By the time you become an adult, you’ve had many years of practice at brushing your teeth and plenty of time to perfect your technique. It’s funny then, that most people just aren’t doing it right. There is a lot of misinformation out there, bad oral hygiene habits that have developed over time, and some ideas that really just don’t make a lot of sense. Here are some of the myths about oral hygiene that we routinely observe in our dental practice.
Myth #1 Brushing Harder is Better for Oral Hygiene
Many people believe that the harder they scrub their teeth the more plaque and tartar they will remove from their teeth—as if removing stuck-on food from the bottom of a frying pan. But unlike the dirty pan, your gums are not made of metal. In the process of scrubbing so hard, you can easily damage your sensitive gums and cause them to begin to recede. Receding gums start to pull away from the teeth, exposing the root, making it more susceptible to damage and sensitivity to hot and cold. We see receding gums caused by overbrushing all the time in our practice. The reality is that you cannot remove tartar unless your dentist or dental hygienist scrapes it off so there is really no need to scrub.
Myth #2 The Right Toothpaste Matters
Toothpaste itself doesn’t actually get your teeth any cleaner than if you were to brush with no toothpaste at all. It makes your mouth feel fresh for a while but doesn’t do much for actually removing plaque from your teeth. However, there is an ever-growing array of specialty toothpastes available on the market, each one claiming to be better than the rest. Whiteing, remineralizing, sensitivity control, fresher breath, ‘total’ care—in fact, the toothpaste you choose isn’t going to be a magic bullet that makes your teeth and gums healthier. Choose the one you like best and focus more on your technique than the potential benefits of your toothpaste.
Myth #3 Baby Teeth Are Less Important
Baby teeth are going to fall out. So while we try to instill good habits in our kids from the beginning, a couple of little cavities isn’t going to hurt, right? It’s a myth that many people believe to be true but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Decay in baby teeth can be a symptom of other health issues, but most often it is a sign that the child’s oral care is already lacking. There is no reason to believe that as an adult, they will be any more diligent so those habits should be bolstered early. Also, decay can lead to gum disease at any age and while you will get a second set of teeth, one set of gums is all you’ll ever have.
Myth #4 Toothbrushes Don’t Wear Out
Actually, they do, fairly frequently. We recommend that patients replace their toothbrush every three months to avoid an excess of bacteria building up on the brush and before the bristles begin to fray. Toothbrush bristles should always look like new. When they become flattened or frayed, they are less effective and it’s time for a new brush. And don’t forget to always rinse your toothbrush well after brushing to remove toothpaste, food particles and bacteria that can get trapped in the bristles.
Myth #5 Dental Checkups are Optional for Oral Hygiene
Ideally, everyone develops exemplary brushing and flossing habits and maintains them throughout their whole lives. However, as diligent as you may be, you still need to come to us regularly for additional cleaning that your brushing and flossing can’t accomplish. Below the gum line, and in the hard to reach places, your toothbrush is not very effective, even if you brush very diligently. Dentists and hygienists also monitor other issues with your teeth and gums and watch for symptoms which may signal other health concerns. Good oral hygiene habits are a complement to visits to the dental office, not a replacement for them.
Midland Bay Dental offers family-friendly preventative oral healthcare in Midland, ON. Call 705- 526-6441 or book an appointment on our website for your next dental checkup. Dr. Ranny Sidhu and the Midland Bay Dental Team also provide cosmetic dentistry procedures including teeth whitening, veneers, crowns and bridges and Invisalign.
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