mouthpiece, two crown lengthening surgeries, numerous root canals and three oral surgeries. During my visits to the University, they were continually sending people home who do not brush/floss, and not able to provide treatment. They told me due to the amount of bacterial buildup along the gum line, that when/if they invade the buildup all that bacteria gets directly into the blood stream and gets caught behind the heart valves, just as bacteria from dirty injectable do, as well as others places I do not recall. So yes, the buildup as a result of not brushing/flossing is serious.

Brush as often as you can, brush for at least two minutes, floss a minimum of once a day and please, please wear a mouthpiece if you grind your teeth. Let me be an example, if you do not, the resulting treatment is not fun and very expensive!

 

[finny]

toothbrush with baking soda!

Even better, use hydrogen peroxide - I think it's 1% solution or whatever you get at wal-mart for treating wounds. 1 part peroxide, 2 parts water. From what I hear, one of the best things to use to keep proper hygine in your mouth - this one was recommended my my new dentist (the old one just looked at ways to bill me more, but this new one is more preventative rather then reactive).

The most important brushing and flossing is before bed.

I'm sure those taking in shakes in the middle of the night are not doing themselves any favours.

 

[massmaker56]

normally i just brush and floss after my first meal of the day and then right before bed i brush floss and use mouth wash. Plus i visit the dentist once a year

 

[climber]

Yeah, I'm a flake with flossing, but it's proven to help prevent a number of serious illnesses.... Just one more area to improve on!
Climber

 

[dragonfire101]

I'm 30 and have no cavities. I did not go to the dentist for at least 7 years until a last year. Don't no if its genetics. I have been using a natural tee tree toothpaste for years and floss a few times a week.

 

[zipzster00]

Your supposed to brush after every meal, even thought most people dont (I dont either). I also use a prescription flouride mouthwash once a week, its called prevident rinse, its made by colgate I think. Its supposed to help reduce cavities, so try to get a script from your doc for it, its not expensive.

My dentist said that I should avoid eating many times per day, that it would eventually give me periodontitis if I'm not careful. Now I carry tooth brush, paste and mouth wash. Also, using inter dental brushes and visiting the dentist's office every 3 months.
What do you do?

 

[MAD_SCIENTIST]

My dentist said that I should avoid eating many times per day, that it would eventually give me periodontitis if I'm not careful. Now I carry tooth brush, paste and mouth wash. Also, using inter dental brushes and visiting the dentist's office every 3 months.
What do you do?

Hello guys. I’ve been a long time reader of this board. Registered a while back, but decided to make this my first post. WHY?? Well because this is my specialty. I’m a dental professional and a lot of my patients have periodontal problems. Allex, In what your dental professional (dentist ) said “should avoid eating many times per day”. WTF?? I did not read the other members post, but you dentist seems lazy. I do not know what exactly what was said between you and your dentist, but if he/she told you this they are idiots. Tell them to go back and read their dental books again. Have them show you a unbiased research article in JADA that show eating to many times per day cause perio disease. I can go on and on with this but I’ll try my best to give it in layman’s terms.
1. I’m assuming they did a full comprehensive exam, in which they charted your existing fillings,xrays, any cavities that may need to be worked on and most important…. They should have done a periodontal exam- this is where I use my instrument that is called a periodontal probe that measures how much bone you have. Dentistry measures in millimeters. The deeper you go the more bone you lost. You the patient should have been hearing your dentist calling out numbers while probing in your gums…something like 1,1,1. 2,2,2.3,3,3. Any numbers that is from 1-3 is signs of healthy gingival (gums) any thing in the 4-6mm range is early to moderate perio disease. 7mm and above I consider severe perio disease. The patients in this case I will refer to a specialist, they are called periodontist.

Allex, I don’t know your case well enough and I’m just going from the info that was written. He/ she tells you to avoid eating to much?? C’mon. Bacteria is the culprit and some part heredity. If you get cavities, its bacteria. Its not the candy we eat, the sugar is the food source for the bacteria. If you get perio disease, bacteria and heredity. When your dentist put you on a 3 month recall it is basically a procedure called PMT-Periodontal Mainatiance Therapy. I could go on and on ALLEX. I thought I just chime in and tell you be carefull…. I have a lot of colleagues that will charge their patients anything under the sun…most patients put trust in their dentist and the dentist will take advantage of that. Take care. Dont forget to floss.

MS

 

[maldorf]

Yes, checkup and general cleaning. Insurance pays 2 per year, I pay 2 from my pocket. Not too expensive, less than 100 bucks, and it's worth it.

Im similar to you. I have 3 cleanings per year, and pay for the one. It has helped me tremendously just getting that one extra cleaning. Totally worth the $80 for the extra visit.

 

[BULKING_N]

Dont forget your tongue I know its not a normal part of the preached dental hygiene but i always use a tongue scraper for all my life. It makes a world of difference especially upon rising and after my shakes!

Always good to keep floss at hand when you cant get to brush or use mouth wash.

As a general rule, I always been told that to always brush right after you eat tomato based sauces, curries, and red wine. They are the biggest contributors to staining teeth.

Your dentist got to be a real idiot to tell you that you're wearing down your teeth from eating too many times. Thats what you tell elephants... You have a much better chance of wearing down your teeth from eating sweeties and not brushing your teeth for the bacteria breaks down the sugars to form acids than can break down the enamel.. I guess that is the basis of tooth decay.. If Im wrong..

 

[HeavyHitter2]

I like to grub on a handful of oreo's right before I head out to the dentist.
seriously though, good advice on the tongue scraper, makes a world of difference with your breath.