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> ...but every 3 months. When pressed on why, eventually they'll admit it's how nice it feels to have clean teeth and how important your smile is - but NOT stri

> ...but every 3 months. When pressed on why, eventually they'll admit it's how nice it feels to have clean teeth and how important your smile is - but NOT strictly necessary for health. Sometimes they can give a proper reason. Like in my example I've got some largish gum pockets around three of my teeth that are getting better but still not great (was a lot worse before they did some deep cleaning 9 months ago, I was seriously worried I had a couple of abscesses, lots of pain, gum swelling, and bleeding), so every 3 months makes sense to check in on them and keep them cleared out enough they can heal better.

helij 4y ago
Did the hygienist measure your gaps and recommend interdental toothbrush sizes so you can do it yourself regularly? Tepe is a good brand but any really will do as long as you know what size to use. My hygienist measured and wrote sizes down for each gap between teeth.
- cableshaft 4y ago
  They measure my gaps each time, yeah. I had three 6mms that are now two 5mms and a 4mm, and a lot of 4mms and 5mms that are now 3mms. They didn't mention the interdental brushes, but that might be because I have a Waterpik, which they did recommend I use 2-3 times a day, instead of just once, as well as brushing. My gums also generally feel a lot better now, except for some periodic issues with the two 5mm gap teeth. Like it's pretty obvious to me that they're better. It used to be painful just to lightly brush some of those places that aren't now, and bleeding is a lot less common, and swelling is way down. The Tepe brushes look interesting though, I might have to give those a try.
- azinman2 4y ago
  Fun fact that I’m quite proud of: my father is the reason measuring your pockets is standard of care (he’s a periodontist turned attorney and lecturer). Question any dentist that doesn’t do this as part of cleanings.
nsxwolf 4y ago
My pockets got better after I started using a WaterPik with a special attachment called the "Pik Pocket". I use warm water with a little splash of hydrogen peroxide and irrigate them all.
- NullPrefix 4y ago
  You forgot the TM sign after WaterPik

helij 4y ago

Did the hygienist measure your gaps and recommend interdental toothbrush sizes so you can do it yourself regularly? Tepe is a good brand but any really will do as long as you know what size to use. My hygienist measured and wrote sizes down for each gap between teeth.

cableshaft 4y ago
They measure my gaps each time, yeah. I had three 6mms that are now two 5mms and a 4mm, and a lot of 4mms and 5mms that are now 3mms. They didn't mention the interdental brushes, but that might be because I have a Waterpik, which they did recommend I use 2-3 times a day, instead of just once, as well as brushing. My gums also generally feel a lot better now, except for some periodic issues with the two 5mm gap teeth. Like it's pretty obvious to me that they're better. It used to be painful just to lightly brush some of those places that aren't now, and bleeding is a lot less common, and swelling is way down. The Tepe brushes look interesting though, I might have to give those a try.
azinman2 4y ago
Fun fact that I’m quite proud of: my father is the reason measuring your pockets is standard of care (he’s a periodontist turned attorney and lecturer). Question any dentist that doesn’t do this as part of cleanings.

nsxwolf 4y ago

My pockets got better after I started using a WaterPik with a special attachment called the "Pik Pocket". I use warm water with a little splash of hydrogen peroxide and irrigate them all.

NullPrefix 4y ago
You forgot the TM sign after WaterPik