Toothbrushes and toothpaste - question for any present dentists.

jenniewb

Material_Girl wrote: »

Do you all by mouthwash? I do buy it but always wonder if it actually does anything as no Dentist has ever recommended, or in fact even mentioned, using moutwash. Is it just a waste of money if I brush and floss or does it have any health benefits for my gums or teeth?

I sometimes use mouthwash. I had a gum infection on one tooth that kept itching, the dentist kept saying there was no infection but I could feel it. I used the Corsodyl mouth wash- but the important thing to remember is not to rinse it! (also if its for an infection use it after you eat or at several key points in the day if its not convenient), the infection went in a week.

But as I did this, I noticed the sensitivity in my teeth come back. I normally use pronamel toothpaste and think the rinse with Corsodyl was rinsing the protective qualities of the toothpaste away. But its safe to say after that episode I can say that mouthwash makes a difference to my teeth.

welshdent

Corsodyl is good for people with gum disease and is supported by a lot of clinical evidence. Personally I dont generally recommend mouthwashes. Not least because I am worried people will think of them as the be all and end all and slacken on the important bit ... brushing.

I try and explain things to my patients this way - imagine you have a house and its full of squatters - the squatters are bacteria which is what is causing the inflammation etc. Mouthwash is like getting a housepipe and flushing them all out. That works for as long as it takes for them to move back in. Brushing is like taking a wrecking ball to the house and knocking it down. The squatters CANT move back in then because there is now house.

Plaque is the house. Rinsing with mouthwash will help kill some bugs but they will be back in minutes unless you remove the plaque.

I echo toothsmiths views on electric toothbrushes and toothpaste by the way.

Bronnie

welshdent wrote: »

I try and explain things to my patients this way - imagine you have a house and its full of squatters - the squatters are bacteria which is what is causing the inflammation etc. Mouthwash is like getting a housepipe and flushing them all out. That works for as long as it takes for them to move back in. Brushing is like taking a wrecking ball to the house and knocking it down. The squatters CANT move back in then because there is now house.

Plaque is the house. Rinsing with mouthwash will help kill some bugs but they will be back in minutes unless you remove the plaque.

LOL!!:rotfl:
What a convoluted way to explain something so simple!

welshdent

Bronnie I THOUGHT it was simple ... until I left uni and stepped in to the real world!

jenniewb

welshdent wrote: »

Corsodyl is good for people with gum disease and is supported by a lot of clinical evidence. Personally I dont generally recommend mouthwashes. Not least because I am worried people will think of them as the be all and end all and slacken on the important bit ... brushing.

I try and explain things to my patients this way - imagine you have a house and its full of squatters - the squatters are bacteria which is what is causing the inflammation etc. Mouthwash is like getting a housepipe and flushing them all out. That works for as long as it takes for them to move back in. Brushing is like taking a wrecking ball to the house and knocking it down. The squatters CANT move back in then because there is now house.

Plaque is the house. Rinsing with mouthwash will help kill some bugs but they will be back in minutes unless you remove the plaque.

I echo toothsmiths views on electric toothbrushes and toothpaste by the way.

But no teeth?

welshdent

eh? Is it not obvious its the teeth you brush?

Bronnie

jenniewb wrote: »

But no teeth?

no you knock them out with the wrecking ball, then there's nowhere for the plaque and bacteria to squat!!

have I got that right now, welshdent??
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

I think after you've hosed the squatters out, you need to move nice new tenants in. That would be the toothbrush and toothpaste.

jenniewb

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I think after you've hosed the squatters out, you need to move nice new tenants in. That would be the toothbrush and toothpaste.

But she knocked the place down with the wrecking balls: the house was the plaque.....so where are the teeth? No place for the new residents to move in- unless they are camping on the rubble maybe?

Savvy_Sue

jenniewb wrote: »

But she knocked the place down with the wrecking balls: the house was the plaque.....so where are the teeth? No place for the new residents to move in- unless they are camping on the rubble maybe?

It's all a seriously flawed metaphor, and I don't think welshdent has ever had squatters in a real house. Neither have I, but DH has just had them in a property his charity has bought in need of serious improvements. It was a mess when they bought it, but a worse mess once the squatters had moved in. However they're not planning to knock the whole place down: structurally it's still sound.

Are you listening, welshdent? You do not need a wrecking ball. You evict the squatters and hose the place down (mouthwash), and then you keep them out with REGULAR checks and inspections (toothbrush and toothpaste). Periodically you get a professional to carry out an inspection (dentist). You carry out any remedial works recommended by that professional (fillings etc). A cleaner may be recommended (hygienist).

Seriously, you'd put me off telling me I need to take a wrecking ball to my mouth. :rotfl: