Why is tooth brushing so important?

 The answer is simple... to remove plaque  a long the facial and lingual surfaces of the teeth. No other technique will accomplish this as well as using a tooth brush properly. Plaque consists of colonies of bacteria attached to the teeth with a mucopolysaccharide matrix. It is like the colonies of bacteria that are grown in petrie dishes, soft, slimy and relatively easy to remove. 

Yesterday I was treating one of my patients, a young man with rampant decay through out his mouth. He comes in weekly for me to clean out cavities and place "medicated fluoride releasing fillings" . These needed treatments are the result of years of neglect on his part and poor oral hygiene. 

Even though he should be sufficiently motivated he still seems to be not brushing properly. Yesterday I disclosed his plaque using some chewable disclosing tablets that stain plaque red and then I asked him to go to the bathroom and brush it off. He was able to get a lot of it off and I gave him some tablets to use at home. 

The sad truth is that all of our efforts , time and money spent filling his numerous cavities will be a waste of time without him developing toothbrushing habits that are effective. To make his journey simpler I have had him purchase a Oral b electric toothbrush and next visit I will have him demonstrate to me how he uses it. It is likely without his improving his oral home care he is destined to loose a great number of his teeth.