9 out of 10 Dentists Say…

…this toothbrush kicks butt.

Actually, I have no idea what 9 out of 10 dentists say, and to be quite honest, I can barely believe that:

1. I am blogging about a toothbrush, and
2. I am in love with an almost $200 electric toothbrush.

But, it’s true.

Since my last cleaning, I have been using one on these Oral-B Triumph brushes.

And you know that feeling that you have when you come out of the dentist’s office after a cleaning and the spaces between your teeth have had all of the plaque and gunk scraped and chiseled out.

Well, I still have that feeling.

And because of that feeling, I have been like the little Pied Piper of dental health for the past month and a half.

I swear to God. I am walking up to complete strangers and extolling the virtues of this toothbrush.

And why am I so excited about this toothbrush?

Image: ADA

Because about 6 months ago, I was at the dentist and after my check-up, I was told that I might require “restructuring” of my gums around my lower left second molar – #18 in the picture.

And the reason I might need “restructuring” in that area is because when my wisdom teeth were removed, the surgeon left a pocket where the tooth had been and this made the area prone to food getting stuck.

This resulted in bacteria and inflammation and bone loss and lectures from the hygienist and the dentist telling me that I needed to buy an almost $200 toothbrush.

And believe me, the idea of a $200 toothbrush just about blew my mind.

At first, I resisted and bought a less expensive electric brush.

And my gums got better. Not all the way better, but better.

The dentist didn’t think I would need the surgery.

Yay!

In my state of euphoria, I did some additional research into the effect that dental health has upon our overall health.

Most striking was the fact that inflammation caused by poor dental health can travel throughout the body and cause all sorts of problems.

Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say about some of the diseases and conditions that may be linked to oral health:

• Cardiovascular disease. Research shows that several types of cardiovascular disease may be linked to oral health. These include heart disease, clogged arteries, stroke and bacterial endocarditis. Some researchers believe that bacteria from gum disease can enter your bloodstream and travel through your arteries to your heart, affecting your cardiovascular system. Although periodontal disease seems to be associated with heart disease, more studies are needed before the link can be confirmed with certainty.
• Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth. Some research has shown that disease-causing organisms in a pregnant woman’s mouth can wind up in the placenta or amniotic fluid, possibly causing premature birth. Unfortunately, treating periodontal disease during pregnancy may be too late, because the infection may have already spread in the woman’s body. This is why it’s vital to maintain excellent oral health before you get pregnant.
• Diabetes. Diabetes increases your risk of gum disease, cavities, tooth loss, dry mouth, and a variety of oral infections. Conversely, poor oral health can make your diabetes more difficult to control. Infections may cause your blood sugar to rise and require more insulin to keep it under control.
• HIV/AIDS. In some cases, one of the first signs of AIDS may appear in your mouth, with severe gum infection. You may also develop persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth.
• Osteoporosis. The first stages of bone loss may show up in your teeth. Your dentist may be able to spot this on routine dental X-rays. If bone loss worsens from year to year, your dentist can suggest that you discuss the issue with your other health care providers.
• Other conditions. Many other conditions may make their presence known in your mouth before you know anything’s wrong. These may include Sjogren’s syndrome, certain cancers, eating disorders, syphilis, gonorrhea and substance abuse.

At this point, I was sold on the virtues of electric toothbrushes. . No more 69 cent manual toothbrushes for me.

And, because I am a bit of a tech geek, I upgraded to Oral B’s Triumph with Smart Guide…the Cadillac of electric toothrushes.

And it’s awesome.

My teeth feel like they just got cleaned yesterday……and I still don’t need dental surgery……and that’s a very good thing.

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