Tooth flossing question

skypie123_2

Ok so don't shout at me but I have just started (last night) flossing my teeth. My bottom teeth are quite crowded and plaque seems to collect there. I have an electric toothbrush which I change the head of every 3 months.
i had no probs flossing the top row but the bottom row I struggled a bit as they are crowded (a bit plaquey on the inside of the mouth if that makes sense)
Today my bottom front teeth feel a little loose and click if I push them gently with my tongue. Is this normal?!! Please help I am worried now (due to see the dentist next month)

tara747

I have the same problem skypie, my teeth are all very close together and it hurts trying to get the floss out again!!!

skypie123_2

Have you just started flossing too Tara?
This is what has stopped me flossing in the past

Toothsmith

There is a tiny bit of natural movement in your teeth. If you've just started flossing, then you've probably made a bit of a gap between little deposits of tartar and you're now aware of the two edges moving against each other.

I wouldn't panic, especially as you have an appointment soon. But mention it when you go.

tara747

skypie - no, I floss intermittently, would love to do it every day but this puts me off. I also use an electric toothbrush, which I must say does make my teeth feel cleaner for longer.

Toothsmith - thanks.

PudseyDB

I wouldnt worry - pain wouldve stopped you from doing any permanent damage.

As an alternative to flossing - try using a tepe brush to clean between the teeth - they come in different sizes so you can use the smallest one to clean between the bottom teeth and a slightly bigger one for the top ones. I struggled with flossing as it got stuck between some teeth, but with the tepe brush you arent forcing the teeth apart at all but simply pushing food, etc out of the gaps between them.

Supermarkets usually stock the multi size packets of tepe brushes, and dentists usually have packets of each size for sale.

lostinrates

PudseyDB wrote: »

As an alternative to flossing - try using a tepe brush to clean between the teeth - they come in different sizes so you can use the smallest one to clean between the bottom teeth and a slightly bigger one for the top ones. I struggled with flossing as it got stuck between some teeth, but with the tepe brush you arent forcing the teeth apart at all but simply pushing food, etc out of the gaps between them.

Supermarkets usually stock the multi size packets of tepe brushes, and dentists usually have packets of each size for sale.

I second the brushes....but my teeth aren't tight together. I use three different sizes, but it really, really makes much more difference than floss. I love these brushes!

Toothsmith

PudseyDB wrote: »

Supermarkets usually stock the multi size packets of tepe brushes, and dentists usually have packets of each size for sale.

The packs in supermarkets, I have noticed, are a couple of pence cheaper than dentists generally sell them for - but on closer inspection, I noticed that the supermarket packs have 6 brushes in, whereas ours have 8! :money:

tara747

PudseyDB wrote: »

I wouldnt worry - pain wouldve stopped you from doing any permanent damage.

As an alternative to flossing - try using a tepe brush to clean between the teeth - they come in different sizes so you can use the smallest one to clean between the bottom teeth and a slightly bigger one for the top ones. I struggled with flossing as it got stuck between some teeth, but with the tepe brush you arent forcing the teeth apart at all but simply pushing food, etc out of the gaps between them.

Supermarkets usually stock the multi size packets of tepe brushes, and dentists usually have packets of each size for sale.

Oooh, yes, I love these! They are really expensive though. I sterilise mine to reuse them (are you supposed to do this?).

Toothsmith

Oh yes - they're not a single use item.

When you get good at it, one can last you a week or two. Maybe longer

PudseyDB

tara747 wrote: »

Oooh, yes, I love these! They are really expensive though. I sterilise mine to reuse them (are you supposed to do this?).

I was told by my dentist to use each one till they looked disgusting so I end up changing mine weekly (after being used twice a day).

A good rinse after each use and its good to use again - its no different to a toothbrush really. When I've time I like to give it a quick clean either with mouth wash or bit of toothpaste.

Also, I've found that the special holders (square, folding with holes in the bottom to put the brushes in) are far more hygenic than the little covers that go directly on the brushes as they dry out better in the holder and dont smell. I just put the ones I'm currently using in there.