I get what you're saying about interdental brushes, but honestly, I tried them once and found them kinda uncomfortable. Maybe I was doing it wrong or something...but it felt like I was poking my gums too much. Regular floss has always been my go-to, even though I'm constantly paranoid I'm not flossing thoroughly enough.
Totally agree on the electric toothbrush though—best investment ever. Before switching, I used to dread dental checkups because I'd always end up needing some minor filling or deep cleaning. Now I'm still anxious (can't help it), but at least the dentist usually says things look good. I've never tried prescription toothpaste though...is it really that much better than regular fluoride toothpaste? Might have to ask about that next time I'm in for a checkup.
I've wondered about prescription toothpaste too—is it just extra fluoride or is there something else special in there? My dentist mentioned it once, but I kinda brushed it off (pun intended, sorry). As for interdental brushes, I felt the same at first—like I was stabbing myself in the gums—but after a few tries, it got easier. Maybe it's just about finding the right size or angle? Still, floss is my comfort zone too...hard to beat the classics.
Prescription toothpaste isn't just extra fluoride, though that's definitely a big part of it. Usually, it has a higher concentration of fluoride than regular toothpaste—like significantly more. Regular toothpaste is around 1000-1500 ppm fluoride, while prescription ones can be around 5000 ppm. That extra fluoride helps strengthen enamel and can even reverse early signs of decay, especially if you're prone to cavities or have braces (like me, unfortunately).
But it's not just fluoride; some prescription toothpastes also have ingredients that help with sensitivity or gum inflammation. My dentist gave me one when I first got braces because my teeth were super sensitive and prone to cavities. Honestly, I was skeptical at first (like, how much better could it really be?), but after using it consistently for a few months, I noticed a real difference. Less sensitivity, fewer issues at checkups, and my dentist seemed pretty pleased.
As for interdental brushes...yeah, I totally get the stabbing-yourself-in-the-gums feeling. Been there, done that, got the sore gums to prove it. But you're right—it's mostly about finding the right size and angle. My orthodontist recommended those tiny brushes because flossing around brackets and wires is a nightmare. Took me a while to get used to them, but now they're second nature. Still, when my braces finally come off (fingers crossed soon), I'm probably gonna stick mostly with floss again. Like you said, it's hard to beat the classics.
One thing I've learned from all these dental adventures is that consistency matters more than anything fancy. Prescription toothpaste or not, interdental brushes or floss—just sticking with whatever works best for you is key.
Prescription toothpaste can definitely be a game changer, especially if you're cavity-prone or dealing with sensitivity. I've seen patients who were skeptical at first but ended up swearing by it after a few months. But you're right—consistency is the real MVP. Fancy toothpaste or not, just being thorough with brushing, flossing (or interdental brushes), and regular checkups usually makes the biggest difference. Keep doing what you're doing...sounds like you've got a solid routine down.
I've gotta admit, prescription toothpaste didn't really do much for my kid. We tried it for about six months because the dentist recommended it for sensitivity, but honestly, it seemed like regular brushing and flossing made more of a difference. Maybe it's just us, but sometimes I think dentists push the fancy stuff a bit too much. Not knocking it completely—just saying that sticking to the basics and regular checkups worked better in our experience.
