Can I do anything to control my dental problems at home?

Yes you can! Proper care at home can reduce the consequences and destruction caused by dental disease. It doesn't mean that you have to spend a solid 30 minutes a day on your oral care. It does mean that you will spend about 5-8 minutes a day on your home care regimen.

Proper Diet and Fluids

Eating rich gooey foods is more decay producing than eating foods with high protein levels and less sugar. As we have recently learned, carbohydrates are probably the main culprits in causing the obesity crisis we are seeing in the US. It may also be that hard-to-digest, sticky foods may also impact our oral diseases. There are studies being undertaken to see the affects of reducing "carbs" on both medical obesity, heart disease and even on your oral infections. Telling patients not eat sweets, pasta, or any dessert is not realistic. But if you do partake of these wonderful tasting compounds then remember to rinse thoroughly with water, tea or even coffee. This rinse will reduce the levels of these sticky foods. Of rinsing with a good mouthwash such as Listerine would be even better than water. Brushing after every meal although not practical, would be the ideal.

The Right Toothbrush

We recommend that patients should brush their teeth 2-3 times per day. The use of an electric toothbrush is best because all the patient has to concentrate on is holding and aiming the brush and not the technique of brushing.

There is on brush that has been shown to be the most effective by independent research studies (i.e. not funded by electric tooth brush companies) and it is the Braun Oral B. It is one of the more reasonably priced devices available an the one we recommend.

Interproximal Tools

The next most important device for your home care is the use of quality interpoximal tools that reach between each and every tooth. It is the triangular shaped space where the gum tissue grows between teeth. Food and bacterial love to grow here because it is protected on each side by the walls of the teeth that surround it. A roof forms where the adjacent teeth tough each other further promoting bacterial growth. When we eat we force the small particles of food in this space and there are believed to be over 700 species of bacteria in the mouth that can potentially inhabit this ideal location. Some bacteria produce acid that causes tooth decay and others produce chemicals that cause gum infection. This is the real battleground for fighting all kinds of dental disease. During your dental recall visit, we point out areas that are of concern and teach you the best technique for attacking these bacterial strongholds.

Toothpicks in a special holder, plaque erasers, or triangular-shaped soft wood sticks are just a few of the special devises for fighting different types of bacteria in between teeth. If the space between teeth is larger, micro brushes or a rubber-tipped massager can be used effectively. It is not usually necessary to use all of these, but mastering and using one or two can make all the difference.

We might include in your dental armor prescription or over-the-counter mouthwashes, prescription antibiotics or other medicine that promotes the repair of gum tissue. Periodontal diseases are complex and require the right tools and chemicals to fight the bacteria that are causing decay or gum infection. Our goal is to control the progress every disease in the oral cavity-- from simple tooth decay to oral cancers--we strive to "serve and protect" all of our patients.