Disgusted, Ashamed, Embarrassed... (Dentists)

Member Name: Night Owl

Product:	Dentists
Date:	03/09/01 (842 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Learning how to look after your teeth and gums correctly.

Disadvantages: If you don't look after your teeth properly then you will end up losing them.

All of these words come to mind when I think about previous visits to the Dentist, until now. I have had my eyes opened...

Anyone who is a regular reader of my opinions will know that I have recently changed jobs. Up until a couple of months ago I had always worked in an office, now I am training to be a Dental Nurse. If I hadn’t of changed jobs, I would probably still be oblivious now.

I always regarded myself as someone who took great care of my teeth, and also took great care in instructing and enforcing my children to do the same. So much to the extent, where if after checking my nine year old son’s teeth after so-called brushing and I felt that they hadn’t been done, then I would send him to do them again! So far it has worked and he hasn’t got any fillings - which these days is a wonder in itself!

Before joining the Dental Practice, where I now work, I had always heard good comments about it, although I was not actually registered there myself or any of the family. It is actually a Private Practice but they do take children on the NHS.

What is so unusual about this practice is that they are a “Preventative Practice”. Surely they will do themselves out of work then - I hear you cry, but because so many Dentists just look at your teeth and don’t actually explain what they are doing or what you should be doing, then this will never be so.

As I said previously, I always thought that I took great care of my teeth, until I registered at the practice where I work and had a full Dental check up. I was absolutely horrified to learn that I had not been taking care of my gums and teeth, as I should have been. I felt so embarrassed especially when you think that you are doing a good job and you are not. I felt totally disgusted at not being given the correct information at my previous Dentist. Previously my normal check up consisted of going straight in and then straight back out, n
othing was explained and so thought the my teeth were in quite good condition. There must be so many people that remain ignorant and in the same position as me, and I still would be if I hadn’t decided to change jobs.

My previous line in thinking was that the harder and bigger the toothbrush, the cleaner my teeth would be - not true. In fact you should use a soft, small headed tooth brush with closely packed filaments, plaque itself is a soft and sticky substance which will be removed quite easily with this brush, also having a small head on your tooth brush will enable you to brush the back teeth quite easily. If you don’t brush away all the plaque then it will gradually harden as it reacts with your saliva. Then it doesn’t matter how much you brush your teeth, you won’t be able to remove it yourself and you will have to have it removed professionally.

Also when brushing your teeth, you should also brush along the gum, in circular movements, and then brush along the front, top and the back of your teeth. I have to admit that I never really paid much attention to brushing the back of my teeth - front and top yes.

If you look in the mirror and open your mouth wide, look along your gum line - is it red? If it is then your gum is inflamed, caused by the build up of plaque. Gently clean with your toothbrush paying particular attention to your gums - if they start bleeding then this is a good sign, as it is the body’s way of starting the healing process. My gums were quite red and inflamed, and needed to be cleaned professionally by the Hygienist, before they could begin to start healing. I can’t believe the difference it made.

Since being at the practice I have learnt so much about looking after your teeth, as they are a ‘preventative practice‘. It is refreshing to be somewhere where they actually talk to their patients, explaining fully the importance of diet, correct brushing and any t
reatment that may be needed in the future. Any treatment that is carried out is also explained step-by-step as it is done, so you understand at all times what is being done.

What you eat is also important when it comes to looking after your teeth, if you eat alot of food that contains sugar, then it will gradually eat away at your teeth. These are called ‘acid attacks‘, if you have something at 11am for example then allow yourself two hours before having anything else sugary. The sugar is broken down and turned into acid, which in turn will gradually eat away at your teeth. If you allow at least two hours before having anything else, then the saliva will be able to neutralise the effect on your teeth. That is why chewing chewing gum helps as it encourages the production of saliva and so neutralises the acid quicker.

As I said previously I have learnt so much already and I have only been there two months - I really have had my eyes opened. Even after my first day, I went home and was full of “Did you know....?” I think my family are relieved that they have got a night off and I am instead passing some of this information on to you.

Just to reiterate once again: -
1. Use a soft, small headed toothbrush, with closely packed filaments.
2. Careful brushing of teeth front, to and back, paying particular attention to gums.
3. When gums bleed, then it is the start of the healing process.
4. ‘Acid attacks’ - leave two hours between sugary foods.

If you are not happy with your Dentist, then look for one that you feel really comfortable with - you will be amazed at the difference.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AFTER YOUR TEETH AFTER ALL YOU ONLY GET ONE SET.

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