Dear LPG readers,

Every morning, I get up and glance in the mirror as I pass it in the harsh daylight. I have no doubt that most pensioners have been doing this at least once a day for many years, regardless of how much the reality has changed.  

A recent scan coincided with one of my morning yawns, and my open mouth reminded me once again how my reflection has changed over the years. As we made our usual early morning connection, I happened to yawn, which gave me a glimpse of all the spaces where teeth I have said goodbye to over the years once were.  

If you are like me, there are a few moments that, even if you don’t remember the exact date, remain very vivid in your memory regarding the precise circumstances of their departure. I recall the one I mistook for a piece of chicken drumstick while gnawing one evening, until my tongue discovered it and flicked it out into the light. I remember being reminded of the shape of things to come and making a vow to be more cautious with how I care for the remaining ones.

It is interesting that most of us opt for dentures, and implants are quickly becoming the preferred choice for many older people who can afford them. I believe that dentures cost quite enough, and there are better things to spend even more money on.  

I remember researching the best way to clean your teeth after the chicken bone incident. For a while, I was brushing three times a day and carefully timing the two-minute duration, but routines tend to weaken over time. The careful two-minute routine I once followed has become less strict. Now that I have fewer of my own to worry about, I must admit that soaking the others has made me a bit lazy, even though the recommended method and duration to protect your smile only really amount to about 10 minutes a day in total.    

Having realised how lazy my tooth care routine has become, I thought it might be time for a refresher. Rather than bothering my dentist on my next visit, I wondered if there might be another option.  

Since accepting that Google is my friend, I have realised that it holds the answer to everything. I also found some helpful reminders that even those of us who have been brushing our pearly whites for years might benefit from revisiting. Having spent over 5 minutes researching the topic recently, I thought I should share these pointers with fellow readers who might appreciate a quick refresher on oral hygiene. 

TM, New Cross. 

TM shares her refresher course…

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