Your Dental Routine

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

This thread is to discuss your dental habits as far as brushing your teeth, flossing, mouth-wash, oil pulling, dentist checkups, or whatever else you want to talk about in the realm of dental care.

Has anyone else oil pulled? I did for a short time while on a particular job where I had extra time. The taste was pretty bad, and I stopped before I could tell any significant changes.

 

[Cute Tink]

I brush once or twice a day. I use a water pik as needed, but at least before bed and I use mouthwash.

I get cleanings I think 4 times a year, as a precaution because I skipped dental visits for about 10 years and my teeth suffered for it. I had to have a very painful deep cleaning and had several cavities. Now all of that is cleared up and I have gotten braces, so I'm making sure not to screw up any more in the future.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

.

 

[Rajni]

I brush once or twice a day, and floss occasionally, though I went through a stretch where I flossed every night. I haven't seen a dentist in about 3-4 years. Part of me just figures if there's anything seriously wrong, it's not as though I'd be able to afford fixing it anyway, so as long as I'm not in pain, I'm not going to go looking for trouble. So far, no cavities.

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

I just picked up some coconut oil. I'm going to start back pulling.

 

[ReesePiece23]

Oil pull for twenty minutes, brush, then chew gum.

It's all about creating that neutral environment. I don't do anything fancy.

 

[Travelers.Soul]

I brush twice a day, use mouth wash, and I just started oil pulling. I have problem teeth....so....anything that can help I'm all about. I also need to find a dentist...I am pretty sure I have a cavity. Blah.

 

[Saucy]

*refuses in answer in fear of @YankeeGirl*

 

[Go Braves]

I brush my teeth in the AM & PM. Occasionally I'll floss, use Listerine, all that. Get my teeth cleaned 2x a year. Sometimes they fuss at me to floss more.

 

[LoveDivine]

*refuses in answer in fear of @YankeeGirl*

LOL.

 

[Aldebaran]

I'd like to point out something new I just discovered. It's a sweetener called Xylitol.

In the past when I got my 6 month cleanings, my hygienist always had a hard time removing tartar from my teeth. Especially my lower front ones. I tried brushing more there to prevent plaque build-up, but it didn't help. Then I started chewing gum once a day after dinner and then my hygienist commented in amazement at how little tartar buildup I had. At the time, I didn't even put that together with the fact that I was chewing the gum. Then the gum ran out and I didn't buy any more. Well, at my last cleaning, my hygienist said that the tartar has really increased again. It took me awhile to realize that it was during the time I was using the Xylitol gum that my tartar buildup was drastically reduced. So now I'm back to chewing the gum again. In about 5 more months, I expect to amaze my hygienist once again!

There are other ways of getting xylitol though. There are mints, and you can even buy it as a sweetener. It can cost around $12.50 per Lb., but you only need to use about a gram of it each day. Put it in a little water, slowly sip it and swish it around your mouth for awhile before swallowing.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this. With my terrible early dental history, I'm now much more attentive about keeping my teeth.

 

[LoveDivine]

I'd like to point out something new I just discovered. It's a sweetener called Xylitol.

In the past when I got my 6 month cleanings, my hygienist always had a hard time removing tartar from my teeth. Especially my lower front ones. I tried brushing more there to prevent plaque build-up, but it didn't help. Then I started chewing gum once a day after dinner and then my hygienist commented in amazement at how little tartar buildup I had. At the time, I didn't even put that together with the fact that I was chewing the gum. Then the gum ran out and I didn't buy any more. Well, at my last cleaning, my hygienist said that the tartar has really increased again. It took me awhile to realize that it was during the time I was using the Xylitol gum that my tartar buildup was drastically reduced. So now I'm back to chewing the gum again. In about 5 more months, I expect to amaze my hygienist once again!

There are other ways of getting xylitol though. There are mints, and you can even buy it as a sweetener. It can cost around $12.50 per Lb., but you only need to use about a gram of it each day. Put it in a little water, slowly sip it and swish it around your mouth for awhile before swallowing.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this. With my terrible early dental history, I'm now much more attentive about keeping my teeth.

This is very good advice

 

[Cearbhall]

I go to the dentist twice a year, since that's covered by insurance.

I brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. I use saltwater as a mouthwash whenever I have any sort of inflammation, and it works like a charm.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

I brush my teeth twice a day usually, and floss with a flossing stick a couple times a week
and use mouthwash daily.

 

[LoveDivine]

Lol, reading through responses to see how many answers are going to show up my own routine

I really don't have an intense oral hygiene routine.

I basically rinse with Listerine and use a power toothbrush.

My suggestion is to get an electric toothbrush. There are inexpensive models available ( Oral B has very good ones). I personally use a Phillips Sonicare. The power toothbrushes remove plaque much more thoroughly and stimulate and massage the gum tissue. Plus, they make brushing seem like less of a chore, lol They are more gentle on the gums as well. I'm not sure what prices are like everywhere, but in my area you can get basic Oral B models for $30-$40.

When patients make the switch we almost always see huge improvements

 

[redblue22]

I don't have a routine. I'm not going to waste an hour of my day brushing. Mouthwash and paste make me want to throw up. But you have to do it if you have a date.

What is oil pulling?

 

[LoveDivine]

I don't have a routine. I'm not going to waste an hour of my day brushing. Mouthwash and paste make me want to throw up. But you have to do it if you have a date.

What is oil pulling?

You just need 2 mins ( 2x daily ). That's what the ADA recommends So really, maintaining a healthy mouth takes up only 4 mins of each day. Not too bad considering you are going to spend at least a half hour to an hour in the dentist's chair for a filling appointment if you develop cavities.

 

[redblue22]

You just need 2 mins ( 2x daily ). That's what the ADA recommends So really, maintaining a healthy mouth takes up only 4 mins of each day. Not too bad considering you are going to spend at least a half hour to an hour in the dentist's chair for a filling appointment if you develop cavities.

I like it.

 

[Aldebaran]

I like it.

When I was younger, I saw no point in brushing. It seemed that from one day to the next, nothing was any different when I didn't brush, so I never did it. Then I ended up with a large cavity that kept getting bigger. I ended up going to the dentist and it was discovered that I had quite a few more, along with decalcification around the gum lines, along with red and inflamed gums. Following that time was many more appointments to get fillings. I realized then that if I didn't start brushing and flossing properly, those fillings would end up falling out due to decay around them, which would mean going through the trouble of getting all those fillings in the first place would have been a big waste of time. So that's when I started getting serious. Life has been good ever since.

However, if you "like" being in the dentist's chair undergoing all those procedures.....carry on.

 

[Cute Tink]

My suggestion is to get an electric toothbrush. There are inexpensive models available ( Oral B has very good ones). I personally use a Phillips Sonicare. The power toothbrushes remove plaque much more thoroughly and stimulate and massage the gum tissue. Plus, they make brushing seem like less of a chore, lol They are more gentle on the gums as well. I'm not sure what prices are like everywhere, but in my area you can get basic Oral B models for $30-$40.

When patients make the switch we almost always see huge improvements

I made that switch a while ago at the suggestion of my hygienist. I got a Sonicare and it worked great. Next appointment was a huge improvement. Now I have an Oral B that I got from my Orthodontist that they recommend for braces and it's all modern with a bluetooth connection and works with an app that will tell me where my brushing could be better.

I realized then that if I didn't start brushing and flossing properly, those fillings would end up falling out due to decay around them, which would mean going through the trouble of getting all those fillings in the first place would have been a big waste of time.

I had a similar experience after having I think 11 fillings done and some other work. I'd rather not do that again.