Teeth Cleaning
Teeth cleaning is done with different types of brushes – ordinary, electric, interdental, dental floss and toothbrushes (irrigators).
Toothbrush
It is desirable that the head of the toothbrush is consistent with the ability to reach all surfaces of the most extreme teeth. Notice how often the end teeth suffer from cavity! If you strictly follow the rules for brushing your teeth, cleaning with a regular toothbrush is not inferior to the efficiency of electric toothbrushes.
Dental floss
Flossing is used to clean hard-to-reach places where toothbrush bristles cannot penetrate. In the places where the teeth are in contact with each other, the onset of caries remains hidden from patients for a long time and often, when the first symptoms occur, it is already a very deep caries or even pulpitis. The floss inserted between the teeth easily slides on their surfaces. If there is already caries or old fillings that are not well adapted, then the sutures are torn or torn. The old fillings need to be replaced and the newly formed caries cured.
Dental floss consists of individual floss and is waxed or wax-free. Those that are waxed are easier to place in the interdental space and are recommended for patients with very tight interdental contacts (mainly in young patients). Wax-free sutures have a better diagnostic function because they are easier to hold in places where caries develops or in places where the fillings are already old and not well adapted. There are special threads, the working part of which is loosened and looks like a brush (Brush & Floss; SuperFloss). Most threads are additionally flavored with mint flavor.
Oral showers (irrigators)
With their help it is possible to reduce plaque and gingivitis. Rinsing can be done with ordinary running water or antiseptic solutions, which significantly increases their effectiveness. Some toothbrushes add air to the solution, which further aerates the bacterial environment and reduces its pathogenic potential.
Most of the irrigators can be used in two modes of operation: a single jet to remove food debris and clean the interdental spaces and an alternating jet – to further clean the tooth surfaces and massage the gums. The water jet pressure is adjusted according to individual preferences.
Chemical control of the plaque. Mouthwashes, toothpastes.
They work by different mechanisms: they suppress the formation of plaque, prevent its attachment to the tooth or disintegrate it, thus facilitating its mechanical cleaning. Plaque inhibitors are included as active ingredients in pastes, rinsing solutions (splashing or rinsing with irrigators), chewing gum, lozenges and more. These forms are administered by the patient and can only inhibit periodontal plaque. The plaque that forms under the gums can only be removed instrumentally by a dentist.
Mouthwash
It should be noted that rinsing the mouth with mouthwash is of secondary and ancillary importance to basic mechanical cleaning with traditional means – brushes, interdental brushes and flossing. Their regular use reduces the amount of dental plaque, inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms, reduces the risk of caries and gingivitis. Their antimicrobial action helps significantly in inflammation of the tonsils and contributes to fresh breath. Some of the waters also have an analgesic ingredient.
Toothpastes
Toothpastes can be grouped into two main groups: prophylactic and curative. The main function of prophylactic pastes is their good plaque-washing action, as well as additional import of fluorine. That is why these pastes should foam well. In healing pastes, several groups can be distinguished depending on the disease. There are those with plaque inhibitory effect, anti-inflammatory effect and protecting the oral mucosa. For sensitive teeth, specific toothpastes are used to reduce pain. To make sure you are using the right toothpaste for you, you need to consult your dentist.
It is important to know that whatever toothpaste you use, if you do not brush regularly and correctly, the result will not be satisfactory. You need to be extra careful when using whitening toothpastes. Most of them you should know that they contain abrasive ingredients, which when used for a long time cause abrasion of the enamel, exposure of the tooth necks and sensitivity.
Chewing gum
The use of chewing gum can compensate to some extent for the lack of a toothbrush and toothpaste. The process of chewing is associated with increased saliva production, which through its buffering capacity normalizes the pH in the oral cavity and reduces the risk of caries. However, using chewing gum for more than five minutes leads to the synthesis of diluted saliva, which can lead to demineralization of teeth and reduce their resistance. Frequent and continuous chewing also poses risks to the mandibular joint – to its “loosening” and the occurrence of subluxations. It should be noted that most chewing gums contain sorbitol, which has a laxative effect.
