Dental Caries( Cavities) is and will always be your enemy. It could be a few things: Genetic ( Low production of Saliva, Tight contact teeth- Like myself), health-related ( Dementia, Diabetes...etc) or simply because your habits are causing it.
The aim of this blog is to raise awareness and to encourage you to fight tooth decay. Of course, some cases are hopeless and Deep fillings or Root Canal treatment is necessary to save the whole tooth. Worst case scenario, decay that has reached the root furcation, there isn't really much to do but to extract it. We don't want bacteria to spread and travel to places like our heart and lungs.
My tooth to tooth contact is extremely tight, sometimes floss threads break while I try to clean. I would brush twice a day and floss once a week, two years ago I found out I had two caries/tooth decay/ cavities. Although it both became symptomatic, it was at the early stages of dental decay. I decided to create an oral hygiene treatment plan for myself ( Floss, Brush twice and Mouthwash Rinse with 0.05% NaF before sleeping). Of course there are non-
diligent days! Two years later I had an OPG ( Panoramic XRAY). It showed ONE tooth needed filling and the other didn't. My decayed tooth REPAIRED itself!
We can try our best to seize and reverse the effects of decay, it may work or may not. It's still amazing to know that 3 simple things can possibly reverse dental decay/ caries/ cavities.
#1 The flouride content. Usually it is in the form of Sodium Flouride ( NaF). It MUST BE 0.05% ~220ppm, any lesser than 0.05% is basically useless. You might as well save your money and rinse with water. 0.05% NaF is the magic number for remineralisation for demineralised tooth surface. It's the magic number for repair work on your weakened tooth! This is a study done by Featherstone and O'Reilly[ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=o%27reilly+featherstone+1987]
#2 The best time to use your mouthwash, AFTER brushing and FLOSSING. I highly recommend using it at night time just before sleeping. While we're asleep, salivary production decreases and this is the time when bacteria attack is at its highest. The sea monsters of the mouth come out to play while the tide is low, so to speak. The NaF in the mouthwash/ Oral rinses is the protective shield from the" Sea monsters". Also, mouthwash can cause STAINING! Needless to say, AVOID eating or drink after using your mouthwash/ oral rinse solution. We all hate stains, especially stubborn stains.
#3 Don't rinse with water after using your mouthwash/ oral rinse. This protective layer is your shield . You can rinse your tongue, but I would highly suggest using a tongue cleaner instead. Additionally, the regular use of tongue cleaner is essential and important.
If you have a tight tooth to tooth contact, please please please please please floss. If you have normal contact, please please floss. Floss, Brush twice a day and use the 0.05% NaF Mouth Rinse before sleeping. Observe your teeth get stronger, less sensitive and show them off to your dentist and dental hygienist.
Here is an example of what you should be looking for, before you purchase your next mouthwash-
May your teeth live long and prosper!