Remember to brush and floss!
Pulling out @godtier's reblog from this post so it's front and centre when I put it into regular reblog circulation.
so I don't typically reblog stuff like this or blazed posts, but I see some takes in the notes that are harmful. I don't like to see misinformation being spread so here's my info dump:
there is no effective substitute for brushing and flossing. anyone who tells you "eat xyz instead if you can't handle brushing/flossing!" is giving you harmful information.
not brushing/flossing can obviously cause cavities, but an untreated cavity can lead to infection. infection can then lead to other complications such as sepsis and death!
your mouth (as well as the nose and other mucous membranes) is the entry point to the rest of your body, so it must be respected as such. your mouth is ingesting the atmosphere and microbes of your environment every time you breathe, speak, eat, etc.
while your immune system does do most of the heavy lifting when ingesting/inhaling microbes, continuous neglect of the mouth can lead to increased bouts of illness.
I know this is the Mental Illnessā¢ļø site, but unfortunately, there is no "substitute" for this hygiene task for those who have sensory issues that will eliminate the task completely in a conventional manner. but i understand the struggle deeply; i have sensitive teeth and gums due to genetics so if i use certain toothbrushes or floss, it can cause me serious discomfort. if you do have sensory issues, instead try:
a very soft bristled brush. colgate has a super-soft bristled toothbrush called the "gum expert ultra soft (https://amzn.to/4gYhQyd)" toothbrush. i have used this toothbrush myself multiple times as i have very sensitive teeth and gums, as mentioned above. it's dense and pleasant on the mouth and does not have the "sharp, pokey" sensation a lot of other standard soft bristle brushes have.
use a waterpik for flossing instead of standard floss. this helps immensely with those who are afraid of nicking their gums or who have sensitive gums to start with. i have used waterpik's "aquarius water flosser (https://amzn.to/41SpqpZ)" and it does a great job at flossing without hurting my gums. it has different strength settings that can be increased incrementally so as to get your gums used to the sensation. do keep in mind that these can be noisy and if you have hard water, you may see sediment build-up in the tank, but that is harmless and can be alleviated by running distilled water or descaling solution through the device periodically. don't forget to rinse it after descaling!
alcohol-free mouthwash, if necessary. mouthwash isn't as crucial as brushing & flossing, but if you need extra cleansing, you can get something like listerine's "zero alcohol mouthwash (https://amzn.to/3W1ccDq)," which comes in different "flavors" or varieties. remember that mouthwash alone is not a substitute for brushing & flossing.
go to a dentist twice a year for a cleaning and fluoride treatment, if possible. many dentist offices offer payment plans for those without insurance and those with standard dental insurance can get the cleaning portion for free twice a year. fluoride treatment is often not covered by insurance, but it is usually relatively cheap (my dentist charges $25 for the fluoride treatment) and worth the cost if you got a bad roll for dental stats in your genetics (like me).
as the OP stated, if there is one hygiene task you prioritize, make sure it's dental health as it can lead to a myriad of problems when ignored.
some source links for the info above:
Is It Possible to Die From a Tooth Infection? - healthline.com
Dental abscess: A potential cause of death and morbidity - Bayetto, K., Cheng, A., & Goss, A. (2020). Australian Journal of General Practice, 49(9), 563ā567.
Signs and symptoms of tooth infection spreading to the body - medicalnewstoday.com
Mouth Microbes: The Helpful and the Harmful - nih.gov