With the internet so easily accessible and a whole host of information out there its inevitable that some false information will trickle its way through to you. Lets have a look at some common dental misconceptions.
1) The harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth will be.
Wrong! If you brush too vigorously over a period of time you can wear away the top surface of your tooth. This can make your teeth more prone to sensitivity and doesn’t look very nice either. Ideally, you should brush in small circular motions with a medium bristled brush. Alternatively, use an electric toothbrush - most of which have pressure controls on them to tell you when you are brushing too hard.
2) If your gums bleed when you floss you should stop flossing.
No, don’t stop! Your gums will be bleeding because they are sore and inflamed. This is caused by a build up of plaque and bacteria in the area. Once you get into the habit of flossing at least once a day and brushing well the gums will settle and the bleeding will stop. It’s important to keep flossing even if your gums bleed!
3) White teeth = Healthy teeth
Nope, this isn’t true. Just because someone has white coloured teeth does not mean that they’re healthy. It is important to keep up your oral hygiene by brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing in between your teeth daily. Visits to the dentist and hygienist regularly are also vital in making sure your teeth stay healthy.
4) Use mouthwash after brushing your teeth.
Do not rinse with mouthwash after brushing. Although it is commonly seen on adverts and sometimes advised on the back of dental products it is important not to rinse after brushing. The reason for this is because your toothpaste has all the protective ingredients in it. This needs a chance to work on your teeth hence why you leave it on after brushing. You can use mouthwash before brushing or at a different time, such as after meals.
5) Lemon and baking soda are good to whiten teeth.
No, no, no. Please no. Baking soda can be very abrasive and scratch the top layer of your teeth. Lemon is extremely acidic and effectively eats away at the top layer of your teeth. Both of these ingredients can be incredibly harmful to your teeth and can cause irreversible damage. Always seek the advice of your dental professional if you are interested in having your teeth whitened. This is the safest and most effective way to have it done.
6) Sugar causes cavities
Whilst that is kind of true, technically speaking its not the sugar itself that causes the issue. It’s the bacteria’s that feed on the sugar that cause decay. The bacteria deposit acidic compounds onto the tooth which promotes decay to form. So if you want to avoid decayed teeth you have to limit the frequency of sugar in take as well as clean your teeth twice a day and floss well.
Be careful with what you read online and test out on your teeth. Usually, if it sounds like a quick fix it may well have long term consequences.
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