Taking care of teeth.

As I understand it, one common source of gum irritation is plaque/tartar buildup under the gum line. My dentists and hygienists have told me that "plaque" (bacteria setting up housekeeping as biofilm) tends to harden into tartar (and become more irritating as well as harder to remove) after 24 hours or so. I've also seen "48 hours" cited. I'm sure each of those numbers depends on the researchers' judgment of when plaque becomes hard enough to be called tartar, and possibly dentists'/hygienists' judgment of what it'll take to scare me into brushing more often.

For years, it didn't seem to make much difference whether I brushed once a day, twice a day, or occasionally skipped a day. My impression now is that I wasn't hitting all the right places so whether I got the other places clean, superclean, or only half clean didn't matter that much.

Trying harder to follow my dentists'/hygienists advice didn't help much. Not only were at least some of my efforts misdirected, but I came to resent what I regarded as intrusive and not very useful advice. When it came (theoretically) time to brush, I'd often be too sleepy to care. Curiously, what seems to have made the most difference for me was one hygienist's bad advice. It turned out that regular Waterpicking at maximum pressure was clearly too much, but the same procedure at about half the pressure worked quite well. In the year or so since then, both a subsequent hygienist and my periodontist have told me that my oral hygiene was "good".

Depressed and in bed. Not flossing nor brushing.

@FooZe, thanks for the info and the waterpic suggestion, So far I'm sticking with regular floss as it seems to be working ok for me, but I do know I need to be a lot better about brushing.

@Tart Cherry Jam, I'm so sorry you're depressed. Can you talk to your Dr or is this something that you just have to ride out?

Flossed yesterrday

Thank you, Splitinsge. My doctor knows about the depression. There was a very significant event that caused it, psychologically, so I have to process and ride it out. Because of the risks of switching into elevated mood, I normally have to ride depressions out without taking antidepressants.

I am s little better today and was able to take a shower and detangle the bird's next of hair. When I am depressed, my hair shows it because self-care becomes impossible. But you know how it is with self-care. Still have not flossed or brushed but will probably scrape my tongue as this is quick and easy to do.

Tart Cherry Jam, good luck with getting through it. I'm glad you managed to shower and do your hair, even though it's hard that always makes me feel a little bit better.

Rough night last night as I'm coming down with a cold, so didn't manage to floss.

Of course! Having a cold and flossing just do not go together.

I am fine already. Yesterday night two positive events happened plus today I proceeded the negative events with a T and he is terrific so that helped a ton. I even drove around my neighborhood taking photos and videos of Halloween displays and will post them on FB and send to ppl who are not on Facebook.

I first flossed yesterday night. There was so much yellow gold on my teeth that they looked just awful. But after really careful flossing they were back to normal.

I flossed as usual this morning and now I am going to do my 2nd brushing which will actually be right before bedtime. Noce.

It feels wonderful not to be deprssed. I also had a productive day at work.

Tart Cherry Jam, I'm glad you're feeling better. Driving around to see Halloween decorations sounds really nice..

Good day yesterday, I actually managed to both floss and brush.

I was a little too happy last night. Could not fall asleep on my regular small dose of Seroquel. Had to take Zyprexa and even that took awhile to act, but I did ultimately sleep enough and woke up without traces of beginning hypomania. Zyorexa does nip it in the bud. I will stay on it and forego Seroquel for the next few nights until I see my doctor.

Flossed and brushed this morning and plan to do a 2nd brushing tonight before I go to bed.

Excellent report Splitinage. To more days like this in your life.

Tart Cherry Jam. I'm glad you have a med that works for you. I take Seroquel too and find it works great for me, but I'm on a pretty high dose.

Another good day yesterday, managed to floss and brush.

Flossed yesterday. And the toothpaste you recommended, Tart Cherry Jam, d arrived yesterday, so I'm going to try it today.

I am so glad to hear that!

I didn't do the 2nd brushing today. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day and I will do the 2nd brushing after donating blood.

Brushed during the day yesterday, but didn't manage to floss last night - too tired after work.

Had a lightheadness / low blood pressure episode after donating double platelets. Ended up needist to rest and eat salty pretzels and a cheese stick and take in liquids before I was allowed to leave the blood center. This is the first time it happens to me and I have been donating for several years. I hope it is a one time occurrence and not the beginning of a bad trend.

Came home tired but made myself do the 2nd brushing and now feel much better for it! My mouth feels refreshed and psychologically I feel better because I actually accomplished what I had set out to do.

I'm sorry donating platelets affected you negatively. I too hope it was a one off. Glad you still managed the second brushing.

Flossed yesterday.

Back to depression but today is mild. I hope to shake it and go to the office tomorrow. I also have an endocrinolist's intake tomorrow and in the evening, a personal training session. Will hopefully resume training after almost a month's hiatus caused by stuff both on the trainer's end and mine.

Managed a 2nd brushing just now and am happy to report that it made me feel better. Not just refreshed but more hopeful.

Grateful for this thread, btw.

Good luck getting back into training. I hope you're able to resume that.

flossed yesterday

I honestly think that managing the 2nd brushing last night was the positive change necessary to make me feel so much better that I got a productive day at work today.

just now, 2nd brushing. Personal training in 30 minutes. Feel a little sad but not to the point of depression. Will see how I fee after the training.

Hope you felt better after training.

Flossed last night.

Flossed yesterday

Flossed last night.