Hygiene Series, Part IV: Frequency of Brushing One' s Teeth

[Paul Beach]

In this fourth installment of her tremendously popular Hygiene series, Mrs. Gray discusses that most important issue involving your dental health.

And here she is, your host, Margaret Gray:

Dear friends,

Mrs. Gray has noticed a surprising number of people walking around with brown teeth, crooked teeth, green teeth, etc. No, folks, this isn't only happening in the UK anymore. It has reached the American shores, and it has to do with how people care for their teeth.

[Bravus]

To amuse and inform: it could be Mrs Gray's motto!

Personally I brush regularly a couple of times a day or more as required, and visit the dentist regularly. He's trying to get me to floss regularly, but I haven't yet required the habit. In the same way that we've gone from one to two to three to four blades on razors, I have a subliminal fear that if I upgrade from brushing to brushing plus flossing the dental community will just come up with yet another required behaviour.

Mouthwash is a relatively rare event, because the alcohol actually dries the mouth lining and can make for *worse* breath than simply cleaning teeth. Sugar-free gum has the opposite effect of moistening the mouth, and apparently has dental health benefits - but please don;t chew in my class.

[Bravus]

Erm, isn't it *more* anti-UK to assume that people from there have more dental 'issues' than others? i.e. to boycott a thread about dental hygiene as being offensive to the UK is to accept the premise that it's an issue for the UK.

I'd say Mrs gray's throwaway line about the UK was intended humorously, and I do think the Poms can take a joke... but I guess you'll think what you want to think.

[cricket]

Quote:

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i.e. to boycott a thread about dental hygiene as being offensive to the UK is to accept the premise that it's an issue for the UK.

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Not necessarily. Sometimes it is important to stand up for others even when the "premise" is incorrect. For example, I might boycott threads containing "dumb-blonde jokes" even though I know--full well--that blondes are not typically "dumb".

[Naomi]

Hummmmmmmmm UK ... I've heard many "jokes" made about the condition of people's teeth living in specific areas of the good 'ol US of A.

Seems to me good dental care, washing one's hands after using the bathroom (and other actions which may produce bacteria on one's hands) makes good sense and perhaps needs to be discussed from time-to-time.

Naomi