Plaque Control Toothpastes: Good Preventative Dentistry?
The marketers of toothpastes have come up with a new spin that will work on your teeth – toothpaste that helps prevent plaque. Since most American consumers are now aware of oral hygiene and the threat of gum disease, toothpaste manufacturers and marketers have spent upwards of $77 million to sell anti-plaque and tarter control home care products. The media blitz in the dentistry world is on.
Dentists have always known that plaque is the cause of gum disease. And plaque will eventually contribute to the formation of tarter on your tooth. But if you use these new toothpastes, will they work.
Crest and Colgate and other major brands have added a substance that seems to slow the accumulation of tartar on the tooth. You can try it and see for yourself if it works.
But the bottom line for many dentists would be to make sure you're brushing right, no matter what toothpaste you use. A new group of bacteria forms on a tooth every 24 hours, so the object of brushing is to disrupt these colonies. Dental hygiene includes: good tooth brushing techniques, a learned skill that takes practice. However, even the most determined brushing won't always get rid of debris beneath the teeth.
That's why an annual dental cleaning and refresher course on brushing and flossing should bring you up-to-date on the oral health front. And what about those new toothpastes? Can't hurt. Call your dentist today.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
A Dental Hygienist Refresher Course On Flossing
How many times have you heard your dentist and dental hygienist tell you to floss? You nod your head and, maybe, you try flossing for a while. Then old habits take over. Well, it bears repeating: is one of the best things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Bacteria accumulate between the teeth and where the tooth meets gum tissue. Every 24 hours brings a new batch. Brushing won't get rid of the bacteria, flossing correctly will.
Flossing before or after brushing should be a part of your home oral health care program. It doesn't matter which floss you use, and it doesn't require special skills, although practice makes perfect.
Here's a general routine to follow: wrap floss around your fingers, leaving five to six inches to work with. Keep the floss tight.
When the floss frays, re-loop the floss and continue flossing.
If you feel as if you're all thumbs, use a flossing threader. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you how.
Choose a section of teeth; say your upper molars, which are most difficult to reach. Follow the curve of enamel on every surface, reaching wherever you can, with about three passes each time.
If an opening between teeth is tight, you may have to gently pull the floss toward the gum line. Be careful not to damage soft tissue.
Work from the back teeth toward the front while flossing, and then repeat the process on the other side. Rinse when you're done. The time you invest in plaque removal will pay real dividends at your next dentist cleaning visit. Your dental hygienist will be proud!
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.