Is getting a scale and polish at the dentist really needed every 6 months?

brook2jack

Sorry but plaque has to be left undisturbed for at 72 hours before it starts to harden and 10 to 12 days before it becomes becomes tartar. So if at any time in that 72 hours you brush or floss that plaque you remove it and it can't become tartar. Tartar does not form overnight you have to leave a part of the tooth unbrushed for days for it to form. In this link tartar is called its technical name, calculus http://www.edoctor.co.in/dentistry/periodontics/dental-calculus-overview-of-causes-types-management
Clean perfectly and its impossible to get tartar. There's no luck in it you just have to clean effectively. 50% of the British public brush twice a day, less than 30% floss and of those 90% will not be brushing and flossing correctly.

95% of all dental treatment is avoidable, for the majority much has nothing to do with it but diet and proper cleaning techniques do. Use disclosing tablets to check where you are missing and get your dentist to check your brushing and flossing technique if you always have a tartar build up.

C_Mababejive

Havent been to dentist for years. Brush twice a day with electric brush,floss regularlly ,use mouthwash (anti plaque stuff)..teeth normal white colour,no dog breath all apparently good.

brook2jack

Ditch the mouthwash , it will save you money and will help your cleaning.

90% of mouthwash are classed as cosmetic ie there is no reputable research saying they have any health benefit.

A mouthwash used within an hour of brushing interacts with toothpaste and stops it working (you should spit don't rinse to leave toothpaste in contact with teeth to remain working).

Most mouthwash contain alcohol which dries your mouth out and is likely to make bad breath worse.

Only use a mouthwash if you have been advised to and then only for as long as you are advised to.

Mouthwash advertising is one of the biggest cons there is.

System

brook2jack, I get kind of worried when using my electric toothbrush (I use sensitive heads) incase it receeds my gums. Can they recede gums? or could the gums recede by not brushing hard enough as this wouldn't remove the dirt?

brook2jack

Both can cause recession. Ask your dentist to check whether you are brushing too hard or not well enough .

roddydogs

brook2jack wrote: »

Sorry but plaque has to be left undisturbed for at 72 hours before it starts to harden and 10 to 12 days before it becomes becomes tartar. So if at any time in that 72 hours you brush or floss that plaque you remove it and it can't become tartar. Tartar does not form overnight you have to leave a part of the tooth unbrushed for days for it to form. In this link tartar is called its technical name, calculus http://www.edoctor.co.in/dentistry/periodontics/dental-calculus-overview-of-causes-types-management
Clean perfectly and its impossible to get tartar. There's no luck in it you just have to clean effectively. 50% of the British public brush twice a day, less than 30% floss and of those 90% will not be brushing and flossing correctly.

95% of all dental treatment is avoidable, for the majority much has nothing to do with it but diet and proper cleaning techniques do. Use disclosing tablets to check where you are missing and get your dentist to check your brushing and flossing technique if you always have a tartar build up.

Total Rubbish, I know its not true, as I brush & floss.
Dosent bother me what you think, also my dentist concurs.

brook2jack

You may brush and floss but not effectively . Did you read the link? Here is another http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tartar-dental-calculus-overview

Tartar is plaque that is left long enough on the teeth to pick up mineral and harden. The initial phase takes up to 72 hours or more so if at any time in this period you brushed away or flossed the plaque tartar couldn't form. This plaque deposit then takes 10 to 12 days to pick up sufficient mineral to harden and become tartar.

The scientific and clinical evidence is overwhelming , you can prevent tartar forming by effective cleaning and flossing. The only exception to this is where you have already had gum disease and pickets have formed between your tooth and gum. Tartar can form at the bottom of these pockets, a toothbrush or floss can't reach there and only treatment from a hygienist or dentist will get rid of tartar there.

welshdent

roddydogs wrote: »

Total Rubbish, I know its not true, as I brush & floss.
Dosent bother me what you think, also my dentist concurs.

Is not rubbish. Brook is correct

sofababe

roddydogs wrote: »

Total Rubbish, I know its not true, as I brush & floss.
Dosent bother me what you think, also my dentist concurs.

If it doesn't bother you what brook thinks stop telling him he's talking rubbish. That's just rude and ignorant. Brook (and Toothsmith and Welshdent) are respected posters here and qualified professionals. Just because you disagree doesn't make someone else wrong.

Regarding "luck", some people do just seem to be more prone to dental problems than others. I brush once or twice a day, never floss and have never had a hygienist appointment or a filling in my 43 years. My dentist says my cleaning is excellent and I go every 9 months. I have friends, and family members who brush and floss twice a day and have to have treatment every time they visit. BUT, if you don't clean your teeth properly all the crap will build up and give you problems, no matter how "lucky" you are.

Please show some respect.

GwylimT

I clean my teeth properly and regularly so I don't get tartar, although I do get a small amount of staining on two of my bottom front teeth where I damaged them as a child and so the enamel stains quite easily. I use those little inter dental brushes instead of floss as I find them easier to use.

I go to the dentist every six months and visit the hygienist, if she thinks I don't need a clean then we decide not to bother with anything apart from dealing with my staining.

If you're not sure if you are cleaning your teeth properly you can get disclosing tablets that make the plaque and tartar a bright colour, they're really good for children as well.