How often do you guys brush your teeth? I notice that A LOT of people have really bad breath, or horrible looking teeth. I know as for myself, I:

Brush: 3 Times a day (once in the morning, after lunch, and usually before I go to bed)
Floss: Maybe once every other month?
Checkup/cleaning: Once every other year.
Cavities: 0 to this very day.

How about you guys? How often do you floss, brush, go to the dentist for cleaning/checkups? How many cavities have you had? Even though I don't floss, I usually brush my teeth right after I eat and I never have any plaque issues when I do go in for cleaning (which normally surprises the dentists.) I'm always told my teeth are very healthy and I don't have any issues/recommendations from the dentists (other than I should floss more often )

7/23/2008 4:57:58 PM

twice a day
never floss
never been to dentist (dad is an ortho)
zero cavities

Its all about the one before bed. I NEVER EVER miss it. Even drunk/wasted.

7/23/2008 5:01:36 PM

twice a day

i avoid smelly foods a lunch if i am at tech

zero cavities with a dentist appointment approximately once/year

7/23/2008 5:02:54 PM

brush: twice daily (morning and before i go to bed)
floss: never (got dat sonicare toothbrush yo)
checkup/cleaning: every year
cavities: zero

7/23/2008 5:03:38 PM

once in the morning after breakfast and before work

once just before bed

never floss

have one cavity that was from when i was 23...between my farthest back molars...dentist said it was because i'd never flossed

honestly, some bad breath is just genetic, not necessarily hygene...drinking things like green tea will actually help eliminate it...listerine and alcohol-based mouthwashes are BAD for your breath because, over time, they dry out your mouth...i use a mouthwash a couple of times a month for good measure

also, a perfectly acceptable, safe, and cheap toothpaste can be made from peroxide and baking soda...it'll kill most anything in your mouth, break down stains and food particles, and leave you feeling fresh (no lie)...just use a fluoride treatment afterward and you're good

7/23/2008 5:05:41 PM

brush 2-3x daily, depends on what I've had to eat or drink...
go to dentist twice a year
listerine once daily
floss after meat only...


And I've never had a cavity...

[Edited on July 23, 2008 at 5:10 PM. Reason : ...]

7/23/2008 5:09:59 PM

brush: 2-3 times a day
floss: every evening before brushing
mouthwash: listerine, before each brushing and usually after lunch
checkup/cleaning: every 6 months
cavities: none

7/23/2008 5:12:14 PM

I'm kind of anal about dental hygene because as a kid my parents didn't really make me take care of my teeth and I always had toothaches and crap. I usually only brush before I go to bed at night but I brush VERY thoroughly (I wear out a new toothbrush in like two weeks) for about 10 mins. I also floss every night. In the mornings I rinse with mouthwash.

Excluding when I was little and didn't take care of my teeth, I've gotten two cavities, both on wisdom teeth. The dentist said it was most likely because I'm not reaching my toothbrush far enough back.

7/23/2008 5:14:41 PM

let me go ahead and say that

ANY powered toothbrush >>>>>> manual

i don't think any dentist will disagree, either...but, even from personal experience, i LOVE having a powered toothbrush...i use either the crest or oral-b $5 ones that use AA batteries, and, really, they're no more expensive overall than a regular (non-wal-mart brand) toothbruth and i've noticed a big difference after using one

7/23/2008 5:18:10 PM

You know how they found out that heart burn is really just bullshit and all it really was was a bacteria? Well, I bet dentistry is just one big ass scam. Tooth health is probably about nutrition and preserving a good flora in your mouth. I suspect it's just another victorian bullshit idea, the bad odor used to be associated with bad health so by modus ponens we must remove the bad odor to remove the bad health right? Brushing your teeth probably does more harm than good. Picking your teeth and keeping that lattice from forming is probably good. BTW, I think eating buggers is about conserving salt. Or maybe it is for re planting germs in your mouth after a meal?

7/23/2008 5:18:29 PM

Something I forgot to ask. How much time do you spend brushing? I usually dedicate around 3 minutes whenever I brush. I don't use mouthwash, but I do have a bottle of ACT because I tried it once and absolutely loved how clean my mouth felt afterwards. I usually remove them when I do a "quicky" brush (like 30 seconds) and I just swish with mouthwash as I get ready...

^ You know, my mom said that going to the dentist as often as twice a year can actually hurt your oral health (some research she did). Anyways, I believe it's just a scam as well. I know my teeth and I have no issues. It would be like going to the doctor every 6 months so they could give you a "proper" sponge bath... Screw that.


[Edited on July 23, 2008 at 5:24 PM. Reason : .]

7/23/2008 5:19:21 PM

2 minutes is my general rule of thumb

also, i brush my tongue, which, really is the biggest source of bad breath...lightly scrubbing your tongue on a regular basis will significantly help reduce bacteria buildup

7/23/2008 5:29:34 PM

I suck at taking care of my teeth. I usually brush only once a day (although usually a day or two each week I'll remember to brush them twice). I do tend to floss those days that I remember to brush a second time so I guess I floss about 1-2x a week.
I spend approx 2 min actually brushing my teeth and then prob another 30-45 sec on the tongue.
Since having my big people teeth I've had 3 cavaties, a root canal, and I currently have 3 crowns.

7/23/2008 5:40:31 PM

brush at least twice a day, usually a third after lunch
floss maybe once a week
havent been to a dentist in 2 years, before that was 2x/yr.
3 cavities

i do make a very strong effort to rinse my mouth out with water after eating anything

7/23/2008 5:44:41 PM

i'm only consistent about doing it before bed.. i always at the very least use some mouthwash in the mornings just bc i know my breath is probably terrible.. usually i brush but if running late i'll at least use mouthwash

only 1 cavity ever so i think what i'm doing is ok

7/23/2008 5:45:20 PM

Brush 2x day. Morning and night. (Sometimes a 3rd time.)

Floss 3x a month or so. I have these little floss picks that I occasionally grab and floss away.

I haven't had a check up or cleaning in 3 years. I keep meaning to find a local dentist and get back into the swing of things. Prior to that, it was once or more per year.

Cavities: 2 in the same location on either side. My dentist said that I just had some unfortunate positioning that caused those cavities. No other dental work besides a permanent retainer.

My teeth are very important to me and I feel like my teeth are in great shape considering that I had a significant cleft palate and under developed jaw that caused a legion of orthodontic problems.

7/23/2008 5:52:46 PM

brush at least twice a day, more depending. if i go out after work i'll brush before that

i floss 3-4 times a week (i cannot believe how often people DONT floss-- yuck!)

cleanings every 6 months like clockwork

dentist tells me i have gorgeous teeth, keep doing whatever i am doing

everyones mouth is different though, some peoples saliva doesn't work as hard as it should and they need to do more work

[Edited on July 23, 2008 at 6:17 PM. Reason : djhfkjdf]

7/23/2008 6:15:53 PM

2x day.

floss same. hell i carry floss with me in the car for emergencies (macguyver).

a lot of the bad breath is from not brushing your tongue.

no cavities since freshman year.

i also use a sonicare.

[Edited on July 23, 2008 at 6:19 PM. Reason : dentist every 6 mos.]

7/23/2008 6:19:09 PM

brush 2x a day
floss every evening
wear retainers atleast every other night
checkup/cleaning 2x a year
never had a cavity

7/23/2008 6:19:53 PM

brush 2-3 times a day, the extra brush is usually after lunch.
no floss
no cavities since 9th grade, i had some when i was little; but who didnt ?
check ups every 2 years; every 6months is just a scam perpetuated by suckers who are willing to shell out the cash.

7/23/2008 6:41:05 PM

Quote :

"no cavities since 9th grade, i had some when i was little; but who didnt ? "

i didn't.

Quote :

"check ups every 2 years; every 6months is just a scam"

maybe that's why you had your cavities.

7/23/2008 6:51:30 PM

my employers dental insurance pays for visits every 6 months

might as well go, its $0 when i go and its a benefit of employment

plus they can catch things sooner and begin treatment before it gets too serious if anything comes up

7/23/2008 6:57:26 PM

^^ it may be necessary when you're little, but after a certain age you know to brush your teeth twice a day.


^ if its free, sure.

[Edited on July 23, 2008 at 6:58 PM. Reason : x]

7/23/2008 6:58:29 PM

Brush: 1.5 times a day. Always in the morning and half the time before bed

Time spent on brushing: 3-15 minutes, depending on how much I start daydreaming.

Floss: At least once a day, mostly twice, after lunch and dinner.

Checkup: I dunno, maybe average once every 2-3 yrs.

Cavities: 2 or 3 when I was little (parents didn't make me brush)

Cracked teeth due to bulldog-like jaw muscles: 1

[Edited on July 23, 2008 at 8:16 PM. Reason : ]

7/23/2008 8:13:47 PM

Brush: up to 4 times a day
mouthwash: twice a day
Floss: whenever i remember...usually twice a week
Checkup/cleaning: every 6 months
Cavities: never had one!

[Edited on July 23, 2008 at 8:30 PM. Reason : a]

7/23/2008 8:16:28 PM

twice daily
almost never
once a year
6--because i have problems with calcium absorption, not from poor oral hygiene

7/23/2008 8:17:30 PM

brush: usually just in the morning, sometimes at night depending on what ive had to eat
floss: 2-3 a month? i need to be better with this
mouth wash: 4x a week
cleaning: 18 months or so
cavaties: 15? i have 10 when i was a kid, then 3-4 when i was a young teen

7/23/2008 8:18:42 PM

Brush twice a day, powered toothbrush. Try to do at LEAST a minute, I aim for two.
Never floss.
Wish I would use my damn mouthwash more often, just can't get into the habit.
Go for a checkup every 6 months. Mother works for and I babysit for the dentist as well as ride horses with my hygenist =)
Never had a cavity.

7/23/2008 8:28:43 PM

Brush: 2x a day (morning and right before bed)
Floss: 2-3 times a week
Checkups: Every 6 months (as many here, one of my parents works in the dental field. My dad is a dental technican. He makes gold crowns, caps, etc)
Cavities: 0...my dad would write me out of his will if I had one.

I also change my toothbrush every 3 weeks.

7/23/2008 8:45:17 PM

I think alot of it has to do with how much soda you drink.... how many of you drink soda regularly, like more than one a day?

I hardly ever drink soda
Brush once in the morning
floss about every other day (it used to be once a month until I got one of those flosser things)
Use a tongue scraper now too...
Used to go to the dentist 1-2x a year, now it's once a year or 2 years...

Never had a cavity since my baby teeth.
Never had any complaints about my breath unless I'd just eaten garlic.

7/23/2008 8:58:28 PM

^ only once ? ... thats kinda gross

7/23/2008 10:10:26 PM

Quote :

"I'm kind of anal about dental hygene because as a kid my parents didn't really make me take care of my teeth and I always had toothaches and crap."

hahaha British people have bad teeth!

7/23/2008 10:25:48 PM

^I thought the same thing, but I didn't want to type it out loud.

7/24/2008 8:21:11 AM

It had nothing to do with where I'm from. My brother's teeth were fine and he grew up in the exact same environment as me.

7/24/2008 9:08:30 AM

It was a joke, bro.

7/24/2008 8:02:39 PM

Brush: 2 x per day - Listerine swish 3x (In sales, and a coffee drinker - so I'm peranoid)
Floss: Every other day
Dentist: 2 x year
Cavities: Practically every tooth in my mouth has had major work - very bad childhood dentist, but looking at my mouth you'd never know.

7/24/2008 10:54:59 PM

^^^^ lol type out loud

7/24/2008 10:59:52 PM

Quote :

"Well, I bet dentistry is just one big ass scam. "

"Plaque is a figment of the liberal media and the dental industry to scare you into buying useless appliances and pastes. Now, I've heard the arguments on both sides, and there is nothing to convince me of the need to brush your teeth."

7/24/2008 11:25:09 PM

i brush my teeth 2-3 times a day
i listerine at least once, usually twice
floss...eh only like once a month. maybe once every other week

and i've had a lot of cavities. so. whoop dee do.

although i didn't have any cavities (not even in baby teeth) until college. they said it was soda and beer.

7/25/2008 1:35:36 AM

I'll brush before dates or whatever, but in general I only brush when I feel like they need it, which is always in the morning and at night once in a while. My breath doesn't smell and I don't get cavities, so unless something changes, I don't see a problem with only brushing once a day.

I think you people are brushing away your enamel and thats why you're getting cavities

[Edited on July 25, 2008 at 10:44 AM. Reason : zx]

7/25/2008 10:33:13 AM

Brush: 2-3x's a day
Floss: at least every other day, usually every day
Checkup/cleaning: I'm in dental hygiene school so... 6 months to the day
Cavities: well, I've got work on pretty much every tooth in my mouth. But I can assure you since I started flossing and brushing MORE than once a day, I haven't had one in years!

Everybody thinks brushing and getting your teeth cleaned is all about not getting cavities, but brushing twice a day is to keep that plaque off of your gums too! Gum disease is pretty serious, and makes your breath REALLY stink! I've seen young people (like 20ish) that already have bone loss around their teeth!

7/25/2008 6:11:33 PM

Floss once every other day, brush in the morning and at night b4 bed, gargle with a floride rinse each night before brushing, and each morning rinse with a standard ADA approved mouthwash for 60 sec.

total number of cavities ever: 3

7/25/2008 6:57:27 PM

oh and dental check up once a year, along with teeth cleaning once a year at the dentist

7/25/2008 7:01:25 PM

brush 2x (along with listerine whitening mouthwash)
flosh: 1x a day, unless I feel something in my tetth
checkups: usually every 6 months...has been awhile though since I just got new insurance
no cavities...

7/26/2008 7:45:52 AM

Quote :

"although i didn't have any cavities (not even in baby teeth) until college. they said it was soda and beer."

7/27/2008 9:31:00 PM

brush 2x
flose 2x
listerine 2x

Havent had a cavity since, i think i was like 12 or so. I still remember getting it filled, they drilled on it forever, it was a huge cavity. I started flossing because the dentist told me that my gums looked bad and then showed me all the pics of gum disease..... the next time I went...like a year later, she the first thing she noticed was that my gums looked really good and had I been doing anything...

part of the reason my gums looked bad was because I have allergies and my nose was (no longer the case) always clogged up so at night my gums would get really dry etc.

7/28/2008 1:00:23 AM

brush - 2-3x daily
floss - only after i eat corn/peas
checkup - no insurance, no checkup
cavities - haven't had em since I was a kid, I've got maybe 3-4 fillings

7/29/2008 7:14:57 AM

usually brush once or twice a day, gargle with everclear... jk

1 small cavity in my molar ever that they just grinded around the edges.

[Edited on July 29, 2008 at 8:29 AM. Reason : .]

7/29/2008 8:29:11 AM

brush 2x
floss 2x
listerine 2x
checkups 3 years and counting. I have insurance, im just lazy

7/29/2008 9:01:58 AM

Brushing: 1/day
Flossing: 1/day
Cavities: 4-5 (most after I got my braces off)
Check-ups: every 6 months, but haven't had one for a year due to being lazy. I have great insurance too :|

7/29/2008 11:50:14 PM