New technique

Dr. Ralph C. Winge fights the most prevalent disease known to man–cavities, and the Watts dentist has just introduced another weapon in the arsenal’s battle.
Winge has just introduced a new way of using a manual toothbrush that is supposed to remove more plaque from teeth. Called the Winge Slide, it is the third new brushing technique he has invented, and the first one introduced since Tulane Medical School Dean Charles C. Bass introduced his new method in 1954.
” . . . Each of the previously discovered techniques (there are six in the industry) has its best effect in different parts of the mouth . . . I thought there has to be something that can clean the biting surface of the teeth better, and that gets further in the back of the mouth cleaner. I wanted (a method) that would have the greatest effect in the most areas of the mouth,” explained Winge about why he created the Winge Slide.
According to the Watts Healthcare Corporation dentist, this new method is performed by first leaning the side of the toothbrush against the gums with the bristles pointing toward the teeth, then sliding the brush bristle tips over the teeth surface in a pushing or shoveling manner away from the gum areas and toward the biting edges of the teeth.
“The Slide performs especially well at removing dental plaque on the lower front teeth,” added Winge, who has practiced dentistry since 1977.Now that he has invented this teeth brushing technique, Winge said the next step is getting the word out and conducting a large clinical study.
“I have done a small scale clinical study using myself and my family,” said the USC Dental school graduate, adding that the large study may take up to $50,000 to complete.
Meanwhile he tells his patients about the Winge Slide and demonstrates how to do it.
The goal with this new method as well as his Winge Bounce (developed in 1999) and the Winge Swing (conceived in 2000) is to help people become more aware of the proper care of the mouth and teeth, which will lead to fewer preventable dental problems.
“We can have close to 99 percent reduction in visible plaque using my methods. I can’t say 100 percent because there’s always microscopic amounts of plaque,” said Winge.