dental hygiene

I went to the dentist today
(it's been over a year since my last visit)

I got a few tips I thought I'd share!:

1.use an electric toothbrush (she recommended I get it from Costco)
(because I'm a poor brusher, and I haven't flossed, either)
2. floss (in the c-shape, around each tooth)
3. use a rinse before going to sleep
4. carry a regular toothbrush with you, so that after every meal, and especially "sticky" foods (e.g. meat, cheese, pasta, bread), you clear out the bacteria.
5. and/or- swish out your mouth with water after every snack
6.replace toothbrushes every 6 months, at the least.
7.toothpicks are good, too.

I plan on doing a wikipedia research to learn what
gingivitis and periodontal disease (are / how they differ)
most of my teeth were "3-2-3", but some were worse (4s and 5s)

I bought a rinse on my trip home.
the electric toothbrushes at walgreens seem pricey, with one model for like $180...
the cheaper ones were 30 or 40, I think.