Calling all dental staff

[George_Bray]

Can anyone please advise on the products used at dental surgeries for the purpose of polishing teeth, when you go for a normal 'scale and polish'. I'm interested in trying DIY, at least for my front teeth.

I assume the pastes and 'polishing pads' (or whatever) are not prescription medicines or anything.

I should be grateful if you would indicate brands and anything else on the packets. What exactly do I need to buy in order to have a go myself? I doubt if this is a life-threatening process or if I am in danger of sanding right through the enamel, but any words of caution would also be of interest, as applicable.

Many thanks
Regards
George

[Toothsmith]

Is this a wind up :confused:

I saw a phrase somewhere - maybe even on someones signature on this forum, that says

"There is no such thing as a stupid question."

I would like to see whoever said that define this question :p


What were you intending to use to make the polishing pads go round and round? Your Black & Decker? Or do you want a medical grade oil free compressor (OIRO £2000) dental cart unit (About £3000) air motor (£500-700 depending on type) polishing handpiece (£65 for a cheap one £300 for one that will last more than a month or two - but if your only doing yourself (And you'll need a dental degree or hygienists diploma if you're not) the cheap one should do. Plus to get rid of the hard tartar you'd need a set of hand instruments at about £150 depending on quality, and a tool to sharpen them, which itself is a skilled job. And maybe an ultrasonic scaler which would fit on your dental cart, and cost you £550 plus different tips at about £60 each. (And it's a bummer when you accidentaly throw the fiddly little things in the bin!)

Did you want to sterilise your stuff properly? Or just put it through the washing up afterwards? If you did want to go the whole hog you would need an ultrasonic bath (Medical grade, not the jewellery sort) at about £750 and an autoclave (Pressure cooker sterilizer thing) at £3000 ish

Fortunately, all these things are only available through dental suppliers. So you're not likely to get your hands on them easily.

Then you get your polishes. These are quite abrasive, and you do need to know what you're doing with them. The enamel in the area you're talking about is approx. 0.5mm thick. So yes, you can sand through it very quickly. A bigger problem though is heat build up. You can fry the nerve in the middle of a tooth in less than 2 seconds if you get it too hot.

Even if your dentist is private, a scale and polish 2 or 3 times a year really is cheap in comparison.

[trace-j]

Is this a wind up :confused:

I saw a phrase somewhere - maybe even on someones signature on this forum, that says

"There is no such thing as a stupid question."

I would like to see whoever said that define this question :p


lol, and now another stupid question are you a dentist, are you private?

[Toothsmith]

lol, and now another stupid question are you a dentist, are you private?

Yes and Yes

And proud to be both! :D

[Bossyboots]

lol, and now another stupid question are you a dentist, are you private?

Actually that was two questions, but neither of them are stupid if you did not already know the answers.

[George_Bray]

Is this a wind up :confused:
I saw a phrase somewhere - maybe even on someones signature on this forum, that says"There is no such thing as a stupid question." I would like to see whoever said that define this question :p

Thank you for the helpful elements of your response, including some price indicators and other food for thought.

I too saw a phrase somewhere, which said: "It's not what you say, but how you say it." The opening phrases of your response will be taken by many as simply saying: "What a stupid question". And I'm afraid I don't take kindly to that. Or to your pouring ridicule and derision on my idea by suggesting I might use a Black and Decker drill.

Where there's a will, there's a way. If a nurse can learn to clean teeth, so can I. It's clearly not in your business interest to encourage even a very partial move to DIY dental care.

I might be able to adapt something as cheap and simple as an electric toothbrush to provide movement for the polishing pads. I don't know if this might be possible, until I get sight of some polishing pads. It might take longer than, and not be as thorough as, using a professional tool, but it should hopefully keep my teeth cleaner than by using any ordinary toothpaste. This thought of mine is only at the stage of a 'feasibility study' and fact-finding. I'm not put off by anything I've heard so far. I'm confident there are cost-effective work-arounds which will not involve the purchase of a dental cart and other gear costing well over £5000.

I'm keen to learn more about ultrasonic scalers.

I don't want to sterilise anything, thank you very much. Does everyone put their toothbrush through an ultrasonic bath or autoclave unit every day? Of course not.

I'm grateful for your warning about the need for great care in carrying out the polishing process.

Regards
George

[Toothsmith]

I too saw a phrase somehere, which said: "It's not what you say, but how you say it." The opening phrases of your response will be taken by many as simply saying: "What a stupid question". And I'm afraid I don't take kindly to that.

That's exactly what I was saying George.

Or to your pouring ridicule and derision on my idea by suggesting I might use a Black and Decker drill.

Come on George, you're a troll aren't you (One who stalks discussion forums stiring up controversy for the sake of it) I've seen some of your deleted posts!!!!


It's clearly not in your business interest to encourage even a very partial move to DIY dental care.

I don't mind charging nutters who've tried stuff like this to put things right again providing they don't mind paying. Frankly I've got better things to do with my day though.

The whole point of preventative dentistry is to help people look after their own teeth effectively!

I might be able to adapt something as cheap and simple as an electric toothbrush to provide movement for the polishing pads. I don't know if this might be possible, until I get sight of some polishing pads. It might take longer than, and not be as thorough as, using a professional tool, but it should hopefully keep my teeth cleaner than by using any ordinary toothpaste. This thought of mine is only at the stage of a 'feasibility study' and fact-finding. I'm not put off by anything I've heard so far. I'm confident there are cost-effective work-arounds which will not involve the purchase of a dental cart and other gear costing well over £5000.



You should talk to the people shaping NHS dental policy at the moment. It's a whole department full of people with a similar mindset to you!

You go for it George. I just hope you don't live anywhere near me!

[Ted_Hutchinson]

The problem with giving advice online is that one can never be sure if one is dealing with a post from someone like this
BBC NEWS | Health | 'I took my teeth out with pliers' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3696758.stm)

Or an idea such as this
BBC News | HEALTH | DIY dentistry to the rescue (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1454000/1454372.stm)

Because of the potential dangers involved in giving anything which might be regarded as "Medical Advice" the site policy is that it should be avoided at all costs.

We are very fortunate to have someone such as "toothsmith" who is prepared to give us the benefit of his professional knowledge. I think he has shown remarkable patience in explaining the potential pitfalls of DIY dentistry.

[Savvy_Sue]

We are very fortunate to have someone such as "toothsmith" who is prepared to give us the benefit of his professional knowledge. I think he has shown remarkable patience in explaining the potential pitfalls of DIY dentistry.Hear hear Ted, and if the OP would care to look at some of Toothsmith's other replies to people he would appreciate that his answers are full, informative, outlining WHY he is private not NHS, and why the NHS service is not what it should be.

There are ways of keeping your teeth in better nick than just cleaning with a bog standard toothbrush between scales and polishes, like daily flossing, possibly sonic toothbrush - not sure what TS thinks of those, I've heard varying views - and brushing properly, maybe need a session with a hygienist. But anyone - including me! - putting anything more powerful than an electric toothbrush into my mouth had better know what they're doing!!!

[Dronegc]

I had a scale and polish the other day at my dentists. Thankfully my dentist is still an NHS one (the rest of the dentists have gone Denplan) and I am thankful I had a professional do the work.

As Toothsmith has said, this work needs a trained hand to do it otherwise you'd end up in agony and end up in the dental surgery anyway. There are no home scale & polish kits for one simple reason. It cannot be done at home safely.

[terrierlady]

Il take the bait, another stupid phrase ; one can always learn something even from the village idiot.
Off subject i know, but with my own grandchildren when unsure of something I said why didn't you ask your teacher at the time to clarify what she meant?
Didnt want to look an idiot was the reply, I think the idiot is the person that doesn't ask or gain the knowledge via perhaps a third person.
Look, Listen and Understand NLP.

[sad_gills_fan]

Thanks Toothsmith, best laugh I've had in ages reading your reply to George Bray.

Both of my sisters work in dentistry and the horror stories they tell me are enough to make me visit my own dentist every 6 months and not contemplate starting DIY stuff.

They work for Dentaline in the evenings (emergency dentist normally at local hospital for those who don't know) and some of the people they see need brain surgery, not dentists !!
Thanks again.

[Bendybops19]

I really dont think that the OP posted this thread to make himself the ridicule of other people...

I agree that DIY in this case really is not the most clever of things...! But i think that Toothsmiths reply was verging on the rude.

Ok, so tell the OP you dont think it would be safe do it, but dont make a jke of him.

Dont want to offend anyone, its just my opinion.

:)

[George_Bray]

Bendybops19 - thank you for your comments. I agree with you that "DIY in this case really is not the most clever of things...! But i think that Toothsmiths reply was verging on the rude". I asked dental staff to warn me of any pitfalls but there has been minimal serious debate, just people falling around laughing, largely at my expense. I suggest it's worth thinking outside of the box.

Toothsmith set the ball rolling in the direction of ridicule and, because he's no doubt (normally) a 'good bloke', he's rightly popular and other people weighed-in to support his point of view against mine. Someone else said (almost) that I am the village idiot. Toothsmih called me a 'Troll'. I'd never heard that term before. My suggestions may be unconventional but they are 100% serious. I never make postings as any kind of 'wind-up'. I think it's a shame to hear comments like that, at this great forum. Other people warned against DIY dentistry in general, as if I was suggesting DIY fillings, DIY extractions or suchlike. I know these people take me for a fool. I've now discovered there are DIY bleaching kits although I'm far from certain these would be a good idea. And there is a wide range of dental cutting pastes in various grades. Perhaps I could use a mild one, with a piece of cotton cloth. I simply don't know if there's any mileage in the idea until I get more information, hence my starting this thread.

My idea came from the fact that my teeth are far from white. I think this stems partly from drinking a lot of tea and coffee and partly from frequent use of Corsodyl mouthwash, to keep my gums in good condition. It says on the bottle that tooth discolouration may occur. I assume that, if I go to the nurse for a 'scale and polish', then my teeth will be a bit whiter again. But within a few days, I guess the discolouration will return, so I wondered about gentle DIY polishing in the interim, say once a month. Is it feasible? Is it safe? Or would DIY or professional cleaning as often as once a month, go straight through the enamel in no time?

Regards
George

[robnye]

i am sure i read somewhere, of someone using sodium bicarbonate to clean their teeth.... probably on the old style saving board.

if you check mosts 'Teeth Whitening' toothpastes, they do have a form of Sodium bicarbonate in them.

I have tried and it does work (noticable after a couple of weeks)..... not brilliantly , but enough to change the whiteness shading a couple of levels.

also it tastes disgusting......

[Toothsmith]

If a nurse can learn to clean teeth, so can I.

The nurse would do it by first of all, being a qualified dental nurse (A process that takes a couple of years) and then going to a dental college for another couple of years and being taught in a closely supervised environment.

They're then called hygienists

They don't learn by trial and error!

I'm sure you could do it, but not quickly, and your way, youd have run out of teeth by the time you got there.

OK, I'll try to be more helpful. I've been in Yorkshire too long and we call a spade a spade up here.

Firstly:-

When did you last go to a dentist?

And secondly:-

Who recommended you use Corsodyl so often, and why?

[George_Bray]

When did you last go to a dentist? And secondly:-
Who recommended you use Corsodyl so often, and why?

Thank you for your latest message. I know I'm going to be rightly criticised now in terms of my poor record regarding dental care. I haven't been to a dentist for at least three years and it may be longer. Even on the NHS, it's simply too expensive. I can't afford it. I was intending to wait until I next have toothache or something. In my experience, my dentists always do 1 or 2 fillings whether I go every 6 months or only once in 5 years. So I have less treatment, and spend less money if I go less often.

Corsodyl was recommended/prescribed to me about 20 years ago, when a dentist (overseas) noticed I had a mild touch of gum bleeding or whatever. In recent years, I know anti-plaque mouth-washes are quite widely recommended, presumably to help prevent gum disease and plaque elsewhere, rather than just cure it. I started using a little Corsodyl on a regular basis, as it's a product I know works. It's available off the shelf. But perhaps it's not such a good idea. Maybe there are better/safer products. I don't think it warns against long term use on the bottle, but maybe that remains the case. I should be grateful for any comments.

Regards
George

[Nile]

I wonder what toothbrush George is using?

I can recommend the Oral-B ProfessionalCare 7000 rechargeable toothbrush. When I go on holiday, I take a manual toothbrush and get poor results. I can't get the same super clean with a manual toothbrush.

I wonder whether George uses dental floss regularly?

I buy the Morrisons waxed floss which is cheaper than some well known brands.

I wonder whether George could benefit from using disclosing tablets to show how well he is cleaning his teeth? These tablets will dye any remaining plague red, so you would quickly see any areas you've missed.

So many questions to ask, but I'm hoping that they might help George. I am not trying to offer dental health advice, I am not an expert.

I would also urge George to have regular (annual at least) dental examinations..........prevention has to be better than cure, or waiting for toothache before you see a dentist.

No offence intended, I only mean to help.;)

[George_Bray]

Nile

Thank you for your suggestions.

My toothbrush is nothing special - a low/medium priced brand. I will check to see if there are any claims that a certain type of toothbrush is almost like a daily polish. I will look specifically at the Oral-B ProfessionalCare 7000 rechargeable toothbrush which you recommend. When you say you can't get "the same super clean with a manual toothbrush", do you mean on a scale towards a film star's super-white smile? I'm primarily interested in white teeth here, rather than yellowish. Concerns over dental floss and plaque may be valid but I don't think they impact on the colour of the enamel, do they?

I'd never heard of disclosing tablets but they sound interesting and I will try them. But my teeth are uniform off-white. It's not like I have superbright white centres, with yellow around the edge!

I know you're right about the desirability of seeing a dentist at least once a year.

Has anyone here had their teeth bleached to get a whiter result?

Regards
George

[Toothsmith]

George, I'm sorry, but you're a waste of time.

You have the money and time to spend dreaming up gadgets that will more than likely wreck your teeth. You spend money on a product that has probably turned them the colour of something very brown, and you wail on about how expensive even NHS dentistry is.

The sad thing is that the NHS dental system is currently being completely messed up just to give people like you a better chance of being seen by an NHS dentist when you have a toothache or cut a tooth in half with a Dremmel fitted with an Emery board.

I am currently having to explain to hard working parents, who care about their dental health, why I am recommending that their kids should have to sign up to a private dental plan so they are protected from the effects of a system designed to repair rather than prevent.

The really sad thing is that when that system goes live next April, you'll still be avoiding it whenever possible and still moaning about how expensive it is when you can't avoid it.

I am sorry if I sound like I think you're an idiot. Maybe you should try being in my shoes for a week!

[George_Bray]

Toothsmith

Wow, perhaps you've had a bad day and then went on the Internet to call me an idiot and a 'waste of time'. That's not very polite, is it? Please don't blame all the UK's problems with NHS dentistry on 'people like me'.

You say I have the money and time to spend dreaming up gadgets, yet you have no idea of my financial situation or other circumstances, and I don't know which gadgets you are talking about. A cleaning pad attached quite simply to an electric toothbrush? I like making things. Many people do not. I'm puzzled as to why I should come under attack for that.

You also say I have spent money "on a product that has probably turned them the colour of something very brown, and you wail on about how expensive even NHS dentistry is.". We're talking about different animals here. Corsodyl has cost me about £10 over three years. NHS dental charges are of a different order, being potentially hundreds of pounds. This is a money saving website. You have declined to provide any really helpful information on why long term use of Corsodyl might not be a very good idea. I will now ask the Chemist.

You are putting amusing ideas in people's minds again when you mention a "Dremmel fitted with an Emery board." I never suggested that, but people might go away with the idea that I did, causing more laughter and ridicule.

Regards
George

[Toothsmith]

George,

This is indeed a money saving website.

I consistently encourage people to find a decent dentist, go regularly, get things done properly in the first place, and not to muck about with their teeth. These are the best monysaving hints I can give

My primary thoughts on your first post were No1. You were a nutter, No2. you were doing a wind up.

There were brief hints though, that maybe you were just wanting to construct something to keep your teeth a bit cleaner in between dental visits. Never mind that Sonicare and Braun already have decent products on the market, and the cheapest of the Brauns start at about £20. A pot of dental polish generally costs more than that.

For some reason you have been on Corsodyl long term (Yet only managed to get through 3 bottles :confused: )

Corsodyl is excellent for helping to sort out short term gum problems, but it stains the teeth like mad. I rarely recommend it for longer than a couple of weeks and make sure patients have a hygienist appointment afterwards.

So, I asked when you last went, and why you were on Corsodyl.

You haven't been to a dentist for 3 years.

Therefore, you don't want something to keep your teeth a bit cleaner between visits do you? You want something that will save you £15 for a check up and clean up, and the cost of putting right anything else that may be going wrong.

You want to wait until you have a toothache before going to a dentist again, and I bet it hasn't occured to you how having to deal with you might throw out your chosen dentist's day or which other patients it might inconvienience.

I am very sorry if I haven't helped you in your quest.

[Nile]

In respone to George's question about the rechargeable versus manual toothbrush.......


You know that 'coated' feel to your teeth you can get? When I use the rechargeable toothbrush, my teeth feel clean for longer. I also got favourable feedback from my dentist when I started to use a rechargeable toothbrush. He noticed an improvement and it also coincided with reduced scale and polish treatments. So, the initial outlay for the rechargeable toothbrush will reap dividends in improved dental health and save you money on the scale and polish treatments too.;)

It is noticeable that the manual toothbrush I use on holidays doesn't keep my teeth as clean for as long.

Regarding the whiteness of teeth, that has never really concerned me......and I think that some celebrities look ridiculous with their brilliant white teeth.:eek:

Some people are prepared to risk causing permanent sensitivity to their teeth in their quest for a brilliant white smile.......I'm not one of them.

[George_Bray]

So, I asked when you last went, and why you were on Corsodyl. You haven't been to a dentist for 3 years. Therefore, you don't want something to keep your teeth a bit cleaner between visits do you? You want something that will save you £15 for a check up and clean up, and the cost of putting right anything else that may be going wrong. You want to wait until you have a toothache before going to a dentist again, and I bet it hasn't occured to you how having to deal with you might throw out your chosen dentist's day or which other patients it might inconvienience.

Your aggressive comments remind me of the type of language used by barristers in a court of law. But I'm not on trial. Why are you being so nasty? When you say things like: "you don't want something to keep your teeth a bit cleaner between visits do you?" you are putting words in my mouth. They are not true. I've made negligible claims on the NHS, have never inconvenienced a dentist, and hope I never do. What's wrong with asking about professional polishing pastes? You have effectively ruined this thread. I'm not saying it would ever have been of great interest to many people but if you didn't have much to say, beyond a health warning, then you needn't have taken up so much web space. My opening message was polite, I hope. You have been rude repeatedy and have goaded me in to an argument I did not seek. Perhaps I should not have responded in the first place. As a result, I now view this forum as not such a pleasant place as I did a week ago, and my opinion of dentists is somewhat reduced.

Regards
George

[Ted_Hutchinson]

I now view this forum as not such a pleasant place as I did a week ago, and my opinion of dentists is somewhat reduced.I'm sorry if you have been upset by any of the comments here. But I do think that people who post to the internet do have to develop fairly thick skins. It is very easy to misinterpret posts and the use of smilies to indicate the tone in which a sentence is to be understood is not nearly as good as face to face conversations.

Regular readers of forums soon learn to understand particular contributors manner and style, though regulars will note I felt it necessary to include a signature now to explain (though not justify) my sometimes insensitive remarks.

When responding to a post it is necessary for the poster to realise that for every poster there will be up to 50 readers and although the reply has got to fit the question, the effect this may have on other (the majority of) readers has also to be considered.

I feel the potential dangers to health and the long term consequences which could arise if a professional dentist or dental health worker, appeared to be encouraging or enabling DIY dentistry are so great as totally justify the approach adopted by toothsmith. I'm sorry your pride has been somewhat dented, but I hope you continue to visit and contribute to the forum. You should be pleased that this discussion has enabled a lot of useful information about the costs and training involved in dentistry to be made available and we are all a lot the wiser.

Further interesting information about whats involved in the work of Dental Technicians can be heard in the Radio 4 Broadcast The Lost Smile, Listenhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/images/lalisten.gif (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/lost_smile)

[George_Bray]

I'm pleased to report that I am well on the way to answering my own question. It seems the approach which I suggested at the outset of this thread is not wreckless at all. There are already products available to the public which assist with dental polishing and whitening, e.g.

A Dental Polisher - (Stainless, battery operated) £9.49 from Tesco
http://www.tesco.com/electrical/product.aspx?R=8067689&in_merch=1&in_merch_title=&in_merch_name=Dental+Polisher+-+(Stainless)

The instructions possibly suggest a paste to use, if not just toothpaste. And there are many different brands and grades of professional paste. One is a heavy duty cleaning and polishing paste supplied in tubs of 120 grams for only £4.48 at http://www.schottlander.co.uk, or Nupro, which is DENTSPLY's premium prophylaxis paste. I'm not sure it will be easy for a non-dentist to purchase pastes like these, but I will try.

Then there's Back2White, a "revolutionary brush-on professional home dental stain remover, home bleaching kit, smile whitener and is one of the best teeth whitening products available."
http://www.back2white.net/

Be careful, of course.

Regards
George

[Turning_into_scrooge]

[QUOTE=Ted_Hutchinson]I'm sorry if you have been upset by any of the comments here. But I do think that people who post to the internet do have to develop fairly thick skins. It is very easy to misinterpret posts and the use of smilies to indicate the tone in which a sentence is to be understood is not nearly as good as face to face conversations.

Regular readers of forums soon learn to understand particular contributors manner and style, though regulars will note I felt it necessary to include a signature now to explain (though not justify) my sometimes insensitive remarks.
QUOTE]

May i say here that i totaly agree with your post and that i have never once seen a post by yourself that would make you out to be a 'grumpy' person. As far as i can see all your posts have been fair minded. As for your sig. i for one would never of guessed for one min. that you have a manic depression or any other illness. Its very unfortunate that you've found the need to add this. :beer:

[George_Bray]

Here's two more products which are designed for DIY tooth polishing:

(a) a battery powered polishing device with a rubber cup, similar to the Tesco product, and

(b) Professional Polishing Paste.

They are American, and the explanatory text seems to make sense:

Please see: http://www.dental-mart.com/doctootpol.html

...Until recently the best you could do is use a powered toothbrush like the Oral 3D® or WaterPik Sensonic® and visit your dentist for regular professional cleanings. As you know, during a professional cleaning your dentist or hygienist polishes your teeth with a small rubber cup and professional polishing paste. Now that same polishing action is available for home use.

...Use The Doctor's® Tooth Polisher And Plaque Remover ($10.99) with toothpaste or our professional tooth polishing paste (recommended) $4.95.

Regards
George

[Ted_Hutchinson]

While I applaud George's efforts to keep his teeth as good as possible I would urge other readers to think about the dangers inherent in not visiting your dentist for regular checkups.

Apart from the fact that DIY plaque removal may very well not be as good as that done by a trained professional there is the question of oral cancers and other gum diseases which will only be picked up by people who know what to look for. Have a look at Mouth Cancer Awareness UK Mouth Cancer Patient Information Forum (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A//www.rdoc.org.uk/&ei=geH4QrAYwpZGv5qc8A0) before you all follow George.

[Toothsmith]

They are American, and the explanatory text seems to make sense:



:rotfl:

There's a contradiction!

If only I'd known before getting my surgery refurbished last year that.....

"The Doctor's® Tooth Polisher And Plaque Remover gives you the same powerful plaque and stain removing results as the professional polisher your dentist uses." (Quote from website)

.......I could have saved myself a whole heap of money.

I note they don't include the batteries. They must really be some powerful AA's over there!

I do repeat though George, The abrasiveness of those pastes is not to be messed about with.

[George_Bray]

Toothsmith

I certainly take seriously your warning about being very careful, or avoiding all together, the use of the more highly abrasive professional-type pastes.

I know a low cost domestic polisher won't be anywhere near as rugged as the one in your surgery, and isn't made for sterilization, but it will only be used for a few minutes a month by me alone, rather than hour after hour for hundreds of different patients. I bet two AA batteries provide plenty of power to meet the objective of gentle polishing, too, if it's anything like the electric toothbrush I have now bought, after another member's recommendation.

I'd also like to say that my interest in these products is to supplement, not replace, normal visits to the dentist.

Regards
George

[Str4berr3]

Can I go back about the electris toothbrush?

Just like to warn readers to be careful with using electric toothbrushes as you dont need to put much pressure against against your teeths then a manual one. If you do, You may find that your gums will be very sore, shrink and stay that way.
I am no dentist, but I am a owner of one of Oral B's electric's and was totally unaware of this (as there was no warning in the manual). It was only when my next visit to the dentist, I happen to mention this and was told because I was putting too much pressure.
Overall I am still using the electric toothbrush but very, very softly. My teeth are much whiter then before but it's only because I am brushing it for around 10 minutes a time.
And they are great for kids too! I find using a electric is easier to brush my kiddies teeth too. ( I got them the oral b children's one which plays a tune every 1 minute )

[Teerah]

Overall I am still using the electric toothbrush but very, very softly. My teeth are much whiter then before but it's only because I am brushing it for around 10 minutes a time.


Although it is good to hear that you brush for more than 30 seconds, ten minutes is excessive, it may be the length of time brushing that is harming your teeth and gums as much as the pressure used.

[Str4berr3]

Although it is good to hear that you brush for more than 30 seconds, ten minutes is excessive, it may be the length of time brushing that is harming your teeth and gums as much as the pressure used.

Its only been the past 9 months that i have been brushing for 101 minutes. I have had the electric toothbrush for almost 2 years and the gum shrunk at the begining when I bought it.
So word of warning; Brush very lighlty!

[vertical fool]

Hi after going to Tesco`s after reading this thread I noticed that Braun now do a head called prowhite which has a small rubber cup in the centre of the brush head. This provides a polishing action.

Prowhite Heads (http://www.oral-b.com/products/product.asp?tid=products&sub=power&cid=power&pid=brushheads)


Also this polishing kit in argos including polish sounds like exactly what you are after and for under £20.

tooth polisher (http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=3801&productId=159721&clickfrom=name)


PS if sonic toothbrushes are not too clever, ie braun introducing one just to compete with Philips for that secter of the market, then which is the best brush to buy.

I ask because the back of my toothbrush has cracked and will only work when I bend the brush very slightly backwards to make the battery connect. I therefore need a new one. I do have an old cheap model but it just doesn`t feel the same as my old dual speed 3D model. I have noticed the top of the range braun sonic model on ebay for £60.

[Str4berr3]

Its only been the past 9 months that i have been brushing for 101 minutes. I have had the electric toothbrush for almost 2 years and the gum shrunk at the begining when I bought it.
So word of warning; Brush very lighlty!

Oh dear, I meant 10 minutes!

[Toothsmith]

PS if sonic toothbrushes are not too clever, ie braun introducing one just to compete with Philips for that secter of the market, then which is the best brush to buy.

I ask because the back of my toothbrush has cracked and will only work when I bend the brush very slightly backwards to make the battery connect. I therefore need a new one. I do have an old cheap model but it just doesn`t feel the same as my old dual speed 3D model. I have noticed the top of the range braun sonic model on ebay for £60.

My personal preference is for the osscillating/pulsating action of the Braun 3d's rather than the ultrasonics. The ultrasonic is nowhere near as powerful as the ultrasonic scaler I use in the surgery, and so cannot do the same thing.

I do have both myself (The joys of freebies!) and the Phillips does make my teeth feel nice and clean, but so does the Braun, and I wouldn't consider the feeling after the Phillips to be worth twice as much money as the Braun.

[culpepper]

what an interesting thread!
Years ago ,my mother mentioned to her dentist that she wished her teeth were whiter and he said that brownish enamel was stronger.
The health visitor told us not to use flouride drops for our children as there was already flouride in the drinking water and too much would cause brown teeth.
I had quite brown teeth and my dentist said that if I drank tea and coffee,I was bound to get stains.Anyway I have given up coffee completely(though not tea) and they are so much better.
I occasionally use a cheap electric toothbrush but find that it is easier to use a hand 'operated' as I can then brush my tongue aswell.I renew my brush every 3 months,otherwise they get too soft and bendy and do virtually nothing.
Today we bought a water pik cordless water jet thingummy,as my OH and DS hate flossing.