Info you can maybe use: Flossing vs. Interdental Brushes

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Thursday, December 18. 2014

Info you can maybe use: Flossing vs. Interdental Brushes

Had to visit my friendly local dentist early this morning for what I term a "cosmetic emergency." Mrs. BD did not want me going through the rest of the holiday season looking like a Halloween pumpkin - or like a visitor from England (famous for its rotten and/or missing teeth).

He did give me one tip while I was there: he advised me to use interdental brushes instead of flossing. He said they are best for your gums, and clean better between teeth.

They come in different sizes to fit your tooth spacing. These things are news to me. I always avoided flossing and these are easier to use. He gave me a demo.

Posted by Bird Dog in Medical, Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 13:42 | Comments (9) | Trackbacks (0)

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Try Sonicare Airfloss. It beats the rest.

#1 Ace Kelly on 2014-12-18 13:45 (Reply)

Unless you have implants. I thought, good news, perhaps I'll use that. I did and in a week I had an expensive infection in the gum around two implants. Turns out, the interface between the gum and the implants is not the same as that on live teeth and the food was being driven into the gum.

#1.1 JKB on 2014-12-18 22:44 (Reply)

BTW, when I discussed the Airfloss with my hygienist, she related that her kids had discovered its utility for blasting Coca Cola into their mouths.

#1.2 JKB on 2014-12-18 22:47 (Reply)

Huh. I went for regular dental visit this morning too. Must have walked right past you.

I floss pretty regularly. I've had a couple of good dentists explain to me the objective (both agreed w/ each other) and it seems pretty straightforward.

Perhaps these provide an incremental improvement, but the big gain comes from actually doing something.

#2 DrTorch on 2014-12-18 14:08 (Reply)

"Man, i can smell your teeth a mile away."

I'm at a loss
As to why
You don't floss?

The green stuff is moss
'Cause you ain't
Scrapin' that dross.

#3 tennesered on 2014-12-18 18:50 (Reply)

I hated flossing b/c after braces my teeth were pretty tightly packed together, and I would end up with small strings of floss stuck between my teeth. Ick!

My hygienist told me about the dental brushes about 18 months ago. I loved them. I used them daily. I thought, "Great, I can do this instead of flossing!" Then, at my cleaning about 6 months ago, my hygienist asked about my flossing. I told her I was using the dental brushes regularly...and she told me that was not enough!? And that I still needed to floss...? Huh?

Please tell me I don't need to do both! Ever since she told me that, I have lost my dental brush enthusiasm thinking it was not doing me as much good as I thought and that I was just wasting my time. ARGH.

#4 MissT on 2014-12-19 01:03 (Reply)

Yes, it is terrible when you have to floss to get the floss you have left between your teeth. I know the feeling.

Get some Glide. Works wonders for those hard to get at, tightly jammed together teeth. Be careful as it does shred easily but with a little practice you will find flossing a much easier task.

I just don't see how a brush can remove yesterday's lunch from betwixt one's teef.

red

#4.1 tennesered on 2014-12-19 09:22 (Reply)

Thanks for the Glide suggestion. I have used that in the past...but then you have the new and fun problem of a spattered mirror! Gross.

The brushes are really awesome. But still confused as to whether or not it can be used as a 'replacement' for flossing or merely an additional tool.

#4.1.1 MissT on 2014-12-19 16:18 (Reply)

Dental hygiene is by its very nature gross! Do you brush your tongue? Now, that's gross, but an important part of any good dental plan.

My suggestion? Don't floss in front of the mirror. I am such a simple fool, aren't I?

I don't understand how you can use a brush (or a toothpick) to remove all the particulate matter jammed between your pearlies; and get sufficiently down to below the gum line to remove all of that ick.

Glide. Brush. Mouthwash. Twice a day. Chew sugarless gum. Don't chew tobacco. Now you are good to go.

Take care of your oral orifice and it'll take care of you!

#4.1.1.1 tennesered on 2014-12-19 20:02 (Reply)

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Thursday, December 18. 2014

Info you can maybe use: Flossing vs. Interdental Brushes