It is important to understand that the Blotting Brushes & MiniBlots may only bring about an improvement in poor gum conditions depending on the pre-existing state of the gums when the brushes are first used and the competence with which the Blotting Technique is engaged.
HOW DOES THE BLOTTING BRUSH WORK?
Originally developed in 1969 the Blotting Brush is generally smaller and has textured bristles that are thinner than those used in conventional brushes. The bristles are designed to go under the gumline and between the teeth to draw in plaque and particles of food using a capillary-like action in the bristles that draws plaque and debris from gum crevices. Complete with a retaining cover to protect and reform the bristles, it is recommended that each brush is only used for 2-3 weeks to maintain its performance.
SHOULD I CONTINUE WITH FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE?
Again we don’t recommend the use of fluorides. Although the fluoride debate has raged for years and many cities continue to add it to their water supplies, research has repeatedly evidenced that the use of fluoride is more likely to harm than benefit you. We suggest you Google or YouTube ‘dangers of fluoride’ and draw your own conclusions
DO I HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE BLOTTING BRUSH OTHER THAN RINSING THE BRISTLES WITH WATER AND KEEPING IT IN THE BRUSH COVER THAT COMES WITH IT? CAN I SOAK IT IN HYDROGEN PEROXIDE OR SOMETHING ELSE TO KILL GERMS?
You can do all of that. if using 35% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide make sure it’s well diluted otherwise there could be bristle degradation. Up to you how often you use that. I know some people soak their Blotting Brush in diluted Hydrogen Peroxide once or twice a week rather than every day.
HOW LONG DOES EACH BRUSH LAST?
To get the maximum benefit we generally recommend to change the Blotting Brushes every three to four weeks at the most. If your teeth and gums are in a poor condition to start with, use the brush for just 1-2 weeks. If they are in an exceptionally poor state, use each Blotting Brush for a few days before changing.
CAN I USE TOOTHPASTE WITH THE BLOTTING BRUSH?
We don’t recommend it because the application of toothpaste would block the capillary-like action of the bristles and it would become just a regular toothbrush.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BLOTTING BRUSHES AND THE MINIBLOTS?
The answer is essentially in the size of the brush head and the softness of the bristles. While the Blotting Brush has been the most popular brush for the past 45 years, the MiniBlot is great for people with sensitive gums and difficult to reach parts of the mouth, as well as for children. It’s great to get children using this technique before they develop poor brushing habits in later years.
ARE SOFT, WOODEN DENTAL STICKS OR TOOTHPICKS USEFUL?
They are useful to eliminate larger particles of food but you need to be very careful not to cause damage to the gums.
CAN I DO THIS WITH MY REGULAR TOOTHBRUSH?
You cannot draw plaque from your teeth and gums with a conventional toothbrush! This can only be achieved using the Blotting Brush. Once you’ve bought a Blotting Brush, you become the proud owner of the smallest, yet most effective gum health kit in the world.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE BRISTLES?
Although the basic nylon bristle is used by many toothbrush manufacturers, the difference is that the Blotting Brush has a texturing process performed on the ends of the bristles which is what gives them their capillary-like action. If you look at a Blotting Brush closely you can see the texturing. The action is the drawing or pulling effect which helps remove plaque from the mouth in the blotting process, drawing it up into the brush and then allowing for its removal from the mouth, whether by sucking or rinsing. It is this capillary-like action which is the basic premise of the Blotting Technique.
Dr. Phillips’ patients described it as “the bristles with the split ends.”
DO YOU RECOMMEND MOUTHWASH?
Most commercial mouthwash products are harsh, killing off good as well as bad bacteria in the mouth, especially if it contains a protein precipitating agent (ppa). It may benefit you temporarily at best but its regular use sets the conditions for worsening bad breath. Ask yourself why it is that with all the technically advanced toothbrushes, toothpastes and mouthwashes available today, the incidence of gum disease and tooth decay is higher than ever before?
A typical mouthwash caution printed on the label: “In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance or contact a poison control centre immediately. Do not use in children under six years of age. Supervise children over six.”
The best mouthwash available is your own saliva.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS DENTAL FLOSS?
Dental floss may be used providing you use it without injuring the gum. Most people snap the floss through the contact of the teeth and cut the papilla (gum between the teeth) damaging the tissue. A dentist can show you how to use dental floss correctly to avoid gum damage. By ‘blotting’ the mouth and teeth correctly, you’ll find that the debris left at the contacts (area between the teeth) is insignificant thus reducing the need for dental floss. Ordinary tooth-brushing plus dental floss cleans 10% of the mouth while ‘blotting’ the teeth and crevices with total mouth hy¬giene cleans 98% of the mouth without the need for floss.
IS DIET IMPORTANT FOR HEALTHY TEETH?
Certainly it is important but not more so than for the health of any organ in the body. Everyone should maintain a healthy well-balanced diet. This consists of enough va-rieties of food to provide you with the essential proteins, vitamins and minerals neces-sary for normal growth and health. Although there are many differing opinions on what you should eat, the simple approach is to eliminate (or at least minimise) junk food as this now contains genetically modified organisms which research shows can be quite harmful to your health. Also try to eliminate sodas, especially diet sodas that contain aspartame.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO ‘BLOT’?
When you first receive your Blotting Brushes there is a tendency to use them devoutly for the first few days and usually in your bathroom. After that your enthusiasm wanes a little and before you know it you find you haven’t used them for a day or two. This is quite normal, and the reason for this is because your bathroom is not always the best place for you to ‘blot’.
Dr. Phillips often said: “If you’re going to stand in a bathroom and blot your teeth it’s ok for a few days but not after that. Do it on borrowed time!”
Find a time of day that suite you best such as when you’re watching TV or listening to the radio so that you’re not distracted and you can devote 10 to 15 or more to give your teeth and gums the care they deserve.