Periodontal disease is caused by the sticky bacterial film called plaque that forms on your teeth. This means that the method you use to clean your teeth, and the effectiveness of your at home oral hygiene is very important. Having optimal oral hygiene enhances your treatment results, and reduces the risk of deterioration of your gum health in the future. As part of our periodontal assessment we will ask you how you have been caring for your teeth and gums at home, and provide detailed training in any changes to this oral hygiene routine that may benefit you.

ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH

Most patients will benefit greatly from the use of an electric toothbrush. Rechargeable electric toothbrushes are now readily available in supermarkets, pharmacies and department stores. A good quality toothbrush can be purchased for around $40 to $50, and for this investment the electric toothbrush body will last you many years. You can buy replacement toothbrush heads easily in the supermarket, and we recommend replacing the toothbrush head every 3 months, or prior to this if there is significant wear of the bristles.

Tips

• brush for a minimum of 2 minutes, twice per day - most brushes will give you a buzz when the time is up

• angle the toothbrush towards your gums - a 45 degree angle is ideal

• ensure that you are brushing, or “massaging” the gumline next to the teeth, as well as brushing the teeth themselves.

• use gentle pressure and a soft or sensitive toothbrush head

CLEANING BETWEEN YOUR TEETH

To prevent dental problems and and make periodontal treatment effective, you must clean between your teeth every day. However your toothbrush does not adequately clean the tight spaces between the teeth, which are a perfect breeding ground for damaging bacteria to grow, causing decay or gum inflammation. A combination of dental floss and interdental brushes are required to clean between the teeth. Interdental brushes, such as Piksters or TEPE brushes, are the best tool for areas where there are large spaces between the teeth. You should always use the largest brush that fits - people are often surprised how well a large interdental brush fits between the teeth. We will show you how to use these brushes and help to select the correct sizes for your teeth. Flossing underneath the gum is crucial at disturbing bacterial deposits under the gum line. Your periodontist and hygienist will help you to master the correct subgingival flossing technique.

Tips

• use dental floss and interdental brushes (TEPE or Piksters) every day - regular use is very beneficial

• interdental brushes are resusable - each brush should last you a couple of weeks. Rinse under cold water and leave to dry overnight. Throw the brush out if the wire becomes warped or the bristles wear out.

• use the biggest interdental brush that will fit between your teeth

• use the cap that the brush comes with to extend the handle and make it easier to reach the back of your mouth

• try to avoid bending the wire that the bristles are attached to back and forth too much as it can warp or twist

MOUTHWASH

We do not recommend the regular ongoing use of a mouthwash for most patients. This is because research has shown that the mouthwash does not penetrate below the gumline and cannot reach deep pockets. There are some situations (such as when there is severe gum inflammation or after gum surgery) where the short term use of an antibacterial mouthwash such as Colgate Savacol may be recommended, but it is important to be aware that many of these rinses can also superficially stain your teeth. For most patients mouthwashes do not provide any additional benefit to effective toothbrushing and flossing.

TOOTHPASTE

It doesn’t really matter what type of toothpaste you use, as long as it contains fluoride, as fluoride is clinically proven to help prevent decay. If you have sensitive teeth, a toothpaste such as Sensodyne or Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief can be effective in controlling tooth sensitivity to cold and sweet, especially when this is caused by gum recession and exposure of the tooth root surface. For patients with sensitive teeth we would recommend to avoid the use of any whitening toothpastes, as these can be abrasive and worsen sensitivity.

HEALTHY DIET

Currently research suggests that diet doesn’t have a huge impact on periodontal disease risk or treatment outcomes. However we would always recommend having a healthy, balanced diet, and avoiding excess consumption of sweet and acidic foods. Sugar and acid can alter dental plaque composition and increase plaque levels, which in turn increases your risk for decay.

Being well hydrated (adequate water intake) also helps to improve the quality of your saliva and other oral fluids - which is then helpful in the prevention of decay, as well as ensuring that your mouth’s defences against bacteria are optimised.

It takes an extra 5 minutes per day to make these changes to your oral hygiene, but having a thorough oral hygiene routines helps to prevent many dental problems and may also help you to avoid costly treatment in the future. It’s important to remember that without a good oral hygiene routine it is difficult to properly control periodontal disease.