Toothbrush not enough

Press, 3 February 1986, Page 9

Toothbrush not enough

By Desmond Smith, 8.D.5., D.D.P.H.

Quite a number of people say that a trace of blood appearing occasionally on the toothbrush is fairly normal and nothing to be concerned about. Of course, there are those who seem to tackle their delicate gum tissues with a two-handed scrubber, rather like cleaning velvet with a wire bush. Most people have a far more reasonable approach to toothbrushing, but have never stopped to consider what healthy gums should look like. Healthy gums are light pink in colour, normally stippled in appearance (with tiny dots over them) and quite firm in consistency. Most important, they never bleed under ordinary conditions, and a toothbrush should certainly be a normal stimulus. Unfortunately, a number of things can upset this state of affairs. First and foremost is our old friend plaque (you remember — that “furry feeling” so dear to television advertisements). Once plaque gets established near the necks of the teeth, it acts as an irritant on the collar of gum which surrounds each tooth. Inflammation is the body’s natural reac-

tion to this, and the area swells with blood for protection. When a toothbrush comes on the scene, even the correct cleansing action will cause some bleeding. So, any time you see a trace of blood on your brush, it pays to have the area checked by a dentist. Prevention is always better than cure, no less in the case of gum care. Acquiring the correct type of toothbrush for your mouth is the first step. From what is seen in shops, manufacturers are still turning out brushes that appear to be designed for a well-grown bulldog, with large tufts at one end made of something similar to barbedwire. A good brush is medium soft to firm, depending on the state of the person’s mouth, and the bristles are about the same length. If the head is too long it may create some difficulties, unless one has a very large mouth. Dentistry has gone through different eras when one style of brushing or another has been followed. Today, the idea is that you use whatever method works best for you, while remembering

that all the tooth surfaces must be covered, particularly the inaccessible parts under the tongue and around the back of the mouth. Remember also that too much vigour may be harmful. Cleaning properly takes time — usually two to three minutes — and most people spend 30 to 45 seconds on it, with the unavoidable result that some parts get missed altogether. A good test of how you are doing is to buy some plaque disclosing tablets from the chemist and suck one after you have finished brushing. Perhaps it would be wise to pick a time when you are not going out — you may look as if you have been in an accident when you open your mouth. A group of adults, when asked what they use to

clean their teeth besides a toothbrush, often produce blank stares from at least several of them. But those who have used disclosing tablets always understand. There are certain parts of the mouth, particularly between the teeth, where it is impossible to clean with a brush. For those parts, dental floss or softwood sticks are indispensable as cleaning tools. The trouble is that many people start out conscientiously enough, but return to just the brush after a month or so. There is no reason why the fronts and backs of our teeth should get cleaned one or twice a day, and the bits in between get a twice-yearly spring clean. Each day, each area needs the type of cleaning which is effective for it If this is done regularly, the tinge of red on your brush will become a thing of the past, unless, of course, the trouble has gone further and you need professional attention. But more of that another time.

Word of Mouth