It’s been a part of the ‘proper’ dental care regime for decades now, and promoted as the one treatment that can get your teeth and breath truly clean. But the reputation of flossing has taken a battering of late with the introduction of interdental brushing – and according to recent studies, certain experts are predicting it may have reached the end of its tape.

A lot of floss about nothing?

Ever since America’s Associated Press conducted a secret survey amongst governmental health and dental experts – and came away with the conclusion that none of them would actually say that flossing had any real benefit – the US federal government quietly dropped its recommendations of the practice in its recent dietary guidelines, which has been there for 37 years.

Should you stop flossing?

Now that the NHS has announced that it may be reviewing its position on the matter, where does that leave us? It bears repeating that, like their modern counterparts, the incorrect and forced use of dental floss can do more harm than good. Poor technique can cause tooth and gum damage, but it can also dislodge bad bacteria, which can cause infection.

However, while interdental brushes have been proven to be more effective in removing food debris in hard-to-reach places, not everyone can use them: those of us with very little gap space between our teeth due to their natural growth (or impacted wisdom teeth) find that even the thinnest interdental brush is too large to fit snugly.

And there’s also the psychological benefit of flossing: not only does flossing shift mouth debris when it’s there, the user actually feels that they have a cleaner mouth after using it, which is important.

Our advice: if you haven’t tried interdental brushes yet, give them a try – they might work better for you. And if they’re not hitting the spot, review and improve upon your flossing technique.

Interdental brushes do exactly what it says on the tin: they’re designed to work between the teeth to remove food debris and plaque that ordinary toothbrushes can’t get to.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we tend to think of them as a more precise (and reusable) upgrade of dental floss, and one that can significantly improve gum health. We offer the following advice;

Check the wire

There are cheaper versions on the market, but we recommend brushes with plastic-coated wire, particularly if you have implants. An uncoated brush could scratch the implant and give bacteria somewhere to hide.

One size doesn’t fit all

Just like each tooth is unique, so are the gaps between them. Your first experiences with interdental brushes will take time, as you need to work out which brushes provide the perfect fit for each individual gap.

Don’t push too hard

The ideal brush size is one that provides a snug fit in each gap. If you experience resistance or discomfort when using an interdental brush, stop immediately and try approaching the gap from another angle – and if that’s not working, step down and try a smaller brush that fits.

Mind the gap

Over time, you may find that the brush you’re using in a certain gap doesn’t provide a snug fit any more. No need to panic: this is most likely a good thing. In most cases, it means that the inflammation of the gum is receding. Swap in a brush that fits and carry on.

It’s a supplement, not a replacement

In other words, you’ll still have to use an ordinary toothbrush as part of your daily oral hygiene regime. Also, using interdental brushes should be a daily routine – once or twice a week isn’t good enough.

You can’t fail to notice that thousands of regular smokers are switching from cigarettes to vaping. According to a government review in 2015, the current best estimate is that vaping is 95% less harmful than cigarette smoking, and the use of e-cigarettes is a proven aid to help smokers quit for good.

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we’re getting a lot of enquiries from clients who have either already made the switch from smoking to vaping, or are giving it serious thought. So what are the implications for your dental health?

Does vaping stain the teeth?

Whilst being completely aware that the study of vaping and its health implications are still in their infancy, we know that the majority of staining from cigarette smoking is caused by tar.

Vape ‘smoke’ consists of a mixture of Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, flavouring and optional nicotine. Therefore, switching to vaping is far kinder to the colour of your teeth.

However, this doesn’t mean that vaping is completely off the hook when it comes to dental health. Although ex-smokers will experience cosmetic benefits after making the switch, there’s still a chance that they risk long-term gum damage.

Nicotine and oral health

Even though the delivery of nicotine via vaping is much safer than from traditional smoking, that nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor – meaning it reduces the flow of blood around the gum area, denying your gums the oxygen and nutrients they need and destroying tissue.

Nicotine also prevents the mouth from producing sufficient saliva (causing bad breath) and in some cases causes teeth-grinding.

The solution for new vapers is simple: start stepping down on the nicotine intake as soon as possible, with a view to vaping 0% nicotine e-juice as soon as possible.

We’re all more concerned about keeping our teeth as gleaming as possible these days; like most practitioners, CK Dental practice in Bristol provides a teeth-whitening service.

And there are an ever-increasing range of products available over the counter. But is it possible to bypass all that and create a homemade solution?

You’d certainly think that was the case after a cursory glance at the internet, which now contains a welter of articles promoting the use of a bewildering range of recipes and quick-fixes designed to knock the stains from your smile.

So let’s take a look at the ingredients in these ‘hacks’ and see if any of them actually work – and if there are any hidden dangers in using them.

Baking Soda

Certain normal toothpastes use it as an ingredient, so a concentrated dollop of it mixed into a paste has got to be more effective, right? Well, not exactly: high levels of baking soda are highly abrasive when brushed against the teeth, and can play havoc with their enamel coating.

Lemon juice

Great for getting nicotine stains out of your fingers – but an absolute no-no for teeth, due to the high levels of acidity. And combined with baking soda, it’s the worse-case scenario for tooth enamel.

Oil

Be it olive, sesame or sunflower, the practice of oil-pulling (swishing a teaspoon or two in the mouth for 20 minutes) isn’t going to hurt your teeth. But it’s not going to remove the stains, either.

Banana skins

Some people are hugely excited about the properties of banana skins, packed as they are with teeth-whitening potassium, magnesium and manganese, but rubbing them onto the teeth over a period of time doesn’t really do much.

If you’re looking to un-stain your teeth, your first port of call should always be your dentist. The team at the CK Dental practice in Bristol are well-versed in the dos and don’ts of teeth whitening, and can recommend a proper and manageable regime as well as treatment that works.

Holiday season may be in full swing, but there’s no rest period for dental emergencies – and there nothing worse than developing one during your time off, especially when you’re abroad. Here are a few things the team from CK Dental Practice in Bristol believe you should be aware of…

Does your travel cover include dental treatment?

Almost all of us take out travel insurance without thinking about it these days, and for obvious reasons. But in a survey conducted a few years ago by the British Dental Health Foundation, a mere 12% of Brits surveyed knew for sure that their insurance covered emergency dental work, while 55% admitted they didn’t know.

While most travel insurance policies do include dental emergencies, some don’t – so make sure you check the fine print or ask in advance.

Are you having extensive work on your teeth?

If you’re midway through a prolonged course of treatment and your holiday is going to get in the way, always consult your practitioner – they may recommend you hold off from certain procedures until you get back, suggest certain ‘quick fixes’ that can be done in advance, and advise on dental dos and don’ts while you’re away.

Is your toiletries bag properly stocked?

If you’re worried about potential dental disasters flaring up while you’re away, it pays to be prepared. If you have problems with fillings, pick up a temporary filling kit from the chemists.

While you’re there, stock up on desensitising toothpaste, as chances are you’ll be consuming acidic fizzy drinks and wine than usual. And when you’ve arrived, look for some antiseptic mouthwash to counter any gum infections that might arise.

What if I have a dental problem while abroad?

If it’s a minor problem, like a missing crown or a lost filling, and you aren’t in discomfort, it’s perfectly fine to put off treatment until you get home. If that’s not an option and you need immediate treatment, make doubly sure you keep all receipts.