Hygiene
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Floss before brushing your teeth to remove debris first.
This prevents spreading bacteria, keeps breath from smelling bad again, and allows toothpaste to reach the spaces between teeth more.
- Some sources state the order does not matter due to dilute fluoride levels.
- Some advise that one should simply do both regardless of order.
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- Floss before brushing your teeth.5
Avoid using bathroom air dryers.
They may blow germ-filled air on your hands, increasing bacteria.
- There is no consensus on these results.
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Use a paper towel to open the door after washing your hands in a public restroom.
Touching the door handle re-contaminates clean hands with germs.
- You can also hold the door open with your foot.
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Ensure lips are not chapped before a dental visit, but be aware that dentists may require you to wipe off lip balm.
Balm prevents cracking when lips are stretched, but it can make instruments slippery and coat gloves/handles, interfering with the procedure.
- Dentists may ask you to remove it because it gets on gloves and instruments.
- Some dentists dislike it beforehand.
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Choose an electric toothbrush equipped with a pressure sensor to prevent excessive force.
Applying too much force can harm teeth and gums or lead to recession.
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Trim or shave armpit hair to reduce body odor and improve antiperspirant effectiveness.
Hair provides a place for bacteria to hide and absorb moisture; removing it reduces surface area for bacteria and allows products to stick to the skin.
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Apply plain petroleum jelly (Vaseline) from a tub to lips to create a moisture barrier.
Studies show it is the best accessible occlusive; it protects better than most balms and works on dry patches.
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Change from deodorant to antiperspirant to stop the sweat and germs that create odor.
Deodorants only hide smells, while antiperspirants block sweat production.
- Antiperspirant can cake up on armpits.
- Some people sweat through antiperspirant.
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Gargle with mouthwash or warm salt water to help remove tonsil stones.
Gargling can dislodge stones; one person reported that warm salt water resolved the issue after a few days.
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Keep dental floss or floss picks in locations where you spend idle time, such as by your computer, TV, office cubicle, bedroom, living room, bathroom, or car.
Having them accessible increases the frequency of flossing and creates a habit where not flossing feels weird.
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Brush using your weaker hand to apply less pressure.
Aggressive brushing contributes to gum problems; your non-dominant hand tends to be gentler by nature.
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Skip mouthwash right after brushing to let the toothpaste fluoride stay on your teeth.
Rinsing can wash away the fluoride; keeping it in place helps it work.
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Sneeze into your elbow rather than using a tissue.
Tissues do not prevent germs from flying; elbows reduce infection risk to others and avoid contaminating hands.
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When body smell remains despite good hygiene, investigate oral causes like halitosis or tonsil stones, which can produce intense odors.
The source might be your breath instead of your skin; tonsil stones are known to cause severe bad breath.
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Grip the toothbrush with just your thumb and index finger, or add the middle finger, similar to holding a pen, instead of clenching your whole hand.
This grip makes it harder to apply too much pressure, preventing enamel erosion and gum recession while allowing enough force to clean properly.
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Avoid licking or biting lips, as saliva dries them out further.
Saliva promotes fungal growth and dries lips out via osmosis and evaporation.
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Avoid drinking staining fluids such as coffee, tea, soda, wine, or eating beets and red pasta sauce immediately after whitening treatments.
These substances restain teeth faster.
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Wash your hands immediately upon arriving at a home with a newborn.
The baby's immune system is still developing.
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Rinse the top of soda or beverage cans with water before drinking to remove potential contaminants from storage.
Rodents, birds, and other animals may leave waste where you put your mouth.
- Claims that soda cans transmit deadly viruses via rat urine have been busted.
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Ask the dental assistant or dentist for free lip balm if you forgot to bring your own.
Many offices keep house-branded sticks available for patients.
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Curve floss around a single tooth and move it vertically, then do the same for the neighboring tooth.
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Brush your teeth before important calls to prevent bad breath.
so bad breath won't be an issue
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Use Subscribe and Save for consumables such as water filters, toothbrushes, and furnace filters to uphold hygiene schedules.
Receiving fresh supplies prompts you to replace items or swap toothbrushes at the correct times.
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Smell the floss after use to see how rank it is; the odor serves as motivation to continue flossing daily.
The putrid smell demonstrates the amount of bacteria removed, encouraging consistent habit formation.
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Scrape your tongue with a tongue cleaner as part of your oral hygiene routine.
It contributes to better overall oral health.
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Push your belly out instead of tightening it to reduce stomach noises in public.
Expanding the abdomen relieves pressure and gives intestines more room, which stops the sound caused by gas being compressed inside.
- Some users reported this resulted in flatulence or made them feel self-conscious about their appearance.
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Keep paper towels or handkerchiefs in your pocket to discreetly dry sweaty hands before shaking hands.
It allows you to dry your hands subtly before a handshake.
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Brush your teeth inside the shower.
Shower pressure washes away toothpaste without rinsing, it is more enjoyable in hot water, and people tend to brush for longer periods. It also prevents drips and allows multitasking with conditioner or cleanser.
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Clench your non-brushing thumb tightly inside your hand to help suppress the gag reflex when cleaning the back of your tongue.
- One person reported almost breaking their thumb trying this.
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Apply hand sanitizer under your arms to eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
The alcohol in the product kills the microbes responsible for sweat smell.
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- Apply hand sanitizer to underarms before deodorant to wipe out current bacteria and boost scent control.3
Use baking soda on your teeth or mixed with water into a paste, but do not scrub hard.
- one dentist stated this will not whiten teeth
- may hurt gums or cause sensitive teeth
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Use an electric toothbrush with a timer that signals every 30 seconds to help you switch sides and brush for the full duration.
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- Switch to your non-dominant hand occasionally to access different brushing angles.3
Apply just a pea-sized amount of toothpaste rather than covering the entire brush head.
Marketing often overstates the necessary quantity; a small amount is enough for effective cleaning.
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Floss while watching TV or engaging in other hands-free activities to make the process less annoying and prevent rushing.
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Apply antiperspirant specifically made for hands to stop sweaty palms before social situations.
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Consider visiting a dental college for low-cost treatments supervised by professionals.
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Apply rubbing alcohol to your armpits, allow it to dry, then apply deodorant.
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Spray rubbing alcohol into smelly shoes to eliminate odors once the liquid dries.
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dry, shower8
Pat dry with a small amount of toilet paper or a dedicated towel after using the bidet.
Verify that your bidet connects to the clean water supply line from the wall, not the toilet bowl or tank water.
Bidets use potable water similar to what you drink, not 'poop water' from the cistern.
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Pat dry with a small amount of toilet paper or a dedicated towel after using the bidet.
This removes remaining moisture; it only takes one wipe or a few squares.
- You will not eliminate toilet paper usage entirely, but will reduce consumption.
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After finishing urination, apply pressure to the perineum (the region between the scrotum and anus).
This action may help expel the final drops from the urethra.
- Some people find it ineffective, still seeing urine on toilet paper afterward.
- Some report feeling weird or self-conscious doing this in public.
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Select fragrant body washes or shower gels to add to the pleasure of bathing.
A pleasant scent can improve the showering experience.
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Wear sandals or flip-flops in the changing room and shower to protect against infections.
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Dry your skin thoroughly after showering, paying special attention to folds and crevices.
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- Ensure skin is completely dry before applying deodorant after a shower.4
Clean yourself with water instead of dry wiping to remove residue more.
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