Dental Wood Sticks

[jennyjoan]

My dentist has emphasised very emphatically on using the above to floss your teeth.

She said I don't care if you never use mouthwash - just the above. Anybody else use these and are they beneficial. Have bought them but haven't got round to using them.

[Old_Geezer]

My dentist was not keen on toothpicks of any sort. Asked if I used them when he found decay where he wasn't expecting, about a year ago. I'd have thought that would have included wooden dental sticks.

[janbee]

I have them but my dental hygienist advised against them. Instead, I now use tepee(sp?) brushes. They come in various sizes and they are terrific. I occasionally use floss but prefer the little brushes.

[Jomlett]

Another vote for TeePee brushes...they're the best.

[ubasses]

My dentist advises a water flosser if you have any crowns/veneers or implants as it is gentler and can get right into where they meet the gum and flush any food bits out. I am shocked at how much is flushed out some days.

[jennyjoan]

Maybe cos I have pyrrhoea that I maybe need them. Sister flosses her teeth with floss but she kept saying oh these wooden sticks won't go through your teeth but she tried one and she was surprised at how well they do go in.

Jan I have just googled those tepee brushes and I think I have had those before but the thought of (I think) metal stem does put me off putting them into my mouth next to my fillings. They "pinged".

[jennyjoan]

I mentioned water flosser - no, wooden sticks every time.

[janbee]

Change the brushes before they get worn down to the metal. I love tepee brushes.

[janbee]

Water picks are supposed to be excellent but quite pricey.

[jennyjoan]

Janbee - is that Ubasses recommended.

No too nervous re the metal hitting a tooth even. Am wondering would the little brushes come with a plastic stem.

[ubasses]

Yes the one Janbee mentions is a Brand Name I have a Panasonic.

[janbee]

I haven't seen them with plastic stems but that doesn't mean they don't exist.Try online querying and see what comes up.
Waterpicks are terrific and I think it MAY be what ubasses said but not sure. Check them out online too.

[Old_Geezer]

I bought a water flosser some time ago, but yet to get around to trying it. Well there is no electricity in UK bathrooms by law, well save for shaver points, and I don't presently have one of those. With everything on RCD these days I'm unsure we still need to be so strict on the regs.

[stuey]

About three years ago I was given a free sample of these by a dentist, and I've never used anything else since. They're tapered and sort of serrated...Excellent.
http://www.drugstore.com/g-u-m-soft-picks/qxp210819

[jennyjoan]

stuey - they seemed to be American.

[stuey]

JJ, I would think that they, or something similar, would be available in the UK.

[jennyjoan]

are you American Stuey

[stuey]

Canadian, JJ.

[jennyjoan]

£3.12 for the sticks and £12 for postage - Wow.

[stuey]

You can't buy them over there?

[Quizmonster]

Try miswak, a particular sort of twig with antiseptic properties that you have probably seen Arabs using. It is, therefore, a kind of 'dental stick'. Some studies have suggested that these might be more effective than toothbrushes. I did so when I was working in the Gulf, but haven't done so for years, having returned to UK. Your question just brought them back to mind for me. I'm sure you'll be able to find them online; I'm going to have a look, too!