There is a lot of helpful information out there on every subject imaginable, but a lot of misinformation is out there as well, even in regards to your teeth and dental health. From brushing and flossing to gum disease, it can be hard to know what to believe. There are some common myths you may have heard that are just that: Myths.
MYTH: You should always brush your teeth as soon as you finish eating.
Believe it or not, you actually should wait 30 minutes to an hour before brushing your teeth following a meal. Your mouth produces saliva when you eat, which helps to clean your teeth naturally. Giving it time to do its magic will go a long way in removing small particles in your teeth after you eat. And if you eat or drink anything acidic, like sodas or citrus fruit, the acid can actually weaken your teeth temporarily, so brushing could damage the enamel. If you’ve eaten anything acidic, instead just swish some water in your mouth, and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.
MYTH: Whitening toothpastes actually whiten your teeth.
As much as we’d like for this to be true, over the counter whitening toothpastes simply cannot whiten the teeth. This is also true of other common whitening systems, such as at-home trays and whitening strips. Although they are abrasive and can remove surface stains, they don’t actually change the color of the teeth, because the agents aren’t strong enough to go through the enamel to change the tooth color. The only way to effectively and safely whiten the teeth is dentist-supervised teeth whitening, which has been proven the safest and most effective way to eliminate stains and reveal your bright, youthful smile. You can read more about our KOR Whitening System here.
MYTH: Flossing is not that big of a deal.
Although flossing may not be a favorite part of your daily routine, it is actually vital to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Plaque between the teeth and under the gumline – places where a toothbrush can’t reach – causes cavities, as well as an inflammatory reaction. Over time that inflammation causes gum disease, and adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum disease than to cavities. So flossing, even if not popular, is crucial to preventing periodontal disease.
MYTH: The harder you brush and floss, the cleaner you get your teeth and gums.
Brushing vigorously may seem like a way to aggressively attack bacteria in the mouth, but what it actually does is damage the enamel on your teeth. The same goes for flossing… both aggressive brushing and flossing can also damage your gums, which creates more inflammation and tooth sensitivity. Even brushing too long at one time could damage the sensitive tissue surrounding your teeth; two minutes is ample time to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums.
MYTH: Chewing gum is bad for your teeth.
While sugary gums and candies ARE bad for your teeth, sugarless gum actually helps to promote saliva production, which can remove some of the food debris that can be left on your teeth after eating, while also neutralizing and rinsing away the acids that are formed when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque. In addition, the increase in saliva also provides more calcium and phosphate to protect your enamel. Of course, even sugar-free gum is not a replacement for good old-fashioned brushing and flossing. The ADA still recommends brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and cleaning plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other interproximal dental cleaners. But adding sugar-free gum to your daily regimen between brushings is a great way to slow down the decay process.
MYTH: Baby teeth cavities are no big deal.
Dental health for children is essential care. Even though children lose their baby teeth, tooth decay and cavities can affect the gums and adult teeth forming under them. And if a child is developing cavities in their baby teeth, chances are they are not forming good oral health habits that are crucial for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. In children, chronic oral health disease has also been linked to other health challenges, such as inability to concentrate, impaired speech, difficulty sleeping, and poor diet.¹
MYTH: My teeth are healthy, I only need a dentist if it’s an emergency.
Just like with the rest of your body, prevention is vital to good oral health. Not only does your risk of losing teeth increase as you age, poor oral hygiene can also increase your risk for disease in other parts of your body. If your gum health is declining, which is often not noticed until gum disease is established, you increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic diseases. Bacteria from your mouth can spread to other areas of the body via blood flow, which can damage organs and cause inflammation. Keeping regular dental hygiene appointments and check-ups allows your dentist team to spot and treat issues before they become emergencies.
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1Â https://www.dentistrytoday.com/spread-awareness-during-national-children-s-dental-health-month-and-beyond/
