[patentatt]

Now I'm grateful for my parents' choice of dentist. She worked out of a small office attached to the back of her home, and had family members as office staff. This is in the 90's in a very posh suburb of a major city, not some backwater a long time ago. Anyways, that dentist always had unique advice, she told me that if I were going to only do either brushing or flossing, that I should do the flossing and skip the brushing. Doing both is better, but she observed that many people skip flossing too much. She also said that toothpaste was largely superficial, and good brushing without toothpaste was just as good. She also would spend lots of time literally demonstrating good brushing technique and explaining why to do it that way. I also have some slightly crooked teeth, she said to push them with my tongue instead of getting braces. When I grew up, before going to college, she advised me that I don't really need to see a dentist regularly as an adult, and my teeth will be alright as long as I continue brushing and flossing. Cool somewhat hippy dentist was right on all accounts, and I've had good dental health ever since. Another anecdote: she would trade dental services for my dad fixing her various dental machines and equipment. Not sure how that arrangement came about, my dad wasn't really qualified or anything, he was just pretty handy and usually managed to fix things more than break them. And it wasn't disguised charity or anything, we had no issues paying. Pretty cool dentist.

[bombcar]

I've heard the "flossing more important than brushing" from a number of sources, and it makes sense; it can be a pain but it's literally getting at areas that your lips and tongue can't.