Tooth Brushing Regimen--what works for you..

[blah114]

ok, weird stuff here. I Am curious to know what works for people herein for teeth, brushing, flossing, etc.. how many times a day? Electric toothbrush? Fluoride? Baking soda.

I use a Sonicare or SMilex toothbrush.. sometimes I use an OralB electric.

I use crest toothpaste.. I also have toothpaste and manual brush at work so I can brush after lunch. Floss too.

before doing the above I had two cavities and it scared me.

I use Dr Ellie's dental "system" as well. For those that don't know, you can google it.. it combines Closys rinse, brushing with Crest or similar, followed by Listerine, followed by ACT rinse... 2x daily. In between she recommends Xylitol mints. Since doing her "system.." my teeth are much stronger, feel better. I also dip my brush heads in Listerine to disinfect them every so often/at least semi daily.

I sometimes use a Waterpik as well, but do so outdoors because water flies everywhere. I also take calcium twice daily too.. just for health benefits.

[Dan Pierce]

We call it a teeth brush in Kentucky cause we brush both of 'em.
dP

[Danny83]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

We call it a teeth brush in Kentucky cause we brush both of 'em.
dP

[etp095]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

We call it a teeth brush in Kentucky cause we brush both of 'em.
dP

People have more eyes than teeth?

[-lenny-]

Dont scrub too hard, or your gums will recede exposing the roots.

Or so I hear.

[blah114]

Originally Posted by -lenny-

Dont scrub too hard, or your gums will recede exposing the roots.

Or so I hear.

with an electric toothbrush I ensure gums get "massaged.." that helps prevent receding.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Sonic care 2x daily
Floss after breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have some in my car.
Colgate tooth paste
I use a tongue cleaner every morning to remove any bacteria
Listerine to disinfect the brush head 3-4 a week and rinse my mouth after brushing
New brush head every 3 months

Always have bottle water available to keep mouth moist to help with any dryness or bacteria
I haven't been with out a bottle of water for 10 years. In the car, walking, shopping everywhere I go. I have a nice RO system in the house so I disinfect the water bottles everyday and buy a 12 pack of new water bottles every month. All Water goes in freezer and I plan ahead so it's still half frozen when I leave the house.

[blah114]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

Sonic care 2x daily
Floss after breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have some in my car.
Colgate tooth paste
I use a tongue cleaner every morning to remove any bacteria
Listerine to disinfect the brush head 3-4 a week and rinse my mouth after brushing
New brush head every 3 months

Always have bottle water available to keep mouth moist to help with any dryness or bacteria
I haven't been with out a bottle of water for 10 years. In the car, walking, shopping everywhere I go. I have a nice RO system in the house so I disinfect the water bottles everyday and buy a 12 pack of new water bottles every month. All Water goes in freezer and I plan ahead so it's still half frozen when I leave the house.

so you take this quite seriously I see. and that's a good thing. disinfecting your brush is vital. but what brush are you using?

Also, you should start trying xylitol mints as well, if you don't mind my suggestion.. xylitol contains birch and people for 100s of years have used birch to prevent tooth or gum issues. Plus it freshens breath without drying mouth.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by blah114

so you take this quite seriously I see. and that's a good thing. disinfecting your brush is vital. but what brush are you using?

Also, you should start trying xylitol mints as well, if you don't mind my suggestion.. xylitol contains birch and people for 100s of years have used birch to prevent tooth or gum issues. Plus it freshens breath without drying mouth.

I'm about to get the a new Sonic care system, I think it comes with the diamond brush heads. I'm not too sure if there're better. I have to read up some more. It comes with brushes so I usually stick with the same type. I remove the brush unit every 2 weeks and tear it down to clean all that gunk out of the inside.

I'm on medication that drys my mouth out, that's why I always have water, that and it's so hot here 7 months non stop. I go to bed with 2 bottles, 1 frozen water so when I wake up it's still cold.

I'm open for suggestions on battery powered brushes that are better then Sonic care.

I'll look into xylitol mints

[barronn30]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

Sonic care 2x daily
Floss after breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have some in my car.
Colgate tooth paste
I use a tongue cleaner every morning to remove any bacteria
Listerine to disinfect the brush head 3-4 a week and rinse my mouth after brushing
New brush head every 3 months

Always have bottle water available to keep mouth moist to help with any dryness or bacteria
I haven't been with out a bottle of water for 10 years. In the car, walking, shopping everywhere I go. I have a nice RO system in the house so I disinfect the water bottles everyday and buy a 12 pack of new water bottles every month. All Water goes in freezer and I plan ahead so it's still half frozen when I leave the house.

Something similar for me too. I use Oral-B 2x a day and I try to floss after each meal.
Plus Listerine total care 2x a day as well.

Had lots of cavities and teeth issues when I was younger because even though I brushed twice every day, I didn't floss and neglected going to dentist for cleaning/check up.

I learned my lesson - just a few extra minutes to clean your teeth can save you the pain/$$ in the future.

[brookish]

Sonicare and Rembrandt toothpaste...

[Kneecough]

I have the sonicare diamond clean I think it is? The black one.

Brush your gum line, more important than the teeth themselves.

Been using sonicare for years and love it, to the point where it feels like a waste of time using a manual toothbrush now.

[GradyPhilpott]

Oral B rechargeable brush

G-U-M PROXABRUSH® GOBETWEENS® cleaners for flossing.

Ultra Brite Advanced Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste, Mint

[Syed117]

Sonicare for me as well.

Usually do two 2.5 minute cycles. Twice a day.

First cycle for the inside, backs. and tops of my teeth. 30 seconds per area. Second cycle for the fronts.

Don't forget to brush your tongue. Especially further back.

[SearChart]

I brush 2 times a day with a regular brush (medium, I don't like those hard brushes), no special toothpaste.
And I use those wooden toothpicks to clean between my teeth instead of floss, can't stand a nylon fishline between my teeth...


I go to the dentist twice a year for a check, never had any issues, just my wisdom teeth removed.

[The Joker]

Brush twice a day, just got a sonicare electric. Floss when I remember.

[daveathall]

Steradent in a glass overnight, rinse in the morning.

[Angrypuppy]

Brush twice sometimes once a day with Crest and a regular tooth brush. Floss a few times a week.

Over 40 and never a cavity.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Angrypuppy

Brush twice sometimes once a day with Crest and a regular tooth brush. Floss a few times a week.

Over 40 and never a cavity.

Same here, cavity free at 48

[crew]

Originally Posted by blah114

I use Dr Ellie's dental "system" as well. For those that don't know, you can google it.. it combines Closys rinse, brushing with Crest or similar, followed by Listerine, followed by ACT rinse... 2x daily. In between she recommends Xylitol mints. Since doing her "system.." my teeth are much stronger, feel better. I also dip my brush heads in Listerine to disinfect them every so often/at least semi daily.

I use an Oral B toothbrush and I love it. When I travel I miss the great job it does and the massage it gives my gums. I changed dentists about 2 years ago and the hygienist asked if I used an electric brush. She said she can often tell by a patient's gums.

On an ironic side note, I have met Dr. Ellie Phillips and she is a bit of a Renaissance woman. Not only is she a talented dentist and entrepreneur (Zellies), she is also a fantastic baker/dessert maker. How good is she? So good that her hobby led her to open a restaurant that is renowned in Rochester NY for their fantastic desserts. The restaurant she owns is called Phillips European. I place an order every Christmas for one of her variety cheesecakes.
I find it ironic that a talented dentist is also a dessert guru. Dr. Ellie is a true artist!

[blah114]

Originally Posted by crew

I use an Oral B toothbrush and I love it. When I travel I miss the great job it does and the massage it gives my gums. I changed dentists about 2 years ago and the hygienist asked if I used an electric brush. She said she can often tell by a patient's gums.

On an ironic side note, I have met Dr. Ellie Phillips and she is a bit of a Renaissance woman. Not only is she a talented dentist and entrepreneur (Zellies), she is also a fantastic baker/dessert maker. How good is she? So good that her hobby led her to open a restaurant that is renowned in Rochester NY for their fantastic desserts. The restaurant she owns is called Phillips European. I place an order every Christmas for one of her variety cheesecakes.
I find it ironic that a talented dentist is also a dessert guru. Dr. Ellie is a true artist!

That's amazing she owns a restaurant. ..

[locutus49]

Brush twice a day with Crest and sometimes a water pick. Also, occasionally brush with a prescription fluoride toothpaste (you leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing).

[Israguard]

1) I floss first
2) then waterpik with warm water and mouthwash in the water
3) then I use my oral b brush

I'm 45 and have barely one cavity. I do this religiously and even travel with a waterpik all over the world.

Flossing and waterpiking are just as if not more important than brushing.

[GB-man]

Morning brush with regular med brush and tom's of Maine toothpaste. Evening floss, brush and rinse.

The fact that so many people skip flossing blows my mind.


I use to religiously use mouthwash and I should bring that back. Been lazy lately lol

[Invictus Maneo]

I brush at least twice a day.
Been using Sonicare for years and I'll never go back to manual brushing.
Waterpik! I LOVE this thing! Even after careful brushing with the Sonicare the Waterpik will dislodge detritus from the teeth and gums. I have it cranked up to "10" so it really blasts away. You have to be careful on that setting because it WILL cut your gums/mouth/tongue. My dental hygienist recommended it and I'm so glad she did! Bought them to give the kids while they're away at school and they both love them. The price of the Waterpik is cheap compared to the dental bill of even one cavity.
Also,to put in another plug for Waterpik, it used to be that when I went to the dentist my hygienist would have a good :45 min of cleaning my teeth. She earned her money when I sat in her chair! and it could get pretty uncomfortable at times, especially with the molars. Now, after using the Waterpik all she pretty much does is poke around my mouth a bit, maybe one or two insignificant scrapes.

[Israguard]

Waterpik is the best invention. And Costco sells them as a 2 pack.. One regular and one travel size. The travel size stays in my suitcase and I use it whenever I'm away from home. The stuff it gets out between your teeth even after you have flossed is incredible. First few uses you may make a slight mess around sink counter.. But then you become a pro.

[blah114]

Originally Posted by Israguard

Waterpik is the best invention. And Costco sells them as a 2 pack.. One regular and one travel size. The travel size stays in my suitcase and I use it whenever I'm away from home. The stuff it gets out between your teeth even after you have flossed is incredible. First few uses you may make a slight mess around sink counter.. But then you become a pro.

when I use a waterpik.. it makes a huge mess. honestly, I go outdoors to use it.. no matter what I do water gets everywhere. and I don't swallow the water.. it just makes a mess.

[PerioBear]

Great thread! As a periodontist, I am impressed with the level of enthusiasm towards oral hygiene displayed in these posts. Keep it up and remember, just floss the ones you want to keep! Happy Holidays.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by PerioBear

Great thread! As a periodontist, I am impressed with the level of enthusiasm towards oral hygiene displayed in these posts. Keep it up and remember, just floss the ones you want to keep! Happy Holidays.

Ok so since you are the guy to ask isn't brushing predominantly for your gums and not really for your teeth? I mean yes not brushing can lead to tooth decay and sugars do promote that process but I haven't used tooth paste in years. I brush with Listerine and have perfect teeth.

[PerioBear]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Ok so since you are the guy to ask isn't brushing predominantly for your gums and not really for your teeth? I mean yes not brushing can lead to tooth decay and sugars do promote that process but I haven't used tooth paste in years. I brush with Listerine and have perfect teeth.

Hey Marc, for most people, brushing and flossing are the means to clean BOTH teeth and into the gum pockets to fight tooth/root decay as well as periodontal disease. Also, for most people, using a toothpaste which contains a variety of ingredients such as fluoride can aid in this fight. However, there are some people like you, who do not seem to be as suscepitble to dental diseases and can get away with less. Hope this helps.