Our teeth are some of our most important assets. They aid in our ability to speak as well as eat. They represent significant cultural capital in a society where we covet attractive smiles. Yet, we often fail to care for them properly despite their relative fragility when exposed to a modern American diet, which is disproportionately high in sugar.
Should you floss before or after brushing your teeth?
Daily flossing is an important part of a regular oral hygiene routine, but if you’ve already succeeded in fitting it into your schedule every day, then you may wonder if the order really matters. Truth be told, your dentist is probably just happy that you’re doing it, as inter dental cleaning is vital to removing sugars and other food scraps from the hardest to reach places in your mouth. However, there does appear to be a slight advantage to flossing prior to brushing.
Why floss first?
There are actually two reasons to consider flossing before you brush. First, you should remember that flossing releases food particles, sugars, and a host of bacteria into your mouth. If you’ve already brushed, then some of those particles will stay in your mouth, undermining your efforts. For this reason, you should rinse after flossing, preventing yourself from swallowing any particles dislodged during the process and then brush, removing anything that has re-attached to the surface of your teeth.
Second, a study published in 2018 by the Journal of Periodontology found that flossing first and brushing second maximized the effects of fluoride toothpaste. By comparing people who flossed first to those who flossed second, researchers found that, while there was no statistically significant difference in marginal plaque, there was a marked difference in the fluoride concentration of the interdental plaque who flossed prior to brushing. Their research indicates that flossing first has the potential to decrease a person’s likelihood of developing periodontal disease over their lifetime.
There are some who contend the opposite, suggesting that it is better to floss after your mouth has been exposed to the fluoride in your toothpaste, but the current evidence and majority of dental professionals dispute the efficacy of this claim. Rather, in addition to suggesting that flossing first may be marginally better, dental professionals are increasingly urging patients to skip one step that is typical to almost everyone’s morning dental hygiene ritual.
Skipping the rinse
Rinsing your mouth out after a good, long brushing can feel incredibly refreshing. However, Healthline reports, that rinsing your mouth after brushing could be damaging your efforts if you use a fluoride toothpaste in lieu of treated water. You see, the whole point is to allow the fluoride to coat the teeth for as long as possible. As Mary Hayes of the American Dental Association explained to Scientific American, fluoride “reduces the solubility of enamel in acid” while “promot[ing] the remineralization of tooth enamel in areas that have been de-calcified by acids.” In laymen’s terms, fluoride protects your teeth from being eroded by acidic compounds and helps patch the tooth up where minor damage has occurred.
If you rinse your mouth out immediately after brushing, then you wash the fluoride away before it has had an opportunity to do its job. Instead, simply spit out any excess toothpaste. It may take a couple of times, but you want to preserve that thin coating of fluoride on your teeth protection that will last until your next meal. Then, if you are able, brush again. Although the American Dental Association suggests brushing twice a day, it is ideal to brush after every meal, preventing acids from harming your teeth during the day. Therefore, when you wake up tomorrow, start with your normal flossing habit, progress to brushing, and spit instead of rinsing.
If you have any questions about your daily, oral hygiene routine or other concerns about your oral health, then don’t hesitate to make an appointment at Jesmine Boghawala DDS. Jesmine Boghawala, DDS. will be happy to review the current state of your dental health and advise you on the best treatment plans to protect your health and your smile.
The Dentist’s Guide to Choosing a Toothbrush
Cerritos dentists agree that brushing your teeth is a key practice in regular dental hygiene. You may not follow their advice and brush every time you eat. But you probably do reach for your toothbrush at least twice a day. While you stand in the mirror brushing away, do you ever find yourself thinking about why toothbrushes are designed the way they are? If not, it may surprise you that the answer is more complex than you think. In fact, understanding the function of your toothbrush can help you in choosing a toothbrush best for you. This will give you the upper hand prior to your next dental cleaning with Dr. Boghawala.
Choosing a Toothbrush: Manual vs. Electric
Over the past twenty years, electric toothbrushes have pushed their way into prominence. One study does show that using an electric toothbrush reduces plaque up to 21%. This is mostly due to the micro-vibrations performed by the electrically-powered bristles. Similar movements can be replicated by a manual toothbrush when used properly. When choosing a toothbrush, the choice between manual and electric comes down to personal preference and commitment.
With a manual toothbrush, you will have to practice soft, circular motions to get the same effect as just passing an electric toothbrush over your teeth. If you have upper body weakness or a medical condition that affects fine motor skills, you may find good oral hygiene difficult to achieve using a manual toothbrush. In these cases, an electric toothbrush is preferable. Some may want to look into using a water-pick to replace flossing as well.
Bristle Hardness
Given your toothbrush’s key job is to remove food particles and plaque, it may seem like you would want abrasive bristles to get the job done. However, the American Dental Association’s consensus is that soft bristles are actually best. They are effective at removing plaque while presenting the least risk to your gums, which can be damaged by an overly abrasive toothbrush. For the same reason, dentists advise to not put much pressure on the toothbrush as you brush.
In some rare cases, your dentist may suggest choosing a toothbrush with medium bristle hardness. This typically only suggested when a patient shows no signs of sensitivity and also has consistent plaque build-up. Even if your gums aren’t sensitive, stick to soft bristles unless your dentist tells you otherwise.
Head Shape
Many toothbrushes come with heads that are shaped like ovals or squared off at the top. These types of brushes serve perfectly well for most of your teeth, but you may have trouble comfortably pushing the brush all the way back to your farthest molars. If you run into this issue, opt for a tapered diamond-shaped head. The smaller point at the top will allow you to reach much farther back without causing you discomfort.
Bristle Pattern
Cheaper brushes almost always have level bristles. However, some experts warn that whereas these brushes will serve just fine for the teeth at the front of your mouth, it can be difficult for them to clean the grooves in your molars. Instead, look for bristles that have a “wave” pattern. The different levels in the bristles will help reach into the nooks and crannies of your other teeth. You can also look for a criss-cross pattern in terms of the bristles organization for a better overall cleaning experience.
Picking your Brush
At the end of the day, you can always just look for an ADA seal when choosing a toothbrush, but some aspects of the experience are unique to you. If you feel like your toothbrush isn’t serving you well, and you aren’t sure why then feel free to talk to your local Cerritos dentist at Jesmine Boghawala DDS about the different brush styles that may work better for you.
Do Receding Gums Grow Back?
Gum recession is a common condition, especially in adults over 40, according to the California Dental Association. It occurs when the gums pull back towards the root of the tooth. In severe cases, receding gums expose the root. Much of the time, this condition is caused by periodontal disease, which is commonly referred to as gum disease. However, the American Dental Association cautions that your gums may also recede as a result of brushing too hard, smoking, trauma to the gums, or even genetics. Contact your Cerritos dentist today if you have further questions about receding gums treatment.
Why you should be concerned
Many people tend to treat receding gums as an aesthetic problem until it is too late. This is mostly because they don’t fully understand what is causing them to recede. Regardless of whether the cause is gum disease or not, the inflammation of the gums will eventually cause them to pull away. Unfortunately, this creates pockets where bacteria can hide and grow. Even if your condition didn’t begin with an infection, gum disease will soon become part of the problem.
As your condition worsens, the infection will eat through tissue and eventually bone. As a result, the root of the tooth will become increasingly exposed, making you sensitive to hot and cold foods. Eventually, you’ll begin to feel that your teeth feel a little loose, as your gums are no longer providing the expected support. At this stage, it is possible that surgery will be required to rectify the situation by clearing the infection and replacing the lost tissue.
Treatments
The sad truth is that your gums cannot simply grow back, regardless of what we would like to think. There are many at-home remedies and essential oils that claim to do just that. However, the most they can do is partially reduce bacterial build-up and give you temporary relief from inflammation. Removing the underlying causes will permanently reduce inflammation if you’re careful to not repeat the initial causes, halting the condition’s progression and creating a more aesthetic look.
For Mild to Moderate Cases
The first step in your treatment will be scaling. This procedure aims to remove all plaque both above and below the gum-line. Dr. Boghawala will typically use a hooked surgical element to scrape the plaque upwards and away from your gums.
Dr. Boghawala will clear all of the plaque-causing irritation. This can be uncomfortable, so she may use a local anesthetic. If the mere idea sounds like too much to handle, then schedule a consultation with us at Jesmine Boghawala DDS to learn about sedation dentistry.
From there you have two options:
- The conventional practice is called planing. After scaling your teeth, which can take several visits, Dr. Boghawala will smooth the gum back out over the tooth, encouraging it to re-attach to the tooth.
- The Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) is a relatively new procedure that has shown consistent efficacy since its first use and offers a minimally invasive approach to gum restoration. According to a professionally-reviewed Medical News Today article, the procedure involves inserting a minuscule hole into the gum tissue, then inserting a tool to help stretch the remaining gum tissue back over the tooth. The core goal is the same as planing, to encourage reattachment, except PST offers the opportunity to increase tooth coverage.
For Severe Cases
As with any case of receding gums, scaling will be required to ensure that all plaque is removed from the tooth below and above the gum-line. However, in severe cases, the entire root of the tooth is exposed and there is a risk of losing the tooth to the lack of protective support in place.
As a result, Dr. Boghawala will likely suggest gum graft surgery if your case is extremely advanced. During this procedure, a surgeon will remove a small piece of healthy gum tissue, usually from the roof of the mouth, and place it over the damaged area. The new tissue is stitched into place to give it the opportunity to attach properly.
After Care
Once you’ve been treated for receding gums, a strict, daily oral hygiene routine is a must. In addition, if there was another cause, such as ill-fitting dentures or grinding your teeth while you sleep, then speak to Dr. Boghawala about preventing future cases of gum disease.
Are Sensitive Teeth Bothering You?
Do you feel pain or discomfort when you bite down on something cold? What about when you eat something hot? If your teeth are being overly sensitive to different hot or cold foods, it’s possible you have a cavity. At Jesmine Boghawala DDS, we know how uncomfortable it is to deal with sensitive teeth. It can make daily habits such as eating, smiling, and talking too difficult. If your sensitive teeth are bothering you, there are several signs and symptoms that can hint at your need for treatment. Learn more about sensitive teeth and how your Cerritos dentist can help you.
Sensitive Teeth Symptoms
Pain when eating temperate foods can be a sign that your teeth have cavities. Typically, when a cavity occurs, you will find yourself being sensitive to:
- Hot and cold drinks
- Hot and cold food
- Cold wind
- Sugary or sweet foods
- Acidic foods
- Teeth brushing
- Mouth rinsing
Sometimes, these symptoms come and go. There may be a short amount of time when the discomfort seems to disappear, and you can eat something hot or cold without a worry. However, that doesn’t mean that the cavity goes away.
Worn Enamel
The above signs and symptoms can be a sign of a cavity, or they can be a sign of worn enamel. According to Colgate, one of the most common causes of dentin hypersensitivity (the medical word for tooth sensitivity) is over-zealous brushing. Brushing too hard can wear down the enamel on the teeth, which is the protective outer layer. When this layer wears down, your teeth become exposed to sensitive foods and beverages that can make them too sensitive.
This can also happen with the use of an abrasive toothbrush or toothpaste. There are certain brands of brushes and paste that can lead to the wearing down of the enamel. In some cases, the enamel is more worn down in one place than in others. This might be due to grinding. Our dentistry staff can provide a complimentary consultation to determine the cause of your sensitive teeth, whether due to worn enamel or a cavity.
Cavity Treatments
If you have sensitive teeth due to a cavity, you can get a quick and easy treatment to fill in the cavity and prevent the decay from spreading throughout your mouth. This will also help you get rid of any sensitivities you may be feeling. Cavities can be treated using a number of advanced techniques, which remove the source of the rot and replace it with a tooth-colored, enamel-friendly filling.
If you are dealing with sensitive teeth due to brushing too hard or too quickly, you can obtain an over-the-counter treatment or get a dentist-recommended toothpaste to encourage enamel growth. In some cases, you may need dental-recommended treatments or an oral hygiene regimen that will allow you to strengthen your teeth while preventing them from feeling sensitive in the future.
When Treatments Aren’t Effective
If prescribed or over-the-counter treatments don’t work, you may be dealing with a root issue. When there is decay in the root, a root canal treatment is needed. This can occur in tandem with the following symptoms:
- Sharper pain rather than a dull pain
- Pain when biting down or chewing on something
- Pain that occurs spontaneously
- Dark blotches or stains on the teeth
If you are worried about the condition of your teeth, and your sensitivity isn’t going away, it’s important to see a dental professional as soon as possible.
Sensitive Teeth Treatment in Cerritos
At Jesmine Boghawala DDS, we offer treatments that not only diagnose the root of the problem but ensure that your teeth are free from rot or decay. Whether you’re dealing with overzealous brushing or something more serious, our professional team can assist you as soon as possible. Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Contact us today by visiting us online or by calling us at (562) 543-5106.
