My teeth hadn't been professionally cleaned for just over a year, so in spite of regular brushing and flossing, it was not a pleasant experience. I asked the hygienist, "What more can I do?" to avoid an uncomfortable repeat every time I'm in the dentist's office. I'm willing to go in and have her clean my teeth every six months, but perhaps she could give me some tips.
"Brush more often?" I wondered.
"No," she said. "Brush longer."
It takes only 12 hours for tartar to harden on the teeth, she told me, and there are particular spots that most people tend to spend less time on.
I came home and have been brushing and flossing with a vengeance after every meal. A monster may have been created.
And then when Cathy and I were talking on the phone this morning, she told me she knows someone who is having trouble with her tooth enamel because she brushes too much.
Oh for heaven's sake. You can't win fer losin'! Now what?
That little purple-handled brush is called, the hygienist informs me, an "end-tufted" brush. I have been looking for a new one for more than 10 years and never been fortunate enough to find one even in the big-city drugstores. I got this one from my dentist in Alberta back in the day. My hygienist is going to find a supplier. These little brushes are handy-dandy for getting in behind your furthest-back molars.
Google end tufted toothbrush, they are everywhere. After 10 years a new one won't feel like the old one, but there you go, that is the truth of life :)
ReplyDeleteOne day soon I shall wake up and smell the coffee of convenience when it comes to online shopping. For now I'm still a big believer in shopping locally; it's especially important when living in (or near, as we do) small, rural villages whose business sectors struggle to survive amid the fierce competition from the larger centres. Your suggestion is a good one though; it will help me find a supplier for the local drugstore, if they don't do it themselves. Thanks Sharon!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sharyn, google it and no doubt you will find what you need. Then you can suggest your local pharmacy have a supply.
ReplyDeleteI had to chuckle after reading your post. So true to hear you don't brush long enough or you brush too long. Oh my gosh, what to do, LOL. I go to the hygienist every 3 months for cleaning and am ocd about brushing, flossing and I have a pic. My dentist recommends brushing for two minutes and I do that with my electric (after I've used a normal brush).
Just a little crazy ....
I didn't know what the brush was called till I took this picture and emailed it to my hygienist on the day her supplier was coming into the office. When I described it to people at the local drugstore they didn't know what I was talking about. Now that I'm armed with the brush's actual name I'm sure there will be no problem.
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