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no_hypocrisy

(46,067 posts)
Tue Apr 21, 2020, 08:34 AM Apr 2020

Dental Flossing

Get some and have it by your computer at all times if need be.

I admit I should do it every day, but I don't. Until yesterday. Yesterday, I considered that it may be six months or more (perhaps a lot more) before I see my dental hygienist again. And I also considered the build-up tartar to be removed when we are reunited.

I was fortunate enough to get my semi-annual visit within a week of everything shutting down, so there's some wiggle room for me.

Trust me on this one: FLOSS YOUR TEETH DAILY or be prepared for your fingerprints to be embedded in the armrest of your dental chair.

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hlthe2b

(102,200 posts)
1. I am with you there. I am working harder than ever before to care for my teeth given...
Tue Apr 21, 2020, 08:42 AM
Apr 2020

it will likely be some time before I can see a dentist. My regimen has improved 10x and I had been fairly good before.

Glad I bought a Waterpik though before all this unfolded. I still use floss, but the former is so much less irritating in my opinion.

no_hypocrisy

(46,067 posts)
2. Postscript: If not for preventing the build-up of tartar on your teeth, then floss for this reason:
Tue Apr 21, 2020, 09:57 AM
Apr 2020

gum health.

There have been studies linking gum disease to heart disease. During this critical period, do you want to tempt Providence by creating an unnecessary and preventable problem?

Floss your teeth daily!

cyclonefence

(4,483 posts)
4. Forgot gum health
Tue Apr 21, 2020, 10:03 AM
Apr 2020

I bought a battery operated toothbrush years ago and use it to brush my gums as well as my teeth.

cyclonefence

(4,483 posts)
3. Tania, the greatest dental hygienist the world has ever known,
Tue Apr 21, 2020, 10:01 AM
Apr 2020

had a suggestion for me when I told her I didn't floss because it was boring, I forgot about it, it took too much time. She said to keep my floss where I sat to watch TV. I have flossed at least once a day since then and have had excellent checkups.

BTW, my understanding is that the point of flossing isn't to remove tartar--you have to scrape that stuff off if you don't brush your teeth--but to clear out bits of food from between your teeth so they (bits of food) don't rot and cause cavities.

For years I hated the scraping of the back of my lower front teeth, but then it occurred to me (duh!) that if I made sure to brush back there I wouldn't get so much tartar. Yes indeedy.

in2herbs

(2,945 posts)
5. Flossing is important but the addition of about 1 tsp of baking soda to your toothpaste
Tue Apr 21, 2020, 10:10 AM
Apr 2020

every time you brush really helps with removing tartar.

Phoenix61

(17,000 posts)
6. Flossing is good but a good electric toothbrush
Tue Apr 21, 2020, 10:44 AM
Apr 2020

is better. I didn’t realize what a difference they made until my first one started to die. It would charge but apparently wasn’t brushing as well. I went to get my teeth cleaned, same hygienist, and it was awful. Talked about it and I got a new electric toothbrush. Hurt for a couple of weeks then fine. Next time I went to the dentist, no problem.

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