• jws_shadotak@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    8·
    3 months ago

    If you are truly struggling and need actual dental care, try searching for a local dental school near you. Many will take patients for cheap or free, with the caveat that a dental student will be performing the treatment.

    Otherwise, brush at least twice a day and floss. Do not re-use strands of floss, like with those convenient plastic picks. You’ll just be transferring bacteria to each crevice after it’s been used.

    Get a water pick (whatever it’s called) - I heard those are great but I don’t have one myself.

  • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
    4·
    3 months ago

    Brush and floss just like your dentist tells you. Also use a real mouthwash, like Listerine.

      • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
        11·
        3 months ago

        And your point?

        Fine. Don’t brush and floss every day. Don’t visit the dentist often. It’s your call. It’s your teeth.

        Between genetics and laziness, most people need a cleaning every 6 months.

        If you don’t think you do, then don’t. Last I checked the dentist isn’t your mom or dad.

  • Fleppensteyn@feddit.nl
    1·
    3 months ago

    My yearly dental works always cost a fortune, but my teeth are great now, since:

    • I got an electric brush and floss sticks;
    • I now drink coffee without sugar (you’ll get used to it pretty quickly);
    • I almost completely stopped drinking sugary drinks (mostly bubbly water now, boycotting evil companies and being poor help).
  • sramder@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    3 months ago

    A toothpaste that restores your enamel. It’s prescription in the US but you can get Apagard Premio off Amazon.

    It’s probably a good idea to get some extra fluoride since the Apagard doesn’t have any. I use purple Listerine, but I kinda hate it, so find something you like.

    You should floss, which I’m shitty at, so I use a water pick a few times a week. All kinds of nasty crap comes out, even after brushing, so it’s gotta be better than nothing.

    I use a Philips Sonicare toothbrush, no need to get the fancy ones, it’s mostly extra accessories. There are probably less expensive ultrasonic toothbrushes out there that work well… doing it twice a day manually is probably better for you than once a day with a fancy toothbrush.

    Hang in there, clinical trials of a drug that regrows teeth are underway and the results are promising.

  • lemmylommy@lemmy.world
    1·
    3 months ago

    The same as you do if you can afford dental care:

    Most importantly: Brush at least once, better twice a day. No exceptions ever. Make it part of your daily morning or evening rituals. It takes about a day for plaque to harden and then you can no longer brush it away. Don’t ever let it get to that.

    If you can afford one, get an electric toothbrush.

    Be gentle with the brush. All you need is a very soft scrubbing. Pressure can damage your teeth and gums.

    Chewing gum can reduce acids and help remineralize your enamel after eating. Sugar free is better, but afaik even gum with sugar has a net positive effect if you chew it long enough after the sugar has dissolved.

    Try to avoid getting into a routine that leaves out spots when brushing. Personally, I switch hands every day and once or twice a week I use a non-electric brush.

    If you want to optimize this: those tablets that the dentist uses to stain plaque to check where you missed a spot are cheap, you don’t necessarily need a dentist for that if you can’t afford one.

    Floss and use interdental brushes regularly. Use mouthwash every now and then, and at the first sign of gum inflammation. Preferably one without alcohol, because that seems to increase the risk of cancer.

    If you can’t afford professional tooth cleaning, try asking for calculus removal, if you have any. Here in Germany that’s ~15€ instead of ~100€. Once it’s gone prevent it from building up again (see above).

    If you have cavities, try to get rid of them as early as possible. Maybe there are some charity or teaching clinics. Cavities only ever get more expensive in the long run. And it is much easier to maintain an infection free mouth than to constantly fight to keep the decay from spreading.