Prince Of Petworth » Random PoP Observation

Random PoP Observation

I think I may have inadvertently stumbled upon a grand dentistry conspiracy. As one with dental insurance I take full advantage of it and religiously go to 6 month cleanings. So on my last cleaning I was told to buy an electric toothbrush. So like a good kid, I ran from the dentist and got your standard electric toothbrush. It has treated me well, or so I thought. All of a sudden one of my teeth got super sensitive. I thought I was going to need a root canal or something. So I go to the dentist Monday and explain the problem. He asks me after poking around for like 10 seconds, ‘am I using an electric toothbrush’? Yes, of course I reply. Well he says to me, ‘oh, you’re brushing too hard and have removed some enamel and exposed some pores that have lots of nerves’ or something like that. And I’m like, WTF? You are the one who told me to get an electric toothbrush! What the hell sort of catch 22 is this? By the by, his resolution was to gently glide the electric toothbrush and use sensodyne. This is kind f’d up, no? I’m fairly certain it is a conspiracy among the American Dental Association, Electric Toothbrush Manufacturers of America, and Sensodyne…

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By: Prince Of Petworth | 12 February 2008 11:03 PM | 9 Comments

New Hampy

Sorry PoP, but it’s not just the electric toothbrush – it’s common to loose tooth enamel with age!

February 13, 2008 at 9:52 am
Anonymous

It’s the electric toothbrush…It happened directly after the purchase of it. Out of curiosity, is it one of your central teeth, upper perhaps? Just guessing. Truth be told electric toothbrushes really only benefit individuals with decreased manual dexterity. Most of us don’t actually need them. It’s just a nice gadget to have.

BTW, I’m a dentist.

February 13, 2008 at 10:37 am
Anonymous

my dentist tells me to get one everytime i go….i never do cause i dont want to shell out the money for it, but i feel like flossing everyday should take care of any issues.

February 13, 2008 at 10:52 am
Nita

I used to have sensitive gums and my friend recommended an electric toothbrush, which has worked wonders. I love my dentist and he did not recommend one way or the other so he, at least, is not in on the conspiracy.

February 13, 2008 at 11:12 am
13th Street Resident

I was told by dentists to make sure that I dont use an electric toothbrush too hard on my gums (or i could wear them), but that they were great cleaning tools otherwise.

February 13, 2008 at 11:52 am
Arkansas

Sadly, I sometimes create the same problem with my manual toothbrush. Seems I must work out some aggressions when focusing on the gum line of my first and second premolars. The sharp pain reminds me to lighten up, in more ways than one. A small tube of Sensodyne lasts long enough for things to get back to normal. Toothbrushes (manual and electric) get all the media attention, but floss is the real superstar of dental hygiene, if you ask me.

February 13, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Anonymous

I didn’t go to the dentist for five years because I thought I didn’t have dental insurance. So once I found out I did have dental insurance, I made an appointment, my teeth were feeling nasty. I got a Triumph electric for Christmas and my teeth were ship-shape come February 2nd. The dental hygenist gave me grief for not getting a cleaning for so long, then changed her tune once I opened my mouth. “You sure it’s been five years?”. Yes. “You must floss every day…”. Nope. My dad bought me the toothbrush because it changed his teeth-life. He was brushing away his gums, and was having some other kind of trouble, the electric toothbrush you glide over the surface and he hasn’t had a problem since. I swear by mine.

February 13, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Otis

I think what you need is a Sonicare (or equivalent), not just a regular electric toothbrush. Nothing wrong with a regular electric, but it doesn’t by itself solve the problem of brushing too hard; you can do that just as easily with a ‘leccy as with a regular brush. Supposedly, the sonic brushes solve this problem, because you don’t really brush with them at all; you just move them slowly along and let the bristles vibrate under the gum line. I bought one on the advice of my dentist after an 8 or 9 year exile from the land of dentistry, and have been very pleased with the results — no more sensitive teeth, and easy cleanings.

February 13, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Anonymous

I’ve long suspected that dentists try to sell you crap you don’t need. Just like jiffy lube, but more expensive.

February 13, 2008 at 6:41 pm