I’m a dental hygienist... go on then ask away..

[Heatherjayne1972]

Been a hygienist over 20 years
In lots of different practices

You’re a total star - thank you! Just in Boots so bought a interspace brush to try. Looked at electric brushes for kids too. Oral B best?

Yes. Oral b is fine

I had a tooth extracted before Xmas. Where I now have a gap, upper 7 molar removed, it's been very sore and painful and swollen over the last couple of weeks and not getting better. Any ideas please? Could there be an abscess or piece of tooth still there?

@salliSunbeem
That needs looking at It could be several things going on there -
Definitely get your dentist to check it

Ok I will, any ideas though what it might be?

Could be anything from an ulcer to an infection. Could be a bit of tooth working it’s way out
Could be something totally different - there's loads of conditions that can affect the gum

Thank you, I did wonder about a bit of rogue tooth as it was a half tooth which broke off - hope to get an appt for when we get back home.

Heres my bed time brushing routine,,

Take a mouthful of water and spend some time rinsing it back and forth ,forcing it between the teeth,,and spit out.

Use oral b (round head brush) on all tooth surfaces ie back ,front and biting surfaces doing each tooth individually.

Do the rinse and spit as above

Repeat brushing procedure using toothpaste and only spit out the excess.

a couple of times a week i also use the bow type packers as the are easy to use.

Also bottle brushes in the gaps where they fit and i use the bottle brushes by putting a blob of toothpaste on my hand and dipping the bottle brush in it as i use it.

Can i improve on this?

Thanks

PS the kind of toothpaste i use leans more toward smooth cream rather than abrasive.. oral B or similar.

I've not been to the dentist in around 20years - will I be judged?

All things considered I don't think they're too bad, but I do have quite bad tea/coffee/nicotine staining behind.

I'm so very embarrassed that I keep putting off going, hence why so much time has elapsed. It's a vicious circle.

Hi! I've noticed my nearly 2 year old has some yellow at the bottom front teeth near his gums. We always brush his teeth. I want to fix this but so scared of being judged. What is likely to be done please x**