Q&A with orthodontist Dr Anton Bass- ANSWERS BACK

[RachelMumsnet]

We're joined this week for a Q&A with specialist orthodontist Dr Anton Bass, who'll be answering your questions on all aspects of orthodontics for children, teenagers and adults. Orthodontics is a specialised field of dentistry which not only focuses on straightening teeth, but the development of the teeth, jaws and face, which all contribute to a nice smile. Dr Anton Bass is a graduate in Dentistry from Guy's Hospital, London and received his specialist Orthodontic training at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, where he obtained a Master's degree in Clinical Orthodontics and certification by the American Board of Orthodontics. In 2001, he joined his father at Bass Orthodontics, a well established family practice, having been there for over 30 years and is amongst the first specialist Orthodontic practices in London's West End. Although he treats patients of all ages, he has particular interests in early preventative treatment, adult and 'invisible' treatment. Please send your questions to Dr Anton Bass on everything from prevention being better than cure to it never being too late for straight teeth, before 5pm on Monday 19th September and we'll be linking to his answers on 28th September.

ChampagneShowers - have you checked your in-box? I got a personal reply to my question a few days ago

A big big thank you to Dr Bass and to mumsnet for arranging this session

champagneflowers he didn't answer mine either

Oops champagneshowers not flowers

Thanks, SBNH, no pm for me though.

Haagen, we can be :( together!
Like flowers as much as showers!

My question was short and sweet - any other dentists able to reply?

Thanks mumsnet and Dr Bass for organising this

Many thanks to Dr. Bass, I'll be bringing dd to the dentist asap to try and get referral to an orthodontist on the back of his advice.

Thanks again for giving the time and energy to answer our questions Dr.Bass

What was your question champagneShowers? There areplenty of dentists on here and at least one orthodontist but people tend to want to ask a specialist! I will always try to answer the dental Qs I see so pm me if you like.

Oh THANK YOU, Grumpystiltskin. .

I only wanted to know if we could use an electric toothbrush on our baby's teeth? If not, from what age can they be used? If so, can you recommend a particular one please?
Thank you.

(My child is nearly a year old, and has five teeth so far.)

You sure can, be gentle, make sure it's soft. There are some really funky children's ones for about £30. Charge up ones are better than battery ones. They are great because the small heads can get right to the back. I suppose your DC might not like the vibration? That's the only problem I could envisage. I'm sure you can do some acclimatisation with it though.

Thank you ! What about this one: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002DUCQN4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE?

DH and I are going to get ourselves electric toothbrushes for Christmas - well, one handle, and we'll just interchange heads, so happy to splurge if need be - are you able to recommend one, and would it also be suitable for our baby - can you buy special soft heads? Thank you again.

P.S. DS absolutely loves having his teeth brushed! I think he'll like the electric one even more!

That looks good to me. Not sure about changing heads between adult & child ones though, not that it would be bad, just not sure if they are actually interchangeable. I'm a fan of Oral B sonicare & it's what I use so that's my recommendation.

Much obliged. I will do some more research to see if they are interchangeable.
Thanks again! Have a nice weekend.

some of the questions were not orthodontic questions which may be why you did not get a reply; if you re-ask I might be able to answer I have always worked in general NHS practice though on ML at present

sarahtigh this is what I thought. SOme of the Qs were the type that you answer regularly on here & a specialist orthodontist might not have come across general (caries, perio etc) problems for quite some time! Friends of mine just finishing ortho training have not cut a cavity for four years!! Also in my experience orthodontists don't take teeth out (despite having done max fac jobs?) so much of the general questioning is better directed to an NHS dentist like sarahtigh who sees this stuff day in day out (when not on ML!)

Thanks, sarahtigh and Grumpystiltskin.

Should we brush our teeth before or after breakfast?

I think we already did this one and the answer is BOTH

Aargh! Really?

brushing teeth before and after breakfast in reality is not practical for most people as most people get up wash dress eat and leave house within about 40 minutes in mormning I think once is enough, there are arguments both ways

reasons to brush on waking, mouth is often dry and the amount of saliva we produce at night drops dramatically saliva has a natural washing effect on teeth and brushing first thing freshens up mouth ; it is easy to do it while in bathroom anyway washing doing hair etc

hoever provided teeth were brushed last thing at night i would tend to brush after breakfast myself , no chance of a stray cornflake wedged between front teeth, most breakfasts have a bit of sugar so removves that and you go out with fresh breath

the whole caveat is if all you have for breakfast is fresh fruit or fruit juice definitely do not brush your teeth straight after it will encourage erosion of enamel making backs of front teeth thinner whixch in turn makes them more sensitve and as you wear enamel more dentine shows so teeth appear yellower, wait at least 30 mins before brushing as this is impractical those people would be better brushing before breakfast

it is best to brush once properly than 2 quick go's as in both quick brushes you will miss exactly the same bits 2 minutes brushing a minute flossing and ? mouthwash twice a day ( most people will be fine flossing just once a day unless you know you have serious gum disease)

Thank you!

If I did have the time and inclination, is there any harm in brushing both before and after breakfast?

At what age should a child start flossing and using mouthwash?

no real harm though brushing too often with too hard a brush can cause erosion where the root and crown of tooth met at gum line, very few people do brush too much. It is not true that because brushing twice a day for 2 minutes is good doing it 4 times a day is better and eight times would be best; but it is certainly possible to brush too much. I would say brush morning and evening possibly after lunch too or just before going out somewhere special etc but more than 4 times a day is excessive and unnecessary.

flossing takes a fair degree of manual dexerity very few children can brush teeth properly before age of 7 if done incorrectly can damage gums I would say 10 + also mouthwash should not be swallowed it is again a while before a child can master the rinse/gargle then spit routine

Thank you so much for all that.
Really want to do right by my baby's teeth.