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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To brush my teeth twice a day

51 replies

gjkufbb · 22/10/2022 09:03

I brush mine twice a day. DP sometimes does it once every other day. I am just about ready to blow my lid at him

Surely even once a day is better but not doing it before bed then leaving the house the next day without doing it! I'm embarrassed and disgusted.

OP posts:
janeseymour78 · 22/10/2022 10:35

I used to date a gorgeous guy who some months in told me he only brushed once a day as that was all that was 'necessary'. He was a smoker too. Lost his appeal fast...

MissPiggysPinkDress · 22/10/2022 10:41

Luxurysleuth007 · 22/10/2022 09:52

Twice per day and mouth wash after each time too.

If you use mouth wash, it’s better to space it out a bit from your brushing, as you are washing away all the toothpastey goodness.

been told that by several dentists

BoneBonita · 22/10/2022 12:54

Twice a day here, morning and night. Anyone that does it less must have minging breath

LifeSucksBigTime · 22/10/2022 12:58

My bf never cleans his before bed, so only does them in the morning. Annoyingly he’s got really straight, white teeth and has never visited a dentist in his 35 years.

CosyPumpkin · 22/10/2022 12:59

Someone’s being unreasonable here and it’s not you!

Got2besoon · 22/10/2022 13:01

I don't get people who can go without brushing their teeth in the morning. Mine are all furry and gross if I don't brush them right away.

I'll admit I used to be crap at brushing at night too but then had a cavity scare and I'm a definite "twice a day" girl now.

Lurkingandlearning · 22/10/2022 13:19

singleandproud why is it twenty minutes after a meal and not straight after? V interesting 🤔

catlovingdoctor · 22/10/2022 13:22

Luxurysleuth007 · 22/10/2022 09:52

Twice per day and mouth wash after each time too.

You should wait to mouthwash until after lunch or snacks. Using it right after brushing just dilutes the fluoride in the toothpaste, it's almost as bad as rinsing with water after brushing.

catlovingdoctor · 22/10/2022 13:23

Lurkingandlearning · 22/10/2022 13:19

singleandproud why is it twenty minutes after a meal and not straight after? V interesting 🤔

After eating anything the pH of the mouth is reduced (more acidic), which means the teeth are vulnerable to damage if you brush them the first 30 mins after eating.

Clarabellawilliamson · 22/10/2022 13:24

I spoke to my dentist about this, I think there are big individual differences. Some people can get away with brushing less than others before they see dental issues eg gum disease, cavities.

Twice a day for two minutes each time is recommended. Don't rinse the toothpaste off after! Once a day really well is better than a few token swooshes with a brush on two occasions and if it is only once a day then bedtime is better than morning.

Some people get bad breath despite plenty of brushing, others don't. I can't imagine going all day and night without brushing my teeth- They must feel horrible!

Lurkingandlearning · 22/10/2022 13:27

Catlovingdoctor thank you for explaining. That is good to know

cesspoolclowncar · 22/10/2022 13:55

Why are you having a baby with someone so hygienically challenged?

faffadoodledo · 22/10/2022 14:04

I was advised by my dentist to brush before breakfast and my husband sticks to after breakfast. Glad to hear, @catlovingdoctor that I'm right!

BiscuitLover3678 · 22/10/2022 14:04

Some people do it less than twice a day?!?! 🤯

OnTheBrinkOfChange · 22/10/2022 14:10

User135792468 · 22/10/2022 09:05

I do it once a day before leaving the house. If I do it before bed, I wake up with the mist awful taste in my mouth and what feels like furry teeth. It’s hard to explain but I hate it. I grew up doing it twice a day though.

Why don't you just do it a few hours before you go to bed then?

OnTheBrinkOfChange · 22/10/2022 14:12

Dreamingcats · 22/10/2022 09:56

I admit to doing it once a day. I had my first "filling" at over 40 and that was due to wearing away my gums rather than decay in the actual tooth, so I'm not inclined to do it more to minimise further gum wear.

Husband is also once a day, but hypocritically it bothers me because I'm a last thing at night person (so they are clean all night) but he's a morning person (so they're only clean for 10 minutes before breakfast).

Every other day would disgust me.

But if you're not brushing your teeth in the morning, most people would find that disgusting.

Eurydice84 · 22/10/2022 14:13

I brush mine at least twice a day. I am now using whitening toothpaste on top as they are looking a bit less pearly than usual Hmm

sonsmum · 22/10/2022 14:20

brushing teeth twice a day minimum is a must! Visiting a dental hygienist annually is also a recommended activity. They can clean what your toothbrush can't. You can think your teeth are clean, but then a visit for a professional cleaning really shows you the difference. Dental hygiene is really about protecting your gums. All the nasties breeding in your mouth have easy access to your bloodstream through your gums and there is a link with poor dental hygiene and heart disease.

Dreamingcats · 22/10/2022 14:30

OnTheBrinkOfChange · 22/10/2022 14:12

But if you're not brushing your teeth in the morning, most people would find that disgusting.

I know. That's why I said it's hypocritical of me. I'm not fussed by the opinion of strangers. I only have water after doing them at night.

VladmirsPoutine · 22/10/2022 14:36

This is very grim. Brushing at least once a day and showering at least once a day is the bare minimum I'd expect from anybody - especially a partner.

Westendbuoys · 22/10/2022 14:36

Bleurgh.

Has he just recently stopped bothering or has he always been minging?

Beneficialchampion2 · 22/10/2022 14:41

Singleandproud · 22/10/2022 09:11

Twice a day is the bare minimum surely. Anything less than that is disgusting. Really you should do it 20 mins after each meal.

No you absolute should not, you should never brush your teeth within an hour of eating. When you eat the surface level enamel is damaged by food, particularly if acidic, after eating your mouth creates more saliva which coats your teeth and remineralises the enamel to repair any damage caused by eating. Brushing your teeth stops this repair process and long term causes damage.

Also one of the reasons you shouldn't rinse after brushing, tooth paste coats your teeth in fluoride which protects your teeth and remineralises your enamel, rinsing stops this from happening and can leave you prone to decay.

mondaytosunday · 22/10/2022 14:50

Twice a day at least! Ugh - what's his breath like? Does he see a hygienist regularly?

TicTac80 · 22/10/2022 17:21

only once every other day?! That's vile! I brush in the morning, at night (I floss then as well) and take a toothbrush with me in my work bag, so that I can brush my teeth after lunch. Hygienist visit each year and dental check up every 6 months. I do have a bit of phobia of my teeth getting bad though! I've booked my kids in for hygienist visits too. It's so important to look after teeth/mouth/gums.

gjkufbb · 22/10/2022 22:49

mondaytosunday · 22/10/2022 14:50

Twice a day at least! Ugh - what's his breath like? Does he see a hygienist regularly?

Nope never. Can confirm after an extremely long rant today and letting him know it doesn't go unnoticed and if it carries on I will lose my absolute shit. He's said he will do it twice a day now.

We shall see. It's like living with a sodding teenager. I'll drop him back to his mother and tell her it's her problem because it certainly won't be mine!

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