Prevention and Home Care
There are so many products available for home use that I felt it was a good idea to go over which products make sense and which are a waste of money. I have also briefly described the basic processes of caring for your teeth and gums, but it is always a good idea to have these methods demonstrated for you personally by a dental professional.
Toothbrushing
Use a soft toothbrush and brush at a 45 degree angle to your teeth, wiggling the brush as you go up and down. Avoid scrubbing the gum line area too hard, as it can cause erosion, or wearing away, of the gums.
Flossing
Use either waxed or unwaxed floss, depending on your preference. One brand of floss that I particularly like is Glide floss. To floss, work the floss between the teeth and bend the floss to make a "C" each way - forward and backward - to access the hard to reach area near the gum line.
Oral Irrigation Devices
There is renewed evidence that oral irrigation devices such as Water Pik ® help remove biofilm.
Orthodontic Home Care
Teeth require special care when orthodontic braces are in place. Toothbrushes made especially for orthodontic use are shaped to have the best effect around braces. In addition, floss threaders must be used to clean where floss can not go because of orthodontic wire. A fluoride rinse or gel is also strongly recommended for use while brackets are in place. It is very important to have this special oral hygiene demonstrated by a dentist or hygienist when you begin orthodontic treatment.
Care of night guards or other appliances
Nightguards and other plastic appliances should be brushed with a toothbrush and toothpaste after use and kept in a case. Cleaning the appliance occasionally with an antimicrobial rinse such as Listerine can be effective for disinfection. Keep the appliance away from heat or direct sun to prevent any warping of the plastic, and never leave appliances on a counter or wrapped in a paper towel since they can easily be discarded by someone else.
Fixed Bridge Care
Since bridges are connected, regular floss can not be used. Floss threaders, which are thin yet firm plastic loop holders for floss, allow you to access the hard to reach area with floss. Another product, called a Proxibrush, which has a small bristle area at the tip, also allows you to get into the area under the false tooth area of the bridge to clean. An intraoral irrigation device such as Water Pik ® can also help remove food particles under a bridge. It is important to have proper care of a bridge demonstrated for you by a dentist or hygienist.
Care of Partial or Full Dentures
The use of a commercially available product is usually the safest way to keep partials and full dentures clean and disinfected. Home recipes for cleaners or use of household cleaners can cause corrosion of the metal parts of a partial denture. We also recommend removing partial or full dentures at night to give the supporting tissues a rest.
Care of Implants
Implants should be brushed and flossed like normal teeth, but caution should be used because the titanium in them is a soft metal that is easily scratched or abraded. Take special care to use gentle products when cleaning implants, as advised by the dentist or hygienist for your particular case.
Products Available for Home Care
Toothbrushes
There are many different gimmicks with toothbrushes today, but the only important point to note is to choose a soft toothbrush to avoid too much abrasion when brushing. Buy the right size toothbrush for your mouth; a rounded tip may be more comfortable. Other factors such as bent tips, special alignments of bristles, and other unique qualities are all just a matter of your personal preference. Some very inexpensive toothbrushes may not have smoothly finished bristles and can be uncomfortable.
Electric Toothbrushes
These toothbrushes can be very helpful for people with braces, or with people who have limited dexterity. Recommendations for the best brand for your individual problems can be made by a hygienist.
Toothpaste
Any fluoride toothpaste with the American Dental Association seal has been proven to be effective at preventing cavities and is recommended. Some extra whitening toothpastes are abrasive and are not recommended. Some tartar control toothpastes may increase cold sensitivity in teeth. The hygienist can help you determine the correct toothpaste to use for any specific problems.
Rinses and Gels Available From the Pharmacist
Phosflor ® is a strong fluoride rinse prescribed at the dental office. It is designed for patients who have poor resistance to decay and can also be used to alleviate the problem of sensitive teeth.
Gel-Kam ® is a gel form of fluoride, used to treat tooth sensitivity or for patients with excessive decay.
Peridex ® is chlorhexidine gluconate, an antimicrobial rinse that is used in periodontal therapy or for treatment of soft tissue infections.
Rinses Available Over the Counter for Home Use
Fluoride rinses such as Act ® or Fluoriguard ® are fluoride rinses with a lower concentration of fluoride than Phosflor, as described above. They may be helpful in preventing cavities.
Listerine is an antimicrobial rinse that does have some effect on the bacteria that cause gingivitis.
Mouthwashes that advertise to help bad breath may help in some cases, but if bad breath is a continual problem it is best to have an evaluation made at the dental office since bad breath is often an indicator of other serious problems such as periodontal disease
Plax is a rinse that is advertised to reduce plaque, but studies have shown that this is not true and this product is not recommended.
Tooth Whitening or Bleaching Products - These can be unpredictable and can affect soft tissue, and are often not as effective as the products prescribed by the dentist. It is advised that tooth whitening take place under a dentist's care with individually molded trays and prescribed product in the appropriate strength.
Toothpicks, Interdental Stimulators
Floss is superior to these other products for removing plaque from between teeth; toothpicks are not effective at preventing periodontal disease.
Floss Holders
These are handles that allow floss to be used in back teeth areas where it can be hard to reach otherwise. These can be helpful for people with very large hands or for those with arthritis who have trouble reaching their back teeth.
Floss Threaders
As described in bridge care and orthodontic care, this product allows flossing access to clean around orthodontic wires or bridge pontics (the false tooth part of the bridge). Threaders are a requirement for anyone with either full orthodontic brackets or a fixed bridge.
Electric Periodontal Products
Periodontal irrigators are recommended to help deliver antibacterial solutions to the periodontal area. Specific recommendations as to the best product for your individual problems can be made by a hygienist.
Tongue Scrapers
These are used to clean plaque from the tongue area and have been advised for some people who have bad breath. There is no problem in using one, but they are not generally necessary for oral care.
Mouthguards
Purchased mouthguards to be used for sports can be appropriate to prevent injury. We strongly recommend the use of mouthguards for any contact sport, as we are constantly repairing chipped teeth in young people who were not wearing these appliances.
Denture Cleansers
There are many good commercial products available. Always check for the American Dental Association seal of approval.
Denture Adhesives
The need for denture adhesives is usually a sign of an improper fitting denture, and it should probably be remade. There are some cases where the dentist may recommend an adhesive but professional evaluation of the denture is the best way to decide the proper course of action.
Toothache Drops or Gels
Some products that contain the active ingredient oil of cloves may give temporary relief form some toothaches but are not a substitute for dental care. Products containing oil of cloves should not be used for infant teething.
