How do you *effectively* prevent plaque/tartar forming on your teeth?
My teeth are in good health and I take good care of them, yet I always get this plaque buildup no matter what I try.
I've tried different brushes, toothpastes, and flossing methods to no avail. Mouthwash is too harsh on my mouth and peels my skin off so I avoid that.
I haven't tried waterpicks or electric brushes yet. Did you? Did they work for you? Have you succeeded in preventing plaque and if so, how???
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Floss and electric toothbrush, brush twice a day, works wonders. One of those brushes that make sure you brush each quarter for 30 seconds for a total of 2 minutes.
They dont even have to be expensive. We spent like $200 on my wife's Sonicare. I have some cheap toothbrush I got on Amazon for 30 bucks. They both brush just as effectively.
If you're like me and you can't do string floss, try a water flosser. It's what got me started flossing. No dentist will tell you it's just as effective as string floss. Any dentist will tell you it's better than not flossing at all.
Plus, my breath stinks a lot less.
When you start flossing regularly you can taste when you havenโt. Thatโs the halitosis.
And remember, a WaterPik CANNOT be used as a makeshift bidet, no matter how tempting.
Very painful lesson.
I suspect it may be that I suck at flossing, and I've tried different methods as well as those disposable toothpick things. Will keep the water one in mind, cheers
Same. I'm terrible at flossing. I have my tonsils and my wisdom teeth. Reaching toward the back is a major pain for me and that's why I decided to try water flossing. It's so much easier for me to do every day. I just brush and floss each night after I shower. Flossing makes a much bigger impact on bad breath than most people realize. I just started flossing regularly about four months ago, and I've had a dentist appointment in between. For the first time in my 31 years, getting flossed at the dentist did not leave me a bloody, painful mess. It felt nice.
I mentioned that I have my tonsils because I get tonsil stones. While I probably should talk to an ENT about tonsillectomy, I live in America. What I can recommend, if you get them and you can't or don't want to go through surgery, is to set your water flosser to the absolute gentlest setting, and aim that jet at your tonsils every once in a while. Obviously, you don't want to make them bleed. But if you've ever spit out a tonsil stone, take a whiff. That may actually explain a lot. The fuckers smell absolutely rancid. My dentist tells me even a small one once every 4-6 weeks is abnormal.
Best of luck, bud. I hope this helps.
Thanks for sharing! I don't get the stones, though I did have a couple when I was still a kid and you are right about the smell. I'm sorry your tonsils are giving you so much trouble. Definitely will keep in mind the water floss
The top cavity-forming snack is actually Goldfish cheese crackers, IIRC. Because the snack sticks to your teeth really well and carbs get broken down into sugar anyways. Plus kids are worse about picking their teeth clean with their tongue; Adults will absentmindedly pick at their teeth much longer, but kids tend to lose interest quickly and just leave stuff stuck to their teeth. And since goldfish is a common snack for kids, all of that combines into Goldfish being really horrible for causing cavities, particularly in kids.
Is sugar acidic? I can deal with coffee black, but if I have to cut coffee as well I will not survive the workday
Sugar is a primary source of food for the bacteria that make up plaque. If you feed the bacteria, they will grow. As you can't eliminate 100% of the sugar from your diet, teeth care is always going to be required. Less sugar, however, means, slower growth.
Also. Just like dogs have dental chews that help to clean their teeth, eating other non sugar foods can assist with controlling plaque. Vegetables in particular are helpful, but even something like chewing on beef jerky acts as a sort of scrub brush for the outside of the teeth.
I maintain very good dental hygiene, and my dental hygienist always loves me. These are the tips I've picked up from them as I've gone
Thanks for the tips! One nitpick: I'm pretty sure acidity leads to a lower pH, not higher. But, your point still stands!
Good catch. The way I think about the pH scale in my head always feels like acidity should be high on the pH, but that's just wrong XD
Yeah, it would seem that the [p]ower of [H] should increase with the number of H+ ions! But, they threw in that minus sign for some reason.
Good overview!
You can also get the dental picks off Amazon for a few bucks. You can use it once a month and get rid of the plaque yourself. Then it can't build up.
No, this isn't dental advice but I've had no issues. Don't go crazy on your teeth or gums.
Consider chewing Xylitol gum after eating. Xylitol directly fucks up the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Make sure to get a brand that is mostly Xylitol (I like Pur).
However, be careful if you have a dog, because xylitol is super poisonous to dogs!
Chewing any sugar free gum after eating is good. Chewing the gum increases saliva production, and the saliva is good for a lot of reasons. It breaks down any food and plenty of bacteria, as well as balance the pH levels in your mouth.
Totally agree! I recently switched to a non-xylitol sugar free gum because we got a puppy. But if Xylitol is an option, it adds that extra boost!
Good suggestion, thanks!
Just donโt overdo it. In large quantities, xylitol is a powerful laxative.
Solve two problems!
Have you tried changing your brushing technique? From my time working in a dentist's office as an assistant, its usually the brushing technique that most people get wrong. You're supposed to focus on where the teeth and gums meet.
https://youtu.be/rqAdceHE5CI?si=X7xQdoaV9llNUn4P
I recommend the first 2 from the link above. They're the most similar to how most people already brush their teeth so its an easy transition. The only real difference is you angle your toothbrush 45ยฐ away from the surface of your teeth. Doesn't matter if you angle it up or down.
Thanks for that, short and informative. I've never had a dentist suggest brushing my front teeth at an angle, only molars and premolars. Cheers
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
https://piped.video/rqAdceHE5CI?si=X7xQdoaV9llNUn4P
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.
I also had this issue. I was doing everything I could think of to take care of my teeth, but Iโd go to the dentist and they would comment about plaque and signs of receding gums. I switched to an electric toothbrush and waterpik. I was actually able to reverse some of the recession (verified by having the dentist take measurements, not notable by just looking)
That's encouraging, thanks for sharing :)
For the best gum health, regular string floss is the best thing you can do. A waterpik is not as effective, and don't use those one time floss picks both because they aren't as effective but they're also just super wasteful.
As much as I hate waste, I'm way more effective using the disposable floss picks.
Edit: spoke with the hygienist during my cleaning today and she said you can be just as effective with the string floss vs the disposable floss picks.
While it's fair to say you may be more effective with floss picks, string floss overall is more effective, and could be for you as well with practice. There is a much greater range of motion with string floss, and you can actually wrap it around your teeth and get close to your gums. I don't imagine this comment will change your flossing habits, and using floss picks is better than not flossing (for your oral hygiene) but I wouldn't use your anecdotal evidence to suggest other people switch to picks or use picks before normal string floss. Not saying you do recommend it, but idk how others would interpret your personal preference as a recommendation.
Just what works for me. From what my dentist says I'll probably just stick with what's been working
Electric brushes usually help with that. Do go for a brand like Braun or Philips though, otherwise it's easy to end up with a toothbrush with non-existent or low-quality replacement heads. You don't need an expensive model from those brands. Those work about as well as the cheaper models and only include more frills, and their replacement heads are often more expensive too. The only feature I actually find helpful is the 30-second/2-minute timer which most models have nowadays.
Also you don't need to buy multiple electric brushes, the replacement heads often if not always comes with colored rings you can put on. You can just have a different head for each person that you swap when needed.
I buy a new pack and replace all the heads every season.
Waterpicks for me have been amazing! I got one for like 30 USD and I use it once or twice a week. It makes my teeth feel so much cleaner and I feel like they stay cleaner too. It also gets stuff stuck between your teeth instantly without having to do weird flossing gymnastics. Iโve always sucked at flossing but with the waterpick I actually use it regularly.
Might be time to give these a try!
That was interesting ha
I think between a candidiasis and plaque I'll keep the plaque, at least I have it somewhat under control
Electric toothbrush, donโt want to shill for a brand but Oral-B.
Also don't want to shill out for a brand, but my philips sonicare is pretty good, and I always get compliments from my dentist. Though do NOT spend the full price. I got mine on sale for half off during black Friday (which was still $25), but with the time of year right now you could definitely get a reasonable price.
To echo this sentiment, my oral B toothbrush has made a huge difference with minimal effort. My dentists are always impressed by my tooth and gum health. It won't completely eliminate plaque, and still requires regular flossing.
I'm sorry, mouthwash peels your skin off?!
The skin inside my mouth yes.
https://www.ijcasereportsandimages.com/archive/article-full-text/101184Z01CE2020
That's the best reference I can find on a quick Google search, it even has images in case you wonder. I'm fine with toothpastes because I rinse thoroughly after brushing, but mouthwash needs no rinsing to be effective and after a week or so of regular use the inside of my mouth gets very irritated and sore.
Saying "mouthwash" in general is not specific enough. There are lots of types of mouthwash. I personally always go for flouride and alcohol mouthwash, so it kills germs and provides protection for my teeth. If the alcohol is what's hurting your mouth, use alcohol free anti-cavity (flouride) mouthwash. Maybe you're using the gingivitis mouthwash? Or the alcohol mouthwash? It doesn't make sense to say all mouthwash does the same thing to your mouth
Did you check the link?
No, I did not click it previously. If you know the problematic ingredient, couldn't you find one that doesn't have sodium lauryl sulfate?
Not yet, that might be something to ask next time I go to the dentist. Admittedly I didn't search exhaustively, I gave up seeing every mouthwash in australian supermarkets have it.
Look at the sensitive ones, often the cheaper ones don't have SLS in them. They're better but with some I still get issues if I don't rinse at all. For reference, Aldi sells one around here without SLS and with fluoride.
Sonicare toothbrush, then floss, then waterpik. The kids waterpik is cheaper and does the same thing.
Electric brushes (with regularly changed tips) can be amazing. There are also some inexpensive ultrasonic ones and Iโm absolutely happy with mine. Itโs a whole other level than handbrushes.
The plaque forms as a result of bacteria eating the sugars that stay on your teeth. Most dentists in my life have recommended brushing right after eating.
This is actually incorrect. After eating your mouth is becomes a very acidic environment, it means the tooth enamel is at its softest. Brushing at that point only erodes the enamel faster, leading to sensitive teeth.
Gargle first. Wait an hour before brushing, it will allow your saliva to neutralize the acidity and allow the enamel time to remineralize.
You need to figure out why mouthwash peels your skin off.
That is not normal and is almost certainly related somehow to the plaque buildup.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, I posted a link to someone here about it. Some people are just too sensitive to it
there is likely no way to entirely prevent it, but I have been using a sonicare for about nearly 20 years and have had 0 problems with my teeth. I cannot recommend them enoughโeveryone should have one.
Arm and hammer toothpaste with baking soda is great. Clinical studies have proven a statistically greater reduction in plaque than toothpaste that does not contain baking soda.
Use a toothpaste or mouthwash containing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorhexidine
I asked my dentist this, and she just said that I have fast plaque buildup and there's not much I can do about it other than getting my teeth cleaned once a year
Could probably drink less coffee though
Get a good toothpaste, brush twice a day, change my toothbrush once a month (whether it's electronic never changed my success rate), and go to the dentist twice a year. My dentist says I have model teeth.
You don't floss and you don't get plaque?
Forgot to mention that. Yes I floss every now and then.
Cheers!
While I think brushing, flossing, mouthwash all play an important role. Nobody is teaching you how to breakdown the actual problem. Besides genetics if your hygiene is sufficient. The food and drinks you consume are to blame. Bacteria are influenced from your diet. Change what you consume and your bodily systems will adjust accordingly, that being said cause and effect should be noted. Changing one system will modify others good or bad. Tailor your intakes based on the symptoms your trying to mitigate by learning how those systems work individually and then cohesively together. The fastest way albeit quite inconvenient is to log every food, drink, and consumable item that goes into your mouth each day for X number of days and find trigger foods which cause your symptoms. Analyze and extrapolate the data. Refine through trial and error. Tailor your diet to suit.
For me I use Phillips soniccare tooth brush which is infinitely better than a manual one. Have you tried your luck with iodine mouthwash? It's more expensive and tastes gross but it's really good for gingivitis and doesn't burn. Also if you aren't already, flossing everyday and maybe after each meal if needed is important. Floss has to be reaching below the gums to pull out the trapped food and not just in between the teeth.
I just learned this the other day and that along with the purple Listerine...my gums are not bleeding after flossing for the first time in years..and I've got good teeth...just too much tartar build up because I was flossing wrong. I'm going to try the hydrogen peroxide thing too.
Have you asked your dentist?
I've been to a few over the years. I get two types of answers: "because you don't floss" (I floss), and "this is normal, you just come for an annual cleanup".
I wonder if it's really just normal and everyone here in the comments has plaque that gets cleaned up professionally every year, or maybe there are people who have near zero plaque from whom I can learn a thing or two.
I'd trust my dentist over any rando on the interwebs. And yes, a yearly cleaning seems like a good idea.
I'm asking if people had any success with a similar problem on a personal level. It's a great way to find out what is the norm and what is achievable
The thing is, everyone is different, and what works for you might kill me.
You seem to be doing quite some things well. Maybe pay attention to your brushing? My dentist once had me brush my teeth in front of her and identified why in some teeth I'd consistently be clean and in others I'd consistently build plaque.
Her recommendations: brush from the gum to the tip of the tooth. Try to aim at the holes between teeth. Pay close attention to the part in front of your tongue, in your lower front teeth; that part can easily build plaque if you don't use the tip of your brush well to get in the holes between your teeth.
Thanks, I don't believe it's the brushing. I've done that with several dentists and my brushing is fine. The plaque builds where the brush doesn't reach, often right under the gums.
I've never had anyone say to brush only from the gum to the tooth ends, this makes sense and might be helpful
I spent several years intermittent fasting, only eating between 6pm and 10pm. I didn't do it for my teeth but it did help keep them much cleaner, probably obvious in retrospect. It's not a healthy diet in a lot of other ways though.
My trusty 16 year old sonicare toothbrush, a tongue scraper, and a water pik make it so I barely get fuzzy teeth unless I eat a bunch of sweets or crackers. I also swish with OralB gum detoxify mouthwash every once in a while, but I didn't have much plaque even without using it.
The other oralb washes aren't as great imo, but the gum detoxify has zinc and cetylpyridinium chloride in it which both inhibit bacteria. No alcohol in it either which is what causes most mouthwashes to burn. It does cause you to spit out a white film immediately after which I assume is dead bacteria. Never had any irritation with it and a doctor actually recommended it to me when I had strep throat which it helped.
Also Walmart carries a sonicare 1100 that is only around $20. I use that when I travel instead, and it's just as good as my older more expensive electric toothbrush.