In almost every "lifehacks" thread there's at least one post about flossing your teeth.The thing is, my dentist never talked to me about flossing. Then, once your gums are not HARDCORE AS FUCK because you floss so often, your teeth become healthier for it, and flossing becomes not just a habit but a satisfying sort of thing akin to picking food out of your teeth and/or peeling off skin, to put it in a gross yet apt way. !Same here. Do they work?I'd ask for an AMA, but I think you'd get flooded with requests.
I do the regular routine of brushing and flossing but have gotten a few cavities. When you're older the enamel is generally thicker (this depends a bit on the person), but you need the gums to stay healthy if you want to keep your teeth for 70 years.Damage to enamel isn't reversible, but this isn't the complete picture. I took fluorine tablets as a child. Once it has hardened, your dentist needs to use metal tools and a polisher to carefully remove it.There are little (2-3mm) pockets at the gum line where your tooth enters the gum. I inherited terrible tooth genes from my dad. I would like to expand on point 2 above and explain that some people, let's say about 5% of the population, seem to be fairly immune to periodontal disease either because of their immune system, the bacterial population of their mouths, or a combination of these two factors.Shadowthunder, it also may be a possibility that your gums and teeth are "fine", but could become worse, especially as you age. Is it possible to NEVER get any cavities as long as you properly care for your teeth?
The bacteria produce a film on the teeth (sometimes called plaque). With few exceptions, there is no better cost-effective way to clean out lingering bacteria and food debris from the contact points between your teeth.However, if your diet sucks, or you have defective fillings between your teeth that trap food all the time, or your bacterial levels are unfavorable, then the benefit from the flossing becomes eclipsed by the other negative factors.I've seen lots of patients who pride themselves on having great teeth, only to discover years down the road that they've had cavities festering between their teeth, because they failed to floss throughout their lives.I tell my patients that flossing 3x/week is a minimum level that you should strive for. My ex-bf, however, brushes maybe once a day, doesn't floss and has NO cavities. Also, scolding patients isn't the best way to have a good dentist/patient relationship. Tl;dr at the end For healthy teeth and gums make sure to brush with fluoridated toothpaste 1-2 times/day and floss once a day properly. There is no toothbrush that can do what flossing does. It's just not something that is worth the risk. She, however, told me to use intradental toothbrushes, a thing I have never seen discussed on reddit.Is flossing just an American thing? This is what brushing removes.Over time this film becomes hard (sometimes called tartar) and it can't be removed by brushing. On the other hand, my SO never flosses and seems to have no problems with it.I'm the same way. The issue is that you build up gunk which harbors bacteria. I floss, I use an electric brush, I mouthwash, I never drink soft drinks, and I still get a few small cavities every few months, and my dentist always tells me to "start" doing all the things that I've been doing.Same here. And it should be a thing in every country where people have teeth. When I travel I take floss picks.
How so or how not? All that shit was in there, now it's gone.
Use a soft-bristled brush; electric is good. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts But my sister can go without flossing and even skimp on the brushing and not get a single cavity (much to my frustration).I can't imagine not flossing with braces though... most people I know who did that now have white marks on their teeth. I brush three times daily, use fluoride mouthwash, and floss almost every night, and I've still had a ton of cavities.My sister never even brushes and she has great teeth. More than that won't hurt you, as long as you're doing it properly.I am a dentist as well and agree with AnActualDentist. Baby teeth have quite thin enamel, and we aren't really worried about the gum pockets. (I'll assume that's what it is and not that your dentists seen poor flossing as a way to make more money in the future.) IaMA practicing dentist, and the answer to your question is a little more nuanced and requires more analysis than a simple yes/no. Thanks.IaMA practicing dentist, and the answer to your question is a little more nuanced and requires more analysis than a simple yes/no.The long-term health and success of your teeth and gums depends on 3 factors, akin to a 3-legged stool: (1) Dietary and personal hygiene factors (2) bacterial and genetic factors and (3) success of and quality of professional interventions. Here's a video about how to floss. There is another layer called dentin, which isn't as hard, but which The larger gum pockets can also heal. Some dentists forget who they've told and get tired of repeating themselves.