Dental kick up the bum - advice please

vix2000

I have been to the dentist today for my regular check up. I go to a practice which has 4th year students, and as I have a working tax credit exemption card I am very lucky in that I do not have to pay. I have had a few problems toothwise, which, being in my mid 50's I was told were age related, eg. previously filled tooth splitting and needing removing. At both sides at the top I have my very back tooth but have lost the next 2 at one side and 3 at the other. My bottom teeth are intact. I choose not to wear dentures in these gaps. I have been regularly told my oral hygene is OK but could be better, and had the usual scale and polish. I currently use an ancient but working oral b electric toothbrush, usually aquafresh toothpaste, (however all mint toothpaste makes me gag when brushing). I have noticed in the last few years that food gets stuck between my teeth more often, and I just use a toothpick.

OK so on to todays check up!!!

I was told that I have some gum disease, receding gums? some calcium loss?? (I Think) but x-rays showed all fillings and teeth OK. I have been given a 40 minute appointment where the deposits between my teeth and under my gums will be removed, and told I will need injections for this. Eeek:eek:

Meanwhile I need to use blue tepe brushes and corsodyl.

Corsodyl - I am concerned that as stated many times on here that this will stain my teeth, as they are not a bad colour. I have seen there is an alternative that actually whitens the teeth, could I use this instead? If not, I have been told that there are mouthwashes available in home bargains with exactly the same ingredients as corsodyl for a fraction of the price, or is it 'you get what you pay for'?

tepe brushes - are these different from the wisdom/colgate inter dent brushes and are they loads better as the dentists sells them?

toothpaste - what would be the most beneficial for me given my current problems?

Regime - I have been told I need a twice daily regime, but was not given an order of action. If anyone could give me any advice on this I would be grateful as I am reading that if the wrong order is used the effects are negated.

Sorry for the long post, and am grateful for all advice.

*max*

The best advice I was ever given was to floss! I can't believe I didn't do it for 30 years. I have been flossing every day for 2 years now, and my gums have improved no end. I couldn't even think of not flossing now, given what muck you still find after brushing! _pale_

I use an Oral B electric brush, but the important thing is to make sure you change the head (the actual brush) every 3 months at least. I have seen brushed in friends' bathrooms that are curling, and that's not good.

Basically, aside from a diet that's not too high in sugar, the most you can do yourself is brush PROPERLY twice a day with a PROPER toothbrush (be it electric or manual) that isn't more than 3 months old, and floss at LEAST once a day. The brand of toothpaste doesn't matter, as long as you don't have sensitive teeth. Once you get into the routine, it's child's play.

j.e.j.

vix2000 wrote: »

Meanwhile I need to use blue tepe brushes and corsodyl.

Corsodyl - I am concerned that as stated many times on here that this will stain my teeth, as they are not a bad colour. I have seen there is an alternative that actually whitens the teeth, could I use this instead? If not, I have been told that there are mouthwashes available in home bargains with exactly the same ingredients as corsodyl for a fraction of the price, or is it 'you get what you pay for'?

tepe brushes - are these different from the wisdom/colgate inter dent brushes and are they loads better as the dentists sells them?

toothpaste - what would be the most beneficial for me given my current problems?

Regime - I have been told I need a twice daily regime, but was not given an order of action. If anyone could give me any advice on this I would be grateful as I am reading that if the wrong order is used the effects are negated.

Sorry for the long post, and am grateful for all advice.

I was given a printout at the dentists the other day, saying to dip tepe brushes in corsodyl 0.2% to clean between teeth.. also to use flouriguard mouthwash for 1 minute every day.

I think I saw corsodyl on offer in superdrug recently. I've never used it, though, nor the tepe brushes and am not sure whether to go and buy some.

Before now it always seemed sufficient to brush/floss teeth really thoroughly twice a day?

Toothsmith

I think the best advice, at least initially, would be to say follow the advice you have been given relgiously!

That advice was given to you by a healthcare professional after a thorough examination of your mouth, and so the advice will be far better than any of the blind guesses you're going to pick up on here.

The 'bad' stuff you've read on here about corsodyl will generally be directed at the people who are just buying it and using it for no real reason.

Corsodyl is a very effective mouthwash for specific conditions in specific situatons for specific time periods. Especially if you're still being seen by the dentist/hygienist who can polish off any discolouration it can cause.

If you have been recommended blue Tepes - then that is because given the range of sizes and different types of interdental aid available - that healthcare professional has decided that blue Tepes are the most appropriate thing for you. So changing that advice based on what people on here may say is not the thing to do.

Floss is good - but it is better for tighter gaps that interdental brushes might not fit into. If you have a gap big enough for a blue Tepe - then a blue Tepe will clean it most effectively.

Bigger supermarkets often sell Tepes as well, but I have noticed that supermarket packs are the same price that I sell them for, yet there are 6 brushes in the supermarket pack, whereas there are 8 in the packs I sell, so look closely at that before deciding where to buy.

One thing I might suggest is that dentists can prescribe chlorhexidine mouthwash - so if your exempt from prescription charges, that might be a better way to obtain it if they can do that. (Might possibly not be possible if it's a student your seeing - but that shouldn't make a difference).

vix2000

Thank you very much for all the advice. I have no problem buying corsodyl, just wondered if there was a non-staining equivalent. (peroxyl/hydrogen peroxide 3%???)
Will be off to the chemist tomorrow to stock up on supplies!!!

brook2jack

The active ingredient in corsodyl is chlorhexidine and that is what stains. If you have been told to use this then it is pointless using something else that has eg hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient as it is not effective in the way corsodyl is.

As TS said the corsodyl is likely to be prescribed for a short time only to stabilise your problems . Long term what will sort your problems will be the cleaning techniques you are shown when you have your hygiene visits.