Dear LPG,

I know that at my age most of us have dentures or, if we can afford it, implants which means that we don’t worry too much about the state of our teeth, but I do have a few natural ones left and it occurred to me that I should do a little research regarding the best way to keep them intact and in my head.

I know that we are not supposed to eat sweet things for so many reasons including minimising the risk of diabetes, and we all know that this substance does our teeth no good, but we have to live a little.  So I wondered if cleaning your teeth after every occasion that you put something sweet in your mouth will help, and was surprised to find out that dentists suggest that this is not a good idea.  Apparently, the saliva in our mouths is designed to deal with getting rid of the eroding effects of the acid produced when we eat, so we should leave brushing for about an hour.  I also learned that crisps and other starchy foods are just as bad, or worse, for your teeth than sugary foods.

Brushing twice a day is recommended, but what with?  There is the question of whether manual brushes are better than the electric ones, but I found that information on the internet and wonder if it is generated by the manufacturers of the electronic ones.  And just think how much exercise the arm you use to brush with manually will lose out on if you let electricity take over. 

Rinsing after a meal is apparently kinder, because the acid that food helps to produce leaves our teeth at their most vulnerable immediately after it is eaten and brushing then can erode the outside layer better than at any other time.  Apparently water will do if there is no mouthwash available and sugarless gum should be seen as option three.  The internet informs us that rinsing fluids can also get into the crevices that brushing can’t.   I was also surprised that after brushing teeth, minimal rinsing is advised because while you should not swallow it, toothpaste’s chalky consistency is designed to protect little cavities, nooks and crannies in the teeth and it can’t do that if you have rinsed it all away.

With all the other demands on our time I think that it is fair to say that we don’t have that much time to dedicate to the few natural choppers that we have left, but they are worth a thought from time to time.

I know that the dentist will just add another tooth to my denture if that becomes necessary , but having one or two of your own teeth left can only be a good thing.  Just think of the advantages; saving  on the embarrassment that that denture coming away from your gums can cause when you say a word beginning with ‘f’ or ‘th’, or when you try to eat something challenging, and the cost of those continuous journeys to see the dentist can perhaps be curbed a little. 

YS, Beckenham

LPG found some information online but asks that you take note of YS’s advice.  Information from the internet is often generated in the USA and much of it is by private company’s who’s advice is designed to get you round to their way of thinking.

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