I’m a dental hygienist... go on then ask away..

[Heatherjayne1972]

Been a hygienist over 20 years
In lots of different practices

Well the mouthwash comment comes from someone who knows far far more than I do - like I said
I agree in general although if you had a mouthful of decaying teeth a fluoride rinse could help address it - not a cure tho
Some rinses can help ( not cure) with some oral conditions
But generally it’s pretty colour water. Doesn’t get inbetween or under the gum margin
Trouble is people think they don’t have to floss or bottle brush because they rinse
Very very much not true

Is the occaisional fag bad for teeth? Say a few times a year.

@coughy
Speaking from my own experience most dentist are highly professional and would drink in moderation and are massively aware that they must uphold the standards of their profession -
I don’t drink at all personally

People don’t floss for a variety reasons - don’t want to / can’t be bothered/ teeth to tight/ can’t see why they should/ nothing happens if they don’t / many many excuses out there
The bottom line is this. I can show you how.and Tell you why but if you chose not to then that is your choice and should there consequences like gum disease or tooth loss then there’s no one else to blame

No I rarely floss ! But I bottle brush several times a day- every day

Should you brush before or after breakfast?
I have a never ending debate with my husband about it!

The thing about smoking is that it doesn’t seem to matter how much you smoke It’s terrible for gums
Gum disease is not truly resolved until you’re a total non smoker

I just want to say thank you so much for starting this thread and for answering my silly questions i loved it

@HIRHJ
Latest thinking says before

No such thing as a silly question

When you say bottle brush you mean tepe? I cant get the smallest interdental brush up and down between my teeth.... i can insert it by the gumline but cant wigle it up!

I use the oral b ribbon one.

Great post - thankyou!
What age should children start flossing? Would you recommend bottle brush or flossing for children too?

What do you think of coconut oil pulling? I do it once a day in the morning and it made my teeth whiter!

Coconut oil pulling is a bit woo
But doesn’t do any harm.
Tepee brushes are like tiny bottle brushes they are supposed to go in and out not up and down!! Maybe ask your hygienist to show you

@reaandcrisps
We were taught that children don’t have the dexterity until they’re around 14. I would ask your dentist/ hygienist for advice on what’s best
You have to be careful with children’s gums because the teeth might still be coming through
As mum concentrate on good regular brushing and healthy diet

Bottle brush? Do people really call interdental brushes 'bottle brushes'? I see the similarity in shape, but there the similarity ends. Never heard of this before!

Ive never heard of interdentals called bottle brush before either

@ molly
In dentistry everything has several names ! Tepees are bottlebrushs. Interdental interspace microbrushes
Sticks. All sorts of names
Parents get very confused

As do I when when the patient says ‘I use those stick thing's and
I have to guess what they mean

Sorry me again op!

If you have just mostly using bottle brushes then how is the upper between teeth area cleaned? So the tepe cleans the bottom third between teeth but what about the top 2 thirds?

The point of the tepe is to get in between the teeth and clean the gum margin
Your toothbrush will do the rest

Thank you

No problem. Might be good to get your own hygienist to show you in the mirror

Just found tepee on eBay! New world! Never used them do which size should I try for tight unflossed teeth? 😳. Also my teeth and guns are very receded and very very sensitive at the top by the gum. What can I do? I'm too scared to see the hygienist as touching the top of my teeth is so sensitive!!

Oo Io good thread!
I like the idea if a weekly floss then building up that's genius - I normally floss like mad for a few weeks after visiting my hygienist then it feels like life is too short!

I have small gaps between my teeth and have found the taped oralB floss works well - and the tiniest size brushes for some teeth are ok - Andy tip is to get in the back ones sometimes I need to go from behind the teeth, I.e. in my mouth - rather than from infront of my teeth iyswim.

My questions are:

Do tongue scrapers work or is brushing your tongue just as effective?

Is a saltwater rinse a good idea / good habit to get into?

My 18yr old DD has terrible breath. She uses an electric toothbrush and ultra Dec mouthwash. What else can she try? She has an appointment with the hygienist this month. The doctor has checked for tonsil stones. My younger DD has the same diet and no bad breath. I don't think she is great st flossing. Should I be pushing this more?