These days the internet is where most people look first for
information on any topic. While there
are a lot of really helpful websites out there, the internet is also a place
where (urban) myths can be spread. Here
are 3 teeth cleaning myths you may find on the net and the truth about them.
Brush your teeth as hard as you can and as often as you can
Maybe this myth took hold as a way to try to get through to
people that they really need to brush their teeth both regularly and well to
have good oral health. In actual fact
you really need to brush your teeth 2 to 3 times a day, ideally after your main
meals, at least morning and night. You
also need to brush effectively but this is different from forcefully. Basically your aim is to make sure that you
reach all surfaces rather than to scrub away at your mouth as though you were
cleaning a floor. You may have heard the
expression “tooth enamel”, well teeth really do have an enamel surface and if
you brush too hard, you are very likely to damage it. What you can and should do is use alternative
oral hygiene products such as rinses and sugar free gum or sugar-free mints to
keep your mouth clean and your breath fresh between cleans.
Sugar is the number 1 cause of bad teeth
This could actually be classed as a semi-myth in that there
is some truth in it, but it is nothing close to the whole truth. Basically what happens is that bacteria in
your mouth feed on sugar, as these bacteria multiply they create an acidic environment
in the mouth and this damages the teeth.
Eating acidic foods can be just as bad for your teeth as eating sugary
ones, however many people, especially children, are much more tempted to
over-indulge on sugary foods and, in particular, sugary drinks, than on acidic
ones. Also excess sugar consumption
tends to contribute to other health issues and is therefore best avoided in any
case. The reason this (semi-)myth can
cause harm is because it may lead people to believe that because they avoid processed
sugar, they can skip on regular tooth cleaning.
In reality, while they may suffer less from the consequences of poor
oral hygiene than people who eat a lot of sugar, they can still expect the
health of their teeth to be negatively impacted.
Bleeding gums should be left to heal before being cleaned
and flossed
Bleeding in the gums is like bleeding anywhere else in the
body. If there’s just a small amount of
blood, it’s unlikely to be a huge issue but if there is extensive bleeding then
it’s time to get medical help (and if in doubt get medical help). Bleeding in the gums is generally linked to
poor oral hygiene, which leads to plaque build up and hence inflammation,
gingivitis and, if left untreated, can lead to gum disease. The way to deal with minor bleeds is to get
rid of the plaque which is most likely to be causing them and that means taking
the time to clean and floss properly. If
your teeth are in a really bad state, then a visit to a professional dental
hygienist may be required.
Bonus tip – Dentists appreciate patients taking the time to
clean their teeth and freshen their breath before their appointment, but no
dentist is going to be fooled into thinking that a patient has been taking
proper care of their teeth since their last appointment if they haven’t been. By the same token, dentists are keen to help
people take care of themselves and to fix and problems as soon as they
can. In other words, if you have let
your teeth get into a bad state, your best bet is to get to a dentist as quickly
as possible rather than putting it off out of fear or embarrassment.