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Health

Teeth cleaning routine.

(34 Posts)
NanKate Mon 01-Dec-14 22:27:18

I find it hard to clean my teeth for the recommended 2 minutes and usually only manage one and a half minutes. I am impatient to get get on.

I clean my teeth 2 to 3 times a day, flossing and using those little brushes to stick between my teeth. However, I still find that they sometimes get a bit scummy behind my front lower teeth and then I have to start scraping and cleaning.

What teeth cleaning routine do you have ?

J52 Tue 02-Dec-14 18:10:53

Electric toothbrush and little interdental brushes. I am constantly reminded of the Pam Ayres poem "I wish I had looked after my teeth" . x

kittylester Tue 02-Dec-14 18:10:20

I use a disposable battery operated one, plus 'bottle' brushes. I used to use a sonic flossing thingy but the hygienist said it wasn't doing a very good job. blush

NanKate Tue 02-Dec-14 17:23:11

I too am an addict using brushes 3 sizes, plastic toothpicks called interdent I think, and flossing tape, plus a rather old metal thing from a manicure set to scrape off any yukky bits.

I felt mortified when the washing machine man handed me about 4 of the tooth picks which had made the machine rattle. shock

hildajenniJ Tue 02-Dec-14 17:10:38

I had a sonic toothbrush which paused every thirty seconds. Unfortunately I cannot find new heads for it anywhere, so have gone back to a manual one. I count up to thirty front and back, bottom and top and hope that suffices.

Ana Tue 02-Dec-14 16:31:47

smile

grannyactivist Tue 02-Dec-14 16:31:46

blush I have - used my little brushes at the table, I mean. Discreetly of course, very discreetly. (Hangs head in shame and whips brush out of mouth.)blush

thatbags Tue 02-Dec-14 16:27:32

Discreetly, with a cocktail stick, hidden behind your other hand (the one not wielding the cocktail stick) is not yuk. Everybody did that in Thailand, at the table. Rice is terrible for getting stuck between teeth. Once picked out you swallow it, of course. Nothing yuk about it.

loopylou Tue 02-Dec-14 16:26:33

Also use (different!) interstitial brush to clean hearing aids.......just make sure don't mix them up (ughhhh!)

Ana Tue 02-Dec-14 16:22:51

It isn't a dirty secret, grannyactivist, it's a very clean onetchgrin

Anyway, people used to use toothpicks all the time, even at the table...yuk! I'm sure you don't do that.

grannyactivist Tue 02-Dec-14 16:20:05

Oh Tegan I'm so glad that I'm not alone. Everybody else who knows my dirty secret thinks I'm in need of help! (Except for my hygienist who shares and applauds my habit.) grin

loopylou Tue 02-Dec-14 16:19:18

Just wondering if you have missing teeth (just back from dentist minus 2 teeth, numb mouth and drooling very unattractively) does relying on timer mean the remaining teeth get brushed twice as long? Love electronic toothbrush and interstitial brushes, have wondered about the sonic type, are they any good or better?

Tegan Tue 02-Dec-14 14:10:19

Be careful jings; it's a slippery slope......shock

Teetime Tue 02-Dec-14 14:09:09

I have an electric toothbrush but the sonic ones are different - I'm told more efficient.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 02-Dec-14 13:59:11

grin

I wonder if I could learn to love them too. Would please the hygienist.

Tegan Tue 02-Dec-14 13:56:41

My name is Tegan and I'm a interedental brush addict blush.I take them with me if I'm having a meal out so that I don't spend the rest of the day walking around smiling at people with cabbage stuck to me teeth. There's something quite cute about the way that they come in nice colours and have that little plastic case that they slip into.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 02-Dec-14 13:34:28

very similar, if not the same, one to mine here on half price offer

You are all very good!

My teeth are getting wider apart. Trying to fill gaps I guess.

Ana Tue 02-Dec-14 13:31:09

I use the blue ones (very small gaps) and must admit I'd hate to be without them now - but only at bedtime! grin

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 02-Dec-14 13:28:52

(you are very good and I'm sure your dentist approves)

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 02-Dec-14 13:28:24

shock How can you be addicted to those flippin' things?!!!

grin

grannyactivist Tue 02-Dec-14 12:23:36

Electric toothbrush with timer. Floss. And I must confess: my name is grannyactivist and I am addicted to interdental brushes. blush
Yes, honestly I've nearly always got one with me - they're in my pockets (frequently fished out of the washing machine), my handbags, my washbag, in a little pot in the sitting room, ditto on the bookshelf. I have two sizes (*orange and yellow) and there is just something about them that I find irresistable.
(*For those who don't know the colour is related the the gauge of the brush.)

harrigran Tue 02-Dec-14 12:14:18

A couple of years ago I had an electric toothbrush that was extremely expensive but then found one in Aldi for about £15, guess which one lasted the longest ?
My teeth seem to be getting closer together and it makes the use of the inter-dental brushes very difficult. Floss only at bedtime otherwise I wouldn't have any gums left.

NanKate Tue 02-Dec-14 11:22:31

Whitewave I have the same problem.

Do look at my response to your comment on 'Remember Me' Whitewave.

Ana Tue 02-Dec-14 11:08:42

I'm pretty sure I didn't pay anything like that for mine! It was several years ago - probably had a Boots electrical money-off voucher at the time.

Mishap Tue 02-Dec-14 11:05:07

£79.99 for a toothbrush! - phew!

whitewave Tue 02-Dec-14 10:44:16

Yes I have an electric toothbrush and little flossing brushes. I have my teeth cleaned and polished every 3 months and there is always plaque at the back of the front teeth however much I concentrate on them. Any ideas anyone?