How good are you at keeping your teeth clean and in good health?

Question

I havent had a need to go to the dentist in 6 years...I clean my teeth before breakfast, after and if i'm at home, after every meal, not forgetting of course, to brush my tongue (oh my gosh, i've come across so many who don't know about brushing plaque off their tongue, ewwwee!) and i can't go sleep without brushing either, i never floss, but apparently, an apple a day keeps the dentist away (i know, some people say "keeps the doctor away" but it works equally well for the teeth) how do you treat your choppers?

i must say, i've only ever been to the dentist...probably less than 10 times my entire 35 years of existence. i'd say 5 times really, but even then, it was just to have a filling on a back tooth, and impacted wisdom teeth surgically removed. i've eaten apples probably since i came out the womb! who gives a toss about floss, inbetween my teeth, i aint got no moss?

Answer 1

well i wear braces so i clean my teeth three times a day once in the morning, when i get back from school and before i go to bed, i also brush my tongue, use dental floss and mouth wash. overall i'd say my choppers are in pretty good shape :)

Answer 2

Good brushing routine as well as flossing at least once a day - it's amazing what's there between the teeth even if they have been cleaned by brushing.
Avoid sugary drinks including cola drinks, lemonade etc, particularly those which are acid.
Avoid sticky sweets, some people seems to have them all the time e.g. at work. Sugar-free chewing gum would be better. Cheese and nuts are good to finish off meals and for snacks. Any sweet-eating should be immediately after meals. Swilling with plain water can be useful.

Answer 3

Flossing is very important because brushing won't remove the food between your teeth that is setting there growing bacteria which affect the rest of your mouth.

Think of it this way, not flossing is like only cleaning the tops of your plates, but not the bottom. Otherwise you have a great hygiene plan.

I use to brush before bed and in the morning but ever since started using Biotene toothpaste & mouthwash, it works so well, I don't get that "funny taste" in the morning and it's made me lazy about brushing at night. I've been trying to get better about my teeth, at least I floss now everyday, which I didn't before.

My wake up call is that my whole life I've had bad teeth (tons of cavities) just naturally. And now at 30 my gums aren't as good as they should be. Loosing your teeth is big enough for me to make some changes.

Don't skip flossing, you'll end up like me.

PS: taking co-enzyme Q10 (in the vitamin section) has been shown to be good for your gums

Answer 4

Until I started having problems with my Wisdom teeth I was a morning and night brusher. Since the Wisdom teeth I've become a bit fanatical about my teeth. not that the Wisdom Teeth were down to bad oral hygiene, but the pain I went through I think gave me a little Mouth OCD!

Apparently brushing your teeth too much is bad for them, so I only brush 3 times a day, floss once a day, and 2 different types of mouth wash!

Answer 5

My teeth are definitely a high priority. I was not too concerned about it when I was younger, but a trip to the dentist after several years convinced me to change that. Now, I brush, floss, and rinse with Listerine after every meal. I wouldn't dare go to bed without doing these things. Plus, I now go to the dentist every 6 months. I've taken care of the cavities and the wisdom teeth. So, I take excellent care of my teeth now.

Answer 6

I'm not the best at it, but definitely once a day sometimes twice. I use an ultrasonic brush which from experience does seem to be doing something right.

I know I should take more care of them (I'm probably on my last set) but I was never really encouraged to look after them as much as I should (an excuse I know). I haven't lost any yet and apart from about 3 fillings since school, I don't think I've done too bad.

Answer 7

Please see the webpage for more details on Oral hygiene, Breath odor and Dental care - adult.
Diabetic patients should visit the dentist atleast once in a year. Hypertensive and heart patients should be careful against hemorrrhage from tooth extraction. Some times, tooth extraction may become fatal for such persons (also due to septicemia). Pain in the jaw or teeth be an indication of a heart attack. Tooth can be fixed to its original place, it is fallen off due to accident or injury. Sugery foods are injurious to teeth since the bacteria overgrow in such medium. Herpes labialis, Gonorrhea, Candida albicans (oral thrush) and Mononucleosis affect the mouth cavity.
Tobacco smoking and chewing can cause oral cancer.

Answer 8

I brush and floss every day, 3times a day....I havnt seen a dentist in over 20 years...Only had 1 cavity. I guess my teeth are in good condition. I dont have any problems with my teeth.

Answer 9

I read ages ago eating apples is not that great for teeth due to the acidity. I floss twice a day and brush twice a day.

Answer 10

Actually, I heard that apples contain an acid that can actually harm your teeth. You should therefore clean your teeth again immediately after eating one. I am dentally fit but still visit the dentist once every six months. Prevention is better than cure!