Go electric
Your dentist wasn't exaggerating: an electric toothbrush is infinitely more effective than a regular brush. The good news is you don't need a top-of-the-range one to get the job done, but you might need to change the way you brush to feel the benefit.

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Steer clear of fancy toothbrushes

If you prefer a manual toothbrush, pay attention to the bristles. Using a "Firm" toothbrush may deliver a more satisfying, deep-clean feel, but studies show they can be abrasive and contribute to enamel erosion. Instead, dentists recommend sticking to toothbrushes with "Medium" or "Soft" bristles. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, as they can better reach all three external surfaces of your teeth - the outside, the inside and the biting surfaces. Just make sure to change it every three months.

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Don't bother with mouthwash

"If you've got a good toothbrush and toothpaste, you don't need a mouthwash," says Dr Edwards-Lunn. "Use it to freshen up between brushes if you want to, but otherwise it's a waste of money."

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...Never brush your teeth after a night out

The one occasion you should not brush your teeth before going to bed is after a spot of heavy carousing.
With that horrible furry feeling still on your teeth, Dr Edwards-Lunn explains that, rather than reaching for the toothbrush, the best course of action is to swill a little mouthwash and then brush in the morning. Otherwise, you could be doing more damage than good - especially if your alcoholic drink of choice was fizzy.

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Either floss every day or not at all

Flossing is, without doubt, the best way to release the plaque that builds up between your teeth. But if you aren't going to do it every single day without fail, Dr Edwards-Lunn says it isn't worth the effort at all.

"After 24 hours, plaque - that film you feel if you run your tongue around your mouth - is starting to do its damage. If you leave it two or three days between flosses, your gums will already have begun to react to that plaque, and that damage just carries on."

If realistically you're only ever going to be an occasional flosser, it's time to give up altogether, as you're not achieving a great deal by this sporadic flossing.

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Never brush straight after breakfast

The time of day when you choose to brush is crucial. It should be the last thing you do before you go to sleep, but you should never, Dr Edwards-Lunn warns, wash your mouth out after brushing. Spit... and go to bed.

Then, in the morning, resist the temptation to wait until after breakfast to brush your teeth - do it as soon as you wake up. "You'll have less plaque after brushing your teeth, which means fewer cavity-forming bugs. That way, when you sit down for breakfast, the risk of decay is lower."

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Use sugar-free gum

The worst time to brush your teeth is immediately after drinking or eating anything acidic - so, instead of brushing, it's better to neutralise the acidity a different way. Drink or eat something which contains a high level of calcium and phosphate, such as cheese or a glass of milk, as they will help to reverse the damage being done to the outer surfaces of the teeth.

"Chewing sugar-free gum will also help by encouraging your mouth to generate more saliva, which in turn will start to neutralise the acidity in your mouth," says Dr Edwards-Lunn.

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Never brush straight after breakfast

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RiccochetJ said:

I will always recommend getting an electric toothbrush. The upfront cost can make you cringe, but I've been rocking mine for 10 years.

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WaterAstro said:

I don't floss because I told the dentist I'm not going to until these retainer wires from when I was in highschool are removed. He said to leave them there, so screw it. Flossing is just way too difficult atm.

This article doesn't talk about the negative affects of mouthwash as it does more harm than good if you have the wrong one. Alcohol is a carcinogen, so it's literally like having cancer in your mouth.

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bitbydeath said:

It’s probably time to change the brush.

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lil puff said:

Some things in that read were things I did not know.
What about alcohol free rinses? Either way, I drink anyways so the alcohol is in my mouth anyways lol

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