TOOTH PASTE
I am , at age eighty-seven, finding out what the term "tooth paste" really means.
It is not, definitely not, what most of us think it has always been. Instead of the flavorful mixture which is intended to clean, polish and, perhaps "nourish" teeth and gums, when used properly on a long handled, mouth-sized brush , it is, rather, a substance designed to hold dentures in place - a sort of glue, an adhesive paste.
That's where the reality term ”paste” comes into the picture in a serious fashion. Some have a "breath sweetener" added and one actually claims to have a hint of mint. Most are a sticky substance which is not intended to taste good or to nourish or sustain.
Once you start using them, it is a totally different world. It calls for a period of transition, too, getting used to the "feel" of having the substance in your month. It is not a favorite with taste buds and none t think, makes any claims of dietary benefits.
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In my time of toothlessness, I have learned a great deal about such materials. It quickly became a matter of experiment, I found. By trial and error we come to know which seems to work best for us - for a time, at least. Methods of application are the critical point, I think.
I tried one powdered preparation given to me by the dentist who removed my last tooth. Results were, to me, sub-standard. I don't feel my trial was a fair one entirely because the sample container did not have a narrow outlet to allow only a small, thin line of powder sift into the dentures. When I had devised a narrow outlet for the powder, it worked much better. The manufacturer's carton sifted the powder out like a salt-shaker. As a result, I got the powder all over the denture rather than in the proper cavity and ended up with sticky lips, jaws and fingers. Packaging is one thing, then , which should be considered seriously.
I have tired three paste types and one fabric insert type and have not yet found any one which is always trustworthy. Only on rare occasions does any one of them live up to the glowing accounts on the TV and print commercials. There are times, however,when they have exceeded such claims. There is still reason, however, for whomever is responsible for "tooth in advertising" to look into that particular phase of advertising.
I assumed, and, I think most novices do the same sort of thing, that the idea was to coat the gum surface with a generous layer of the "paste" worked down into the denture form which is to be in direct contact with the gums. The tendency is, then, to press it down, or up, and wait for it to "firm up." I soon found that this path way has several wrong turns in it: too much goo is bad, too much pressing is bad, as well. The stuff will ooze out around your teeth. It can even tend to glue your gum to your cheek. Once that happens, you had best rinse your mouth well with hot water and start all over again.
I found all of these substances to work well to a degree. They seemed to do so much better at one time than another, but that, I found, has a lot of do with the exact procedure of installation. You can't hurry this operation. It will pay to take you time and do each step deliberately and sure or you will be doing it all again very shortly.
I'm still learning the hard way. And, don't get the idea that this is mainly for old folks. You will get your chance to check it out and to learn what to eat and drink and when.
One thing, for sure, is the realization that if I had spend the same amount of time in caring for my real teeth, I would not be eating with ersatz choppers today!
A.L.M. June 6, 2003 [c619wds]
