Listen to old Gummy!! (Toothcare in General)

Member Name: Blurbubble

Product:	Toothcare in General
Date:	01/10/01 (173 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Retain your full adult nashers!

Disadvantages: Can work out expensive

Dental care??? Teeth??? What do I know??? The queen of extractions and dental infections!! Well, exactly, that's why I feel I can write on the subject, if only on what NOT to do!

I'm an adult now, but up until the age of about 13 I had no fillings and strong teeth. I don't know when or how it started going downhill but from the age of about 13/14 the fillings started arriving and how.

I am now missing 8 or 9 adult teeth, including two Wisdom teeth, which either had to be extracted due to severe infection or broke after previous root canal treatment for abscesses. Once a tooth has been filled or given such treatment as a root canal job it is much weaker and more prone to break or get re-infected. All of mine (about four) which were given root canal treatment and later crowned subsequently broke through weakness, it's a common thing according to my dentist.

Once broken down to a sharp stub the only choice was extraction - in the last couple of years I have had a total of 6 extractions and so I am no longer afraid of the dentist as I feel I have already been through the worst several times. Most of these were main or back teeth - the molars - and one front canine ( eye or dog tooth) which was an extremely painful and traumatic extraction which I feel was a main trigger to my current condition of suffering M.E.

OK, that's the lowdown on my dental history - now for the advice! Let's start with the basic equipment - to look after your teeth, and that includes gums and the whole mouth, properly you need (OK I'm being obvious here) a toothbrush (electric or manual), toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss - Oh! And yes, a dentist!

I feel like everyone's Mum saying this but remember to brush your teeth thoroughly (for about 2 minutes) every morning and evening, floss at least once a day and use mouthwash to combat plaque. Toothbrushes and toothpastes come in a multitude of sizes and varieties and
you can have any flavour toothpaste so long as it's mint, mint or mint!!! (Why??) If you're really opposed to mint in any strength then you can get a new herbal toothpaste or buy kids ones which often come in fruity flavours. A good toothpaste should contain fluoride for strengthening and protecting the teeth and shouldn't be too liquid as that makes it difficult to use.

Dental floss can be bought in string or ribbon form depending on comfort (peoples' tooth gaps vary) and preference for ease of use but again it is usually mint flavoured!

Mouthwashes again can vary - but at least there are "original" or Clove flavours available if you are not partial to mint. Most of these contain alcohol so children should be supervised with them and try not to swallow any. Their formulations vary - some are literally just for freshening breath and others help to protect the teeth too.

Now we move on to *gasp* - THE DENTIST!!! I know many people are phobic in this department, myself included (formerly) but you really must have a check up every 6 months to avoid any potential dental horrors arising or ending up like me! For years I relied on my friend, a former dental nurse, to advise me - very helpful but couldn't do my fillings! True, dentists can work out expensive if you need treatment but a regular check-up (about £15 on the NHS) could avoid this.

Either way, regular home dental care using the aforementioned treatment need not be expensive ?-toothpaste etc can be bought at budget prices from supermarkets and chemists if you are not fussy about brands and will be worth it in the end if it avoids £100s on dentist's bills.

So, when it comes to dental care my advice is basically "do as I say not as I do" or you'll end up like me!!! ;o)

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