Though brushing one's teeth is a very simple (and necessary) act, many just don't do it as often as it needs to be done. When I was young, for example, I kept on 'forgetting' because it was already late, I was tired, and - well, I'll brush my teeth tomorrow.
After some months, I got numerous cavities, and since then I take care to remember. How about you?
I try to brush twice a day, but like you said, sometimes it's late or I am in a hurry and I forget to brush them.
Of course, chewing certain kinds of chewing, while not being a substitute for brushing, kills certain cavity-causing bacteria. So if you do tend to forget, maybe that's a solution for you.
I definitely understand the bad habit of putting off brushing your teeth, for whatever reason. We are very busy and yes, get very tired. Maybe we're lazy. I should know better, but we take careful to be sure that our children brush their teeth twice a day. It really does seem kind of ignorant for me to not take as good care of my teeth. I have always had strong teeth growing up. I think I only had one small filling by the time I was 21. Then, when I got pregnant with my first child, my teeth were zapped by the fact that a growing baby takes away a lot of calcium from the mother. Even though I took better care of my teeth then I still got cavities. Now, I have like 9 fillings. So, this thread has inspired me to do better.
P.S. After re-reading my post again, I wanted to let you all know that I brush my teeth daily, not monthly.
Edited: dawnofthenew on 15th Jan, 2005 - 8:43pm
I brush my teeth every morning, and I can say that with confidence. Most times I remember to brush my teeth at night before I go to bed, but I won't put any money down on that, because there have been nights where I forgot. I will say that I often brush twice a day, and at least once a day. I've never gone a day where I didn't brush my teeth that day.
I brush my teeth twice a day. I have a little bag at work where I have a toothbrush and toothpaste, after eating my lunch, I brush them...I must confess that sometimes I am in such a rush that I do not do it. At night I ALWAYS brush my teeth, floss them and use mouth wash.
My little sister is an absolute brushaholic, and was especially diligent when we were younger. I was generally on the once a day plan while growing up, and would sometimes go a couple of days without because I was tired or rebellious. She has had several cavities, and I have none. I'm sure my punishment will come, perhaps in a different form.
I now brush at least once a day under normal conditions. I like to brush when I wake up as well, but since I often go to bed at 11 or 12 and wake up at 2, my mouth still feels clean when I start my day.
Flossing, however, is a different story. Flossing regularly is a habit I would like to obtain this new year. When I lived with roommates, I would floss because they did, and it seemed like a part of everybody's routine. However, I was never truly converted to it, and I lapsed into oral hygiene apostasy when I moved into my current living arrangement. I need to stop relying on peer pressure and start doing what my dentist says, no matter what the consequences.
Oh, the horror! Dental hygiene apostasy!! Oh, my gosh, I laughed out loud.
My family, unfortunately, has a genetic trait for bad teeth. One of my aunts has had full dentures since age 14; my mother has had partial dentures (all her molars gone) since age 20. She now has caps on all her remaining natural teeth.
Brushing and flossing and regular cleanings have not helped my generation nor my daughter's. I have a mouth full of metal: bridges, caps, crowns, etc. ( I wonder if I have enough now to set off the airport security systems?... hmmmm) I had my first root canal at age 9. Anyway, I brush every day, usually twice, and my daughter also. We also started rinsing with fluoride a couple of years ago, but I don't think that's done any good at all. Just a couple of weeks ago, my daughter had two teeth pulled that had gone bad from the inside and then cracked in half. Poor thing! thank goodness both were "baby teeth" so she has new ones waiting to come in. Too bad we can't be like sharks and just have new teeth forming all the time, so when we lose one it's always replaced....
QUOTE (FarSeer @ 15-Jan 05, 11:51 PM) |
Too bad we can't be like sharks and just have new teeth forming all the time, so when we lose one it's always replaced.... |