Toothbrushing/Cleaning Advice Needed

Anoneemoose

Hi,

I can’t get in for my routine check up until January hence asking here. 

My teeth are generally in decent condition, usually yearly check ups with a scale/polish - though this year the dentist asked for 6 months so maybe they need more monitoring. Last went in February this year and was due to go in August but had to cancel as I had tonsillitis. I’ve only just gotten round to rebooking. I’m just explaining this in case it helps.

Since my last check up my mental health took a nosedive and most days I have only been brushing once. I also use floss harps because I have dexterity issues and struggle with actual floss. I also started using the interdental brushes but I really struggle with most of ones I’ve tried because they’re either too big (even the kids’ ones) or they bend really easily and I can’t get them in. I use them on the teeth I can get them in though.

Anyway, I’m a bit more together and want to ensure I’m doing my best with them. I did a disclosing tablet and I have a thin line of build up around my gum line on quite a few of them - the build up seems softish and able to be scraped away with my fingernail but even though I brush my gum line well (or so I thought) the brushing doesn’t budge it) . What should I be doing between now and my appointment to get them as best as I can? 

Many thanks in advance for any help. 

😊

brook2jack2

This site has excellent resources and videos on cleaning teeth , is says for kids but 90% of adults do not clean effectively
https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/skills-for-secondary-school/life-skills/brushing-your-teeth/

Katiehound

two suggestions
you might try expanding dental floss- when in contact with moisture the floss becomes softer and wider. I was recommended to use it by my dentist. Superdrug have their own brand which is cheaper than the branded varieties. They also often have 3 for 2 on oral hygiene products

Another possibility is a water flosser. About £45.  Direct the jet of water at the gum line. The one I have has 'soft' option so not as harsh as the 'clean' mode. No dexterity problems using this- unlike flossing!

Toothsmith

I'm not a huge fan of floss. It can be tricky to use, and generally not the best way to clean the spaces between teeth. 

The little interdental cleaners like Tepe brushes or Wisdom's Clean Betweens are more effective in most people's hands, as they are easier to use. If gaps are tight, they might not fit though, in which case floss is about all you can use. They do come in different sizes too - so sometimes it's best if a dentist or hygienist recommends a particular one (or a set) that are suitable for the various spaces around your mouth. 

I'm afraid I'm not a big fan of the water pics either. They are better than nothing for someone with a disability like arthritis that severely restricts dexterity and grip - but for anyone else, interdental brushes & practise is way more effective. 

Anoneemoose

brook2jack2 said:

This site has excellent resources and videos on cleaning teeth , is says for kids but 90% of adults do not clean effectively
https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/skills-for-secondary-school/life-skills/brushing-your-teeth/

Thank you. I’ve had a look and with the exception of doing it twice daily, I do as they suggest, making sure I get all surfaces of the teeth - I have an electric toothbrush with the timer and intervals. I also spit not rinse etc. 

I’ve made sure to start doing them twice a day again as I definitely think that has hindered me. And, as above, I take care to ensure I’m methodical about the brushing. 

Also, do you recommend those Pronamel (or any) toothpastes at all? Or are normal ones just as good? I noticed a slight see through area on a couple of my front teeth and wondered if that would help you see. 

I did buy a water pik a while ago and I feel it helps me feel cleaner (maybe just psychological though) but I still use the flossers and brushes. I wish I could find some brushes that don’t bend on first use but maybe that’s just user error!😁

Thanks again, it’s much appreciated! 

Gers

The TePe brushes are also available with long handles which are at right angles to the brush part - I use these to access difficult areas of my teeth, like the side ones.  I have different sizes for various areas. Red (small) for top side teeth, yellow for most of others with green (fat) for a couple of implants. Maybe buy a pack of mixed sizes to work out which ones you need?

Perhaps yours bend because they are the wrong size?? I don't know, all will bend when used too much. 

My hygienist has recommended Oral B Pro-expert floss as it's tougher and doesn't shred into lots of little fibres like others do.

I hope that you find a good solution which works for you.

Katiehound

I was advised by the dentist to use the water flosser after all meals / snacks. You can direct it straight to the gum line where most problems seem to occur

The gaps between my teeth are too small for TeePee brushes so I have to floss.
I think the OralB expert mentioned above might be the same as Superdrug expanding floss. It becomes much thicker and doesn't shred.

otb666

i must admit i have also improved my dental routine after i had to wait over 9 months for an extraction via NHS and several courses of antibiotics, i have electric toothbrush now and floss

Gers

Katiehound said:

I think the OralB expert mentioned above might be the same as Superdrug expanding floss. It becomes much thicker and doesn't shred.

No, it's not the expanding type. It's flat tape which doesn't expand or get thicker but doesn't shred either.  I was told it's made of Gore Tex but can't find any reference to that online.  Anyway, it's much better than other types, no bits to pick out or catch.