Good and bad habits in terms of dental hygiene (teeth, gums, mouthwash)

[Neuling]

I have often wondered why so many people brush their teeth in the morning, then have breakfast and then leave for school or work, isn't that a rather stupid order?

I don't know if people really do that on a regular basis, but I often wonder about that when on TV a family has breakfast and then, straight from the table, the kids rush off to school, where they will probably not brush their teeth half the day I know some people's teeth are more resistant than others', but it doesn't sound like a good idea to me...

Another thing is citrus fruits. I use lemon juice to etch rust from metal objects such as keys, so I suppose citrus fruit juice is really not good for teeth. Other people use cola for etching rust away, same problem...

Any other good and bad habits?

[AnonChick]

Brushing your teeth when you get out of bed is habit, because you have "sleep breath" when you get up in the morning. And that makes breakfast taste less than delicious

However, you do have a point:

if you brush your teeth -before- going to bed at night, then the wake-up visit to the sink could just consist of a brisk rinse with a bit of germ-killing mouthwash (such as Listerine or similar). And then, AFTER breakfast, you do a first brushing of the day.

As for citrus: you're right, citrus -is- acidic (that's why it's called citric acid). And yes, it you allow it to remain on the teeth or eat LOTS of it every day, it will definitely start some thinning of the enamel after some time.

What you can do to prevent that though, is simply drink water after eating an orange, or give your mouth a quick rinse with baking soda and water after the meal to neutralize the acid. And of course, don't walk around with a lemon slice stuck to your teeth

[Neuling]

Baking soda is said to be dangerous, too, as it forms a strong base, if I remember correctly People used to use baking soda years ago for bleaching...

[AnonChick]

You're only using a little (half a teaspoon to 4 ounces of room-temp tap water), and you're swishing it in your mouth and spitting it back out again. If your mouth is acidic from eating citrus fruit, then the baking soda will simply neutralize it.

You can brush your teeth with baking soda and peroxide, and peroxide IS bleach (it doesn't just bleach things. It *is* a bleach). As long as you're spitting it out and rinsing after, and not swallowing, it can't hurt you.

[swisswife]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

Brushing your teeth when you get out of bed is habit, because you have "sleep breath" when you get up in the morning. And that makes breakfast taste less than delicious

However, you do have a point:

if you brush your teeth -before- going to bed at night, then the wake-up visit to the sink could just consist of a brisk rinse with a bit of germ-killing mouthwash (such as Listerine or similar). And then, AFTER breakfast, you do a first brushing of the day.

As for citrus: you're right, citrus -is- acidic (that's why it's called citric acid). And yes, it you allow it to remain on the teeth or eat LOTS of it every day, it will definitely start some thinning of the enamel after some time.

What you can do to prevent that though, is simply drink water after eating an orange, or give your mouth a quick rinse with baking soda and water after the meal to neutralize the acid. And of course, don't walk around with a lemon slice stuck to your teeth

This is exactly what I do, drinking your morning coffee after brushing your teeth is simply madness...

[Huckleberry3911948]

i got charged 450 dollars to learn this from a dentist "guaranteed" no more gum disease and deterioration of teeth and gums
scrap tongue and cheeks
floss
brush with soni care brush
rinse with strong mouthwash min 30 seconds
2x a day
and yes clean up after the meal not b4

[Neuling]

I read that mouthwash is not good as the alcohol in it dries the mouth, whereas saliva is what you want in the mouth

[BagongBuhay]

My dentist does not recommend brushing with baking soda. She says it is too abrasive and destroys enamel.

[AnonChick]

The millions and millions of people who brushed with baking soda and peroxide before commercial toothpaste was invented, and possessed all their teeth into death, would probably disagree with you. Except, well, they're dead.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

The millions and millions of people who brushed with baking soda and peroxide before commercial toothpaste was invented, and possessed all their teeth into death, would probably disagree with you. Except, well, they're dead.

im from chicago many dentists have told me that people from that area have damaged enamel from the water and baking soda is a bad move.