Do you floss?

Valentino · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:40

I recently changed dentists, and this new one said I should floss, I also got my teeth polished, something I've never had done at my other dentists, is this standard practise and something my other dentist just couldn't be bothered to do?

I got some floss from tesco, I was pleasantly surprised to see it is actually quite cheap, I used it this morning, although I'm dubious as to what it actually did, it didn't really seem to do anything :confused:

neil3k · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:44

Participant · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:46

Hygienist normally does the polishing, I see the hygienist straight after the dentist normally. Probably a clever way for dentists to eek out a better living but it bothers me not, as it's paid for anyway.

My hygienist always insists I floss. I never do, again the cynic in me says they just want to sell more accessories. They say floss before brushing your teeth and move the floss to each side on each tooth. I seriously cba, would take me ten minutes to do that each morning and night.

I think it dislodges muck that gathers around the hard-to-reach areas of your teeth, that the toothbrush struggles to effect. But I've never done it and don't have any problems, clean bill at the last checkup.

platypus · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:48

I floss my lower front teeth, because they're a bit crooked and my toothbrush just can't get into some of the spaces between them.

And ten minutes? It takes me about 3 minutes to clean my teeth, including flossing and mouthwash.

Cosimo · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:48

No but I occasionally use toothpicks.

lcg · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:49

If your gums didn't bleed then that's a good thing.

I'm always told to floss but I rarely do it. I should do it more often though. I do see the hygienist once a year to polish my teeth.

radderfire · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:51

I floss each night. It helps to remove the plaque (bacteria I think) between the teeth where the toothbrush can't reach. Takes me about 2 minutes. A good investment of time IMO. It might help you keep your own teeth for longer.

Rgds

BloomerzUK · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:54

I floss with the floss on stick things, you get better leverage and don't make you gag with fingers in your mouth, especially for the back teeth.

I get loads of plaque and crap out my mouth when I floss. I usually do it every 2 days.

trigger-happy · 13 Apr 2011 at 13:55

No but I know I should be doing it. I use 2 different mouth washes before going to bed

and obviously using the toothbrush.

Participant · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:02

platypus said:
And ten minutes? It takes me about 3 minutes to clean my teeth, including flossing and mouthwash.

'Including flossing' of which you only floss your front lower teeth. A proper brush (4 minutes not 2), flossing and mouthwash would take around 8 I'd guess, since flossing takes longer than brushing ime.

meghatronic · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:05

I think flossing is more important than brushing, personally.

andy_mk3 · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:07

Very rarely, half a dozen times a year max. I have 12-monthly check-ups at the dentist and never had any issues so all good as far as I'm concerned.

Viper² · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:08

I floss my **** with a towel after a shower.

Valentino · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:09

I do a speed brush sometimes where I literally get the toothbrush going back and forward at about 100mph, gums are normally a bit painful after that but I only do it after being on a 48hour bender or something where I've been drinking and eating crap with no toothbrush available.

Dr House · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:12

I general one should floss around 3 times per week, its normal to have a little bit of blood on the floss the first few times.

Wizzfizz · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:17

Yes daily (before bed) aswell as the usually brushing twice a day this helps prevent tartar build up inbetween teeth. I also chew sugar free gum after each meal.

JeffyB · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:19

I floss 2-3 times a week, stops the build up of anything your brush cannot reach.

Speed · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:24

meghatronic said:
I think flossing is more important than brushing, personally.

I don't, flossing alone won't prevent cavities. I've never had a filling and I very rarely floss, usually after a meal with something caught in my teeth if I do.

platypus · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:37

Robbie G said:
'Including flossing' of which you only floss your front lower teeth. A proper brush (4 minutes not 2), flossing and mouthwash would take around 8 I'd guess, since flossing takes longer than brushing ime.

2 minutes with an electric toothbrush is more than enough.

Vonhelmet · 13 Apr 2011 at 14:51

Yes, but not every day.