For me, the best way to keep mouth clean: It's best to use an electric toothbrush - I use the Braun Oral B. I hadn't used it between visits and this last time, there was an inordinate amount of plaque buildup. A day after, I am back to using the Oral B. Next (after brushing) use dental floss. I use waxless and I floss moving it up and down vertically along the tooth maybe 5 to 6 times per tooth. I floss until my teeth squeak - which occurs only when there is almost no more food debris in your tooth. With waxed floss you can't tell how you are doing because of the layer of wax.... I rinse my mouth with water, swishing it around and around several times. Next, if I have the time or inclination, I will irrigate with the water pik. FYI: An interesting note from someone about hydrogen peroxide that I just received today: * * * > > "I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old > > bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. > > My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most > > doctors don't tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands of > > dollars." > > 1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the > > bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. > > (I do it when I > > bathe) > > No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive > > pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small print says mouth wash and > > gargle right on the bottle) > > 2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of "Peroxide" to keep them > > free of germs. > > 3. Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill germs and > > leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, > > or spray it on the counters. > > 4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it > > to kill salmonella and other bacteria. > > 5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a 50/50 > > mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night > > and let dry. > > 6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes > > several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would > > not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide. > > 8. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and > > keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic > > system like bleach or most other disinfectants will. > > 9. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 > > mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble > > and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your > > nose into a tissue. > > 10. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist > > right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for > > ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly. > > 11. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the > > 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You > > will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, > > but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or > > dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it's not a drastic change. > > 12. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, > > fungus, or other skin infections. > > 13. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load > > of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, > > Pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, > > then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary. > > 14. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, and there is no smearing > > which is why I love it so much for this. > > I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be > > without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way > > to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner. * * * Marilyn