How to Clean a Dental Bridge When missing a tooth you may notice a difference in chewing, speaking, and the way your smile looks. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth and connects the gap where one or more teeth used to be. Bridges use the surrounding teeth to support the artificial teeth. You can either have an implant-supported bridge or a tooth-supported bridge. Both provide a realistic look, and both are different to take care of than a...

Cleaning between your teeth helps prevent gum disease and cavities. According to research (Marchesan et al., 2018) there is less periodontal (gum) disease among those using interdental cleaning devices. Cleaning between the teeth 4-7 times per week yielded beneficial results.   Many people think flossing is the best tool, but there are alternatives. Internal brushes have shown to be a superior method related to high plaque removal, reduction in gum inflammation, and are often easier to use. Unlike floss, the interdental...

TePe® Interdental Brush Original comes in nine sizes, which might seem overwhelming at first.    When choosing your correct size there are many considerations. Please know the best sizing recommendation is from your dental professional. Each space between your teeth may be different, so you might need multiple sizes. The mixed pack of interdental brushes – Original, Angle and Extra Soft can help you discover which brush(es) work best for you. The bristles should fit snugly between the teeth and the wire should not touch...

Did you know that brushing alone only removes about 60% of the plaque on your teeth? The rest of the plaque is found BETWEEN your teeth. Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. It must be removed regularly, or it can cause gum inflammation, cavities, and bad breath.   Your toothbrush only cleans 3 of the 5 surfaces on your teeth, leaving 2 surfaces between the teeth ignored. Cleaning between the teeth, also...

Many people often experience holiday stress. Stress is a coping mechanism to everyday challenges, but when the stress response is continuous it can have a negative impact on overall health. You may feel your heart rate and breathing increase, as well as increased muscle tension. Stress can have physical and psychological consequences. Did you know it can also have an impact on your oral health? Stress and Oral Health When prolonged stress occurs, your immune system can become compromised. The...

The TePe® Implant Care Kit combines different tools to reach all sides of the dental implant(s). You can effectively clean around implants with brushes designed to fit narrow areas, between the teeth, and used for on-the-go cleaning. The gums and bone around an implant are far more sensitive to plaque and the build-up of bacteria, than around a natural tooth. The implant attaches directly to the bone, so natural defense mechanisms are limited if not cleaned properly. Maintaining a high...

Have you ever noticed bleeding when brushing or cleaning between your teeth? Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are inflamed and there is an infection. A healthy mouth has gums that are light pink in color and fit firmly around each tooth. There is no bleeding when you brush or clean between your teeth. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. Inflamed gums (gingivitis) are often red, swollen, bleed, and are tender. If left untreated, gingivitis may...

Your mouth is a window into your body. The mouth can show signs of general infection, side effects to medications, nutritional deficiencies, signs of systemic diseases, and more. By having good oral hygiene and visiting your dental professional regularly you are taking care of your entire body! Here are some examples of where research has identified a correlation between oral and general health. Heart Disease Diabetes Pneumonia Arthritis Preterm birth / low birth weight Cancer Neurodegenerative diseases Obesity Osteoporosis Periodontitis...