Your tips to ensure good dental care and good all round breath?

Ideally you'd want to try a few different mouthwashes as aside from the generic own brand ones (which tend to be good for rinsing out the detritus but not much else) most are a little different and will work differently on an individual level - some personal notes on that:

Listerine - like swigging bleach, refreshes the mouth and masks odour but I don't find it works well for adding any protection or does anything longer term to improve oral hygiene.
Sensodyne - thick and difficult to use to clean out the mouth but does add a noticeable layer protecting your teeth through the day.
Oral-B Pro-Expert - use this personally as it has the right consistency for refreshing, getting rid of detritus and adds some protection - in the longer term helps to reduce gum problems and smells, etc. for me the best for increasing long term hygiene, etc.
Colgate - sits somewhere between those above - a bit too average at everything really - only buy it when I can't easily get the Oral-B.
Oral-B 3D Luxe - bit thicker than Pro-Expert but surprising whitening ability - won't give you pearly whites but definitely will knock back a few layers of staining over a few weeks - combine with a whitening toothpaste you can get very presentable teeth "passively".

You'll find conflicting information on when to use mouthwash vs brushing - generally you don't want to use it immediately after brushing, but some will say on the instructions to use it after brushing, some won't, my dentists have generally recommended against using mouthwash immediately following up brushing.

Time and time again I come back to Sensodyne repair and protect (deep repair) toothpaste - nothing else seems to give longer term protection like it does.

Another thing which will make a world of difference is finding a toothbrush which works for you - years of using generic ones didn't do me any favours - finding one which really worked with my teeth well definitely made a difference.

Personally struggle with flossing, etc. as my teeth aren't exactly the most cooperative being quite closely packed - a water flosser does make a huge difference in that respect.
 
Dont put sugar in your tea, dont drink sugar drinks as both will remove enamel not just a little but enough to cause failure in months for some people. Use mouthwash as it does help neutralise these kinds of acids, this one is foaming which feels a lot more active imo superior to just a liquid mouthwash, https://www.regeneratenr5.co.uk/products/advanced-foaming-mouthwash. Also its a lot more compact and convenient, not cheap but cheaper then fixing the problem too late.
Drink milk regularly, I think it does help long term.
 
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6 weeks before I go and see the dentist, I cut out any sugar, but continue with my normal dental routine of electric toothbrush twice a day and interdental brush and flossing every other day. At my last 4 annual check ups, the dentist has said don’t bother coming back for a year and don’t bother seeing the hygienist. The disappointment on the receptionists’ faces when I come out is comical
This has only happened since I’ve cut out sugar. Dunno whether it’s me imagining it, but I’m sure the gums seal around the teeth better
 
Is there an underlying reason why you feel what you do isn't enough? Have you detected bad breath yourself?

Worth checking whether you might be suffering from tonsil stones if so?
 
Stumble Bum said:
I'm prone to getting tartar build up and the hygienist is a rip off so I quite often do it myself. Buy a cheap metal plaque removal kit from Amazon and keep clean that way.
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Yeah I did that in lockdown 1 and it's brilliant. Still go to the hygienist occasionally but it's expensive.
 
On my last dental visit the dentist said brush your gums as well as your teeth - I have a Lidl sonic toothbrush with 4 settings and one is slow and soft and using that on gums after cleaning has made a world of difference - mouth now feels cleaner.
 
I am a grinder so my most important thing is the mouth guard for nights, I paid £100 at the dentist for one but now found ones as good for a couple of quid.
I tend to get the expensive mouth wash when on a clubcard special
 
1. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Floss at least once a day.
3. Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleanings.
4. Use a tongue scraper or brush to clean your tongue.
5. Avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks.
6. Chew sugarless gum to help increase saliva production.
7. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
8. Avoid smoking and using other tobacco products.
9. Avoid using mouthwash with alcohol as it can dry out your mouth.
10. Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse to help reduce bacteria in the mouth.
 
Angilion said:
Which is the main point of a mouthwash. They're usually also antiseptic, but that's mainly also about smell.
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I think they’re also good at getting little bits out from around your teeth and gums too? Stuff that flossing might get (and toothbrushes wouldn’t).

My hygienist recommended me to start using a fluoride mouthwash as I was a bit lacking there, so they do that as well. I do that after lunch (when working from home, although I might take some to work). It’s nice after lunch and a tea etc. if only to freshen up.

My other half uses a waterpik at night and swears by it.
 
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Gargle peroxide90% . It really kills the germs and brightens the teeth and skin, and blood and skull.
 
tsobo said:
Any tips, to ensure good dental care and good breath. I brush twice a day, don't smoke and often eat healthy but I feel there could be room for improvement. I also hate the hygienist, should visit her more but mine isn't really friendly and everytime I visit her, I have pains in my mouth for days, so would rather just use interdental brushes, my electric toothbrush and twice a day brushing. What are your tips please. Oh and I also don't really like mouthwashs as most are way to chemical and I feel they just mask the smells.
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Have all your teeth removed and ur lips sewn together!
 
The best thing I bought for cleaning my teeth was a decent tooth brush. I bought an Oral B iO7 toothbrush and the results were noticeable to me and my dentist. When it packed in, under warranty, end of last year, it took 3 weeks to get a replacement. In that time I used a cheap battery toothbrush and my teeth didn't feel as good as they do with the Oral B. As the iO7 had been discontinued they sent me an iO9 replacement and I'm glad I never spent the extra cash on the 9 as it does nothing extra worthwhile to me to justify the price difference.
 
Successive governments (including Labour) have killed off NHS dentists and now it's hard work getting private.

Not been to a dentist since 2000, so 23 years ago. I do brush twice a day though, but never flossed or used mouthwash. Got a few chipped teeth which was from a car accident where I was knocked out cold and needed some stitches. Never had a toothache though.

I guess if I was go find a private dentist now, it will wipe out my ISA as I don't get any means-tested allowances like universal credit, free prescriptions etc.
 
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