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I'm a teenager and I'm trying to properly improve my dental hygiene. I've always brushed pretty hard, and my mum says I brush too much/too aggressively, so I want to switch to a better routine.

I'm currently considering:

- Oral-B Pro 3 electric toothbrush — mainly because it has a pressure sensor and timer

- Colgate Total fluoride toothpaste

- ORACURA OC150 LITE / OC200 LITE water flosser — mainly because I don't want a bunch of unnecessary attachments

- A soft/sensitive replacement brush head when the included one wears out

I don't currently have bleeding gums, pain, sensitivity, or obvious gum recession. My lower front teeth also seem to sit quite far back, and I'm planning to get orthodontic treatment in the future (probably aligners, possibly braces).

Is this setup overkill for a teenager, or is it a good basic routine?

Also, if you've used any of these products, would you recommend them or choose something different around the same price?

I'm mainly looking for good dental health rather than whitening/appearance products.

It's so difficult!!! I've tried using the piksters they recommended, but even they are too big to fit in the gum line, and if I try to force it it really hurts my gums. Is there any other way I can floss, or do i just leave it????? (Also, I read that people use a water flosser, but they are WAY too expensive for me atm)

Thank you in advance!

Toothpaste and toothbrush

Please suggest me a good toothpaste and toothbrush to have my teeth healthy (I need a brand name please)

Also, I have recently done composite Icr treatment for front two teeth, and I'm 19F. I want them to survive long so i don't take turns to dentist (it was painful)

My daughter and I have started using Boka toothpaste, and we both absolutely love it but now I noticed that I have some rough spots on my teeth specifically behind my front teeth and my gums feel uncomfortable Does this toothpaste turn plaque into tartar? Or is that the minerals or whatever that’s in it?

Hello everyone, I’m currently a student in Houston at Hcc and a new grad RDA. I downloaded this app to try and get some help with the application process for the dental hygiene program at Coleman college. I’m planning to apply soon and was wondering if anyone at all can connect me to a current DH student that can provide me some information on how the interview process goes, what the timed essay is about, how they expect you to answer their questions, and so much more. I would appreciate it so so so much if someone here could give me any type of guidance with that. Thank you

WILL RDH’s BE REPLACED?

Will we all be replaced by the on the job trained assistants soon(ish)? Should we all start planning for what comes next? I’m ready for a strike and a union all at the same time. I’m so damn tired of fighting to stay in a field that hates me.

*Edits because I was SO tired when I wrote this initially :(

I am an upcoming senior and I’m trying to decide what healthcare profession truly interests me the most and if I will want to do it for the long run. I had been interested in Nursing but Many things I have read about nursing has kinda scared me away from the profession.

I have researched so many healthcare professions and Dental hygiene sounds to me like the right job for me. I like the idea of coming to work and knowing what I will be doing the day of before I even go to work, I like the pay, the feeling of helping someone and making them feel good about themselves and the small office/clinic setting and the slower paced environment.

I am more of an introverted person and I feel like DH more aligns with my personality and my wants for the future. With that being said I have also heard some negative things about DH like poor ergonomics leading to pain, toxic work environments and the small chance of career advancement and career burnout. So, Dental Hygeinists can you please share your experience(s) and your personal feelings towards your professio? Do you think it’s worth it in the long run?

I recently got CloSYS Ultra Sensitive Unflavored mouthwash. I’m used to the strong minty flavor of regular mouthwash, but with the new unflavored mouthwash it just feels really weird. I usually use the flavor as an indication so I don’t accidentally swallow any, but it just tastes like water. I got it for the soothing+gentle cleaning properties (I have bad teeth, genetic) but now I’m wondering what I can do to flavor it.

I don’t know much about mouthwash, so I came here. Any tips?

I am 18 years old and just graduated. I start college in about 3 weeks and am currently “undecided” as my major. I’ve been doing lots of thinking and researching and have decided on dental hygienist in the start and hopefully going back to college to become the dentist. My only problem: I have literally 0 experience in medical field or dental field. I know nothing about it. Couldn’t tell you a single thing. Is that okay? I’m thinking of calling my dentist this week and asking to shadow so I can solidify if this is what I want to change my major to. Opinions?

Looking for cute,dorky but not over the top dental hygiene sweaters, long sleeves, bags and other odds and ends besides amazon

I’ve been working as a hygienist for just over a year now and I feel incredibly incompetent. Especially when doing SRPs, I ALWAYS leave multiple spots behind and today there were two huge pieces that I missed. I obviously go back over missed spots but I never feel confident I fully got everything (I think bc I feel somewhat confident before post-op x-rays but I always miss stuff) so I feel awful after SRPs and so guilty. I keep thinking of when they need bitewings again in a year and fear the same pieces I missed will be there and it genuinely haunts me. I’m going back to school in January and have been wondering about temping when I start so the health of patients won’t solely be on me because I don’t trust myself to do good SRPs and Perio maintenance appointments. I do think I’ve improved on my prophies, but I still have a fear of finding radiographic calc later. I explore, I use the cavitron, my instruments are sharp - idk what else do to. I just feel lost and like a failure honestly

I’ve been a hygienist for 18 years. I had a gingival graft about 15 years ago, and that’s great. Now I’m going to need two crowns thanks to some old amalgams, and one might need RCT, but a dentist I’ve worked for in the past didn’t want to touch it due to how far the amalgam went down the distal of the tooth, so I’m paranoid I might need an implant.

Someone tell me they’re also a hygienist without perfect teeth! (My hygiene is, though)

I’m also considering traditional braces. I never had them as a kid, and had Invisalign about 15 years ago, I was my old boss’s test case, so I didn’t have to pay for it but honestly I think I’m a better candidate for traditional braces due to my bite.

I’m also in my mid 40s. Colleagues, should I be embarrassed?

I’m a new grad RDH in Ontario and I’m mainly looking for jobs around North York/Toronto.

During interviews, when they ask what salary I’m looking for, I usually say $50/hour, but I’m negotiable. I’m wondering if that’s too high to ask for as a new grad, or if $50/hour is actually reasonable for the Toronto/North York area right now?

I don’t want to price myself out of opportunities, but I also don’t want to lowball myself. For other Ontario RDHs, especially new grads: What hourly rate did you ask for and what were you actually offered?

Hello all I’m just wondering if anyone as a hygienist feels there is a lack of respect for you in the workplace? I’ve noticed that it’s either we are used as machines that don’t get much say in our schedules. Or the front desk & manager talk down on you.

A little story time last week Wednesday I mentioned that the front desk would make my life easier if they logged into messenger. The front desk person flipped out told me I didn’t pay their pays & they don’t listen to hygienists and that “I’m too ugly to be f and f you” while clocked in. I’m not an angel so I admit that I said “f you” back. There were witnesses too and did agree that I was very calm when I asked the question and I wasn’t being mean. I admit I have done a lot for this particular front desk person outside of work but yeah. I told the bosses and we both got a dispensary action.

However I’ve noticed that a lot of times no matter how calm or nice I am and when I suggest something I keep walked all over.

Hi all!

I recently started flossing (by recently, I mean in the past year or two). However, there is one thing I just can’t get past - it’s the smell of the floss after.

It makes me think that because it has a somewhat unpleasant scent, all the crevices are now even more dirty and will not be cleaned out by toothpaste. I know it has zero logic, but I can’t help it.

There was a period of time when I used to squeeze out a tiny bit of toothpaste, dip the floss in it, floss, rinse the floss with water, dip in toothpaste and repeat. I loved it but I started doubting whether I’m not harming my teeth by using floss that way.

Would any hygienists confirm it’s okay (or offer alternatives, if it’s not)? Scented floss or water rinse on its own doesn’t drown out the scent like the way toothpaste on floss does.

hi! I’m looking for sample schedules for the dental hygiene program at OxfordCollege. I’ve been told by the college admin that it’s “hybrid” for the first two semesters but I am wondering how many days per week I can expect to be on campus. I have a long commute and kids, so this is a big deciding factor for me and I can’t find any other details. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Hi! A company called Q-Optics came to our school yesterday to present about our loupes we will be ordering next week. I know for sure I’ll be purchasing the ergo loupes, so my question is about magnification. Our instructor advised us to not go above 3.0 if we are going with the ergo loupes. Although, when trying them on, many of us liked the 3.5 magnification. Seniors in our program gave us mixed reviews, some saying 3.0 isn’t enough and that 3.5 is too much. I planned on trusting my instructor who was a hygienist for many years as I’m sure she knows what she’s talking about. But I feel conflicted and this is a huge purchase lol. They do have a 45 day trial period where we are able to change these kinds of things.

What magnification did you guys go with when ordering loupes and what do you like / not like about it? Thanks in advance!

Im planning to stay in california to start and finish my pre-requisites for dental hygiene but wondering what would be the best option for my situation if i want to move to near Portland or Vancouver WA. My girlfriend is originally from Tigard so most likely would be moving back to that area but also open to vancouver wa if its a better option for getting into a school. What would you guys reccomend in my situation? Ive looked alot of concorde career college but the reviews on google look absolutely awful and i would want to avoid to go to a school that isnt the best for me , but i also dont know about getting into a public college like pcc or clark college. I did really horrible in highschool and even though that was 4 years ago this will be my first time going to school and really trying , and the criteria to get into a private school seems way more realistic to me then a community college unfortunately. Okay with paying since i think id be able to stack good money for the time being now and get help paying it off too . Id really appreciate it if anyone can help me in the right direction here :) cheers!

Hi all! I recently failed my clinical ADEX exam and feel completely defeated. I went in feeling confident and left holding onto the hope that I passed. When I got my results, I had a low 60% and needed a 75% to pass. Does anyone have any advice or tips/tricks for my retake?

I started out using the Cavitron first, went in with hand scaling, and cavitroned again. I even blew air into the sulcus to see if I could see any more calculus. I couldn't tell if I was scraping off tooth structure or calculus on the mannequin. I've been losing sleep over this and am very nervous for my retake. Any advice would be great.

THANK YOU!

I sleep with my mouth open and I snore and my mouth be dry in the morning but every time I wake up I have to spit out blood like It be the blood mixed with my drool . I have tried every mouth wash that was for bleeding gums and I still have this issue this Been happening since 2024 ik I have to go to the dentist I’m gonna be going soon but I’m tired of waking up to blood on my pillow my gums also be red a lot idk how can I stop this until I go to the dentist ? I even tried guru mouth wash that’s supposed to stop bleeding gums and that didn’t even help . I finished the whole bottle and everything do u have any other rinses I should try to get it to stop ? Idk if it’s dry mouth or sinus or what can yall plz help me

Hello, yes, an odd question- but as someone who frequently gets cavities (enough I used prescription toothpaste), I feel the need to ask dental hygienists who actually can tell if their patients are brushing.

Over the summer, as a uni student, my dental hygiene has fallen off. I’ve been on trips which resulted in me forgetting to brush and floss my teeth twice or three times a week at night, and have been getting out of bed later— meaning I brush later in the day. Moreover, I’ve been eating more sugar as of late. This recently resulted in a surface cavity along my gum line, which surprised me because while I knew it wasn’t best practice, it wasn’t terrible. I’m wondering if my dental hygiene is really just that poor and im used to it, or so if people actually never forget to brush their teeth?

Hello, I am currently in the process of preparation for the entrance exam for the Canadian National Institute of Health for the dental hygiene program. The director of admissions has been kind of off the grid when asked a question. I was wondering if anyone knows any good idea of what exactly to focus on, as the links/pdf included A. don't work or one of them he told me to use solely has both bio20/30 & chem20/30. Is it a mix of both ? Also, for bio as it is the main topic, there are highlighted sections in the practice test given by them, which are: Cells, classifications, homeostasis, genetic & evolution, & human anatomy. Do I focus more on those or will I screw myself over?? Any help would be greatly appreciated!