Growing up, I had poor dental hygiene. Mostly my own ignorance behind it all. I never flossed and only brushed once at night, which meant I had persistent dental issues and bad breath (ew). It wasn’t until later in life that I discovered the importance of proper dental care. “Discover” is funny because it was rather forced. And honestly, it’s good that I got on with the program.

I eventually had cavities that required fillings, which involved two sessions of teeth cleaning due to tartar buildup. I now have a thin layer of enamel and use NFX toothpaste daily to preserve it. After getting my fillings, I switched to brushing twice daily and flossing every night. Trust me, it is no fun getting such procedures done on you.

Recently, I transitioned to an electric toothbrush (the Oral-B iO3) and a water-based flosser (OrraCura). Initially, I was concerned about the environmental impact of e-waste, as these devices have non-replaceable batteries, but I decided to make the switch for the sake of my dental health. Still not sure if it was a smart move or just me burning money.

The first time I used the water flosser, my gums bled significantly, which was quite alarming. However, this is common with sensitive gums, and the bleeding has reduced over time. I’ve also noticed a visible reduction in plaque. It was definitely not fun seeing so much blood in your sink.

The electric toothbrush helps me avoid brushing too hard, which can damage enamel, thanks to its pressure indicator. Additionally, I’ve learned that gargling with water after meals helps protect the enamel, as it softens slightly while chewing. Always brush atleast 30 mins after a meal.

Here’s the routine:

Morning

• Brush with Enafix Toothpaste
• clean tongue

Post every Meal

• gargle with water

Evening

• brush with colgate total
• water floss
• clean tongue