LONGECITY

Will: i'm going to try the ionic toothbrush first as i've already ordered it and waiting for it to arrive.

I just read up on it, it looks better than a regular toothbrush.

Hi Will,

I'll let you know how it goes.

All that dental gear you posted about looks pretty scary... I think there is a line between what we can do ourselves and what someone that is a professional and has the right tools can do but sometimes amateur enthusiasts come up with an improvise on something that might be to out side of the box for the professional. It pays to learn and get lots of opinions. Taking a keen interest in preventative maintenance is probably the most we can take this to. Actual surgery is what we want to avoid but if it does need to be done get someone highly skilled and accountable to do it.

Sometimes the professional wants us to get surgery when preventative maintenance can still be a lot of help.

Preventative maintenance is not usually the bread and butter of the professional theirs is more often the emergency.

I am interested in hearing about your gum pockets and how you got them shallow again. If I can save my wisdom teeth I will.
Edited by caston, 03 February 2009 - 03:25 AM.

You could use something like the Vitapick (http://www.albrite.com/)

I just went in to review this again. If you do happen to get this I would love to know what they say in the 160 page book about the “problems associated with gum surgery and root planing.”

I really think you would be better off with a water pic however, I don’t buy that irrigating only gets into shallow pockets. Flossing and brushing, yeah, I get that. Let’s face it, you can only get the floss down so far before the gums stop you but on full force and the tip aimed between the gum and tooth the water pic will get water right down there.

After I clean between my teeth I shut the machine off while it still has a small amount of water in it and add Biotene to the water, change the setting to low and squirt that in-between the teeth. I like their idea about using hydrogen peroxide; I just did a bunch of research on H2O2. I just got some food grade hydrogen peroxide; I’ll have to try that soon. I think you could use a water pic to duplicate what they have going on and then you would have the advantage of the irrigation along with a device that can apply antiseptics. I haven’t checked into the ionizing water picks yet, but I will.
Edited by thefirstimmortal, 03 February 2009 - 04:39 AM.

I am interested in hearing about your gum pockets and how you got them shallow again.

I would be glad to share that information with you Caston. If I don't start that tonight I will start on that tomorrow.

Don't know if relevant to your problem but a dental hygienist friend of mine recommended an ionizing water pick as better floss. Not just any water pick, though - it has to be ionizing.

Hi Andre,
I tried to do a search for these and could find any. I tried water pick ionizing, ionizing water pick, water pic ionizing, ionizing water pic. I checked the first one hundred samples and came up empty handed. Do you, or anyone else here know anything about these?

Don't know if relevant to your problem but a dental hygienist friend of mine recommended an ionizing water pick as better floss. Not just any water pick, though - it has to be ionizing.

Hi Andre,
I tried to do a search for these and could find any. I tried water pick ionizing, ionizing water pick, water pic ionizing, ionizing water pic. I checked the first one hundred samples and came up empty handed. Do you, or anyone else here know anything about these?

I am also looking for one. I found one called HydroFloss. It is expensive.

Don't know if relevant to your problem but a dental hygienist friend of mine recommended an ionizing water pick as better floss. Not just any water pick, though - it has to be ionizing.

Hi Andre,
I tried to do a search for these and could find any. I tried water pick ionizing, ionizing water pick, water pic ionizing, ionizing water pic. I checked the first one hundred samples and came up empty handed. Do you, or anyone else here know anything about these?

While I was searching I spotted Water Pic's newest delux model. Maybe it's just the picture but the tub on top looks kinda small.
Edited by thefirstimmortal, 03 February 2009 - 04:28 PM.

They still make the old model like the one I have. I can't read the markings on the water reservoir of the new Delux Model.
Edited by thefirstimmortal, 03 February 2009 - 02:49 PM.

Someone in Amazon under reviews wrote the following.

As far as this model goes, it works as expected, but I don'tr find any improvments over the model I had 30 years ago. From the picture it looks bigger. So it has a smaller footprint than I expected, but the reservoir is also quite small. It's just big enough for a cursory cleaning without having to refill it.

The pressure is quite a bit lower than older models. I don't know if there is a legitmate reason for having a lower pressure, or if it's a matter manufacturing costs. I'd like a stronger jet for my preferences.

The hose that connects the handle is way too short. You really need to keep the unit right next to the edge of the sink, and bend over. Again, I find no reason to do this except cost savings.

Older WaterPiks used to have pressure fit tips (and worked fine). This has a button on the handle to release the tip, and it is located right where your thumb would be when holding it. The tip is constantly popping out because of this design flaw. With the short hose, 16oz capacity, weak pressure, my disappointment with this unit is only growing. I wish I could find a 25 year old model which had none of these problems.

That doesn't look promising, I sure wouldn't consider the new model.

I am also looking for one. I found one called HydroFloss. It is expensive.

Thank You Andre for finding that so I could check one of these out.

The claim for the HydroFloss is as follows:

The HydroFloss reduces Tartar and Bacterial Buildup 64% Better than the WaterPik!

Twice as effective as other oral irrigators through the innovation of HydroMagnetics.

The HydroFloss combines Magnetohydrodynamics with oral irrigation. By treating the water magnetically, this effects the ionization process. By reversing the Polarity of the ions at the molecular level, it reduces surface tension and inhibits the ability of the bacteria to attach to the tooth surface thereby preventing the formation of calculus tartar).

It has the same pulsating stream at 1200 pulses per minute as the WaterPik with smaller water reservior at 825ml. The maximum pressure is only 60 psi, the Delux WaterPik is 90 psi and that according to one reviewer isn’t as strong as the old models. The price point is about 100 dollars so you are going to drop more coins in this one. I don’t know, I really like the stronger psi because I know what that does and how effective that is. I can’t get excited about the HydroFloss or the New Deluxe Model of WaterPik. If mine broke today, I would have to keep on shopping.

OK, I have some e-mails to catch up on, I have to chat with my doctor about Thursdays operation and I have some data I have to drop in my Fighting Cancer Thread. I’ll be back later this afternoon early evening for some more posting.
Edited by thefirstimmortal, 03 February 2009 - 03:53 PM.

That pic of the HydroFloss wasn't very good. Here is a better one.

I'm running late Caston, as soon as I finish the Proton Pump inhibitor information in my Fighting Cancer thread I will come here.

Will: i'm going to try the ionic toothbrush first as i've already ordered it and waiting for it to arrive.

I just read up on it, it looks better than a regular toothbrush.

Hi Will,

I'll let you know how it goes.

I would be interested in hearing about that. You know, that whole Amazon reviews is fairly impressive. You might do well to go read up on the reviews of the one you bought to see if they compare it with Oral B or Sonicare. I found the reviews on the waterpic useful and persuasive, I definitely plan on using that in the future to check things before I buy things. I could have checked nebulizers this past week and personal steam inhalers a few weeks ago, but never thought to go there.

The title of your thread is straight forward Caston, "Removing calculus, Anyway to do this at home?" You can, I'm not going to tell you it's easy, it may not even be something your willing to do, but I will take you through the process and you can decide for yourself if you want to try it.

I've always enjoyed brushing my teeth. I remember when I was young I didn't care for that Colgate toothpaste because it kinda burned the mouth a bit. Not burned in the sense of heat but more of a stinging sensation like a hot ball. Then my parents switched to Aim which was a smoother sweeter tasting toothpaste, loved using that. I never had to be told to brush my teeth, I kept right up on that.

Now flossing, ahh, that’s a different story. I don’t know if your anything like me, but I just don’t like flossing. Yeah, I knew it was important but I just couldn’t get my arms around that deal until I got in high school. Even then I did it to keep my teeth looking good and fresh breath for the ladies. Still hated it but it did help at the dentist, the cleanings generally went well and I never had a cavity. When I started working at 16 My Parents expected me to take care of my own cleanings. I would like to tell you I chose wisely, but that would be the last time I would visit the dentist in many many years. I just couldn’t see wasting the money at the time because they really didn’t have all that much to do. An occasional small tarter spot here and there but the dentist didn’t have to do a lot of work.

I kept up with my teeth fairly well, again, big on brushing but I slacked on the floss. Then came a big event in my life that took my dental care right down to nothing. I got into a major motorcycle accident and ended up flat on my back in the hospital for a long time. How long, I’m not exactly sure but I can tell you this. I like shaving, and shave everyday if I can. I just don’t feel right if I don’t shave, just like I wouldn’t feel right getting up and not brushing my teeth. Well, let’s take a look for some clues. The picture is a little graphic so I’ll throw it in the next post, the squeamish can skip that post.

The title of your thread is straight forward Caston, "Removing calculus, Anyway to do this at home?" You can, I'm not going to tell you it's easy, it may not even be something your willing to do, but I will take you through the process and you can decide for yourself if you want to try it.

I've always enjoyed brushing my teeth. I remember when I was young I didn't care for that Colgate toothpaste because it kinda burned the mouth a bit. Not burned in the sense of heat but more of a stinging sensation like a hot ball. Then my parents switched to Aim which was a smoother sweeter tasting toothpaste, loved using that. I never had to be told to brush my teeth, I kept right up on that.

Now flossing, ahh, that’s a different story. I don’t know if your anything like me, but I just don’t like flossing. Yeah, I knew it was important but I just couldn’t get my arms around that deal until I got in high school. Even then I did it to keep my teeth looking good and fresh breath for the ladies. Still hated it but it did help at the dentist, the cleanings generally went well and I never had a cavity. When I started working at 16 My Parents expected me to take care of my own cleanings. I would like to tell you I chose wisely, but that would be the last time I would visit the dentist in many many years. I just couldn’t see wasting the money at the time because they really didn’t have all that much to do. An occasional small tarter spot here and there but the dentist didn’t have to do a lot of work.

I kept up with my teeth fairly well, again, big on brushing but I slacked on the floss. Then came a big event in my life that took my dental care right down to nothing. I got into a major motorcycle accident and ended up flat on my back in the hospital for a long time. How long, I’m not exactly sure but I can tell you this. I like shaving, and shave everyday if I can. I just don’t feel right if I don’t shave, just like I wouldn’t feel right getting up and not brushing my teeth. Well, let’s take a look for some clues. The picture is a little graphic so I’ll throw it in the next post, the squeamish can skip that post.

Well, that’s a bit of facial hair, in fact that is the most facial hair I ever had up to that point although it got even longer. I didn’t shave or brush my teeth even once while I was in the hospital. Of course you can see by the very large bag of peanut M&M’s that I wasn’t really concerning myself with staying away from sugar.

My friends and family brought in boxes of Suzy Q’s, Twinkies, those sugary Hostess Apple Pies that have the thick crust with glaze all over them and...
Edited by thefirstimmortal, 04 February 2009 - 08:43 AM.

crème horns.

3 Musketeers Bars, Mar Bars and Kit Kats.

Dunkin Doughnuts, Jelly filled, I loved all three of those cream filled doughnuts, Vanilla, chocolate and Maple. Throw in a few Boston Cream Doughnuts, and of course everyone knew that Dunkin Doughnuts meant you had to grab a chocolate cruller, jelly cruller, maple square and eclair. That would about do it.

Dunkin Doughnuts, Jelly filled, I loved all three of those cream filled doughnuts, Vanilla, chocolate and Maple. Throw in a few Boston Cream Doughnuts, and of course everyone knew that Dunkin Doughnuts meant you had to grab a chocolate cruller, jelly cruller, maple square and eclair. That would about do it.

Polish it off with Milk of course.

You're making me hungry.

Especially since I haven't had a donut in months, and probably won't let myself have one for a while either.

hahaha, yeah it amazes me how much utter crap we eat in our western diets... if you can cut out 90% of it and just enjoy the occasional splurge it's ok..
but finding healthy food and knowing what is or isn't healthy can be difficult especially as no two genomes, proteomes and microbiomes are alike. Sometimes carbohydrates can give us a lot of energy sometimes they just do us harm.


I've got a dental appointment for the 11th of this month. I'm going to get another scale and clean. After that I'll use the ionic toothbrush mostly to stop plaque and calculus from coming back so I won't get to see it do the whole job itself but that's ok. Hopefully I'll have the Vitaricks by then so I can show them to my dentist for his opinion.
Edited by caston, 04 February 2009 - 11:21 AM.

I've got a dental appointment for the 11th of this month. I'm going to get another scale and clean.

When was the last time you had a scale and clean? And what were the pocket depths?

You're making me hungry.

Oh Rebel, it wasn't just food that kept the party going. When I got out of the hospital I was still in a wheel chair unable to walk. I was taking a lot of pain medication, morphine, Roxilox and Tylox. Those won’t make you want to get up and brush your teeth, they make you melt into the furniture and there is something else they do. They make your mouth very dry and add that with all the sugar and it becomes miracle grow for tartar.

I've got a dental appointment for the 11th of this month. I'm going to get another scale and clean.

When was the last time you had a scale and clean? And what were the pocket depths?

October last year. I don't know or remember if my pocket depths were given.

I've been sick most of the day Caston so I have not had much of a chance to get caught up. I didn't even get my prilosec info hammered out today. Tomorrow I have surgery and Friday I have Chemo. I'll try to catch up this weekend. You have your dental appointment next Wednesday right?

Sometimes the professional wants us to get surgery when preventative maintenance can still be a lot of help.

Preventative maintenance is not usually the bread and butter of the professional theirs is more often the emergency.

This may be the case for cardiologists but it is certainly NOT the case for dental hygenists.

Dunkin Doughnuts, Jelly filled, I loved all three of those cream filled doughnuts, Vanilla, chocolate and Maple. Throw in a few Boston Cream Doughnuts, and of course everyone knew that Dunkin Doughnuts meant you had to grab a chocolate cruller, jelly cruller, maple square and eclair. That would about do it.

For a second I thought we were in the starvation diet thread again

Regarding Emdogain - it was briefly mentioned in a perio class I'm currently taking but the periodontist who is our instructor doesn't use it personally so he didn't have much to say about it. If you're interested in alternatives to conventional periodontal surgery you may enjoy looking up LANAP on wikipedia and youtube.

For a second I thought we were in the starvation diet thread again

Ever since I posed those pics I've had a craving for the Suzie Q's and the cream filled doughnuts eclairs and Bacon Maple Square. I don't know how many years it's been since I've had a Bacon Maple Square.