I think things are more complex than "brushing and flossing damages your gums depending on force and utility" because I've got wisdom teeth that I've been forci

I think things are more complex than "brushing and flossing damages your gums depending on force and utility" because I've got wisdom teeth that I've been forcibly brushing for decades in the interest of making my gumline recede and it just. doesn't. work. I also eat carbs like they're going out of style. At least one serving every day, minimum. I've also had an insatiable sweet tooth for most of my life, although that tapered off into my mid-30s. I went fourteen years without seeing a dentist, and when I finally went in, aside from serious plaque buildup, my teeth and gums were in fantastic shape. It may have something to do with the fact that I drink skim milk like a toddler - about two gallons a week. I will say, one effect that dairy and carbs has on my oral hygiene is that they promote the formation of tonsililoths - but once I was turned on to using a tongue scraper, that problem disappeared completely. How did I go 14 years without a dentist and end up with great teeth anyway? Avoid sugary carbonated beverages, I floss with Plackers, I brush daily with an electric toothbrush and a baking soda/peroxide toothpaste, I use a tongue scraper, and I rinse with & gargle Listerene.