The coat rack in the corner resembles a toothbrush and a little dentist figurine bobs its head. Advertisements for toothpastes and whitening products clutter the end table and anxious patients browse through the magazine selection. Meanwhile, you wonder if the hygienist will try to chat with you like an old friend while a pool of saliva gathers in the back of your throat. While a visit to the dentist isn't exactly a trip to the spa, it is a necessary part of maintaining healthy teeth.
Save the Date
Remember the visit to the dentist just before high school graduation? Mom and Dad wanted your teeth sparkling for your special day. But have you been back for another visit?
The average individual needs to see the dentist once every six months, said Jeffrey Hodges, doctor of dental surgery at the University. Hodges practices dentistry in Charlottesville and is on the University's referral list at Elson Student Health Center.
"There is no set-in-stone requirement for how long somebody can go between visits," Hodges said. "It basically depends upon their oral hygiene and how well they maintain their teeth, [but] I don't think anybody should go over a year's time."
Second-year College student Bevin Moeller said she goes to the dentist every six months. Her parents, however, are moving to Wisconsin, so she said she will need to find a dentist in the Charlottesville area.
Second-year College student Brian Greer also schedules his appointments six months apart. Since coming to college, he has developed the routine of going once during the summer and once over winter break.
Danger in Every Corner
While a University student may take pride in having a cavity-free smile, students should be aware that decay that used to be evident in middle adolescence now is being detected in the late teens and early twenties. Hodges attributes this shift partially to the fluoride in the water.
"It's almost as if the decay in the grooves on the top parts of your teeth is going on unchecked because the fluoride in the water is allowing the outside tooth surface to remain firmer," Hodges said. "The decay was always there. We just didn't think it was there."
In addition to decay of the teeth, Hodges said it is not unlikely for college students to have inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis. This is a progressive disease which, if untreated, could turn into periodontitis, which is loss of attachment fibers around the teeth. Hodges said, however, that the disease is preventable and maintainable.
Another issue University students may face is whether to remove their wisdom teeth. While some dentists think wisdom teeth need to be removed, Hodges does not abide by this philosophy. Hodges identified three reasons that would make wisdom teeth removal a good choice: They should be taken out if the teeth are too far back to be well cleaned, if they are putting pressure on the adjacent teeth or if they are damaging the bone structure.
"Otherwise, keep them and keep them clean," Hodges said.
The Good, the Bad and the Cavities
For those who pull all-nighters by downing cans of Coke or munching on bulk candy from the Pav, you may want to revise your methods for staying awake.
"Soft drinks are a bad problem," Hodges said. " I can't tell you the number of young co-eds that I see that come in with decay. They go to bed after all their oral tissue has been flooded by three or four cokes in a night's time."
Beer can have a similar effect. "Right now, my teeth care is really good but after my first year, I went home and I had three cavities," Moeller said. "I think it was because I was drinking beer and going to bed sometimes without brushing my teeth."
Students who have the need to occupy their mouths may want to consider munching on carrots or another vegetable. Hodges also said sugar-free gum is a healthy alternative. Sugar-free gum helps teeth by decreasing bacterial activity.
"So do yourself a favor," Hodges said. "Grab a piece of sugar-free gum and chew."
Moeller, however, said that gum grosses her out, and Greer said he prefers regular gum.
"I would rather brush my teeth another minute than switch to sugar free gum," Greer said.
Though regular gum may be tastier, those willing to make the switch to sugar free gum may enjoy the benefits.
The Right Equipment
Although there are certain foods that are better for teeth than others, Hodges said that it doesn't matter what you eat as long as you clean your teeth. Any toothpaste on the market will do the job, he said.
"As long as the toothpaste has the ADH seal of Council of Dental Therapeutics on it, it's acceptable," Hodges said.
The toothpaste also should have fluoride and a pleasant taste. For people with sensitive teeth, the toothpaste they use should contain potassium nitrate, Hodges said.
Moeller said she buys whatever brand is on sale but she prefers toothpastes with baking soda.
Greer currently is using Aquafresh but said he just takes whatever is at home.
In addition to toothpastes, there are a variety of different toothbrushes on the market. Hodges said that any toothbrush will work.
"I think that you could maintain your teeth with a tree branch if you wanted to," Hodges said. "What I mean by that is there are many people around the world who will break off a twig, make their own brush and maintain themselves properly."
People can use a manual toothbrush, an electric rotary toothbrush or a vibrating toothbrush.
"We recommend, depending on the need, the Sonicare brush, the Oral-B Braun oscillating head brush or just the regular run-of-the mill toothbrush," Hodges said.
People should brush their teeth at least twice a day for two and a half minutes. Hodges said to apply gentle pressure and brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line. It is important to brush one tooth at a time and to brush slowly, letting the bristles go between the teeth.
"It should be done very slowly, methodically and with a little less pressure than what you think it should be," Hodges said.
Moeller, however, has her own personal method. She brushes at least three times a day with her Oral-B brush. She will brush for a minute, floss and then brush for another minute.
The Many Uses of Floss
Flossing is the dreaded topic of discussion for many patients. Most people know they are supposed to floss, but few spend the time to wind the string around their fingers and pull it between their teeth.
Flossing is extremely important because it maintains the soft tissue. By default, Hodges said, flossing also will clean the bone around the teeth and the teeth themselves. "Our general rule of thought about flossing is floss the teeth you want to keep," said Hodges.
Any floss will work well, but Hodges prefers unwaxed flosses since the fibers spread apart. He said that Glide makes a great floss and Johnson and Johnson makes adequate flosses.
But, "you can maintain your oral condition with any brand of floss if you do it properly," Hodges said. "The funny thing about it is it doesn't help you in a drawer. You've got to pull it out and use it."
Moeller is one who pulls out her floss and puts it to use. She didn't start flossing, however, until she started high school.
"When I was 10 and my brother was 12, he played a trick on me to see whether I was flossing or not," Moeller said. "And I hadn't so he told my parents and they got mad at me."
While this incident did not encourage her to start flossing, she later realized that she was ready to start.
"It has to do with wanting a cleaner mouth," Moeller said.
While some people fear their gums will bleed, Moeller said, "If you floss every day, then you won't feel it at all."
Greer also is a frequent flosser, flossing at least every other day.
"Flossing helps decrease bad breath," Greer said. "And women are twice as turned off if you have bad breath so I just keep that fact in my head."
While many University students are wrapped up in college life, it is important to remember that proper teeth care is not something that ends after leaving home. College may present a change in habits and routines but brushing, flossing and dental visits will prevent future dental problems.
"After I got my first cavities, I didn't want to go through getting them filled again so I take better care of my teeth," Moeller said.
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