Tooth picks- Wooden ones work very well for softer plaque. Wood also has antibacterial molecules in it. I like cuticle sticks, they have nicely shaped ends. They are larger and can be sharpened and reused.
Similarly, cotton swabs will remove soft plaque at the gumline. It feels nice too.
Dental Floss- cuts the gums and transfers germs from one area of the mouth to another if you do not constantly unwind it. The flosser picks that are now available are especially guilty of this.
I do not recommend dental probes. They are very sharp, and invariably cut the gums.
Sonic tooth scrapers-
I have tried 4 different kinds. You want one with a long probe and certain shapes.
You want these three probe shapes: the curved pointed one, the curved wide one, and the 90 degree needle pick. The 90 degree probe is crucial for getting between the teeth by the gums. Many machines do not include one. They are not interchangeable. I tried.
Go slow, be gentle.
You can damage your teeth if you scrape too hard. You do have to be extra careful around fillings,
crowns and other repairs.
WHY I LOVE IT:
Convenience- You don’t have to leave your house. You can use it when you really need it.
Stains on teeth and particles wedged in gums really shouldn’t require
professional assistance.
Safety- I don’t risk covid at the dental office. It’s shaped much better and isn’t as sharp as
dentist probes. The sonic unit actually
cuts my gums less than the dental hygienist.
And I use antibacterial rinse afterwards, something they have never
done…
Cost- I got my teeth cleaned four times a year. Insurance did not cover it. My dentist charged 175 dollars for my cleanings. These little machines start at about 25.
Effectiveness- It
cleans plaque and tartar very well. It
is just a slow and recursive process if your teeth have gotten very coated. The
small probe and vibrations make the location of painless lesions and deep
pockets easier to discern. The probe
can actually get into deep pockets, something floss does not. The real advantage is being able to keep
plaque off teeth at all times so it doesn’t destroy the gums. I can get calculus in a week around a
problematic socket. My pockets were so deep I could paralyze the nerves with
one misplaced piece of food. Then I couldn’t move my tongue properly to remove
it.
Six-month scraping intervals are ridiculous. Constant upkeep works way better.
(Fun fact for bargain shoppers: All of these seem to use the same electronic chip, and the same product is marketed for dogs. Some of the units are better and cheaper than the ones sold to humans. I bought one, the only difference seems to be the picture on the box.)
