From Sticks to Brushes: Innovation from TePe
Chewing sticks have been around for millennia and probably constitute the first attempts of our species to maintain their dental hygiene. Consisting of a tapered twig that is frayed at one end and pointy at the other so it can be used as a toothpick, chewing sticks have been found in archaeological digs of ancient Babylonia and dated to 3500 BCE. The idea has not entirely gone away. In 1965, TePe, the Swedish oral hygiene specialists, came to prominence with the launch of their Dental Stick. Today, TePe are more associated with a related product: the interdental brush that they pioneered in the early 1990s.
More than Regular Brushing
When brushing with a manual or even with an electric toothbrush, there are certain places that those the bristles of your toothbrush head won’t be able to reach. Your everyday toothbrush cannot get between your teeth, but plaque (and the harmful bacteria that thrives in a plaque rich environment) can. This is why dentists and hygienists recommend that you have a system in place for interdental cleaning as part of your daily home oral hygiene routine.
Flossing or Brushing
Precisely how you go about cleaning interdentally is up to you. Some people are more comfortable with flossing with dental floss or dental tape. Others prefer to use interdental brushes like those manufactured by TePe. We often recommend TePe interdental brushes to patients that have had implant surgery. A small investment in time learning the correct techniques for using interdental brushes will ensure a long life for your implants.
Colour Coded
Teeth come in all different shapes and sizes – and the same is true for the gaps between them. TePe realised there wasn’t going to be a one-size-fits-all approach for interdental brushing. Their solution was to develop brush heads of different sizes and then colour-code the handles so that users know which brush to use for a particular gap. With the help and guidance of an experienced hygienist, you’ll quickly learn what order to use the brushes in as you work your way around your mouth cleaning between the teeth.
Brushing away the plaque that builds up between your teeth is an excellent preventative against gingivitis and periodontitis. Our ancestors chewed sticks to preserve their oral health. Our modern sugar-rich diets mean that we need more than a stick to maintain healthy teeth and gums. We have the tools, but many people only start to use them after they have experienced a problem.
If you would like to make sure that your home oral hygiene routine is up to scratch, why not make an appointment with one of our hygienists. Call the Norfolk Dental Specialist reception on 01603 632525 for more information or email info@ndspecialists.uk.
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