#dental health

[incognitopolls]

No judgement here! Anon has struggled their entire life with brushing their teeth and wants others to know they're not alone.

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We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[magnetothemagnificent]

So tired of the American culture around oral hygiene. You see it most in toothpaste or other similar dental products commercials. It's not "buy our toothpaste because it prevents painful infections", it's "be dentist ready" and ads showing people doing the "tissue test" to see how white their teeth are, as if the only reason you should practice good oral hygiene is because you're worried about the approval of others.

It's just...so harmful.

Oral hygiene is important, not because your teeth have to be perfectly white or because your dentist will judge you (they most likely won't), but because your mouth is part of your body and your health is important. The state of your mouth can impact the rest of your body, oral infections can become life-threating or impact your ability to properly eat or speak without pain. That's why you should care about oral hygiene- because it's your body and you deserve to live with as minimal pain and discomfort as possible- not because of some shallow beauty ideals.

I'm just so tired of the mainstream message of oral hygiene as being purely aesthetic. It's not. It's healthcare.

[ineffableriddlebird]

During the Dental Appointment VS After the Dental Appointment

[jiraisupportgroup]

₊‧°𐐪♡𐑂°‧₊ Depression Dental Hygiene Tips ₊‧°𐐪♡𐑂°‧₊

♡ Brush your teeth when you feel up to it regardless of the time of day.

♡ Brush your teeth for shorter amounts of time. If you can do 30 seconds but not 2 minutes, just do the 30 seconds.

♡ Dry brush your teeth - take a dry toothbrush and just brush. You can do this anywhere, even in bed.

♡ Use kids' mouthwash or toothpaste. The flavour is usually sweet, and you can change flavours to keep things interesting.

♡ Use kids' floss picks. They're super cute and not so aggressively minty so they can be much easier to use.

♡ Use Wisps, they're like little disposable toothbrushes and you don't need water or toothpaste to use them.

♡ Wipe your teeth off with a wet paper towel or washcloth after eating.

♡ Use chewable toothpaste. Most are designed to be used with a toothbrush, but you can just pop it in your mouth, chew it up, swish some water in your mouth and swallow.

♡ Listerine strips can be used in a similar way and can be much easier than mouthwash especially if you're not near a sink.

[achromatophoric]

Bianca: Hold up. Addams, are you saying that in all the times you’ve been to the dentist, they’ve never found a cavity?

Wednesday: You misunderstand. While I respect any profession that strikes fear in the general population, I have not once needed the services of a dentist.

Enid: *playing on phone*

Bianca: You’re kidding. Never?

Wednesday: I do not “kid.”

Bianca: So you just what, brush and floss?

Wednesday: While I do enjoy the routine of practicing strict oral hygiene, I do not require it. My teeth are, and always will be, perfect.

Bianca: Bullshit. That’s impossible. You must have had some dental issue before. What about— *snaps fingers* Baby teeth! What about your baby teeth?

Wednesday: *lips thin*

Enid: *admonishingly* Babe.

Wednesday: *grunts* Fine. I will admit to having forfeited one deciduous tooth.

Bianca: So you have had— wait, just ONE!?

Wednesday: Yes. It was a necessary sacrifice, to serve as bait.

Bianca: 🤨

Bianca: For what?

Enid: *puts away phone* For her tooth fairy!

Bianca: 😦

Wednesday: *sighs* If you must know, in my youth I captured my tooth fairy. For weeks after I tortured—

Enid: They became fast friends!

Bianca: 😧

Wednesday: *glares* It is an alliance formed out of mutual respect and a shared appreciation for displaced teeth.

Enid: Oh please, Teethtania and you get on like that house you set on fire last week.

Bianca: Teethta— what does that have to do with perfect teeth??

Wednesday: Is it not obvious? Our alliance includes a deal. Teeth for teeth. Think of it as a dental plan that provides total security.

Enid: Totes! She even got me added to it!

Bianca: *under breath* But tooth fairies aren’t—

Wednesday: Thank you for reminding me, Enid.

Bianca watches as Wednesday produces a small felt pouch from her uniform pocket. The seer gives it three rattling shakes, then chatters her teeth. The staccato noise builds until it can no longer realistically originate from only one mouth. Or a dozen.

Bianca: What. The. Actual. Fuck?

From the hidden places tumble out pearly white teeth. They sprout from dirt and out between cobblestone cracks. Worm their way out of tree knots. Slither from gaps in light fixtures. A chittering tide that gathers like a horde of ivory beetles, slotting together with clicks and clacks until….

Teethtania: *chatters and waves*

Enid: Howdy back atcha, Double T! I love what you did with your wings!

Teethtania: *flutters hot pink insectile wings and chitters*

Bianca: 😨

Wednesday: If you two are quite done with pleasantries, here are the rest. Two werewolf, one gorgon, one siren, and eight hyde. As agreed.

The bag is tossed to the Wednesday-sized figure of ever-shifting teeth. It She catches it and the chattering hum intensifies, somehow sounding pleased as the bag’s contents crawl out to join the mass of oral bone.

Teethtania: *clatters and bows*

Wednesday: Excellent. Have a terrible day, Teethtania.

Enid: *waves* Toodles!

The tooth fairy abruptly falls apart in a shower of teeth, each one scurrying back to the hidden place from which it came.

Bianca: 😨

Wednesday: Now then, mi corazón, how did you want to celebrate?

Enid: *whoops* CANDY!

Wednesday: As you so desire. Shall we? *offers pinkie*

Enid: *links pinkies* Obvi. Bye, B!

Wednesday only offers a curt nod to Bianca in farewell before the two head off for Jericho.

Bianca: 😑

Bianca: Fucking weirdoes. Why can’t they just shed old teeth and rotate in new ones, like a normal person?

[jstor]

Step back into the 1950s with this vintage gem from the American Dental Association, from the Wellcome Collection available on JSTOR. This clip from a series of 1-minute TV announcements reminds us that maintaining a healthy smile is timeless. The animated PSA playfully suggests that if you take care of your teeth as you age, "you'll think you're another Peter Pan." 🦷 ✨ Explore how dental health advice was shared with audiences over 60 years ago and reflect on how much—or how little—has changed in our approach to oral hygiene in the full video on JSTOR.

[aster-spiral-30]

I need help paying for a tooth extraction 🦷

$30/200

paypal.me/AsterSpiral30

The back molar in the bottom left side of my mouth needs to be extracted.

My dentist had put on a cap to cover the tooth— and I mistakenly thought that it wasn’t as serious as time went on (from my last examination this spring).

I brushed regularly as usual, and the cap did help me.

However, the tooth started bothering me over the past four days when I eat and drink (particularly cold things like chilled water). I haven’t eaten anything sweet this week (The sugar makes me nervous).

I hope that I can get this tooth removed ASAP before it becomes far more painful.

Every little bit helps.

Please reblog.

[desultory-suggestions]

If you are someone who struggles with dental hygiene due to mental health issues or neurodiversity and you just can't seem to change your routine or motivate yourself, I highly recommend investing in the right tools for you. Often advice starts with "Just form a habit! Just set a reminder!" but these things are not always enough to help when there are external stressors that cause avoidance.

An electric toothbrush and small portable waterpik have been amazing for me. I hate flossing, I find it tedious, and painful, and I avoid it. A waterpik on the other hand is fast, easy, and extremely effective. I also didn't realize how tedious I found brushing until I got an affordable electric brush. It helps do the majority of the work for me, feels nice, and has a timer to help me brush for the right amount of time. I hated mouthwash because it always burns my tongue, so I switched to alcohol-free mouthwash that doesn't.

These small changes have vastly changed my relationship to dental hygiene. If you can't get yourself to the bathroom, keep your brush by the bed. If you hate mint toothpaste use kids toothpaste with a more gentle flavor. If you need to have a brush on the go carry Colgate Wisps. Stop trying to force yourself to fit into an uncomfortable system, instead try to build one that fits your needs.

[xerxestexastoast]

Your occasional executive dysfunction reminder that my dental hygienist told me it was okay to brush without paste if it meant getting my teeth brushed at all. The next dental appointment I had after putting it into practice, she told me my teeth looked way better than last time

[nenelonomh]

oral hygiene practices

maintaining healthy teeth and gums is crucial for many reasons:

prevents tooth decay and gum disease. regular brushing and flossing remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that can lead to cavities and gum disease if not properly managed.

maintains fresh breath. poor oral hygiene can cause bad breath (halitosis). brushing your teeth, and tongue, and using mouthwash can help keep your breath fresh.

reduces the risk of systemic diseases. there is a strong link between oral health and overall health. poor oral hygiene can contribute to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections.

saves money. preventive care is often less expensive than treating dental problems. regular check-ups and cleanings can help catch issues early before they become more serious and costly.

so, let's look at some key practices to help maintain your smile.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ brush your teeth twice a day. use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. brush for at least two minutes, making sure to clean all surfaces of your teeth.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ floss daily. flossing helps remove plaque and food particles between your teeth and under the gumline where your toothbrush can’t reach.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ use mouthwash. an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash can help reduce plaque, prevent cavities, and freshen your breath.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ maintain a healthy diet. limit sugary foods and drinks, as they can contribute to tooth decay. eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can support overall oral health.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ stay hydrated. drinking plenty of water, especially fluoridated tap water, helps wash away food particles and bacteria.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ avoid tobacco products. smoking and chewing tobacco can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ replace your toothbrush regularly. change it over every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ visit your dentist regularly. regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are essential for maintaining oral health and catching any issues early.

i know that i am only reinforcing what your dentist is already telling you - but my purpose is to provide easy information and further reading resources that may teach you something new. by incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy.

unfortunately, i know many people who ignore simple health facts (for a multitude of reasons). but this is not the way! looking after your health and your body is so important!

for further reading:

Oral Hygiene: Best Practices & Instructions for Good Routine | Cleveland Clinic

WOHD23-factsheet-oralhygiene-EN.pdf | FDI World Dental Foundation

Oral Hygiene | National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

the original oral hygiene post (by me)

❤️ nene

[incognitopolls]

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[chaptertwo-thepacnw]

aquafresh 1984

[chronicillnessfromateensmind]

My heart breaks more and more everytime i got to the dentist and realize just how much is effected when your chronically ill and suffer from chronic pain, it effects more that just the symptoms you’re having. mine effects my ability to brush my teeth, therefore my teeth decay. and i’m left feeling embarrassed at my inadequacies to take care of myself and the sideways glances from the dental assistant just jabbing it in more.

rationally i know im doing my best, that my disabilities hinder my ability to take care of myself sometimes. rationally i know to give myself grace, and be more understanding towards myself. but i can’t help but feel ashamed and horrible of my lack of care each time they point out another cavity. i can’t help but feel pure anger and resentment towards myself after each cleaning. and i can’t help but hate myself for being the way i am after ever dentist appointment.

[liveandyouwillsee]

13/09/2024

Some pictures from this week. I've been Very busy with my internship, a research and the lectures. On monday I shot my first X ray exame as the technician.

[rewcana]

everyday i think about how i wish the dent bots from the wayfarer's series were real

[andrewmbond]

Dental Records

2024