Dentist in Perth discusses alternative to flossing teeth.

So many patients tell me that they can't get it right when it comes to flossing. Getting your hands in your mouth, getting the floss between all the teeth, blood everywhere...yuk!

A while back when I was in San Diego, a patient of mine who was a mother, and child psychologist, said that when growing up our parents keep saying things like: "get your hands out of your mouth".

Then when we get to 13 or 14 the dentist or hygienist says :"this is how you stick your hands in your mouth...just do it"

Face it, flossing just doesn't come naturally. Many patients who do really try, just can't get their gums to stop bleeding, even when they do it everyday.
If you do floss everyday, it then comes down to perfect technique. I have posted a video with tips on flossing previously and it is really helpful. I have shown it mainly to younger patients who are still keen and eager to learn.

When it comes to older patients I have found that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", which means it is difficult to make someone change the way they do something when they have been doing it the same way for a long time, or in the case of flossing, not doing it at all.

The other expression that comes to mind involves larger four legged creatures(horses) and water!

You say this when you can give someone the opportunity to do something, but you cannot force them to do it if they do not want to, or in the case of dental floss just can't.

Well don't worry, all is not lost. I have found a system from Switzerland that works so well, and is easy to master after only a few tries.

Since nobody needs to be taught to use a toothpick I thought that there must be something simpler than flossing. After 20 years of nagging, demonstrating, threatening and getting on my knees and downright begging patients to floss I was about to "throw in the towel" when I discovered Curaprox Prime. Now even though this is a plug for the company and the product, I can assure you I am not on their payroll!

The website states "When you insert the interdental brush into an interdental space for the first time, there is frequently bleeding and it can sometimes be a little painful. Don't worry! You are not bleeding because you have injured yourself, but because you have a small open wound there caused by plaque. Gums only bleed if they are irritated by excessive plaque. If you use your interdental brush correctly, the problem will generally resolve itself after just ten days. The bleeding gums you experience at first will disappear" and I have found this to be the case every time.

The company has a great website with a demonstration video and in Perth you can buy their products at Broadway Fair Pharmacy or Captain Stirling Pharmacy.

This article is solely the professional and individual opinion of Dr. Clifford Yudelman a Perth dentist in Nedlands, Western Australia and does not replace the professional guidance of your own personal dentist. He/she is the best person to counsel you on specific products for your specific situation. Please consult with them if you have any questions regarding anything mentioned in this article.

Australia: Perth dentist lists 10 top oral hygiene products and tips

Every day patients ask me "what kind of toothbrush should I use", or "can you recommend a dental floss?"

Well here are the top ten things on my list

1. Dental floss. They are all good but one of my favorites is "Reach Dental Floss Waxed" or the minty one called "whitening" just for the flavour. Remember "you don't have to floss all your teeth...just the ones you want to keep!"
2. Interproximal brushes. Many people can't floss, won't floss, hate floss, just ran out of floss. After 25 years I have heard every excuse in the book. Flossing is difficult and luckily there is an alternative. Tiny brushes that go between your teeth. Not the larger ones that will only fit under a bridge, next to an implant or if you have had periodontal disease. I like the ones from Switzerland called Curaprox. There will be more about them soon.
3. Toothpicks. Come on, the least you can do is pick your teeth! Not the round ones you get at cocktail parties (in your Martini) or with the corner of an old business card. I am talking about special triangular ones made from soft wood. They don't damage your gums and do a pretty good job, and at least get the bits of food out. In Perth Australia we get the Sensodyne brand "InterDens fine" which are excellent and which you must moisten before use.
4. Manual toothbrush. Very soft but nothing too fancy. Again there is nothing to beat the Curaprox Brand and the one I like best is model CS 3960 "supersoft"
5. Electric or power toothbrush. If you're going to spend the money, get the best. Many patients do better with a manual brush than the cheap throw-away electric ones. You can't beat the Braun Oral-B Triumph Professional Care 9500 or the Sonic Complete.
6. Tongue cleaner or scraper-daily use is essential to ensure fresh breath. These work much better than brushing the tongue. We give all our patients one that I developed called the "Breath-So-Fresh". Some pharmacies now have a few different ones in stock, and you should try several, as all tongues are slightly different. Find one that reaches the back third of the tongue and isn't too sharp, but still effective.
7. Mouthwash. Most of my patients don't need it. I have posted recently about the controversy surrounding oral cancer and strong alcohol mouthwashes. In some cases I recommend Curasept Chlorhexidine 0.12% non-staining toothpaste and mouthwash. More about this soon.
8. Toothpaste. I don't like the more expensive ones with lots of ingredients. All that is necessary is a mild abrasive and fluoride. I like "Colgate Fluorigard Anti-Cavity Great Regular Flavour".
9. Plaque disclosing tablets. Yes the little tablets that you chew and all your teeth go pink are still around. By the way the pink is all the plaque you missed. New tablets now available will show old plaque in blue.
10. Timer. You cannot brush effectively in less than 2 minutes no matter what your technique. It feels like forever but it's only 2 minutes!

This article is solely the professional and individual opinion of Dr. Clifford Yudelman a Perth dentist in Nedlands, Western Australia and does not replace the professional guidance of your own personal dentist. He/she is the best person to counsel you on specific products for your specific situation. Please consult with them if you have any questions regarding anything mentioned in this article.