- 1 week ago
What does the tongue do? How do we keep teeth and gums healthy? And are tools like interdental brushes and aligners really useful?
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00:08Amazement, laughter, singing, kissing, and of course, eating.
00:14All activities we need our mouth for.
00:17And to make sure it's in top shape to do all those tasks, we need to take good care of
00:22it.
00:22So, what's the right way to brush your teeth?
00:25Are interdental brushes really necessary?
00:28What if your teeth are crooked?
00:30Or one breaks?
00:31And what's your tongue up to when it's not out exploring?
00:35Welcome to In Good Shape, DW's health show.
00:53For the tongue, an exciting new day begins.
00:57First up, breakfast, a true highlight.
01:00Just thinking about it gets the saliva flowing, especially from the underside of the tongue.
01:06Together with other glands in the mouth, we produce around one litre of saliva every day.
01:13That saliva mixes with our food as we chew, kick-starting the digestion process and making it easier to swallow.
01:21While we're chewing, the tongue gets to work, inspecting what we've just popped into our mouths.
01:28The tip in particular is packed with touch-sensitive nerve cells, allowing it to analyse the texture of food with
01:35impressive precision.
01:38And warn us if something's too hot.
01:59And warn us if something's too hot.
02:06A sweet flavour signals energy in the form of sugar.
02:10The balance between sweet and sour tells us how ripe a fruit is.
02:16And sour fruits often contain valuable vitamin C.
02:21Umami indicates glutamate, a key component of most proteins.
02:26Salt in the right amount tastes good to us, because we need it for things like sweat gland function.
02:33A bitter taste, on the other hand, is nature's warning sign, indicating toxins or spoiled food.
02:39Though a slight bitter note can actually mean the food is rich in nutrients and good for us.
02:48To make sure everything gets chewed evenly, the tongue moves food around the mouth,
02:53before eventually pushing it toward the throat to trigger the swallowing reflex.
02:58Inner and outer muscles give the tongue an amazing flexibility.
03:03Which is great, because chatting is another one of its favourite activities.
03:10The larynx sets air in motion, with the tongue shaping it into sounds we can understand.
03:16The tongue moves with incredible speed and precision,
03:19helping us shape the full range of sounds we use to speak.
03:26The tongue stays busy throughout the day.
03:31It helps clean our teeth and interacts with the world in countless ways.
03:37That's why the immune system pays close attention to what the tongue experiences.
03:42After all, it's often the first organ to come into contact with potential pathogens.
03:50The colour of the tongue can reveal a lot about our health.
03:54A white coating is usually caused by bacteria from an infection or by a cold.
03:59A yellowish tint can sometimes be linked to liver issues.
04:05And a purple or bluish tongue might signal a lack of oxygen, possibly due to a lung condition.
04:14The tongue's favourite look is bright pink.
04:17That's usually a sign that it and the rest of the body is in good health.
04:23Sometimes the tongue even makes itself known at night.
04:27Because after a busy day, if it relaxes too much, it can block the airways,
04:32putting on a noisy night-time performance.
04:38Half of all people around the world have some kind of oral health issue.
04:43It's especially common among the poor in society, particularly those living in low and middle income countries.
04:51Cavities and gum disease are super common, but they're both actually pretty easy to prevent.
04:57Eating stuff like this, though, is not helping.
05:01Because a balanced diet matters.
05:04Plus, brushing your teeth twice a day for three minutes and thoroughly.
05:11Proper brushing keeps your teeth and gums healthy.
05:15But what's the right way to do it?
05:17Open your mouth and start with the inside.
05:21This is the rolling technique.
05:27Brush at a 45-degree angle.
05:29And remember that every surface needs cleaning.
05:34Like this.
05:35And then the mirror ends up covered in splashes.
05:40I think this is right.
05:42Always from red to white.
05:45Very gently.
05:46And don't press too hard.
05:48It irritates the gums.
05:50With an electric brush, it alerts you if you're doing that.
05:53It goes, uh-uh, not so hard.
05:58At the dental training center in Stuttgart, proper brushing is part of the teaching.
06:05Hi Max, good to see you.
06:09Yvonne Wagner checks her young patient's teeth and gums, an essential part of a full checkup.
06:15Inflammation or gum recession would be a warning sign.
06:20So what causes problems?
06:24Healthy gums act like a seal, protecting the jawbone and teeth from cold, bacteria, sugar and acid.
06:34But smoking, teeth grinding and poor brushing technique can cause gums to recede.
06:40That exposes the sensitive neck and root of the tooth, potentially leading to root decay,
06:46bone loss and even tooth loss.
06:53Max's gums are nice and pink with healthy blood circulation.
06:57Proper brushing starts with the right toothbrush.
07:00Natural bristles aren't recommended because their hollow interior provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
07:07The shape of the bristles should be jagged, not flat, so they can reach between the teeth.
07:16It's best to draw nice circles on your teeth, or for younger kids use the classic red to white method.
07:22That way you clean the gums thoroughly, especially the gum line where the gum meets the tooth.
07:29A pinje Prache is suffering from receding gums and is here for the first time.
07:37A regular dentist referred her to check whether she needs a gum graft.
07:45When I drink really cold water, I feel pain in my teeth and even up into my eyes.
07:57This is basically a small ruler. You can see silver and black bands here.
08:03Once we reach the first black band, it's a sign that there may be gum disease
08:07or issues with the supporting structures of the teeth.
08:12A pinje Prache's gum recession is still moderate and she doesn't have an active infection.
08:18So, how does a gum graft work?
08:23On the left, you see the starting point, a lower front tooth before surgery.
08:29On the right, the same area three months after the procedure.
08:36During surgery, the gum around the exposed tooth is gently lifted to create a pocket.
08:42A small piece of tissue, taken from the roof of the mouth, is placed inside and either glued
08:48or stitched in place. This graft covers the exposed root. After two to three months,
08:54it fuses with the gum and becomes invisible.
08:59Yvonne Wagner plans to recommend this treatment to help her pinje Prache get her sensitive teeth
09:04under control.
09:11Whether it's after gum surgery or to prevent gum recession, good toothbrushes, fluoride toothpaste
09:17and the right brushing technique are a solid start. But there are other things in the mouth that need
09:23cleaning too, like your tongue, which is why there are those specially designed scrapers.
09:28And to clean between your teeth, floss isn't your only option. There are other clever little tools besides.
09:38We're supposed to use them every day, interdental brushes. But there are so many kinds,
09:44different sizes, colours, shapes and brands. So who's actually buying and using interdental brushes?
09:50Do you use them? Yes. How often? Not enough. I do use them, but not consistently. It's hard to keep
10:03up sometimes.
10:05Do you use them? No, I use floss. To get an expert opinion, we've come to see dentist Dennis Höring.
10:14He's a big advocate of these little brushes.
10:20Modern dentistry has thankfully moved beyond just fixing problems, with a far bigger focus on prevention now.
10:26Good oral hygiene at home is key. Daily brushing is the foundation and interdental brushes play a crucial role too.
10:34But they're not used nearly enough.
10:37At his practice, interdental brushes are always part of professional cleanings and tailored to each patient.
10:44Today, Bob Grutters is in the chair. He's been meticulous about his teeth for years.
10:51I do actually like interdental brushes and always have some with me.
10:55I use them in the car when I'm stuck in traffic or just bored.
11:00Still, he's here for a cleaning today with Steffi Venedai.
11:04After a year, Tata has built up again.
11:08She explains to patients how to use the brushes properly.
11:15There are two main ways to use them.
11:18The ideal method is to brush your teeth first for a basic clean, then use the interdental brush
11:24and finish off with another round of brushing and toothpaste.
11:29But in my experience, that's a bit ambitious. You need to be really motivated and a bit of a perfectionist.
11:35So I usually recommend using the interdental brush for the first basic clean.
11:42But how do you know which brush fits where?
11:45They should easily slide between the teeth and fill the gaps completely.
11:49That might mean using several different sizes.
11:5340% of tooth surfaces are between the teeth.
11:56And floss is only recommended for very tight spaces.
12:01After his cleaning, Bob Grutters heads for a checkup.
12:05Does Dennis Hören notice a difference in patients who use interdental brushes?
12:14We definitely see that when patients use the brushes regularly,
12:18their risk of cavities and gum disease drops significantly.
12:24So which type should you use? Here's the dentist's advice.
12:29In Germany, people tend to brush too little rather than too much.
12:34The main thing is that you do use an interdental brush.
12:38Sure, there are differences between brands and quality levels,
12:42but they all basically do the same job.
12:44All right.
12:45Really? No major difference?
12:48We wanted to dig a little deeper and went to Aachen University Hospital
12:53to meet the head of the clinic for preventative dentistry, Andreas Braun.
12:59He tells us about some of the differences.
13:04It all comes down to how they're made.
13:07Normally, the ends of the filaments are polished, so that they're not sharp.
13:14So what do they look like under a microscope?
13:16We tested a range of brushes and sticks, costing between one cent and well over a euro.
13:23Under the microscope, you can clearly see differences in the shape of the tips.
13:29The cheaper ones aren't well finished.
13:32The more expensive the brush, the more complex the production,
13:35and the neater the bristle tips.
13:41And those differences can have real consequences.
13:44If the bristles are rough or sharp to begin with, they can irritate the gums
13:50and even push bacteria deeper into the tissue, leading to inflammation.
13:56There are also cheap sticks without brushes,
13:59but experts call them fancy toothpicks that don't really clean.
14:03The brushes do much more.
14:05There are actual studies on this.
14:10Interdental brushes help remove plaque and reduce gum inflammation, known as gingivitis.
14:19Compared to using just a toothbrush, adding interdental brushes leads to a lower degree of inflammation.
14:30The brushes usually last about a week.
14:33Just rinse them with water and let them dry, so bacteria don't build up.
14:37And then use them daily, anywhere they fit between your teeth.
14:46A lot of the photographs we take are of one thing, ourselves, ready for the spotlight on social media.
14:55But a survey on teeth and social media shows that 45% of people are not confident their smile is
15:02good enough,
15:03because of their teeth.
15:05That's what happens when we constantly compare ourselves to others online.
15:10So, people hide their smiles, or edit their photos.
15:14Or they reach for cosmetic treatment.
15:17Aligners are discreet, but pricey.
15:20And they're all the rage.
15:24A beautiful smile with straight teeth is something many people aspire to.
15:30One popular option is the aligner, a clear, removable tray that gently shifts the teeth into position.
15:37Online providers are offering tempting deals.
15:40But are they safe?
15:42And how do aligners actually work?
15:46Lisa also wanted straighter teeth.
15:48A few months ago, she decided to do something about it.
15:54It was just really one crooked tooth on the side.
15:59Every time I smiled, it looked like I had a gap, even though the tooth was there.
16:04I just wanted to push it back into place.
16:07I felt uncomfortable smiling, and over the years, it just kept getting worse.
16:12She booked an appointment with an orthodontist.
16:15Lisa had dental crowding, like many people.
16:19One tooth was completely turned inward.
16:22Before starting treatment, she underwent a thorough examination.
16:27The x-rays show me the structure of the teeth, and also set the boundaries for what I can do.
16:33Where can I move the tooth?
16:35I also look at the model to assess the state of the gums.
16:39Are they receding or healthy?
16:42Thick or thin?
16:45And the photos help us check symmetry.
16:51Next comes the scan.
16:52It provides the basis for the digital treatment plan, which the doctor creates with help from AI.
16:58This is how her teeth should look after treatment.
17:01Turns out, it's more work than expected.
17:06New trays every two weeks, worn 22 hours a day.
17:14Each tray moves the tooth about 0.2 millimeters, depending on the treatment plan.
17:20As the orthodontist, I decide left, right, forward, back, whatever's needed.
17:26And the other thing is, the tooth is surrounded by bone.
17:29If I move it, bone has to break down on one side and build up on the other.
17:35Plastic attachments help guide the movement, applying pressure and tension.
17:42Lisa's already seeing results.
17:47I'm really, really happy.
17:50At first, it felt strange, especially speaking, and the pressure.
17:54But it's okay after a while.
17:58Now it's just part of my routine.
18:03But this kind of treatment isn't cheap.
18:09Cases that can be resolved in four to nine months usually cost between 4,000 and 7,000 euros.
18:16Longer treatments lasting one or two years start at around 6,000 and can go up to 15,000.
18:25Student Alexandra thought she'd found a cheaper option.
18:28On Instagram, she came across the online provider DrSmile.
18:34The price really caught my eye.
18:37I thought, wow, done in six to eight months, that's amazing.
18:41I signed up right away.
18:45But if I'd known what it would do to my teeth, I never would have done it.
18:51Alexandra went to a DrSmile partner clinic in Munich, where a series of images were taken.
18:59They did a scan and an x-ray.
19:02And six weeks later, the trays arrived at my home.
19:07Customers can choose monthly payments or pay the full amount in one installment.
19:12Alexandra paid 2,800 euros.
19:17After two to four months, I saw the first improvements.
19:20The front teeth were shifting.
19:22And I thought, wow, this is working.
19:25But chewing was impossible.
19:27My bite was so off, I couldn't even eat a piece of pasta.
19:32She cancelled her treatment with DrSmile and got half her money back.
19:38We asked the president of the German Orthodontics Society to assess her case.
19:45You can see the focus was on appearance.
19:48The upper front teeth look straight, but function was secondary.
19:55Her bite is open on both sides, meaning the teeth don't meet when she bites down,
20:01which affects her ability to chew properly.
20:06The open bite is clearly visible.
20:09Alexandra now needs a new treatment, costing 6,500 euros.
20:13And it's not an isolated case.
20:17With commercial providers, we're seeing damage to tooth roots, the supporting structures,
20:23and even teeth being lost prematurely.
20:26Some teeth aren't prepared for the treatment properly.
20:28We're also seeing issues with muscles and jaw joints.
20:33He insists that x-rays must always be taken and evaluated by a qualified professional.
20:39The Regional Dentists Association in Bavaria has also raised concerns.
20:44This is clearly a dental procedure and should be done by trained professionals,
20:51orthodontists or specially qualified dentists.
20:56Doing this through mail order, getting a package and fitting the device yourself is appalling.
21:04Lisa is happy with her treatment from a licensed orthodontist
21:08and finds aligners very convenient in daily life.
21:13Convenience is a big plus.
21:15There are fewer appointments, nothing pokes or breaks off,
21:18and the risk of tooth decay is much lower.
21:22When done right, aligners can work wonders.
21:29Kids run, climb, jump, and yet they fall.
21:34That's how a tooth can break in no time.
21:37If it's a baby tooth, no big deal.
21:39But if it's a permanent one, then it depends on how it broke.
21:43If it's just a small chip, it's easy to fix.
21:48But if the living part of the tooth is affected, the pulp or the root, it's straight to the dentist.
21:55And don't forget to bring along the broken piece and to store it properly beforehand.
22:03Smiling naturally into the camera is not something that came naturally to Tiara in the past.
22:09I was performing a dance for my parents, but I fell and broke one of my front teeth.
22:17That was eight years ago.
22:19Her mother placed the broken piece of tooth in an egg cup.
22:22The dentist then temporarily glued it back on.
22:27Because we just put the tooth in an egg cup, it died and couldn't be saved.
22:33That was our mistake. And we could have done things differently, but we just didn't know any better.
22:42Tiara's story isn't unique.
22:45According to a survey by the German Society of Endodontology,
22:49two-thirds of people in the country have experienced a dental injury,
22:53and most of them don't know what to do afterwards.
22:59The crucial thing is how the tooth is stored.
23:02You shouldn't let it dry out or wrap it in paper.
23:06Ideally, it should go into a tooth rescue box.
23:13These boxes are available at pharmacies and in many schools.
23:17They contain a special nutrient solution that can keep the cells on the root alive for up to 48 hours.
23:25The second best option is storing it in chilled UHT milk,
23:30or by placing it in a container filled with saliva.
23:34The key is to keep it moist.
23:39This website, called Save Your Tooth,
23:42provides quickly accessible information on what steps to take in an emergency.
23:50The first time, Tiara's parents weren't aware of it back then, and her dentist's methods were outdated.
23:55She went through painful root canal treatments, sometimes several times a year.
24:00Her current dentist took a different approach and placed a crown on the broken tooth.
24:07When Tiara first came to us, her previous dentist's plan was to keep the tooth until she turned 18,
24:13then pull it and place an implant there.
24:17But with modern tooth-preserving techniques, that's not necessary.
24:22We can keep teeth like hers for a lifetime.
24:29I'd be happy not to have to go to the dentist so often anymore.
24:35I can say for sure that Tiara has really changed since she started coming here,
24:40especially in terms of how she carries herself and their self-assurance.
24:49If Tiara's tooth had been properly preserved after the accident,
24:53she likely would have had far fewer treatments and less pain.
25:01It wasn't a great experience, and I really wish I hadn't fallen.
25:05But now everything's okay again, and I'm really happy about that.
25:10And happy about not having to hide her teeth or her smile anymore.
25:18We're waiting to hear from you.
25:21Are you always stressed and worried it's damaging your heart?
25:26Thinking about quitting smoking, but not sure how?
25:30Maybe you just want to eat healthier.
25:34Or you're looking for the right workout to ease back pain.
25:39If you've got a health question, In Good Shape has the answer.
25:42Just drop us an email.
25:49And that's all for this episode of In Good Shape, DW's health show.
25:53Thanks for watching. We hope it gave you something to smile about.
25:58See you next time, and until then, take care.
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