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Getting Stuck In – The low-down on flossing and interdental cleaners

While tooth brushing is almost a universal practice amongst prople everywhere, interdental cleaning, including the use of dental floss is not practiced regularly by the majority of the population.  Everyone should carry out dental flossing which is the most widely used interdental cleaning method.  Tooth brushing, no matter how well it is performed, is unable to dislodge dental plaque in the interproximal areas where teeth contact each other.  This is another vital area for gum health, as serious gum disease will often progress from this spot in the 10-15% of the population who are susceptible.  Even those who are not susceptible to serious gum disease may experience localised gum infections that will respond to good oral hygiene practices including brushing and flossing.

How to use dental floss:

Step 1: Release 12 to 14 inches from the spool of floss.

Step 2: Wrap floss around both middle fingers leaving about 3 inches free.

Step 3: Use thumb of left hand and forefinger of right hand to guide the floss between contact points of the front teeth upper and lower.

Step 4: Use a sawing action to gently guide the floss down and up the side of each tooth, this removes the plaque effectively.

Step 5: For the back teeth use both forefingers to guide the floss into the contact points and use the sawing action to guide the floss up and down the side of each tooth.

Some people may find this task difficult especially if their manual dexterity is compromised in any way.  There are several types of flossing aids with handles that make this easier.  Dental floss should always be used with great care as rough handling could damage your gums; the sawing action protects against any unnecessary force being used.  When gum disease is already established and the gum has receded from the interproximal area between neighbouring teeth, dental floss is no longer as effective.  Interdental brushes are an effective substitute to dental floss and can be bought in a wide variety of sizes to fit exactly into the interdental spaces.

Don’t forget to clean your tongue:

The main benefit of tongue cleaning on oral health is to eliminate and prevent bad breath (halitosis).  In individuals who have good gum health the accumulation of bacteria on the back of the tongue are the main sources of sulfide gases which are responsible for malodour giving rise to bad breath.  Tongue brushing is highly recommended for individuals suffering from halitosis.  Tongue cleaning may also benefit as part of the treatment of gum disease in helping to reduce the overall amount of pathogenic bacteria in the mouth.

Gum Disease

Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease) is caused by a bacterial infection.

In its early stages it is called gingivitis and this is totally reversible.  However, if this is left untreated it can lead to periodontal disease which effects the gum tissues, bone and supporting tissues of the teeth.

Warning Signs:

  • Bad taste in the mouth
  • Bad breath
  • Red or swollen gums
  • Tender gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Pain when chewing
  • Pus around the teeth and gums
  • Tartar (brown hard deposits) forming on the teeth

Prevention:

  • Visit the dental hygienist regularly
  • Good oral hygiene
  • Don’t smoke
  • Having a nutritional balanced diet

Fallacies About Gum Disease

Get the facts about this serious infection to save your teeth and protect yout health.

FALLACY: Tooth loss is a natural part of aging.

FACT: With good oral hygiene and regular professional care, your teeth are meant to last a lifetime.  However, if left untreated periodontal (gum) disease can lead to tooth loss.  It is a primary cause of tooth loss in adults 35 and over.

FALLACY: People who have gum disease are “dirty” and don’t brush their teeth.

FACT: Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease.  Despite aggressive oral care habits, these people may be six times more likely to develop periodontal disease.

FALLACY: Gum disease doesn’t affect overall health.

FACT: Emerging research links periodontal disease to other health problems including heart and respiratory diseases; preterm, low birthweight babies; stroke; osteoporosis; and diabetes.

FALLACY: Gum disease is a minor infection.

FACT: The mass of tissue in the oral cavity is equivalent to the skin on your arm that extends from the wrist to the elbow. If this area is red, swollen and infected, you would visit your doctor. Gum disease is not a small infrection.  Its result, tooth loss, leads to a very different lifestyle – dentures. The changes in your appearance, breath and ability to chew food are dramatic.

FALLACY: Bleeding gums are normal.

FACT: Bleeding gums are one of nine warning signs of gum disease. Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. Other signs of gum disease include:

  1. Bleeding Gums
  2. Red, swollen or tender gums
  3. Sores in your mouth
  4. Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
  5. Pus between the teeth and gums (leaving bad breath)
  6. Persistent bad breath
  7. Loose or separating teeth
  8. A change in the way the teeth fit together
  9. A change in the fit of partial dentures

 

FALLACY: Treatment for gum disease is painful.

FACT: New periodontal procedures including local anesthesia and over-the-counter medications, have made patients’ treatment experiences pleasant and comfortable. Many patients find they are back to normal routines on the same day or by the next day.

FALLACY: Gum disease is easy to identify, even in its early stages, so my dentist would tell me if I had it.

FACT: Millions of people don’t know they have this serious infection that can lead to tooth loss if not treated. You should always get involved in your dental care, so that problems are detected in the early stages. You should inform your dentist if any signs of gum disease are present; or if any changes in your overall health or medications occurred in between visits. Most importantly, you should ask your dentist about your periodontal health and what method was used to evaluate its condition. This level of participation enables you to work in a team approach with your dentist to identify subtle changes that may occur in the oral cavity.

FALLACY: Once teeth are lost, the only treatment options are crowns, bridges or dentures.

FACT: Dental implants are a permanent tooth-replacement option for teeth lost to trauma, injury or periodontal disease. Dental implants are so natural-looking  and feeling that many patients forget they ever lost a tooth.

FALLACY: Cavities are the number-one cause of tooth loss.

FACT: Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss. According to the 1996 American Dental Association/Colgate survey, U.S. dentists say gum disease is a more pressing oral health concern than tooth decay by a 2-to-1 margin.

FALLACY: Because gum disease is a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be used to treat it.

FACT: Research demonstrates that antibiotics can be a helpful adjunct to treating periodontal disease. However, medical and dental communities are concerned about the overuse of these medications in treating infections because of the possibility of the development of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. This overuse would be detrimental to patients if they develop a life-threatening illness for which antibiotics would no longer be helpful.

FALLACY: Pregnant women should skip professional dental health checks.

FACT: Teeth and gums are affected during pregnancy like other tissues in the body. In order to decrease the risk of damaging the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth, pregnant women should schedule an appointment for a periodontal evaluation.