How often do you brush your teeth?

[tarallucci]

The doctor says that they should be brushed after every meal, however I usually brush them twice a day after the main meals. Sometimes I brush my teeth after having had breakfast when I know that I will be out for the whole day and after dinner if it's been a messy one
But I have seen people brushing them before breakfast and I don't see the point in that as they would eat a croissant or something else covered with sugar and drink coffee seconds later.

Do you think there is a difference between the expensive paste, mouthwash, toothbrush and the cheap ones?
I can get 500ml of mouthwash for 1€ and there's the 500ml one that costs 5€. It probably lasts longer but is it worth it spending all that money?

Do you carry a portable brush when you're not at home?

It is recommended to perform an "up and down" movement to brush properly, not a circular one, but how do you do that on the back of your teeth? I find it a bit difficult, I don't always brush the inner side of the arches actually, if anything I just do it very quickly.

 

[rareboy]

I use an electric tooth brush 2x a day with just a soft brush and piks through the day to remove any little sweaters on my teeth.

And yes...we all should floss more.

 

[sixthson]

Take a lesson from Vannie and brush and floss often or you, too, will find your teeth in a glass every night.

 

[peeonme]

Twice a day, sometimes more if my mouth gets a bad taste.

 

[kallipolis]

Once daily otherwise also daily, a pinch of salt in water makes an effective mouth, and teeth cleaner...swill, and spit out...

I prefer using a wooden tooth pick, to flossing....

 

[HoodedRat]

I brush my teeth twice a day ... but I am never sure if I am doing it correctly.

No one seems to be able to agree whether the motion should be up and down, side to side, or circular: dental opinion seems to change almost every week.

Also, brushing too soon after meals is considered bad for the enamel ... but waiting too long after eating before brushing gives bacteria time to build up.

I have also read that flossing is good for the teeth, but bad for the gums.

Etc, etc, etc.

As for what toothpaste to use: it's a minefieild ... many toothpastes contain sugar, fluoride, and various other odd chemical ingredients I never know what stuff to buy.


The 'science' behind the 'correct' way to clean your teeth seems to depend almost entirely on who funded the research.


Edit: I've used an electric brush for... but apparently manual brushing is more effective.

 

[vacancy3]

Twice a day, sometimes more if my mouth gets a bad taste.

Same here...

 

[zoltanspawn]

After having periodontal disease from not flossing enough, I became a regular flosser (once daily) years ago. The inflammation disappeared and my gums tightened up around my teeth. I have one stubborn area that hasn't gotten any better, but it hasn't gotten any worse either. I'm a successful flossing convert.

I brush twice daily and a third time with a prescription toothpaste from 3M. The prescription toothpaste has extra fluoride and some other property meant to help re-mineralize your teeth. A couple small plates of enamel chipped off during a cleaning a year ago, exposing the dentin, so the prescription toothpaste is supposed to help with that.

 

[Cormac135]

Twice a day, and flossing whenever i remember.

 

[unloadonme]

Three times a day usually. I keep a toothbrush and toothpaste at work to use after lunch when I remember. I use an electric toothbrush at home on the recommendation of my dentist.

 

[JohnnyAnger]

Twice a day normally, sometimes three after lunch if I feel it's needed.

 

[jaysizzles]

At least 2x a day...mostly 3x if I'm heading out for an afternoon meeting (working from home makes it convenient) and/or an evening event. I use mouthwash/oral rinse before bed, after I brush.

I'm bad about flossing...at least 1x a week.

 

[medic1]

Three times a day, though after every meal i will rinse my mouth out with a good mouthwash.

 

[Vannie]

I put mine in the dishwasher at night.

 

[mikemizanin729]

I brush them three times a day with an organic toothpaste because the ones in the supermarket give me sore gums.

Some kind of allergy.

 

[Alnitak]

It's considered a nasty habit I know but picking your teeth is a good practice.

 

[tarallucci]

Take a lesson from Vannie and brush and floss often or you, too, will find your teeth in a glass every night.

I put mine in the dishwasher at night.

Oh God, Vannie why? Too many pieces of cabbage stuck between your teeth?

Nobody uses these?