Let's talk teeth...

[JoshMclean]

I have 28 teeth!! You only need to floss once a day folks. It takes that long for bacteria to have any effect.

 

[ShallowsNole]

I was advised floss, then scrape around with the perio brush (I think that's what it is called - little pointy round brush for getting in the spaces and the little pockets between the teeth and gums, that you don't have if your mouth is healthy), then regular brush, then mouthwash. This way, the less pleasant parts get done first. I have traditionally hated flossing, and that's why I now have to see a periodontist.

 

[30A Skunkape]

I remember from anthropology that humans have 2-1-2-3 heterodont uppers, can't remember if this applies to the mandible as well. If so, that is 32 teeth-2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 pre-molars and 3 molars-multiplied by 4 gives you 32. Anyway, brush 'em good

 

[potatovixen]

Alright now, we've got the brushing and flossing down pat, but does anyone here scrape their tongue? I've seen those scrapers next to the brushes at the drugstore.

My dentist gave me one of those on my last visit. At first I thought the idea of it was gross, but they actually do work quite well.

 

[Rudyjohn]

I have 28 teeth - - I wasn't born with wisdom teeth. I'm part of the process of evolutionary advancement. Wisdom teeth are not needed.

I most definately brush my tongue.

And not to be a debbie downer but please make sure your dentist does check you tongue carefully. A good friend of mine, who religiously sees the dentist every 6 months, was diagnosed with tongue cancer 2 years ago. She had a very large portion of her tongue removed, received chemo, and had a small section of her arm muscle used as a graft to build up the removed section, etc. She fine now but it's been a long haul for her with speech therapy as well. She was never a smoker, or chewed tobacco, no alcohol. Luckily her dentist found it.

OK, sorry for the non-positive post. But maybe it will save someone's life.

 

[Cheering472]

I have 24 teeth, pedo size mouth, hard to believe I know. Remember only floss the teeth you want to keep. I actually use Glide (wonderful stuff) and not floss and I do it before I brush.

I do use floss to cut pretty sheet cakes though. It cuts the cake without messing the frosting or decorative topping. Use an extra long piece of floss, wrap ends around index fingers, push it straight down to the bottom of the cake, release one end and pull it out the side. Don't go back up the cake. Wipe off any extra crumbs or icing. Continue across the cake horizontally and then vertically. You can barely see the cuts made by the floss, but it works great.

 

[Biff]

I have teeth.

 

[organicmama]

I have 32 teeth (but I had my wisdom teeth pulled! or so they told me... ) & I'll have to be the one to admit I don't floss! My husband gets onto me daily about that & my coffee addiction. But I have only had 1 cavity my whole life, no braces & nothing but a bit of teeth grinding. I do brush my tongue, though. Flossing is one of those habits I know I should do, but can't get around to making myself actually do it.

 

[kathydwells]

14 uppers
14 lowers

I only had 2 top wisdom teeth, none on the bottom. That could explain alot. ;-) I use those little picks with the floss attached. SO easy!! I do it before brushing, brush that tongue for sweet breath, then mouth rinse.

 

[Rudyjohn]

14 uppers
14 lowers

I only had 2 top wisdom teeth, none on the bottom. That could explain alot. ;-) I use those little picks with the floss attached. SO easy!! I do it before brushing, brush that tongue for sweet breath, then mouth rinse.

I love those little pick things with the floss. Great invention!