6 Teeth Brushing Myths busted!
We know that brushing teeth is important- we have been told since we were kids. Taking care of your teeth is honestly taking care of your entire body since the mouth is the first entryway into your body. Whatever is happening in your mouth- is happening in your body (infection and bacteria included!)
The simplest technique is brushing your teeth. We are sure you have heard/read a number of different tips and tricks regarding this. While it is so easy to get a LOT of information online these days, a majority of them may not be completely true and can maybe cause more harm than good. We have compiled a list of toothbrushing myths so that you know whats right and what you should be doing.
Brushing once a day is fine- NO! You should ideally be brushing twice a day (it takes just 2 minutes each). Your mouth is constantly working the entire day- talking, chewing, drinking and cleaning it just once a day is like eating 3 meals with your hands and washing it just once! Since it is not practical to brush after every meal- rinse after every meal but you HAVE to be brushing twice a day.
Mouthwash can be used to replace brushing your teeth- NO! Mouthwash just helps to reduce the bacteria in your mouth including on your tongue, cheeks etc. It does not do the hardwork of scrubbing your teeth clean to remove plaque which accumulates.
Flossing is a sometime thing- NO! Flossing gets to places where your brush cannot- the spaces between teeth which can harbour bacteria for a long time resulting in gum and tooth infection. Not flossing is the leading cause for proximal decay which left undetected can involve your tooth nerve. You should ideally be flossing twice a day as well!
Brushing right after eating or drinking is good- NO! You should brush after a meal (if possible) but not right after. The acidic content of your food softens the enamel of your teeth and if you brush- you are literally brushing the acid on your teeth resulting in faster enamel loss and increased sensitivity over time. Ideally rinse immediately after and brush after 20 minutes.
My gums bleed when I brush so I don’t brush that area anymore- NO! If you have bleeding gums it means that you have to brush not avoid it. Gum inflammation and infection causes your gums to bleed and not brushing and flossing can increase this. IF you haven’t had your routine cleaning appointment at the dentist then please visit them and after a week of following a good oral hygiene routine you will notice the bleeding disappear.
A toothbrush with hard bristles will clean a lot better- NO! Hard bristles don’t do anything but damage your teeth and gums over time. Please use only a soft or extra soft brush- that should clean your teeth by removing plaque without removing tooth structure.
Visit Summit Dental Clinic to bust more myths regarding your oral health! We are curious- are there more myths you have heard when it comes to toothbrushing or in general? Let us know!
Read more dental myths here- maybe you have heard some- maybe you believe some!
https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/healthy-teeth-guide/dental-myths/