To start our list of dental hacks, we have to first address and explain many of our patient’s problems. Many patients always ask why do I need to floss…I already brush my teeth! Many patients complain that their gums bleed, especially when they brush. It is an uncomfortable sight to see blood coming out of your mouth, but it’s one that many people see. The reason we bleed from our mouth is because of unhealthy gums (Gingivitis).

But flossing and brushing do two entirely different things and prevent two entirely different diseases. Brushing prevents decay or also known as dental caries. Flossing prevents gum and bone disease also known as Gingivitis (infection of the gums) and Periodontitis (infection of the bone holding teeth).

When you have food, plaque and saliva, it hardens on teeth. We call this hard mass Tartar or Calculus. When the Tartar hardens it infects your gum and your bone.

• When your gums are infected it leads to gum recession or the dropping of the gums, exposing the root surface. This causes:
  • An unaesthetic look with receded gums.
  • It also causes root sensitivity.
  • More importantly, when the bone is infected the bone drops, which leads to less foundation for the tooth. Eventually, the reduction in foundation holding the tooth firm leads to the teeth becoming wobbly and eventually falling out.
    

    Well, how do I prevent Gum and Bone Disease?!

    Well here is where the tried and tested request of flossing comes from. When you floss you slow the hardening of the plaque and food, and in turn prevent the formation of tartar. When tartar does not form, you don’t get the infection of the gums and the bone. When the gums and the bone are not infected, the gums stay where they should and the tooth doesn’t become wobbly or fall out.

    But flossing is difficult and it is very easy to traumatise the gums when not flossing correctly. This can actually cause more damage than good. This is why we need an effective way of remove food, plaque and saliva from Harding. This is where Water Flossers become very useful. When you normally come in for your cleans, your dentist removes any tartar that has built up with an instrument that vibrates quickly and shoots water to flush the gums and remove any plaque or debris. A Water Flosser is a home-use option to flush the gums and prevent any plaque or debris build-up, thus slowing down any tartar formation just like floss does. Unfortunately, both the floss and Waterpik can’t remove tartar once it has formed, but both are critical in slowing its formation before it is removed during a professional clean by the dentist.

    Dental Hack: But why is using a Water Flosser over floss so much of a dental hack?

    Here are the pros and cons of using a Water Flosser

    Pros

    • One-off cost. No repeat buys for Floss. Floss can be expensive when you are buying a new floss roll every month. A Water Flosser is a one-off cost, but no continued costs.
    • More effective than floss. The water adapts and bends to the gum contour and flushes any debris out. Floss just disturbs the plaque and removes minimal in comparison.
    • Easier to use in all places, especially hard to reach areas.
    • Less likely to traumatise the gums, with the force of irrigation able to be reduced and increased depending on patient sensitivity.
    • More deep clean. Water from the Water Flosser can engage the gums deeper than floss can.
    • One Water Flosser can be used for the entire family.

    Cons

    • Initial cost being higher.

    Gum and bone disease is a lifestyle disease. It is comparable to a heart attack. Both don’t happen overnight, over a few weeks or a few months. It is the years of neglect that really show the effects. Just like with heart disease, doctors recommend having a good diet and 30 minutes of exercise a day, dentist also recommends using the Waterpik daily and come in for 6 monthly cleans.

    Most people experience gum and bone disease as early as the late thirties. Unlike a heart attack, where starting a good diet and exercise routine reverses the risks elements of a heart attack- once the damage is done in the gum and bone disease, you can’t reverse those effects. You cannot reverse the lost gum and bone once it has occurred. This is why dentists always stress the 6 monthly cleans to prevent the irreversible state some people find themselves in.

    Book today and get your gum and bone health back!