What are the alternatives to flossing?
112020
There are several alternatives to flossing for those who find it too difficult, too painful (sensitive gums or gum disease) or ineffective (those people with braces or delicate bridge work. But remember one thing: Never use a toothpick as a substitute for flossing. Toothpicks can tear delicate gum tissue and may damage existing dental restorations. \n\nOne popular flossing alternative is called a water pick, or irrigator. \n\nWater picks use powerful tiny bursts of water to blast away food particles and other debris in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. Dentists use professional-grade water picks when preparing a tooth for restoration, or in general cleaning and exams. \n\nPeople with painful gum disease or highly sensitive gums may find water picks useful for supplementing their brushing regimen. And people with orthodontia, including braces, have found water picks quite useful because toothbrush bristles often get stuck. Antibacterial rinses (over-the-counter and by prescription) are somewhat effective. There are also several types of brushes designed specifically to clean in between the teeth.
216649
My dentist said that if you have no money for fancy whiteners you can make a paste of peroxide & baking soda and apply it to your teeth for a short time.  Whatever remedy you decide to use make sure it is short-time because you don't want to weaken the enamel; and remember to try to stay away from foods that are colored such as coffee, soda etc. or you might as well not try to bleach them.
85519
Brush your teeth with a flouride toothpaste twice daily. Once in the morning, and once before bed. Do not drink anything but water after the nighttime brushing.\n\nIn between chew a piece of Trident or other SUGARLESS gum. It helps cause enzymes in saliva to wash away sugars and help protect the teeth. Also, have some water after a sugary soda. The water will help rinse some residual sugar off your teeth.\n\nI find a stick of Trident works best. Twice daily brusing. technically,2 minutes total. 30 seconds for each quadrant.\n\nI really like the new Oral B electric toothbrush. It has those floss action paddles on the brush and it really has eliminated the need to floss for me. I used to floss each time I brushed and with this toothbrush, flossing is pointless. I still do it daily to be safe, but the new brush does a great gum workpout.\n\nThe real goal is to eliminate sugars coated or stuck on teeth. Water helps, and sugarless gum. Merely drinking a soda and then having some water will not harm your teeth. What does the damage is going hours with sugar on them, or over night.
1134937
No.  Brush your teeth.
914060
1)In-Office whitnening (specifically ZOOM)\n2)Take home whitenening kit (Dentist prescribed 30% Peroxide bleach)\n3)Take home Kit(dentist prescribed 10% Peroxide bleach)\n4)Rembrandt Whitentning kit (Pharmacy 5% bleach)\n5)Crest whitestrips, baking soda toothpaste, and whitening toothpaste\nHope this all helps you!!!
60719
I saw on 20/20 or Primetime that mouthwash isn't as good for you as expected. Well for clean breath anyway. They had said that the alcohol in mouthwash temporarily stops saliva production which causes bad breath quicker. See, saliva helps to dissolve plaque and food particles so if you aren't producing saliva then your breath will get nastier quicker. My dentist told me the best bet is floss and good brushing techniques will do a far more superior job. Just my 2 cents worth.
396340
Try brushing your teeth.
680344
First try dipping ur tooth brush in baking soda and brush ur teeth with that (after brushing) once a day for a week and then decide if you really want to waste your $$$.
404304
You have to do the work.  If you are not brushing properly and using a floss threader and flossing EVERYDAY then your gums will not heal.  Braces are even worse on teeth and gums as they get everything caught in them.  The bacteria and food debris just sits there on those brackets and wires, which in turn your body wants to fight off, hence you get swollen sore gums.  I know that trying to floss with a full-set of braces is a pain.  It is even for me when I have to floss one of my ortho patients, and I am a hygienist. I can't imagine having to do this at home. But you can do it.  You just have to make the time.  An electric toothbrush is a great thing for people with braces, it does not have to be an expensive one, the pulsar by oral-b is a great one and it costs about six dollars at walmart.  You have to take even better care of your mouth then the average person does when you have braces.  The only way to get all of the nasties out of your mouth is to brush, then floss, making sure to go under your wires by using super floss or a floss threader, taking care to wrap each side of the tooth like a "C" shape to clean each side of the tooth and under the gum-line, and then following by a vigorous swish with mouthwash or salt water.  The salt water is a great way to help heal the gums up and make them less sore.  Yes it tastes nasty, but it is a tried and true method.  Just try to remember that you will not have to wear braces forever, and once they are off you will have a great smile, as long as you do the work now.
420187
Your'e clean Baby; a new start.  Yahooo!!!!!\n\nAdvice OK here goes-\nOK as soon as you can in a day or two start brushing the gums.  Buy 10 rolls of DENTAL TAPE (not dental floss), Spread em out.  Your desk, your car, at the office, tape a pack to the remote, tape one the your monitor, the eliptical, etc. . .  Out of sight out of mind.  Start flossing,  When you go for your 1 month evaluation which I'm sure your dentist scheduled you for.  You will smile he will poke your gums and there wont be any blood!  whoopee.  \n\nDental tape is great its thick so it don't break easy. Floss is too thin it breaks and is too thin to get through  those tight spots. \n\nCongradulations on your clean start,  keep up the good work!\nGood Luck,
910385
Get laminates.  They are thin very strong and cheaper than fillings or crowns, and the results are spectacular!
608617
try a mouth wash, take your brush to work and clean them later
450661
tongue scrapers work wonders.\nif i brush my teeth, but I don't use my scraper, I still get bad breath.
1170013
There are tons of whitening options out now - you can pick some whitening products up at your local drugstore, like crest white strips.  You could also opt to get a laser procedure or get a professional whitening kit - which of course would be quite pricey.  If you aren't looking to spend too much money you can try baking soda and peroxide and brush your teeth with it, or just pick up some whitening strips which aren't expensive.
676700
You need to make sure that you are flossing everyday and you are getting your teeth cleaned every 6 months. You could do salt water rinse. Part warm water, part salt, do not swallow.
503401
A host of things! Elimnating carbonated water from your diet, using bilberry, eating raw seeds particularly sunflower seeds.   \nLast but not least, filtering all water of hydrofloridic acid (What the industry calls necessary floride) Here's a site that will turn you green: http://www.angelhealingcenter.com/Fluoride.html#WhatYouCanDo
712200
try chewingum or bonbons