Do You ACTUALLY Know How to Brush Your Teeth?

Daniel Plainview on 21/07/2022 - 17:54
Last edited 21/07/2022 - 17:55

Hi,

I'm nearing 50yrs old and ya know you THINK you know how to do a lot of stuff - but I happened across this article from the BBC a few days ago and upon looking into it realised I have never even known how to brush my teeth correctly!

This video, which is linked in the BBC article is perhaps the best I've seen for explaining and showing the technique thats regarded as best - Bass/Modified Bass.

I'd always just done the back and forth or round in circles technique - which is apparently for teaching kids only! No dentists have ever told me about these. But after a few days use it's noticeable how much superior it is and it truly makes sense.

Anyway I post up as dental issues are (as the article states) more important than many would think and prevention is truly better than treatments, when issues arise.

So make sure you don't avoid checkups/periodic cleans - atleast annually.

And try to use a toothpaste that has fluoride present completely or partially as Stannous Fluoride (some of Oral-B's ProHealth range is the main one that has this - YOU MUST check the active ingredients to be sure!). It's superior to the much more common Sodium Fluoride - DYOR.

Get a good brush, change it's heads regularly and don't press too hard.

I also found just recently that you can buy the same Fluoride treatment that dentists use on Ebay - along with the mouthtrays to put it in. Is 100% safe and easy way to ensure your enamel is optimised. Cost me about $85 delivered for enough for 450ml - likely enough for 50 treatments+. Dentist I only recently saw was $45 for 1 treatment ($15 gap for me).

We're on rainwater so no fluoride in our water - hence this might be extra handy and I have a few problem areas in my mouth so will use every 3-6mths. But for families this can be a big saver.

Hope this helps as it's fine to shrug off dental stuff - but when you need that filling you REALLY regret it.
:-)

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 21/07/2022 - 18:23

    I must brush my teeth pretty well as I have never had a cavity or filling and have been told I am allowed to keep my wisdom teeth if I keep them as clean as I have been. And she explained that its common to get cavities on them when they are only partially out of the gum because bacteria hide on the tooth underneath the gum flap. Like the article says, the edge of the gum is the most important bit

  • MrThing on 21/07/2022 - 18:54
    +1

    you use a manual brush?

    anyone who doesnt use an electric brush is clueless

    also all toothpaste with whitening is a marketing gimmick

    • poboy on 21/07/2022 - 19:14
      +2

      It depends on the whitening active ingredient. Hydrogen peroxide will work at low levels, just takes a longer period of time.

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/07/2022 - 21:02

      @MrThing good point I thought I stated this but yes, you're correct everyone should give strong consideration to a good electric TB. I've had a crapload - from the top of range Oral-B's back in the old days when they were $150/handle - to cheapies. Generally all the rotate head Oral-B's, a lithium one is the current daily driver.

      Also have a chinese 'sonic' style one - that I didn't mind but the wife disliked - so I put that away for use down the track - but it's pretty good, just different from the rotating head style of the Oral-B's.

      • MrThing on 22/07/2022 - 07:23

        yep i just have a cheapy oral B one which was like 30bucks on sale. I guess like any brush the trick is to ensure you change heads once they are fubar

  • pharkurnell on 21/07/2022 - 19:20

    Watched a university of UTube video to teach me…

  • simplystu on 21/07/2022 - 20:11

    read OP's post, but didn't read the attached clips.

    Firstly - using an electric toothbrush requires a different technique/method of "brushing" than a manual toothbrush.
    Both methods can give same amount of clean "if done correctly".

    My dentist used to always pull me up when went in for my 6 monthly checkups (even after 8+ years of switching to an electric) …. those here that have grown up using manual toothbrushes for majority of life probably coped same amount of flack - need to learn a different technique.

    As to how to correctly brush/clean all around teeth/gums - dentist ALWAYS seems to remind me at every visit.
    So dentist is probably better way to learn than online.

    LASTLY - don't forget your daily flossing … (as I keep getting reminded at every visit) - which seems to slip out of my dental rituals only 1 week later.

    • Daniel Plainview on 21/07/2022 - 21:06

      LASTLY - don't forget your daily flossing … (as I keep getting reminded at every visit) - which seems to slip out of my dental rituals only 1 week later.

      Yes, we floss daily, only at evening brush but if you look into it studies have shown that it's indeterminate if flossing does more good or harm. The thought is that likely worth doing but it's not the clear cut thing you'd expect and many dentists will actually say not to - and a proper brushing technique will suffice. So IMHO combining the two is better yet.

    • MrThing on 22/07/2022 - 07:24

      I swapped from manual to electric mainly because of my method of brushing was causing gum recession…..I was being to aggressive when brushing.

      I use Piksters vs normal flosh, much easier to use and get right up the back of the mouth. I realise they are more expensive, but they are worth the price

      • Daniel Plainview on 22/07/2022 - 08:36

        Yes, we've some interdental brushes similar to those - though we don't like them too much - just use regular floss. I also have a Panasonic water flosser - but haven't used that for quite a while. If you hit your gum it will often make it bleed, such is its force.

        Seriously this Bass/bass modified technique I can see why you could get away with not flossing or much less if you did it correctly vs the back and forth & round and round style that I used to use and am sure most people do as well.

  • djones145 on 21/07/2022 - 22:03
    -1

    do u use oral - B?

    9 out of 10 dentist used oral -b

    u ain't brushing if you don't use oral -b

  • [Deactivated] on 22/07/2022 - 10:18

    Water flossing is the way to go…
    https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSRLWaey2/?k=1

    • Daniel Plainview on 22/07/2022 - 10:56

      As mentioned I've got and used one (Panasonic) found it very hard on your gums. Hopefully better for you, assume you have one also? If so which?

  • Eatslikeacat on 22/07/2022 - 11:30

    TV commercials taught me that I need to put a big line of toothpaste on my brush so that I run out faster and they sell more toothpaste. My dentist told me I just need a smear. For Prime Day this year I got the Oral-B Pro electric toothbrush to replace my cheapo Oral-B electric toothbrush. I mainly wanted the pressure sensor as my dentist said I was pressing too hard. I didn't like the pressure sensor feature at all, it took a lot of pressure before it would trigger the red light. My dentist said to hold the brush like a pen so that I didn't press too hard. I floss first, use an item like pickster, then do the 2 minute brush. I brush like the diagrams show in the Oral-B instruction manual. I go to the dentist every 6 months for a scale, clean, and checkup. I know people who have gone through misery because they did not look after their teeth so I look after my teeth. I think a lot of people don't realise how important dental health is until something goes wrong.

    • Daniel Plainview on 22/07/2022 - 13:37

      FWIW industry papers and dental associations I believe say a 'pea' sized amount of TP is recommended - I think your 'smear' dentist is a frugal bugger, he's likely on OzB somewhere! ;-)

  • the Unforgiven on 22/07/2022 - 17:27

    I am old and still have most of my teeth. Lost 3 recently when 1 root canal tooth died after a few decades. I had to have 2 molars taken out as the dentist told me they have holes in them, I said fill 'em up, he said the holes are too big; I said why didn't I feel pain from them & the dentist didn't know. But I go to the dentist to complain that all my teeth hurt. It turns out me brushing them for 15 minutes before each night is too much, who knew. I was told by the dentist this year to do small circles when I brush with my Oral-B, but I forgot to ask her, do I circle fast or slow? I will have to watch Nikko's video to see if it shows me. p.s. I also lost 2 teeth from a black belt decades ago

    • Daniel Plainview on 22/07/2022 - 20:29

      You might have to watch the entire video as there's about 10 techniques in it - and some of them are for folks with specialist dental needs - so one of the other ones might suit you best.

      Only Brown Belts for you from now on. :-)

      • the Unforgiven on 22/07/2022 - 21:26

        I already downloaded the video to watch later, watching NXT ATM :)

        I prefer clear in the form of moonshine, but my gut is producing too much acid & the valve on top of my gut is stuffed, so a lot comes up - I hate the taste of bile, that is why I started to eat lollies :p

        I front inside of my top teeth are wearing away, more like chipping away from acid eating it; I finally got given something that will help - Tooth Mousse +. I will try that mouthguard & dental fluoride gel, it can't hurt

        I got put on the waiting list a few months ago to fix all my teeth at once, they won't do one at a time as it is not classed as urgent unless it causes pain; the receptionist told me they started on 2018 not long ago :(

        Actually, I drink apple cider now (that is brown), something about the size of my liver; doctors worry too much. I had a specialist look at me trying to find why I had internal bleeding!. He couldn't find it, so I told him not to worry, wait till I die then you can do an autopsy on me :) You know, he never smiled. No sense of humour :p

        • Daniel Plainview on 23/07/2022 - 07:31
          +1

          Hmmm well I'm sorry to hear that FWIW based on my knowledge;
          - sugar free sweets will lessen the acid that comes in the 5min after you eat them, the acid will along with the normal bacteria in your mouth - damage the enamel coating in your teeth.

          • so sugarfree or cut back or swish your mouth with water - but acid in mouth is no good

          • the fluoride treatment will strengthen what enamel is there - for you I'd suggest as you're older and it sounds bad - you could try doing monthly - as there's very little downside to it - just ensure you spit out totally after use and nothing to eat or drink for 30-60mins after.

          • try and use those Oral-B pro health toothpastes, Stannous fluoride complex they use is much better for situations like yours than regular sodium fluoride

          • Perhaps also consider a specialist mouth wash to counter the acid - you could probably EASILY cobble up some baking soda solution thats dissolved - and add a little mouthwash to make it minty - you're going to have a mildly alkaline solution - put in a bottle and if you notice the acid - just garge or swish a little of that and spit out - taste of the bile should be negated and acid will be neutralised. And will cost you peanuts. :-)

          Hope that helps a little. :-)

          • the Unforgiven on 23/07/2022 - 14:22

            @Daniel Plainview: Cooee Nikko, thank you
            Is sugar acid? I love those acid drops for $7/kilo, nice & cheap for a pensioner. I do drink a lot of iced water, but my Nephrologist said I should only drink 1500ml a day! No way hosay. I am thirsty all the time. I have done what doctors said all my life & look what it has done, stuff it; I am having my iced water & acid drops (I only started eating lollies 9 years ago & I don't drink 1234 bottles of home-brewed beer a year anymore; so I am doing better I thought). Sugar free lollies cost so much, I prefer my acid drops at $7/kilo. I can't afford them all the time. I used to chew my PK Blue all the time, but they don't make them anymore, so I am a bit lost without them :( I tried Juicy Fruit, but they lose flovour so quick. Mentos sugar free grape is much better, but I forget I have it. I bought 30 pkts of PK normal & I will get into it when I drink my cider, then I will slow down & stop the acid trip, I mean drops :p

            I have been using Sensodyne toothpaste. I tried the new 'comlete', but that has only 1100ppm floride & I thought it wasn't stopping the teeth regression. So I went to my other Sensodyne I had, 'Rapid' & that has 1425ppm floride, and that seems to do better. I just have to try to brush my teeth faster. I will definately try the flouride treatment that you suggestested. Thank you kindly. I have already put those 2 items in my watch list & when I have money, I will get them.

            Are those Oral-B pro health toothpastes good for sensitive teeth? Sensodyne has Stannous fluoride in it

            I was told by a dentist that it didn't matter how many lollies I ate in the day, she looked at me sideways, just as long as I brush very well before I go to bed.

            I just read the last paragraph and my eyes light up, or could it be the Hawks scored their first goal of the game via Jack Gunstan; carn the Hawks. But seriously, I do like that idea of that baking soda & a bit of mouth wash; both of which I already put behind me on the counter, just need a container. What a brilliant idea 99. Found containers.
            Hawks got 8 in the 1st quarter :)

            • Daniel Plainview on 23/07/2022 - 15:01

              @the Unforgiven: Happy to help. Just quickly.
              - I believe eating just about anything but particularly sugar elevates mouth acid level - but feel free to check, thats why they recommend sugar free options AFTER eating e.g gum

              • regardless of what the acid drops vs sugar free are per/kg - what're your teeth per kg worth? ;-)

              • I don't have sensitive teeth so unsure but from when I looked into it for my wife and had a sensitive spot myself the main thing in them is extra fluoride - which I know from experience if you put high fluoride paste (as I have some) on a sensitive spot - it tends to neutralise the problems from it - atleast sensitivity wise.

              • you're getting some dud advice from your dentists, like every other profession there are good ones and bad ones - hate to break it but lolly eatting all day just to brush your teeth at the end of it is NOT a good plan.

              • that mouthwash was just off the top of my head but it SHOULD work and I can see see no downsides to it - as I said it's a combo of weak mouthwash, water and bicarb of soda - should be mildly alkaline, cheap and can't do any harm but SHOULD HELP.

              Thanks for your kind words, hope it assists in some small manner :-)

              • the Unforgiven on 23/07/2022 - 16:44
                +1

                @Daniel Plainview: Cooee Nikko
                Where I go to the dentist, there are a number of themand it changes all the time. Like there was one last year and I told him that some of my teeth are feling chalky, he felt them with his finger but it had rubber gloves still on and they were a little moise from being in my mouth before. I knew his words were no good. I had no chips in my teeth them,now my 2 top front have them a bit hollw out and they are shorter by a few mm's. I can still chomp into an apple or an icy pole, that is all that matters.

                Maybe if I ate more than having just one meal a day, I would eat less lollies. I just go through phases, so I will stop soon & go back to my usual fare which is chewy. I got used to 1 meal a day & that was about 6pm. I eat lollies before & icy poles after. I wonder what a dietian would think of my diet?

                But using that fluoride mouthguard every month, or week will help greatly (thank you). Plus the alkaline mouthwash (thank you). I used to have such perfect teeth. Just a couple of years ago, the dentists were full of praise for me about my teeth. Now the acid from the bile has started to take its toll after all these years. It is time to fight back

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