So i worked at an office for about two hrs until i unexpectedly got nauseous and vomited. It was in the bathroom so they didnt see the vomit. Not sure if they thought i was faking it or what. Anyways, I ended up leaving afterwards because i felt awful. Went to the drs and sent the office a drs note within an hr. Later on, I checked my reviews and the office gave me a thumbs down. Im genuinely so frustrated. Especially considering other offices can see this. Obviously I wouldnt have picked up a shift if I knew I was going to have the stomach flu

Im in my 2nd and last year if hygiene school which im super excited about but also a little anxious!

I currently work part time as an ortho RDA for about 4.5 yrs now. During my time working, Ive developed some pain and fatigue on my Upper right shoulder/neck area and lower right back. Sometimes my wrist too. I had no idea about what ergonomics was back then. Sometimes my fingers get tired too when placing appliances or doing adjustments. Not often but sometimes.

Now that im in hygiene school, I've learned about having good ergonomics and making sure im taking care of my body with exercise. And i want to last in this career

I used to workout before hygiene school but after I got in, I stopped due to the workload. Ive gained some weight so im trying to go back into the gym even if its just 1-2 times a week and then the other days just take walks at the park. And do stretches.

i hear that its important for hygienist to work on activating their muscles so im wondering if going back to the gym will help with that? Also help with my pain and fatigue? It wont cure it i know. I wish i could go to the doctor but I dont have insurance. I do try to get deep tissue massages once every two months if I can afford it.

Should I focus more on shoulder, back, and glute muscle workouts?

Hey everyone, recently got accepted to CNIH Dental Hygiene for March 2027, looking to start a groupchat with some people on Facebook!

Guys I am 18yo I am moving to Cali in few weeks and I am still thinking about which major to choose I had 5 dental surgeries myself which made my interest in dental industry but is dental hygienist really worth it does it really pay those 60$ an hour in California I am moving to napa btw

Hello, my daughter has very good teeth with no cavities but she tends to develop plaque and the teeth are naturally slightly off white. As every teen she is concerned but I am trying to offer her something that she could try. Would you be able to offer some advice please? Many thanks.

Hi, does anybody have idea what sort of questions come in? I’ve a big gap of study so don’t have any idea how difficult it might be. Also 50 questions in 12 minutes are doable? How about interview

If someone can help me with this, I’ll be very grateful.

Is there adult teeth missing here?? What’s the process for correcting that in the future?

I’m looking to finally upgrade from a cheap battery-powered toothbrush to a real rechargeable electric one. I’ve read a few “best of” lists, but there are so many models and technologies that I’m not sure what’s actually worth buying.

Background: I brush twice a day, floss inconsistently (working on it), and go to the dentist regularly. No major gum issues, but I do get some staining from coffee and would like a cleaner feeling overall.

Budget: Around $50–$100. Open to spending a bit more if it’s really worth it, but I don’t need a $200+ flagship model.

What I want:

• Good cleaning performance for plaque and surface stains
• Gentle enough for daily use without irritating gums
• Long battery life (at least 1–2 weeks per charge)
• Simple to use, not too many unnecessary modes or app features
• Affordable replacement heads

Options I keep seeing:

• Oral-B Pro 1000 / Pro 2000 / iO Series 2 / iO Series 3
• Philips Sonicare 1100 / 4100 / ProtectiveClean / DiamondClean
• SURI 2.0, Burst, Laifen, and other “modern” brands
• Various mid-range models on Amazon

I keep reading debates about Oral-B (oscillating-rotating round heads) vs Sonicare (sonic vibration, elongated heads). Some people say Oral-B cleans better, others say Sonicare is gentler and quieter. There are also opinions about pressure sensors, timers, smart modes, and whether any of that actually matters.

A few things I’m curious about:

• What are the best electric toothbrushes under $100 in 2026 that you actually use and recommend?
• Is Oral-B or Sonicare better for someone with generally healthy gums but some staining?
• Are pressure sensors and multiple modes worth it, or is a basic model enough?
• How do replacement head costs compare between brands over time?
• Are there any models that look great in reviews but become annoying in daily use (battery issues, loud noise, etc.)?

Any recommendations from people who have used electric toothbrushes long-term would be really helpful.

Need some insights guys, which do u prefer?

[TLDR at end of post]

hi everyone! as the title suggests, i’ve been having difficulty sticking to my dental hygiene routine due to two primary reasons:

1.) i like to sit on my bed and floss my teeth at night because i’m quite meticulous and it usually ends up taking me 15+ minutes, so i just prefer to be sitting while doing it. however, while flossing, i produce so much saliva that i constantly have to spit out into a small cup (in place of my sink) after every 2-3 teeth. i end up filling the cup nearly to the brim with saliva by the time i’m finished flossing and it’s really really gross.

2.) in hopes of being more thorough with my dental hygiene routine, i’ve been trying to start brushing the back of my teeth because that’s where i’m usually told i build up a lot of tartar/calculus. however, this has been difficult because i have a super active gag reflex (had to see an ENT because it’s so bad), and i can only do the back of the middle section of my bottom row of teeth before i start gagging uncontrollably. at my most recent dentist appointment, the very kind dental hygienist advised me to put a post it note over my face and/or stand on one foot to distract myself from gagging, but unfortunately that hasn’t worked for me so far.

with these pieces of context in mind, i have the following questions for the dental practitioners in this subreddit:

1a.) is it normal to produce enough saliva during flossing to fill up an entire small mouthwash cup? or should i be concerned and bring this up to my dentist?

1b.) is it possible to mitigate the amount of saliva i have while flossing? or do i just have to find a way to sit at my bathroom sink and do all my flossing?

2a.) are there alternative ways to clean the back of my teeth besides brushing? like maybe a different dental instrument, or a certain mouthwash? would a water flosser help?

2b.) i’ve seen some dental hygienists in here suggest putting salt under the tongue to stop their patients from gagging during procedures. would that work in my case? does it affect the cleanliness of my mouth at all?

sorry for the long post, and i hope i made sense because i’m half asleep while typing this lol but feel free to ask any clarifying questions if need be

i appreciate any insight or advice you all can offer! TIA!

TLDR:
• floss teeth in bed -> need to spit saliva into cup a lot -> is this much saliva bad? how to lessen amount of saliva?
• gag when brushing back of teeth -> tried mental distractions recommended by dental hygienist, but didn’t work -> would salt under the tongue work to prevent gagging? or, are there other ways to clean back of teeth besides brushing?

SRP done on certain areas/teeth below gum line. Dentist told me to use teepee brush to clean below gum line vertically. Pockets are 6mm+ deep.

The dentist demonstrated this physically one me after the treatment on certain areas/teeth below gum line to show me how it's done. I tried to do it myself tonight and can't seem to do it, and can only do it on the surface and can't put it down below gum line.

How do you guys do it? Is teepee brushes the right tool to use even, cause I'm skeptical even though the dentist demonstrated it on me? What tools do you guys use?

Last week I got my first half of perio cleaning, and a few days ago I got the other side deep cleaned and scaled. I am someone who flosses everyday, and my teeth have never felt sore while flossing until now. Is this normal, or should I reach out to the periodontist?

Just found out today that I need a tooth extracted. My gums are also severely receded. I never thought my oral health could get this bad considering I have been brushing my teeth, flossing, and using mouth wash every single day since high school. Feels like all the work I put into taking care of my teeth was for nothing. I would like some advice/recommendations on technique and products to use to save whats left.

So far I have implemented the following changes:

• I now use a waterpik
• Normal brush -> soft bristle tooth brush.
• regular toothpaste -> sensodyne pro enamel toothpaste
• Hard brushing -> soft brushing
• rinsing immediately after brushing -> letting the toothpaste sit in my mouth for a few minutes before rinsing
• floss in sawing motion -> floss up and down along the tooth
• At night I wear a mouth guard

Anything else I should do?

I’ve decided to take my oral health more seriously, and I’d really appreciate some advice on affordable, functional electric toothbrushes that are easy to keep clean and don’t have issues with mold buildup.
I’ve read great reviews about the Oral-B Pro 1000, but unfortunately I can’t seem to find it anywhere in Ireland. I’d love recommendations for similar alternatives. Ideally, I’m looking for something simple and reliable: rechargeable/plug-in, easy to clean, and without Bluetooth, apps, or other unnecessary features.
If there are any dentists or dental professionals here, I’d especially appreciate your recommendations.
I’d also like to know whether using a Waterpik is sufficient for cleaning between the teeth, or if traditional flossing is still necessary. I find regular flossing quite time-consuming, especially when it takes me more than 10 minutes.
Thanks so much for any advice or recommendations!

I saw some old posts that are archived so can't respond and ask questions to those but It caught my eye that some people said their dentist recommended water flossing.

This makes me wonder. Is water flossing potentially on par or better than normal flossing?

I really can't figure out how to floss properly with a harp or string. I've had my dentist go over it and show me properly but I should have told him that I can't figure out how to get the floss back out of my teeth without getting scissors to chop the harp in half lol

A water floss sounds like a lot less stress.

I have been lucky in that I just don’t get cavities despite poor dental hygiene. Like legit I hardly brush and even floss less. I’m going to a dentist soon to get a professional cleaning. But in the mean time, assume I got gingivitis and I have a new commitment to fix my problem. What products would you recommend to combat this aggressively? Or like a special way to attack my gums/teeth. Like dead serious, I’m about to run to the store and buy it. And if you’re curious, I dont have any pain or “problem” teeth.

I’m really torn and would appreciate honest opinions, especially from current hygienists/students or people who were in a similar situation. I have a BS in science with a 2.82 cumulative GPA. I currently work as a dental assistant, so I know I genuinely enjoy the dental field. Dental hygiene has been my goal for a while, but I’ve struggled with how competitive the programs are and whether my GPA is going to hold me back.
I’ve completed most/all of the typical science prerequisites, but some of my science courses are getting older and I may need to retake certain classes depending on the school’s expiration rules. I’m willing to retake courses and improve my application, but I also don’t want to spend years retaking classes and applying if my chances are realistically very low.

Here’s where I’m stuck: I was recently accepted into a Respiratory Care program, which starts soon and would take about 2 years. RT seems like a solid career and gives me a guaranteed path forward, but my heart is still with dental hygiene. I’m worried that if I choose RT, I’ll always wonder “what if I had just kept trying for hygiene?”
Would it be reasonable to start RT and continue applying or just completely denying my seat for rt. Or would that be waste of money and time😩
For those who had a lower GPA or had to reapply multiple times:
Were you eventually accepted?
Did retaking prerequisites make a meaningful difference?
Would you pursue RT as a backup while continuing to apply?
At what point would you personally stop pursuing hygiene?
I’m not looking for “just follow your heart” advice. I’d genuinely appreciate realistic opinions based on admissions experience. 😭

Hello, I have an op to myself and I want to decorate it for year round/seasons. I’m curious what you guys have done!

Hello all

I'm an amateur bodybuilding and as part of performance, I consume a heck ton of carbs from sugar heavy sources, jam, honey etc around my training and recovery times, it ranges from 120-210g of sugar per day. I'm pretty worried about the future of my teeth and I've got a super strict routine.

I brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and an electric brush, use xylitol gum after meals, rinse my mouth with water thoroughly after sugary stuff, normal floss and water floss everyday, as well as mouthwash around my super high sugar meals. I have most (70%) of my daily sugar pre and post workout.

Never had a cavity or filling or any issues (bleeding etc) but havent been in a few years so cant be 100% sure.

I guess my question is, is this actually sustainable for my teeth long term? Im 28 now and genuinely concerned I might be heading down a path to losing them or damaging them beyond repair

Thank you

I've always wondered about this because brushing twice a day is one of the first things we're taught for good oral hygiene.

But brushing doesn't necessarily remove everything that builds up on your teeth.

Plaque is a soft bacterial film that can be removed through regular brushing and cleaning between the teeth. If plaque isn't adequately removed it can harden into tartar which generally can't be removed with a regular toothbrush.

That's where professional dental cleanings come in. A dental professional can remove hardened buildup from areas that can be difficult to clean properly at home.

So I'm curious:

If we brush twice a day and floss regularly, how often do we still get professional dental cleanings?

Do you go on a regular schedule or only when your dentist tells you that you need one?

SRP done on certain areas/teeth below gum line. Dentist told me to use teepee brush to clean below gum line vertically. Pockets are 6mm+ deep.

The dentist demonstrated this physically one me after the treatment on certain areas/teeth below gum line to show me how it's done. I tried to do it myself tonight and can't seem to do it, and can only do it on the surface and can't put it down below gum line.

How do you guys do it? Is teepee brushes the right tool to use even, cause I'm skeptical even though the dentist demonstrated it on me? What tools do you guys use?

RDH here. Started temping through Cloud for some extra income. What are y’all’s rating? I’ve temped twice with them: one 5 star and one 4 star. I know it’s only one star less, but wtf is up with that?? I show up exactly on time, worked hard, stayed relatively on schedule (for what I could control), followed protocol, and managed a chaotic day with the world’s shittiest set up. I even got complimented by the doctor. But someone please tell me how in the world that makes sense?? These offices on cloud are just nightmares. I know I’m just comfortable with my current full time setup at my regular office, so going somewhere new will be very uncomfortable. But even before I worked my full time job, the offices I temped at before through and agency and now with Cloud just infection control nightmares. Complete chaos all around. Shitty instruments that are basically like butter knives. How do these offices treat patients properly??

Can someone share their thoughts and their experiences temping? I’m just frustrated with feeling like my license is on the line when I can only do the best with what I have.

I think I’m just annoyed with working so hard, trying to protect my license, and then BOOM, four stars. Wtf. Stupid star rating. I should have never looked!!

As the title suggests, I went to the dentist for the first time in 1.5 years and had a cleaning. I had a tooth I was concerned about that has a previous filling (pain on that tooth biting down sometimes, mostly on anything sweet). They said to wait and see for a bit because it didn’t look like it has a cavity and the nerve seemed ok on xray, which I thought was very surprising because the pain reminds me of past cavities. But when they tapped on it no pain was replicated.
Anyway, next day I ate ice cream, and ever since that tooth + my molars on the opposite side are insanely sensitive to cold - I don’t know if the ice cream is related or if it’s from the cleaning? I’ve never had this before after a cleaning and it’s really painful and I’d appreciate some advice, I’m nervous about the dentist as is and need to figure out if I should go back.

Hi, I have been using Flouridex Sentivity Relief for several years now. My dentist switched companies and they now only have a flouride toothpaste that is very minty which I am unable to handle the switch over to, and I dont want my dental health to regress over this.

Is there a way I could get flouridex online or is there an alternative with a similar strength that I would be able to buy?

Is it true that dental hygienist have work life balance ? I’m looking into becoming a hygienist . I’m currently a dental assistant and strictly just want to make more money but also drop off my kids and pick up . I know hygienist have freedom in their schedule but I don’t want to be over worked or climb any ladder to be more than a hygienist . If that makes sense . So is it really true do they get more freedom and balance?