Tooth Decay

So Well wrote:

SRSDDS wrote: I... it's a good idea to rinse with plain water after you eat candy, raisins, or any simple carb. Interestingly, even diet soda causes a drop in oral pH because of the carbonation.

...

Thanks for the info.

What about chewing sugarless gum immediately after eating (when you can't brush)? I started that habit years ago because I thought the saliva generated was good for oral health. At least I haven't had a cavity in many years.

Yes, chewing sugarless gum can help remove larger particles (impacted food) and stimulate salivation to continue after eating. Both of these things are anti cariogenic. While you're at it, chew xylitol gum. Xylitol is a sweetener that is actually anti cariogenic.

Stephen

SRSDDS wrote:Dental caries is a bacterial disease. Anything that allows the bacteria to flourish or lowers the host resistance will exacerbate the incidence of caries. It is very highly unlikely that OSA would lower host resistance enough to induce cariogenic activity. This leaves the likelihood that the environment is somehow favoring bacterial colonization. This could be dry mouth, acid reflux, poor hygiene, or a host of other possibilities.

Make sure you are brushing your teeth with a soft brush, preferably electric, engaging the bristles 45 degrees toward the gumline, getting below the gumline. Keep your mouth hydrated. Use a fluoride rinse.

Again, OSA is NOT etiology for dental caries. It's treatment may set up an environment for dental caries. The solution is to improve the oral environment.

Stephen

Are The Doctor's BrushPicks Toothpicks, http://www.quitsmoking.com/dental/docto ... /index.htm , as effective as dental floss? They sure are more convenient when traveling. It's so easy to get in a private corner and quickly use the picks. They also don't seem as hard on the gumlines as floss.

Thanks.

My dentist loves BrushPicks and promotes their use. I don't know if they work better than flossing, but the convenience means that they will be used more often. My mouth is not getting worse having stopped flossing and using the BrushPicks, so I continue to use the BrushPicks.

VVV wrote:
Are The Doctor's BrushPicks Toothpicks, http://www.quitsmoking.com/dental/docto ... /index.htm , as effective as dental floss? They sure are more convenient when traveling. It's so easy to get in a private corner and quickly use the picks. They also don't seem as hard on the gumlines as floss.

Thanks.

The objective of brushing and flossing is to remove bacterial plaque from all tooth surfaces. Since a brush is too large to get "in between" the teeth, we struggle with floss to get to those areas. There is nothing magic about floss, it's just a "toothbrush" for areas where a toothbrush can't reach. The device that you mention, BrushPicks, look likes it would fill the bill and do much the same job that floss does. The only thing it looks like it can't do that floss can do is to clean the tooth to tooth contact between the teeth. Plaque left there in a high caries risk individual can result in interproximal caries.

Stephen

SRSDDS wrote: The only thing (BrushPicks) looks like it can't do that floss can do is to clean the tooth to tooth contact between the teeth. Plaque left there in a high caries risk individual can result in interproximal caries.

That makes sense. I am at home today so I just did a little experience after lunch. I cleaned my teeth thoroughly using the BrushPicks. Then I flossed. The flossing brought out some additional small pieces of food from the tight spaces where the teeth touch.

So I plan to use the convenient BrushPicks after breakfast and lunch and floss after the last eating of the day. I believe it is important to get a thorough cleaning before bed since I sometimes mouth breathe with my FFM and have the consequent dry mouth.

Dental health is very important to everyone, but many CPAP patients have even additional concerns. It's nice to have a dentist in the forum.

Thanks.

My wife bought us His-and-Hers Sonicare brushes for Christmas. I have been using mine about three weeks now and am very impressed with it.

It seems to be doing an excellent job of brushing the outer tooth surfaces and chasing out bits of food, such as those pesky popcorn hulls, that get wedged deep between the teeth or under the gum lines.

The instructions say to aim it at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line. I assume this is in order to provide good cleaning below the gum line.

It also seems if the brush is used according to instructions it will cause less gum recession than brushing with a traditional nonpowered brush.

The brush shuts off in two minutes and the manual says this is the appropriate amount of time for brushing. If you haven't finished you merely push the start button and it will go again. I usually take about three minutes to finish but I will try to keep it to two minutes going forward.

The manual says a charge lasts two weeks. I was just on a 12-day trip without the charger base and the brush was still working strongly when I returned home.

Based on three weeks of experience I heartily recommend the Sonicare brush. Do take some time to watch for sales and coupons.

You need a mouth wash designed for dry mouth. Act does have one. There are several, biotene and oasis along with ACT off the top of my head. The best one is biotene or at least that's what I've been told.

rubymom wrote:Yes--my DME told me to be sure to mention it to my dentist. I did and she said to be very careful brushing before putting my mask on. She didn't mention a mouthwash, but I may try it just in case. I've been at this for almost a year now and haven't had any cavities, but I did have to have a root canal retreated and I wondered if it had an relation to CPAP.

Another note: stubborn gum inflammation can be a sign of T2 diabetes that needs to be brought more under control.

I noticed a very sudden and noticeable increase in the rate of placque buildup as soon as I started using CPAP. I use a Hybrid mask. So I have a constant stream of air going in my mouth and out my nose all night long, in addition to the air I actually take into my lungs. Don't get me wrong - I love the Hybrid mask. I've tried about 7 masks and it's the only one that doesn't give me mouth spurts and face farts. But it's definitely drying, despite the humidification. I also notice a chronic post-nasal drip which I suspect is due to irritation from the drying effect.

I have a fluoride treatment after each cleaning.
It makes a huge difference.

I've been on cpap for a year and i just had my yearly cleaning/checkup and everything was great - but i do use act every night. I have teeth like chalk so i've had to become a maniac, i use plax, waterpick, dental floss, sonicare,listerine,act every night, i never miss

I got an airflosser. I'm interested to see if my dentist and hygienist notice a difference.

I sort of got it by accident--thought it would be like a water pick but it's not. It shoots a little stream of water at high pressure like a gun. If my tongue gets in the way it hurts!

But I'm terrible at flossing because I have VERY tight contacts most places. This won't get stuck trying to push the floss down and then slice my gums. But it des cause my gap (from CPAP shifting to bleed when it blasts out food particles.