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Comment by entropicgravity | Hacker News Reader

If you have an ongoing problem of plaque/tartar build up on your teeth then this BBC article[1] could be a life changer for you. It was for me. After a year of doing it right my gums are now close to perfect.

I notice though that neither my hygenist's or my dentist's office has been handing out information about this approach. Not good for business perhaps. I believe this technique works via abrasion so toothpaste is a must. I use a Braun 4000 but any sturdy electric toothbrush should work.

[1]https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220718-the-best-way-to-....

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So it's just holding the electric brush at 45 degrees against the gum?

Pretty much yes, holding your brush at 45 degrees and following your gum line. I found I could feel and follow my gum line except on my back upper outside molars where I had to turn the brush about 30 degrees up (in the front to back direction). For some reason I can't feel that part of my gums very well. I'm pretty sure your mileage may very.

It's also helpful to have a reliable hygienist check how you're going until you get it right. I'll probably end up going about every six months in any case, with healthy gums. Which is much better than "I would hate to see you lose all your teeth." which is what my hygienist said before I got serious.

Finally, I've only been brush once a day, before bed for two reasons. First to check how well things were going and second, to avoid too much wear and tear on the gums in case it wasn't necessary. As it turned out I'm fine with once a day. The primary way I check between check ups is to floss about once every two weeks. If my gums bleed then it's a sign I'm off track. Before I started this technique my gums would almost always bleed.

I appreciate the detailed reply! Just to clarify: You only floss once every 2 weeks?

No I brush once a day at the moment. I might brush more often if I can confirm that it won't damage my gums to do so. In any case, once a day for me has been working very well so far.

I am 39 and I have had issues with plaque/tartar build up on my bottom front teeth my whole life. Last year my new-ish hygienist gave me a toothbrush and asked me to show her how I brushed the teeth. She saw I was holding the wrong angle and corrected me. The result - night and day difference. ZERO plaque in the last year.

Holding at 45 degs is what the instructions in my electric toothbrush recommended, so it seems it is commonplace now.

> my gums are now close to perfect.

Do you mean that your gums were shrinked and then growed back to their full height? Or that they were sore and not anymore?

No unfortunately gums don't grow back very much. What I mean is that my gums don't bleed any more because the tartar no longer inflames the gum tissues.

I thought so. Thanks. Fuck modernity. I'm 18 and my gums have already shrinked too much. I cut all mouthbreathing and sugar recently and flossing & brushing since some time, but no one warned me gum shrinkage was irreversible and this fast.

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