Flossing once every day before bed has given me easy perfect dentist checkups for years now. I used to not floss, but then I got an ebook reader and I just set it up while flossing. Instead of feeling like I’m just doing a boring task, I get to read my book for a little while.
During my last dental cleaning the hygienist asked “you said you floss every day?” and I said yes, because I do, and she said most people lie on that one but she could tell I actually did because it made her job a LOT easier. Less/no blood and less plaque to scrape off. If you start flossing every day you’ll start feeling nasty if you don’t do it so it’s easier to remember and follow through.
If you don’t floss daily, you’ll get gingivitis. Then, your dentist will use a really tiny power washer between your teeth and gums that sort of has a “nails on a chalkboard” feel to it.
I highly recommend getting one, I have a Panasonic EW-DJ40 which is a pretty basic one but it sure does the job. I had another Phillips one that tried to be all fancy with pulsing and adding air and what not but I ended up switching back because I just need something simple to blast water between my teeth to get the gunk out
My dentist recommends the water pick over flossing, probably because people are far more likely to use that than floss. It may be less effective than regular flossing, but I’m certain it’s more effective than rarely flossing.
She also recommended I upgrade to an electric toothbrush, but all the ones I tried tickled my cheeks, gums, and lips so bad it was unbearable. Turns out most of them just vibrate, but there are ones with rotational heads similar to what dentists use when cleaning your teeth. I snagged an Oral-B 1000 Pro on sale for under $40 and it’s a game changer - no tickling, teeth feel ultra clean, and it’s dirt cheap for a quality electric toothbrush.
agreed on all counts. I figure if you do that and stay away from very acidic / sugary drinks, it’ll do your teeth a lot of good. Now only if somebody had been so kind as to tell me 30 years ago
Many will tell you that, but the research is pretty clear that it’s more effective than string floss. There have been a few studies and they’ve all been consistent.
If they have to ask it can’t be that important. You tell me if it’s regular enough. If it looks good tell me “Keep up the good work” . If there’s gremlins between my teeth tell me I should floss more.
Best advice I got was to floss while driving using floss sticks. Ideally paired with a nice fantasy audiobook to really set the mood for the upcoming workday.
This ist me in the picture. And then the question ‘do you floss regularly’ followed by awkward silence.
My go to is “not as often as I should” because it seems that no amount of flossing would please the bone vampires anyway
Flossing once every day before bed has given me easy perfect dentist checkups for years now. I used to not floss, but then I got an ebook reader and I just set it up while flossing. Instead of feeling like I’m just doing a boring task, I get to read my book for a little while.
During my last dental cleaning the hygienist asked “you said you floss every day?” and I said yes, because I do, and she said most people lie on that one but she could tell I actually did because it made her job a LOT easier. Less/no blood and less plaque to scrape off. If you start flossing every day you’ll start feeling nasty if you don’t do it so it’s easier to remember and follow through.
If you don’t floss daily, you’ll get gingivitis. Then, your dentist will use a really tiny power washer between your teeth and gums that sort of has a “nails on a chalkboard” feel to it.
Thanks. I’m flossing tonight.
Biggest change I made to flossing was getting a water flosser. It’s super fast and easy and makes my teeth feel great, highly recommend
yep, although they’ll probably tell you it isn’t real flossing, it’s most definitely a lot better than only brushing
I do not have a water flosser, and asked this exact question to my dentist about two weeks ago.
Turns out, I could’ve asked you! As your answer was EXACTLY what they told me.
I highly recommend getting one, I have a Panasonic EW-DJ40 which is a pretty basic one but it sure does the job. I had another Phillips one that tried to be all fancy with pulsing and adding air and what not but I ended up switching back because I just need something simple to blast water between my teeth to get the gunk out
My dentist recommends the water pick over flossing, probably because people are far more likely to use that than floss. It may be less effective than regular flossing, but I’m certain it’s more effective than rarely flossing.
She also recommended I upgrade to an electric toothbrush, but all the ones I tried tickled my cheeks, gums, and lips so bad it was unbearable. Turns out most of them just vibrate, but there are ones with rotational heads similar to what dentists use when cleaning your teeth. I snagged an Oral-B 1000 Pro on sale for under $40 and it’s a game changer - no tickling, teeth feel ultra clean, and it’s dirt cheap for a quality electric toothbrush.
agreed on all counts. I figure if you do that and stay away from very acidic / sugary drinks, it’ll do your teeth a lot of good. Now only if somebody had been so kind as to tell me 30 years ago
Many will tell you that, but the research is pretty clear that it’s more effective than string floss. There have been a few studies and they’ve all been consistent.
Took me a month to get used to (kept bleeding on like 8 and higher) but yeah after that it’s been amazing.
If they have to ask it can’t be that important. You tell me if it’s regular enough. If it looks good tell me “Keep up the good work” . If there’s gremlins between my teeth tell me I should floss more.
OMG! did you get a new labcoat. Its spectacular!
Best advice I got was to floss while driving using floss sticks. Ideally paired with a nice fantasy audiobook to really set the mood for the upcoming workday.
Disclaimer: does not work as well if you work from home and only leave the house once a month