Category Archives: Musings

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Fluoride Controversy

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I can only comment using my own experience because I obviously have no power over politics, media, or other people’s lives/experiences.

I know that topical fluoride mouthwash works well together with timely, systematic brushing and flossing techniques because I have not had a cavity yet on my adult teeth *knock on wood* and sensitive areas on my teeth are diminished or completely gone. I also know that fluoride is a poison because I get stomachaches if I accidentally swallow a bit of my fluoride mouthwash – plus there are warnings on the bottle! So I agree with the article that fluoride is a double-edged sword.

What I will do as a dentist:

  • Use everything within my knowledge and skill-set to eradicate dental decay and disease from your mouth.

  • Make recommendations to you, including things you might find controversial, if I believe the benefits outweigh the risks.

  • Consider your opinion, values, and experiences while I do all the above.

What you should do for yourself (or your children) as a patient:

  • Tell your dentist your opinion on fluoride.

  • Tell your dentist whether or not you consent to fluoride treatment.

  • Take responsibility. Understand that if you get a cavity, then something may be wrong with the way you take care of your teeth.

So all in all, if you have not gotten a cavity for 12 months using whatever regimen you have come up with, then I congratulate you and have nothing more to say! Otherwise you and your dentist have to work together to figure out what’s really happening.

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Break the Cycle

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Do you hate the dentist?

Do you think you need a lot of dental treatment?

If you answered “Yes” to both questions, then maybe you don’t really hate dentists! Why would I say that? Because if you really hated dentists then you would minimize the number of times a year you have to see one, right? That means you would be keeping your mouth as healthy as you possibly can by brushing, flossing, rinsing, tongue scraping. So break the cycle by taking care of your mouth routinely, and you will see that you’ll need fewer, shorter, and less painful appointments with the dentist, AND save money.

There’s no point in trying to “punish” a dentist by not taking care of your own teeth because you are ultimately the one who has to live with the aches, pains, and inconvenience of missing teeth. We (dentists) are just trying to get you healthy again.

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Hygiene Guidelines

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Hopefully someone in your life should have given you the lecture by now, but if not I’ll gladly pass it on here.

Minimally, you must properly brush twice a day and floss once a day to keep everything clean. If you want to go above and beyond then brush/scrape your tongue once a day and use a antibacterial and/or fluoride mouthwash right before bed because you should not eat/drink for 30min after fluoride treatment anyway.  Proper technique as well as other information can be found here: http://www.dentalhealthonline.net/

Need more motivation? Then try some of these experiments! (Yes, I have done them.)

Experiments:

  • Importance of brushing:
    1. Brush your regular way
    2. Press gently but firmly on your gums where they end right at the edge of your teeth (the gumline, or “gingival margin”). Your goal is to squeeze anything in the gum pockets (“sulci” or singular “sulcus”) up and out.
    3. If you see white material come out of your gums, then you could brush better.*
  • Importance of flossing:
    1. Brush first.
    2. Floss as properly as you can
    3. Any junk on floss was left behind from brushing.
  • Importance of tongue scraping:
    1. Just try it once. Results are self-explanatory.
    2. Compare the smell of your breath before and after scraping for extra motivation**

Oh, one more thing. Use the softest brush you can find with which to brush your teeth. It’s not about scrubbing, but gentle technique. Use enough pressure to get the job done, but remember that your toothbrush bristles should look nearly as good as new after 3 months!

*You could also use plaque disclosing solutions or tablets, but they are so hard to find!
**It is reported anywhere between 70-90% of bad breath is from the tongue, but who cares about numbers when results speak for themselves!

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Trust

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It is your right and responsibility as a patient to choose a dentist that you trust. Not every dentist is the same no matter what your past experiences (good or bad) tell you because every dentist draws from his/her own personal background, education, philosophy, experience, and techniques.

You will not offend me if you decide that I am not the dentist for you. And neither will I beg you to make me your dentist. Even if you are already sitting in my dental chair, I will not move forward with your treatment unless you are comfortable. Because when it comes down to it, I cannot provide the care you deserve if I have to worry about whether or not you trust me.