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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dental Hygiene

44 replies

YellowTulips · 13/03/2015 22:20

So been to the dentist today and had my regular session also with the hygienist. All basically ok but....

Was asked how often I use inter dental brushes and answered honestly once a week.

Was told I should use them daily (or floss). AIBU to think this is a bit OTT? Does anyone really do this every day?

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheep · 13/03/2015 22:22

I floss every night yes

MrsFlannel · 13/03/2015 22:23

My Dh does as he had early gum disease. He will lose his teeth if he stops.

Original poster
YellowTulips · 13/03/2015 22:26

I don't have any gum problems and my teeth are good.

I use ID brushes weekly (or if I need to if I can feel something stuck between my teeth). I just thought daily when I don't have any issues was a lot - so really just wondering if I'm the one out of step here Smile

OP posts:
thatstoast · 13/03/2015 22:26

I use interdental brushes daily now as recommended by the hygienist. I had a lot of problems after neglecting my teeth previously and this has really made a difference.

TamzinGrey · 13/03/2015 22:43

ID brushes aren't to get food out. When you brush between your teeth with them they stimulate the blood supply to your gums and knock any diseases on the head at an early stage. I use mine daily having had problems in the past, and my gums and teeth are in great shape now.

viva100 · 13/03/2015 22:46

Yes, I floss every night, without fail. I also use mouthwash (non-alcoholic). Been doing it for 3-4 years (i only used to brush and had loads of cavities as a kid) and I have seen a significant improvement Grin stick to it, it will pay off Smile

Runningupthathill82 · 13/03/2015 23:01

I floss every night too...

PourquoiTuGachesTaVie · 13/03/2015 23:08

Interdent brushes don't fit between my teeth... I can't figure out how to use them.

MrsFlannel · 13/03/2015 23:16

Do they not fit in right by the gums porquoi?

PourquoiTuGachesTaVie · 13/03/2015 23:25

Between my back teeth they do (but it's really fiddly) but not between any of my front teeth, there's no room. I've always wondered how anyone uses them Grin

RealHousewifeOfSheffield · 13/03/2015 23:30

Tepee brushes every night

IPreferCats · 13/03/2015 23:39

I floss every night too. Couldn't imagine not doing it - I eat loads of nuts and for some reason they really clog up my teeth! If I flossed only weekly it would be disgusting in there. It only takes a minute or two. It really is amazing what lurks in between your teeth......unless it's just me?!

steff13 · 14/03/2015 00:01

I floss every night. There's always stuff in there regular brushing can't reach. Flossing helps prevent cavities between your teeth.

FayKnights · 14/03/2015 00:15

I recently bought a waterpik which is a mini gum jet washer, it's excellent and cleans between teeth really thoroughly.

fluffymouse · 14/03/2015 00:35

I never floss, and often only brush my teeth once a day.

I don't have a single filling.

HappydaysArehere · 14/03/2015 00:53

Only problem I have from time to time is when the interdental brush comes away from the spike it is attached to. Have had a real problem getting it out from my gums/teeth. Agree flossing is necessary. If I don't do every day a rotten smell appears on the floss. When growing up many years ago no one mentioned flossing. I had lots of teeth trouble which I am sure was down to not using floss, interdental brushes and mouth washes.

differentnameforthis · 14/03/2015 01:58

The interdental brushed remove soft plaque build up in between the teeth. If left the soft plaque turn to calculus (hard deposits) and can irritate the gum & cause bone loss.

TamzinGrey · 14/03/2015 02:11

Pourquoi they come in different colour coded sizes - some are really tiny and will fit into the narrowest of gaps. Have a look in Boots.

Stinkersmum · 14/03/2015 07:49

I use tepe brushes and a water flosser every day. The amount of food that the water flosser dislodges is incredible. Makes me feel sick to think it might have been stuck between my teeth all night. Gross.

Suzannewithaplan · 14/03/2015 08:02

I use a waterpik daily, I feel that using it more than once per day might irritate my gums (?)
Now wondering if I should I use interdental brushes aswell, or is the waterpik? alone enough?

Stinkersmum · 14/03/2015 08:06

I use both on recommendations of my dentist.

TheHappinessTrap · 14/03/2015 08:06

Maybe this is another one for genetics, my teeth are great and I use a normal toothbrush once or up to three times a day depending on how I feel. Aside from a freak out with sweets when i was about 26/27 resulting in a few cavities my teeth are in v good condition.

GoooRooo · 14/03/2015 08:11

Porquoi I can't use the brushes either - my bottom front teeth are too crowded. I use dental tape instead and that works fine. I floss on w a day and brush teeth twice a day but I do find flossing a chore.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 14/03/2015 08:17

perfect brushing removes 60% of the bacteria at the gum line. The other 40% grows in between the teeth. It takes around 2-3 days for that bacteria to calcify into calculus/tartar. Once that happens you can't remove it. Plus it smells.

Dental Hygiene
NoArmaniNoPunani · 14/03/2015 08:24

Between my back teeth they do (but it's really fiddly) but not between any of my front teeth, there's no room. I've always wondered how anyone uses them

Whenever I see someone who says they don't have room between their teeth to floss it's because they have calculus (hardened bacteria) blocking the spaces. Once it's removed they have spaces again. It's amazing how many people don't realise that their teeth shouldn't be joined together with calculus.

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