Time seems to take a toll on many things — including the brightness and whiteness of our teeth. As with so many other things we use daily, it helps to keep teeth clean regularly, but a consistent hygiene routine will not always keep your pearlies pearly white. Here is a look at why — and some helpful information about the whitening process.
Brushing and flossing are everyday ways to keep your teeth bright, white and healthy. Still, if you might feel like your smile is lacking some sparkle or is more yellow than it used to be, you’re not alone. When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what they’d most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists also found that nearly 90% of patients requested tooth whitening.
Thinking about teeth whitening? Get the facts first. Here are five of the most commonly asked questions about the process.
Why Did My Teeth Change Color?
Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons:
Food and Drink
Coffee, tea and red wine are some major staining culprits. What do they have in common? Intense color pigments called chromogens that attach to the white, outer part of your tooth (enamel).
Tobacco Use
Two chemicals found in tobacco create stubborn stains: Tar and nicotine. Tar is naturally dark. Nicotine is colorless until it’s mixed with oxygen. Then, it turns into a yellowish, surface-staining substance.
Age
Below the hard, white outer shell of your teeth (enamel) is a softer area called dentin. Over time, the outer enamel layer gets thinner with brushing and more of the yellowish dentin shows through.
Trauma
If you’ve been hit in the mouth, your tooth may change color because it reacts to an injury by laying down more dentin, which is a darker layer under the enamel.
Medications
Tooth darkening can be a side effect of certain antihistamines, antipsychotics and high blood pressure medications. Young children who are exposed to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline when their teeth are forming (either in the womb or as a baby) may have discoloration of their adult teeth later in life. Chemotherapy and head and neck radiation can also darken teeth.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening is a simple process. Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter.
Does Whitening Work on All Teeth?
No, which is why it’s important to talk to your dentist before deciding to whiten your teeth, as whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow teeth will probably bleach well, brown teeth may not respond as well and teeth with gray tones may not bleach at all. Whitening will not work on caps, veneers, crowns or fillings. It also won’t be effective if your tooth discoloration is caused by medications or a tooth injury.
What Are My Whitening Options?
Talk to your dentist before starting. If you are a candidate, there are four ways to put the shine back in your smile:
Stain Removal Toothpastes
All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives that scrub the teeth. Look for whitening toothpastes that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for stain removal (it will tell you on the package). These toothpastes have additional polishing agents that are safe for your teeth and provide stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these types of ADA-Accepted products do not change the color of teeth because they can only remove stains on the surface.
In-Office Bleaching
This procedure is called chairside bleaching and usually requires only one office visit. The dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect your gums. Bleach is then applied to the teeth.
At-Home Bleaching from Your Dentist
Your dentist can provide you with a custom-made tray for at-home whitening. In this case, the dentist will give you instructions on how to place the bleaching solution in the tray and for what length of time. This may be a preferred option if you feel more comfortable whitening in your own home at a slower pace, but still with the guidance of a dentist. Out-of-office bleaching can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks/
Over-the-Counter Bleaching Products
You may see different options online or in your local grocery store, such as toothpastes or strips that whiten by bleaching your teeth. The concentration of the bleaching agent in these products is lower than what your dentist would use in the office. If you are thinking about using an over-the-counter bleaching kit, discuss options with your dentist and look for one with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. That means it has been tested to be safe and effective for teeth whitening. Get a list of all ADA-Accepted at-home bleaching products.
Are There Any Side Effects from Teeth Whitening?
Some people who use teeth whiteners may experience tooth sensitivity. That happens when the peroxide in the whitener gets through the enamel to the soft layer of dentin and irritates the nerve of your tooth. In most cases the sensitivity is temporary. You can delay treatment, then try again.
Overuse of whiteners can also damage the tooth enamel or gums, so be sure to follow directions and talk to your dentist.
We deliver safe, convenient, immediate, and dazzling whitening services — you will not be able to stop smiling when you see the brilliant results! Call our friendly office today at 801-756-1009 or check out our page on Facebook!
The universal belief is that people should visit their dentist twice a year — but is that the truth? Who came up with that, and what are the reasons behind it? If you have asked yourself those questions, this should help shed some light on the subject.
Few people enjoy going to the dentist. While your dentist is probably a perfectly nice person with no villainous intentions, sitting down in their chair likely isn’t high on your list of fun things to do. Still, it’s necessary in order to maintain your oral hygiene. The question is, just how often do you have to take the trip?
Colgate notes that while the twice-a-year visit rule originated from a toothpaste advertisement, it’s a good rule of thumb. However, your dental needs are unique to you. In fact, the general suggestion to visit your dentist every six months has been questioned as far back as 1977, according to the BBC. That was that year a paper appeared in The Lancet journal, written by Aubrey Sheiham, a professor of dental public health at University College London. Sheiham stated that there was no evidence that visits every six months were necessary. The BBC says that Sheiham is still making the same argument today. But if there is no hard evidence for a twice-yearly dental check-in, just how often should you go?
The final answer, according to Colgate, is up to your dentist. It will be based on factors like your personal oral health, any dental problems you may have, and whether or not you belong to a high-risk group. These groups include people with diabetes, those who are pregnant, smokers, and people with gum disease.
This position was mirrored in a statement released by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 2013. In its statement, the ADA said that the frequency of dental visits should be based on each patient’s specific needs and how often their dentist thinks is best. Its suggestion came after the University of Michigan concluded a study that compared the risk of long-term tooth loss in people with and without high-risk behaviors. The researchers found that people with diabetes, those who smoked, and those who had interleukin-1 genetic variations needed more frequent cleanings to maintain oral health. Those without these risk factors saw the same benefits from annual cleanings, rather than twice-yearly visits. If you’re not sure whether you fall into a high-risk category, you can ask your dentist or healthcare provider. From there, they can work with you to decide how often you should go in for a visit.
What Really Happens To Your Teeth If You Skip A Dental Cleaning?
Some people don’t mind visiting the dentist, but others dread those bi-yearly visits. It is recommended that adults with healthy teeth take a trip to the dentist at least once a year, but twice is optimal. So what happens if you don’t hit all those appointments? “I understand that life gets busy, so if you’re on the healthier side, once a year is fine,” Dr. Vera Tang, DDS, said. “Going twice a year would be on the safe side — any minor changes can be caught early and more easily remedied than if you wait the full year.”
The consequences of skipping a dental cleaning will depend largely on your consistent dental habits. If you brush and floss daily, eat a well-balanced diet, and avoid acids and sugars that can damage your teeth, you’ll probably be okay if you miss a single dental cleaning. However, a professional cleaning will improve your oral health much better than you can do alone at home. During a cleaning, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar that built up along your gum line and in between your teeth over time. Even people with great cleaning routines will develop tartar over time and it can only be removed professionally.
Dental cleanings also serve as preventative health screenings
According to the American Dental Association, regular visits to your dentist are highly recommended even if you have a healthy mouth. “Regular dental visits are important because they can help spot dental health problems early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable,” said the ADA. If your dental hygienist notices early signs of gum disease, cavities, or oral cancer, they can suggest treatment to fix the problem or prevent it from worsening. An evaluation of your mouth can even uncover things like vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
If you avoid the dentist because of anxiety or stress, it is important that you find a way to get yourself to the office. There are many ways to make the experience less stressful, and it starts with talking to your dentist. They deal with many patients in the same boat, so they can help you find a way to feel more relaxed during your exam. “The dentist and hygienist are striving for an appointment that will make you healthier, encourage you to have good habits at home, and encourage you to come back to help prevent disease,” said Dr. Maria Lopez Howell, DDS. Most dentists will allow you to listen to music during your appointment or even use nitrous oxide to make the experience more comfortable.
Lies Your Dentist Knows You’re Telling
In the movie Little Shop of Horrors, Steve Martin plays a dentist who has (as he gleefully sings) “a talent for causing things pain.” Of course, this is an over-the-top comedy, so Martin is playing an over-the-top character, but within his disturbing musical number is a tiny kernel of truth: Most people have a negative association with the dentist.
According to the American Dental Association, around 100 million Americans do not go to the dentist each year. The irony is that these regular checkups can help head off problems before they become painful or inconvenient (not to mention expensive). And yet people not only avoid going to the dentist but potentially compound oral hygiene issues further by doing one more thing: lying.
Okay, no judgment here, but let’s be honest. With those bright examining lights overhead, that dental chair can start feeling like the hot seat when you’re asked about, for example, flossing. So you might exaggerate things a bit or not volunteer information that you know you should. Understandable? Yes, of course. But the dentist can tell when you’re not being truthful because your mouth and behavior are full of clues — and not being honest can hurt your oral health.
I always brush my teeth the right way
Life can get in the way of dental hygiene. Your alarm clock doesn’t go off, so you have to skip brushing your teeth. The kids are restless before bedtime, and by the time they’re asleep, you can barely stay awake let alone work a toothbrush. The American Dental Association (ADA) advises brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day. But do you? And how thoroughly, really?
If you lie to your dentist about your tooth-brushing habits, chances are they’ll know. As dentist Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty confirmed in a video on the ADA’s website, “I can tell if you’re lying when you say that you are brushing and flossing, and you’re really not. Why? Because when we check your teeth, we use our little instruments to go in there, and if I find plaque along the gumline, that tells me that you’re not brushing properly.”
Even if you keep up with your brushing routine, Medical News Today has some tips to maximize your efforts. You should brush your teeth in circular motions at a 45-degree angle to your gumline — and don’t forget to brush your tongue. Plus, you might want to avoid brushing your teeth after using whitening strips.
My last checkup wasn’t that long ago
Does this sound like you? You’re going through the mail when you find a postcard reminder that you need to set up your next dentist appointment. You think “this is important,” but somehow you don’t get around to contacting the dentist’s office.
Don’t feel bad. This isn’t uncommon. The American Dental Association explains on its website that many Americans don’t see a need to go to the dentist unless they are experiencing pain or a problem. Therefore, it’s not a shock that a high number of patients lie about the date of their last appointment. According to a survey by DentaVox, 58 percent of those surveyed admitted to not being honest with their dentist about appointment-related details, including how long ago they had their last checkup.
In some ways, this lie is the least likely to skate under the radar because your dentist will have a record of your last visit. And even if you switch dentists, your lie becomes far less believable if you have a buildup of plaque that should have been taken care of at your “recent” cleaning. Plus, not visiting a dentist regularly can lead to bleeding gums when you do eventually come in for your appointment.
Of course I floss
You’re in a rush. You’re multitasking like there’s no tomorrow. You quickly brush your teeth and gargle a little mouthwash to kill that nasty case of morning breath before dashing out the door. Unfortunately, you “forgot” to floss. And when it comes time for that checkup, you “forget” how often you don’t get around to flossing in general.
It happens, but again, your dentist can tell. Dental Products Report notes a person will claim that they’re regularly flossing, and yet their gums aren’t as healthy as they should be. Yes, it’s your gums that give you away.
As dentist Jonathan Schwartz told Healthline, floss is “really a way to stimulate the gums, reduce plaque, and help lower inflammation in the area.” And dentist Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty points out in her video on the ADA’s website, “We check … in between the teeth to make sure that there’s no plaque, and if there is, then that tells me that you are not flossing.” Fortunately, there are devices like ready-to-use dental flossers that can help make flossing easier.
I don’t really drink alcohol
If you don’t lie to someone’s face, is it really a lie? Yes, and that’s true even when filling out paperwork. Case in point: Craig “The GratiDude” Jones detailed in an article for Medium that he lied about how much alcohol he consumes when filling out paperwork at the dentist. Okay, okay — but unless you have alcohol on your breath, can a dentist really tell if you’re lying about drinking? Well, at least when it comes to wine, yes.
As dentist Lauren Becker explained to Health, when you drink red wine, and you have plaque on your teeth, the results can be stains on your smile. She further revealed, “Brushing too soon [after drinking red wine] can cause the acidic wine to penetrate the pores in your teeth and can actually erode the enamel.” That’s right, as Medical News Today explained, your enamel has extremely tiny pores.
If you think drinking white wine is the answer, think again. A study by New York University researchers found that the acidity of white wine can interact with substances found in foods like tea, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to staining. And unfortunately, this interaction can happen with any type of wine, regardless of color.
I never drink soda
Chances are one of your earliest memories of soda is from childhood. And while this classic beverage has been challenged as unhealthy with possible links to obesity and type 2 diabetes, is it really something people lie about to their dentist? Well, according to a survey from DentaVox, 73 percent of those surveyed confessed to lying to their dentist, and 20 percent of those patients admitted to lying about how often they drink carbonated beverages like soda. It seems soda is not an uncommon vice to hide when sitting in the dentist chair.
Can a dentist tell if you drink a lot of soda since it doesn’t leave stains? In this case, it’s not what the drink leaves behind but what it takes away that can reveal the truth. As Healthline noted, soda can erode the outermost layer of your teeth (called the enamel), which can lead to cavities. The more cavities your have, the more your dentist may suspect you really are a soda drinker.
I don’t grind my teeth
Even with proper diet and oral hygiene, your teeth can become damaged. Imagine this scenario: You’re experiencing tooth pain and, eventually, you make an appointment to see your dentist. When you get there, he asks if you grind your teeth, and not wanting to admit you’ve been stressed out lately, you lie and say “no.” After all, it’s none of your dentist’s business if you’re stressed, right?
Well, in this case, the fact you’re grinding your teeth is not only your dentist’s business but also crucial to resolving your problem. Massa Dental Center’s website said point blank that dentists “can tell when you’re lying.” The center continued, writing, “We can tell the difference between tooth damage from trauma and what comes from clenching and grinding teeth.”
As Livestrong explained, grinding and clenching your teeth (also called bruxism) can lead to flatter and fractured teeth, chipped fillings, and damaged crowns. This is quite a bit different from teeth that have been badly damaged from trauma, which usually turn a different color like gray. Other telltale signs of trauma (and not bruxism) are gumline swelling and bad breath.
I don’t smoke
Now, let’s be fair. It’s not easy to quit smoking. Many people have to try several times before successfully giving up the habit. (If you need help quitting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have some helpful resources). Nevertheless, lying to your dentist about smoking or trying to kick your smoking habit is not a good plan.
On his website, dentist Nathan Mogren listed smoking as something you should never lie to your dentist about — not just because of the possible impact it could have on your overall wellness, but also on your oral health. “If you’re a smoker trying to hide your habit, your dentist will know instantly. Your teeth will tell the story,” he explained. “When you smoke, your teeth will begin to stain.” Why? Because, nicotine and tobacco products in general have particles that stick to your enamel’s pores.
Beyond impacting your teeth’s appearance, smoking overtime can cause more plaque and tartar to buildup inside your mouth, Dr. Mogren explained. Other signs you smoke include bad breath, gum disease, and inflamed salivary glands.
Sorry I’m late, I got lost
So you’ve finally set up that dentist appointment. But the day comes, and you take your sweet time leaving the house. You don’t use your GPS even though you normally would for any other place you haven’t been in a while. And so, you show up late, inconveniencing the office staff. Now, this could have been just a case of bad luck, but sometimes a nervous patient may self-sabotage getting to their dentist appointment on time. Granted, it could be they’re not even aware they’re doing it or a case of nerves temporarily clouding their thinking — but trying to downplay anxiousness isn’t helpful.
Kyrene Family Dentistry addressed this phenomenon on their website. “If you are not transparent with your dentist about your fear of dental checkups and procedures, your future visits may also be affected,” they explained. Instead of making up an excuse like “I got lost on my way here,” they advised patients to “tell your dentist if you’re nervous.” Your dentist “might be able to give you oxygen to lower your anxiety or take other steps to calm you during the visit.”
I’m fine
New scenario: You’ve set up your dentist appointment and make it there on time. But once you’re in that little room wearing that disposable bib, you can feel your nerves flaring up. Maybe you’re flashing back to an unpleasant procedure you’ve had in the past like getting a cavity drilled or having a root canal. Your heart is racing. Your palms are sweaty. But when the dentist comes in and asks you how you are, you say, “I’m fine.”
While putting on a brave face is usually praiseworthy, in this case it’s not doing you or your dentist any favors. According to the Princeview Dental Group, “Your dentist can tell if you’re feeling a little anxious or scared thanks to your body language (clenched fists and jaw, squinting eyes, tightened lips, etc.) and there’s nothing wrong with admitting it or talking openly about it.” Unless you’re a very good actor, your dentist probably knows when you’re not, in fact, “fine.”
Princeview Dental Group encourages patients to be open about their fears. “In fact, it’s better if you’re upfront about any anxiety you may be feeling because your dentist can offer some words of encouragement or even administer some nitrous oxide to help calm your nerves.”
No, that doesn’t hurt
In the same vein as toughing out nerves is toughing out pain. After all, no one wants to look like they can’t handle “a little discomfort” and be seen as a whiner, right? Well, even when you pretend you’re not in pain, your dentist can tell the truth.
According to dentist Solomon Brotman’s website, “When you are in pain, often times your eyes will flinch or clench shut. Your tongue and legs may tighten as well.” So, even if your dentist is only looking in your mouth and not at your eyes, the tight muscles in your tongue is your “tell” that you’re hurting.
While Steve Martin’s dentist character from Little Shop of Horrors took great pleasure in causing others pain, real dentists, however, are medical professionals who are not trying to hurt their patients. In fact, Dr. Brotman’s website states that if a patient is experiencing pain “there is no shame in talking to your dentist about it,” adding, “they might be able to use a topical anesthetic, or you could ask about taking pain medications before your next appointment.”
I don’t bite my nails
After 2020, it’s a wonder everyone in the world isn’t biting their nails. This nervous habit may begin in childhood, but for many, it continues well into adulthood. But aside from a messy, uneven manicure, can a dentist really tell you’re a nail biter even if you claim you’re not?
Dentist Heidi Brandenburg’s website explained that a standard dental procedure can reveal the truth about a person’s nail-biting habit. “Nail biters often have tiny chips or cracks in their teeth that may be invisible to the naked eye but can show up on dental X-rays. These cracks provide a great place for bacteria to nestle in and increase the likelihood of decay,” the site revealed.
In addition, constant nail biting can cause issues with your jaw such as TMD. And guess what? One symptom of this disorder (and a tell that you may be biting your nails) is a clicking noise in your jaw. Plus, the bacteria from your nails can cause infections and canker sores in your mouth, as Delta Dental explained, and bleeding gums because of bruised teeth.
I don’t have an eating disorder
Wait, this comes up at dentists’ offices? It can since the condition of a person’s teeth can point to a specific type of eating disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bulimia nervosa, or bulimia, involves binge-eating and vomiting. Excessive vomiting, however, does damage to teeth, which can raise red flags for a dentist.
In an article for Dentistry IQ, dentist Stacey L. Gividen wrote about a 27-year-old female patient who seemed healthy until she saw “notable erosive lesions on the lingual aspect of her maxillary teeth.” She soon figured out the cause. “It was clear, due to the pattern of wear, that this patient had a history of bulimia,” she continued. Eventually, the patient told Dr. Gividen about her eating disorder. The woman was initially embarrassed but ultimately grateful and relieved that she could tell someone the truth and get help.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website or contact NEDA’s Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (text NEDA to 741741).
I don’t have a history of…
Filling out medical forms can be tedious, especially when they seem to be loaded with questions that have nothing to do with your teeth. It may be tempting to mark off answers quickly without really thinking through your or your family’s medical history. But even if you don’t see a connection between the questions and your oral health, your dentist needs the most accurate answers.
Infinity Dental Associates’ website explained, “Lying about your medical history or habits can prevent you from getting the treatment you need.” And iSmile Dental Care takes it one step further: “We encourage you to be honest about your health history even [if] you think it has absolutely nothing to do with your mouth because, in fact, many diseases can affect your oral health.”
So what could be so important to your teeth that also seems to have nothing to do with them? According to iSmile Dental Care, a number of conditions like heart problems, asthma, and autoimmune conditions are worth mentioning. In addition, a dentist needs to know if you have a pacemaker or have had any joints replaced.
I’m not pregnant
There are many reasons why a woman may not want anyone to know she is pregnant. While hiding a baby bump may be more difficult the longer someone is expecting, a dentist can see signs of pregnancy just by looking inside a woman’s mouth.
According to Delta Dental, when a woman is pregnant, she may develop what is known as “pregnancy gingivitis,” as well as “pregnancy tumors.” Now, don’t freak out because of the word “tumors” or even the word “gingivitis.” Both conditions can be treated — but only by being honest with your dentist. In fact, Delta Dental refutes the notion that “it’s none of the dentist’s business whether I’m pregnant” by explaining that “you may be at risk for certain dental conditions, and your pregnancy may limit the treatment options available.”
Beyond pregnancy gingivitis and pregnancy tumors, women experiencing morning sickness, and thus vomiting, could be damaging the enamel of their teeth. Fortunately, there are options to help protect your teeth, like using a mouthguard. Your dentist will likely have many other recommendations about “ways to reduce the harm,” as Delta Dental revealed.
The bottom line? Visiting your dentist is the best way to ensure your teeth are healthy, strong, and last your lifetime! Come and see us at Palisades Dental and we will show you how it can be a pleasant experience! Call us today at 801-756-1009 or check out our page on Facebook!
One of the most effective ways to develop good oral hygiene is to start early! Keeping teeth clean right from day one will give your child a head start on healthy teeth and help you teach them dental care as they grow up. If you are not sure when or how to get started, have a look at this helpful article:
When it comes to the health of your child’s primary teeth, there is no better time than now to start practicing excellent oral hygiene. Pediatric dental care ensures your child’s primary teeth stay healthy and free of decay and other dental diseases.
Intro to Good Oral Hygiene for Kids
Good oral hygiene starts as early as infancy. Whether you’re nursing or bottle feeding, you should begin incorporating some type of dental hygiene regimen as soon as possible. Before any teeth erupt, wipe down the gums with gauze or a soft, wet washcloth. Once teeth begin to come in, keep them clean. Using the right set of tools is essential for this daily ritual. For example, it is important to purchase a toothbrush designed specifically for babies, which will have a much smaller head, for their tiny mouths.
If you have not done so already, make sure your child has his or her first dental visit by the time he or she turns one to two years of age. Your pediatric dentist will keep your child’s teeth healthy by removing plaque build-up and food debris that may be stuck in his teeth. This is an important part of dental care because it prevents bacteria from continuing to grow, which may eventually lead to other dental diseases (eg. tooth decay or inflammation of the gum tissue). Make your regular visits to the pediatric dentist a fun adventure that always yields some type of tooth-friendly reward.
Professional Care Tips
A professional pediatric dentist will provide you with expert tips on how to take care of your child’s teeth at home. Advice typically includes the proper way to floss and brush your child’s teeth and additional information based on the specific condition of your child’s teeth.
Another topic that’s typically addressed is your child’s eating habits and what parents should do to help protect their child’s teeth and gums. As a general precaution, parents should stay away from foods rich in sugar and starch. In addition, a child should never go to sleep while nursing or with a juice or milk in their bottle.
Your baby’s primary teeth are important. Developmental stages that are imperative to your child’s future dental health depends on them. Dentistry for children provides parents with a guide for oral care so that they will have excellent dental hygiene as they mature.
Our kid-friendly staff and gentle dentists love working with children and are passionate about ensuring the best care for your little one’s teeth. Call us today at 801-756-1009, or check out our page on Facebook!
Like so many other people, one of the first things you do in the morning and at night is pick up a toothbrush to give your teeth a clean. But do you know if you are doing everything correctly? For a procedure that we tend to do like clockwork, it may be a good idea to double-check that we are making it worth the time.
Do you brush your teeth before or after breakfast? For most of us, our teeth cleaning habits haven’t changed since childhood: brushing is such an ingrained habit it can often take quite a while for new research to filter through.
“Even when speaking with health visitors about my own children, there have been a couple of occasions where my wife has kicked me under the table because she can see the vein starting to bulge in my forehead,” says Dr Ben Atkins, president of the Oral Health Foundation. “It’s difficult information to get across. Think about who taught you to brush your teeth. I’m 47, so for me it was a generation born in the 1940s, who have had oral health issues … and then the people who taught them often ended up with no teeth.”
So what should we be doing? “Brush your teeth for about two minutes last thing at night before you go to bed and on one other occasion every day,” is the official NHS advice. But there’s more to healthy, white teeth than that.
“We need to clean our teeth before breakfast,” says Siobhan Kelleher, dental hygienist and TePe educator. “It’s about the pH levels in your mouth,” she says. “When you eat breakfast and you introduce acidic foods, say orange juice or sugary cereal, there’s then an acid attack and teeth are more vulnerable for about an hour afterwards. Brushing beforehand means your teeth have that extra protection against decay before you eat.”
Kelleher also recommends using a TePe interdental brush or flossing before cleaning with a toothbrush. “When you brush your teeth, you’re only cleaning 60% of their surfaces, so 40% of the bacteria, between the teeth, remains after brushing. Using an interdental brush such as TePe will remove it, but you’ll want to use a toothbrush afterwards so that bacteria doesn’t remain on the other parts of your teeth.”
Most experts recommend smaller toothbrush heads, whereas the size needed for an interdental brush will vary from person to person. “It is best to ask a professional,” says Kelleher. “But you could also try buying a multisize pack and seeing which works best for you.”
Fluoridated toothpaste is an essential. “The most important thing to look for is the concentration of fluoride parts per million (ppm),” says Atkins. This must be listed on toothpaste, in the same way as nutritional information on foods, or SPF on sunscreen. Most brands carry it in small print on the back. “Children under three are OK with 1,000 fluoride ppm,” says Atkins. “But for older children and adults, you want between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm. You can get higher concentrations from your dentist, but they are for higher-risk patients.”
And the really important thing is not to rinse your mouth out once you’re done. “You see people rinsing in films all the time,” says Atkins. “But that’s just getting rid of all the fluoride you’ve spent two minutes adding to your mouth.”
But what about the times we slip up? When we skip our usual bedtime routine after a few too many drinks, for instance? “I can’t really say it’s OK,” says Kelleher. “Because you’ll probably have consumed acidic or sugary drinks.”
It takes 24 hours for the gum disease process to start, so when we wake up we’ve still got a chance to redeem ourselves. Remember: clean with an interdental brush first, then apply protective fluoride with your toothbrush and give your teeth a good going over. Spit, but don’t rinse. Finally, smile! Because we’ll have better teeth than the generation who got dental care so wrong.
Palisades Dental can help you keep your teeth their healthy best! We are the number one family dentistry practice in the American Fork, Highland, Lehi, and Pleasant Grove, UT, area, and we look forward to seeing you! Call us today at 801-756-1009 or check out our page on Facebook!
