Aerobic Oral Hygiene
Aerobic oral hygiene is the final step in the revolutionary aerobic treatment for periodontal gum disease. After receiving aerobic treatment like BOST for periodontal gum disease, patients are encouraged to use the specially designed aerobic oral hygiene kit to help with the healing process and sustain healthy gums once the healing process is complete. Using the kit as directed after treatment goes a long way in ensuring that your periodontal problems do not return.
Traditional oral hygiene methods such as brushing and flossing only clean the teeth and gums on the surface. The problem is that periodontal gum disease develops beneath the surface in the gums, and brushing and flossing is not sufficient to clear away the plaque and bacteria festering deep within. The aerobic oral hygiene kit enables you to do exactly this; clean underneath the gums where any potentially infecting bacteria may be loitering. Keeping this area bacteria-free will ensure that the infection does not return.
How do I use the aerobic oral hygiene kit?
Patients should continue to carry out their normal oral hygiene routine and incorporate the new system into it. The aerobic oral hygiene kit is not a substitute for brushing and flossing.
There are two instruments within the kit. The perio-aid, which looks a bit like a pencil and a collection of hygienic points called aeros. The aero fits on the last part of the pencil-like instrument.
Holding the instrument like you would a pencil you push the aero up between the tooth and the gum cleaning the area in the process. This keeps any potentially problematic bacteria that have crept into the gap at bay where traditional brushing methods do not.
You will be advised by your dentist on the specific guidelines for your use but generally it is utilised just the once or two times per day. This will be re-evaluated at your follow up checks.
Is it complicated to use?
Anyone would be forgiven for thinking that the process sounds a little scary. Pushing things up between your gums is not something you would expect your dentist to encourage you to do on a daily basis. However, the perio-aid is fairly simple once you get the hang of it. Granted it is more difficult to use than your average toothbrush and you have to be careful and precise when moving between teeth; but with practice comes perfection and you will soon master the skill. Do not give in at the first hurdle because you will get better as you practice more and more and it is essential that you use it if you want to keep your gums healthy.
When you receive the treatment kit from your dentist you will be shown how to use it so do not think you will have to go it alone. Furthermore, at your regular check-ups you can go over any problems you may be having and get the reassurance you might need that you are doing it properly.
How do I know I am doing it properly?
It is hard to tell that you are doing anything properly if you are unable to visibly see the results. The general sign of success is the squeaky clean sound against your tooth as you perform the movement. Nevertheless, there are some clear signs to watch out for that would tell you if there was a problem:
- Persistent bleeding; there should be no bleeding
- An unclean tip on removal from the gum; there should be no plaque
- A loose attachment; the attachment should remain firm
These are all clear indicators that there is a problem with your technique. If you experience any of these problems you should speak to your dentist immediately because not carrying out the cleaning to a sufficient level may cause problems to re-emerge and your treatment so far will have been a waste. Going over the process again may help you to understand what you might be doing wrong.
