Tepe Interdental Brushes

...Regular use of the Tepe brush will prevent plaque from forming around those hard to clean areas and will help to eliminate foul smelling breath emitted by rotting food lodged between teeth.

Six months ago I went for my dental check up and ritual humiliation ceremony and was quite seriously worried when my friendly vet…err sorry, butcher……err I mean dentist's face lit up with pleasure when he saw me.

"Ohhhhhhh Helen," ...
...for a pack of 8 Tepe Interdental brushes and off I merrily skipped to try them out for myself.

At this point I would advise that for the first few times of using this product it is easier to do so by using a mirror. I can do it now without but until you get a 'feel' for the brush it is easier to use by looking in the mirror.

That night before I went to bed I decided to have a bash with the Tepe. I had a quick scan of ... more

Do you love your dentist? I loathe mine with a vengeance. It's nothing personal of course as I'm sure he is a really lovely person; but when he has me lying flat on my back, arms and legs shackled to his couch and is approaching me in a menacing manner with that huge weapon pulsing in his hand he morphs into someone really hideous and frightening…..not unlike my mother in law now I come to think of it.

For years we have had an ongoing battle about my flossing technique or rather the lack of it, the result of which is that I often suffer with sore, swollen and bleeding gums.

Believe me, it is not due to neglect on my part as I have tried every different brand of floss on the market but I find it really difficult to use. I'm okay doing my front teeth but trying to floss the back teeth proves nearly impossible. I find the floss or tape snaps or I can't get it between my teeth at all or it snags and separates and gets stuck between my teeth and at times has proved down right painful.

I have tried the wooden dental sticks and again the back teeth are virtually impossible to reach. I once snapped a wooden stick in my mouth and splinters of wood had to be surgically removed from my gum!

I argued with my dentist that I must have an unusual shaped mouth or my teeth are too crowded but he said there was nothing wrong with the shape of my mouth or my teeth……it was just my flossing technique that was dubious and highly questionable.

My friendly dentist is always dispensing valuable information to me and never fails to impress upon me the importance of flossing. Periodontal disease (loosening of the teeth) is not caused by decaying teeth but rather by the bacteria which collects on our gums especially in those hard to reach areas. Good strong healthy teeth can be affected by periodontal disease and as the disease is a progressive one it will eventually begin to loosen the teeth by damaging the root attachments and pulling the gum away from the tooth. Also regular flossing prevents the build up of bacteria which can produce acids which decay the teeth. If the bacterium isn't removed it builds into 'colonies' which is better known as plaque. Regular use of the Tepe brush will prevent plaque from forming around those hard to clean areas and will help to eliminate foul smelling breath emitted by rotting food lodged between teeth.

Six months ago I went for my dental check up and ritual humiliation ceremony and was quite seriously worried when my friendly vet…err sorry, butcher……err I mean dentist's face lit up with pleasure when he saw me.

"Ohhhhhhh Helen," he rubbed his hands together gleefully, "just the person, I have a little surprise for you."

He reached into his pocket and brandished an odd shaped lollipop.

Why on earth would my dentist be offering me a sweet? On closer inspection I realised that it was a white plastic tube like stick with a flat, bright yellow, square head which was sprouting what looked suspiciously like a mini pipe cleaner from the end.

"This," said the butcher of the teeth "Is a Tepe."

"Really?" I was seriously beginning to think he had lost the plot, "I always thought a Tepee was a tent which Red Indians lived in."

He developed a pained expression, "No, not a Tepee……..a Tepe…..it's an interdental brush."

"Oh right, I see." I replied vaguely not having the foggiest idea what he was talking about.

"It's a sort of floss but in the form of a brush which makes it easier to use. This is just what you have been looking. It will end all your gummy neglect." He grinned widely.

I pushed away the urge to stick his drill somewhere very painful indeed when he proceeded to patronise me. The little despot made me hold a mirror to my face whilst he proceeded to demonstrate how the brush worked.

Basically all that is required is to gently push the brush between each space separating the teeth and by using a very gentle *sawing* action draw the brush back and forth over the gums. The brushes loosen and collect any food and debris lurking between teeth and gums.

The bristles are attached to a very fine flexible, plastic coated wire which means that the wire can be moulded into various angles so that those difficult molars and wisdom teeth can be accessed easily.

After a brief check up I was given the all clear; no more horrendous deadly dates with the butcher and his dastardly drill for six whole months so I happily coughed up an extra £3.00 for a pack of 8 Tepe Interdental brushes and off I merrily skipped to try them out for myself.

At this point I would advise that for the first few times of using this product it is easier to do so by using a mirror. I can do it now without but until you get a 'feel' for the brush it is easier to use by looking in the mirror.

That night before I went to bed I decided to have a bash with the Tepe. I had a quick scan of the information on the packet:

'For efficient cleaning chose the correct size with bristles filling the interdental space

Gently move the brush back and forward

For use between back teeth, bend the wire slightly for easier access

Undue force and continuous bending may lead to bending of the wire and cause injury.

Consult your dental professional for correct use.

Handle and packet made of environmentally friendly polypropylene

Keep out of reach of children'.

I opened the packet and assembled the brush. Basically this is pure simplicity and all you have to do is push the neck of the yellow bristle brush into the hollow white tube and you are ready to go.

I started on my front teeth by holding the ergonomic handle firmly, it sat neatly into the palm of my hand and I experienced no slipping of the brush during use. I gently inserted the brush between the gaps in my teeth and carefully moved the brush backwards and forwards. The sensation was quite pleasant with a slight tickling on the gum which made me want to giggle. The brush slid smoothly through my teeth and only minimal pressure was required.

I progressed through my teeth in this manner until I reached the difficult to reach molars. I used my index finger to gently draw back my mouth as wide as I could and inserted the brush between the molars easily; there was no snagging or discomfort whatsoever. I did have to curve the bristles slightly to gain access but the brush did a grand job and removed all the debris smoothly and without pain.

After I had finished with the brush I was amazed, not to mention disgusted, at the amount of *gunk* which had collected in the bristles of the brush. The Tepe had done the job of removing all the dirt a million times better than floss or dental sticks and it was truly disconcerting to see just how much 'dirt' was on the brush.

When I had finished with the brush I simple pulled the yellow head from the white tube, turned the head upside down and slotted the bristle brush into the tube to keep it clean and dry.

These brushes come in 8 different colour coded sizes depending on the size of the gaps between your teeth.

The sizes are: Pink 0.4mm, Gold 0.45 mm, Red 0.5 mm, Blue 0.6 mm, Yellow 0.7 mm, Green 0.8 mm, Purple 1.1 mm and finally Grey 1.3 mm. All the brushes apart from the grey, which has extra long bristles, have a cap/handle which can be used to protect the brush in between uses.

I use the yellow brush, fine 0.7 mm, for my teeth.

A word of caution here, Superdrug do a similar product to these brushes but they don't offer different bristle sizes and as these brushes contain wire I could well imagine one could cause damage to the gums if trying to force a large brush between narrow gaps. I would definitely recommend you seek your dentist's advice on the correct size for your teeth and stick with the ones suitable for you.

I have been really impressed with these brushes and they really do a magnificent job of keeping gums clean and healthy. Now when I run my tongue over my teeth they feel really clean and smooth. I am not nearly as conscious of worrying about bad breath either as I know that there are no decaying pieces of rotting food stuck between my teeth. Using the brush is dead easy and it literally takes seconds to do once you get the 'knack' of using them.

I tend to use them before I clean my teeth but it is down to personal preference as my dentist says it just as beneficial to do after brushing with toothpaste.

These brushes are perfectly safe to use around implants, bridges and crowns. I have a Maryland bridge and the brush works around the area gently and easily.

The only complaint I would make about this product is that it doesn't state if the brushes are designed to be used more than once. As they are quite expensive at £3.00 for a packet of 8 brushes, (and being a tight fisted person) I usually rinse mine under cold water straight after using and then I pour cool boiled water over the bristles to sterilize before using them again. This way I find I usually get a week's use out of each brush head.

Personally I also wouldn't advocate young children using these brushes without supervision. As I have stated before the bristles are on a fine wire and care has to be taken that the brush doesn't become damaged and cause injury to the gums; having said that the wire is plastic coated so that the stem doesn't cause abrasions to tooth surfaces or implant posts but even so I wouldn't take any chances with a young child's mouth.

Today I had my latest date with the drill wielding butcher and not only did I escape without having to have any work done but he actually complimented me on the condition of my gums too……a result or what eh?

This product really is amazing and gives fantastic results. It is simple to use and will keep your gums in tip top condition. I highly recommend it.

No guesses, therefore, who walked out of the Dental surgery grinning like a very, very wide mouthed crocodile?

Product Information:

Developed in collaboration with Swedish Dental expertise.

8 brush heads and 1 stick per packet.

Cost: Approximately £3.00 per pack of 8.

Availability: Most dental surgeries.

Handle and packet made of environmentally friendly polypropylene

Contact Details.

Tel +44 (0)40 670 1100

Email: Tepe@tepe.se.

WWW.Tepe.se

Scarlet_Ribbons 2005 ©

 

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