Xecs Dental Advice

You're right, I'm sure nobody else thinks that It is more about me and what I think when I look at them in the mirror. I just think it could have been avoided and I regret not taking better care. I didn't even have any pain in the one tooth, it could have probably been left to remineralize. I always used to be fastidious about my teeth but I was ill for such a long time and didn't take notice of the warning signs. It is surprising how quickly decay can set in. I'm pretty hard on myself, it is a bad habit!

When I can afford it, I will probably get my teeth straightened (they're a little bit crowded at the front, but not too bad though). There is room for them to move and it will hopefully tighten the gaps between the molars so that food won't get stuck any more.

 

Which Phillips brush? The sonic range?

Sonic brushes just don't have the science behind them. At this point oscillating tooth brushes are better at biofilm disruption, this is the main reason I recommend them.

I understand your battery woes though.

 

@Vansen, I'm not sure if this helps since it's definitely added bulk versus just carrying the toothbrush, but I use this case for traveling. It fits the toothbrush and the charger, and it's a pretty easy shape to fit into a suitcase. Plus, with a hard case, you can jam it in anywhere and know it won't get damaged.

 

Hey Xec's, I went to the dentist twice a year every year till about a year a a half ago when I separated from the military. During that time I would say I didn't take the best care of my teeth. I rarely flossed and brushed my teeth typically only once a day, though when I brushed them I was always very thorough. The dentists always said I had some of the cleanest teeth they saw every time I went, though having friends in the dental clinic means I know that's not saying a whole lot. I also never had any teeth problems.

Anywho, for the last year or so I was in, and especially since I separated in February of 2016, I have been religious about taking care of my teeth. I floss twice a day, and brush my teeth for 4-5 minutes in the morning and evening, I even started using a metal tongue scraper.

I guess I've got two questions, I know I started taking care of my teeth way better, but thats only because I don't have dental insurance now, how crucial do you think it is to pay out of pocket periodically to go get cleaned/checked out? And secondly, I bought a soniccare toothbrush, which is what use twice a day, I know you recommend the Braun instead, should I replace my soniccare?

Thanks for all the help and advice you've given in this thread

 

Hi there,

I think it is crucial to have a dental exam at least once a year, it's basically like car servicing. if you don't want a monstrous bill, you do preventative servicing. Even if things don't seem to be broken, they might be on the brink of a serious issue.
As far as how regular you need a clean, that really depends on your genetics, diet, oral hygiene etc. Best determined by your dentist. Some people who have fastidious oral hygiene still need to be seen ever 3 months for cleans because even a tiny amount of plaque can be very damaging to them. Hopefully you are not like them and can be like most people and get a clean once a year to get those hard to reach spots flushed out and a thorough check,

With regard to changing your brush, I wouldn't worry, wait until the motor starts to weaken then consider changing. I have many patients who swear by the sonic brushes, they are also managing their gum disease perfectly with it. I just can't go on anecdotal evidence for this.
Xec

 

What do you make of safety concerns about triclosan?

 

I think they are unfounded when we are talking about the amounts in tooth paste/halo effect from soaps, beverages etc.
It's the same as with warfarin, it is a poison in high dose but a life saving medication in a calculated dose.

I'm also a big advocate of water fluoridation.

 

This where I like to cite Paracelsis' famous quote: "The poison is in the dosage".

 

Hey @Xecuter

I've been getting increasingly more "mild rot" taste when flossing my upper molars. Also occasionally when I suck the saliva from those regions (like making a "tisk" sound, but from the side). I floss after lunch and dinner, mainly to get rid of stuck food, but also try to remember to scrape the inner surfaces. I get temp sensitivity in those areas and my dentist said I need to floss better there in particular (which I try to remember to do). I only brush before bed. My dentist recco'd Parodontax toothpaste for the sensitivity and it seems to help. I get ultrasonic scaling twice a year which is what our local medical covers.

I have some gum recession in general, and only very occasional bleeding when brushing. I used to use an Oral B electric, but switched to a Philips Sonicare because my wife said the Oral B was too noisy.

Would an antibacterial mouthwash regimen help? Or gargling with diluted H202?


*Edit: Just reread the OP. I got the nasty taste this morning before I had breakfast (prompting this post), so I'll start brushing in the morning now. My thinking was that if they were clean when I went to bed, they should be clean in the morning. I guess the remaining bacteria multiply over time.

 

At work xmas party. Can you pm me x-rays?