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The hacker in me cautions those who might think that not brushing is a good idea to save some time: There are real social consequences in American culture caus

The hacker in me cautions those who might think that not brushing is a good idea to save some time: There are real social consequences in American culture caused by not brushing your teeth. Other people will get offended by your bad breath and yellow teeth (especially those of the opposite sex). It might be a "weird" ritual, but it's also part of our culture and how people judge you (which actually does matter a lot in society). Similar arguments apply to things like not bathing and drinking soylent.

jacobolus 11y ago
You can get almost the same effect brushing your teeth a few times per week, if you’re worried about it. Most of the time if there’s obvious plaque growing on your teeth, it’s because you were eating something sugary immediately beforehand. In my anecdotal experience, halitosis is also diet related, and brushing teeth has only very short term effect on it. Most of the time, bad breath is neutralized better and for longer by just eating a meal than by brushing teeth.
- Hydraulix989 11y ago
  Yes, there are other things that can cause plaque and bad breath as well. However, other people notice even subtle differences/inadequacies in one's hygiene. As professional advice, I strongly caution against not brushing your teeth, or at least, telling others that you do not brush your teeth in public.
  - jacobolus 11y ago
    Indeed, apparently even discussing the subject will cause Hacker News readers to aggressively downvote you. :-)
    - Hydraulix989 11y ago
      I actually think that downvoting you is counterproductive to this discussion though. :) It's a shame downvote has become an "I disagree with you" button instead of a way of signalling "low quality content." I counter-upvoted you, which also abuses the downvote button, but at least two wrongs somewhat make a right here. Aristotle: "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
dboreham 11y ago
Unless you find one of the American women who has an Austin Powers fetish.

jacobolus 11y ago

You can get almost the same effect brushing your teeth a few times per week, if you’re worried about it. Most of the time if there’s obvious plaque growing on your teeth, it’s because you were eating something sugary immediately beforehand. In my anecdotal experience, halitosis is also diet related, and brushing teeth has only very short term effect on it. Most of the time, bad breath is neutralized better and for longer by just eating a meal than by brushing teeth.

Hydraulix989 11y ago
Yes, there are other things that can cause plaque and bad breath as well. However, other people notice even subtle differences/inadequacies in one's hygiene. As professional advice, I strongly caution against not brushing your teeth, or at least, telling others that you do not brush your teeth in public.
- jacobolus 11y ago
  Indeed, apparently even discussing the subject will cause Hacker News readers to aggressively downvote you. :-)
  - Hydraulix989 11y ago
    I actually think that downvoting you is counterproductive to this discussion though. :) It's a shame downvote has become an "I disagree with you" button instead of a way of signalling "low quality content." I counter-upvoted you, which also abuses the downvote button, but at least two wrongs somewhat make a right here. Aristotle: "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."

dboreham 11y ago

Unless you find one of the American women who has an Austin Powers fetish.