I am going on a mission to Malawi, Africa.  We will be handing out toothbrushes to 1000 children.  Do you have any step by step posters to help illustrate how to brush your teeth? Also, what common products could they use when toothpaste is not available? Thank you any help would be appreciated.

Answer:

Feel free to check out our article on Brushing for a step-by-step guide on how to properly brush.  There is a graphic included with the article that illustrates the correct way to effectively brush.

Now, in response to a toothpaste alternative, let’s first discuss the purpose of brushing your teeth and the role of toothpaste (dentifrice).  The ultimate goal of brushing is to remove bacteria and debris (i.e. food debris) from the tooth surfaces.  We want to eliminate food, more specifically sugar, from our tooth surfaces so that bacteria won’t have the opportunity to grow and create harmful substances which could eventually damage our teeth.  This process of removing the above mentioned substances is accomplished with the toothbrush alone!  A toothpaste only adds to the experience of brushing our teeth.

A toothpaste is composed of several parts to enhance the toothbrushing experience and to encourage individuals to brush.  These parts include:

• Abrasive –used to more effectively clean the teeth.  For example an abrasive sponge is used to more effectively remove dirt and grime from a kitchen countertop.
• Detergents
• Flavoring agents – makes the toothpaste “taste good”.  The tolerable taste encourages individuals to brush more.
• Caries (cavity) preventive substance – some toothpastes contain Flouride or Triclosan.  These additional substances are used to strengthen the tooth enamel to aid in preventing cavities or gingivitis.

In a worst case scenario, if no toothpaste is available, baking powder can be used.  If this substance is not available, you can still effectively brush your teeth with just WATER!!  Remember, the goal is to remove bacteria and debris.  Toothpaste just adds to this process.

Hope these tips help out and good luck,

SaveMySmile Team

I went to the dentist today for a routine cleaning and when the dentist came in he told the hygienist to record that I had  mottling on the upper gums in the front.  The only thing I can find about mottling involves the teeth but I am sure he said the gums.  Is this something that is bad?  If so what causes it?

Answer:

Well your research proved right in that the term “mottling”, when used in dentistry, does indeed apply to the teeth.  Mottling is used to describe the physical appearance of enamel after exposure to excess fluoride (typically in the drinking water).  The exposure usually occurs during childhood/development years and is reflected on the teeth later on.  The spots can range anywhere from paper-white patches to brown patchy discoloration.  Mottling is harmless and most individuals are only dissatisfied with the esthetic appearance.  However, if severe, other effects of excess systemic fluoride will appear such as sclerosis of the skeleton (very rare).  So if you have a white patch or brown patch on your tooth, maybe this is what your dentist was referring to.

The only term that sounds somewhat similar to mottling, which could have been used in reference to your gums, could have been stippling.  Stippling refers to a rippled appearance of the gums and is an indication of good health.

Hope this information helps you with your inquiry.  Good luck!