That’s interesting—my dentist actually told me the same thing about waiting after eating, especially with acidic stuff. I used to brush right away because I thought it’d help, but my teeth would feel weirdly tingly after, almost like they were extra sensitive. Now I set a timer for half an hour, even though it feels a little silly. I get anxious about cavities between my teeth, so I’m always second-guessing if I’m doing it “right.” Maybe the timing does make a difference, or maybe it’s just peace of mind? Either way, I totally get where you’re coming from.
Waiting to brush after eating sounded so counterintuitive to me at first, but I get what you mean about the tingly, sensitive feeling. I used to brush right after meals, especially if I’d had something sweet or sour, thinking I was doing my teeth a favor. Turns out, I was probably just brushing softened enamel. My orthodontist mentioned that too—apparently, braces can trap food and make things worse if you rush it.
I started rinsing with water right after eating instead. It feels like a small thing, but it helps with that weird aftertaste and makes me less anxious about stuff getting stuck. Then, like you, I wait it out before brushing. The timer thing is a bit much for me (I always forget), but I try to use it as an excuse to just chill for a bit after eating. Sometimes that’s the only break I get in the day.
The anxiety about cavities between teeth is real, especially with all the extra nooks and crannies from brackets and wires. I swear, flossing with those little threaders is its own workout. There were times when I’d get so frustrated, I’d just skip it and feel guilty later. My hygienist told me not to stress if I miss a spot here or there—consistency over perfection, which was actually a relief to hear.
Honestly, even if the timing is mostly for peace of mind, that’s not nothing. Dental stuff can be so stressful, so if waiting helps you feel better about your routine, that’s worth it. I figure as long as we’re trying and not totally ignoring it, we’re probably doing better than we think.
I hear you on the frustration with flossing and those little threaders—my kid still needs help with them most nights, and sometimes we both end up annoyed. Rinsing right after eating has made a difference for us too, especially when it comes to sticky foods. I used to worry about every missed spot, but our dentist said the same thing: it’s about building the habit, not being perfect every single time. It’s reassuring to know we’re not alone in this.
Yeah, those floss threaders get old fast—my youngest always groans when it’s time. Tried skipping them to save money on supplies, but ended up with a cavity between her teeth anyway… Lesson learned, I guess. Rinsing after meals helps us too, especially on busy days.
I totally get the urge to skip flossing stuff when it feels like such a chore, especially with kids. But honestly, I’ve found those little interdental brushes way easier than threaders—they’re like tiny bottle brushes and my dentist said they're just as good for getting between teeth. My anxiety about cavities is real after a filling last year... Rinsing helps, but I dunno if it’s enough on its own. Anyone else feel like it’s a constant battle to stay ahead of those sneaky spots?
