“Brush your teeth” is probably one of the most ubiquitous oral health advice available. We were taught to do it when we were young, and it has become a staple of our everyday routines today and until we grow old. However, if we’re not careful, some of our toothbrushing habits might actually be toothbrushing myths.
Your dental health could take a turn for the worse when you don’t brush your teeth, but following misconceptions could also be harmful to your overall health, especially if you end up doing them for a long time.
Brush your teeth after every meal. Sugar is bad for you. Hard brushing cleans your teeth better. You might have heard these tips someplace, but are they true? You can find many tips online on how to maintain healthy teeth, but which of them are really good for you?
Myth No. 1: Brushing the Teeth Must be Done After Every Meal
The truth: Brushing your teeth after every meal could be too much, especially if you eat several meals a day. Regular brushing is a mainstay of good oral hygiene, but it’s also possible to overdo it, leading to damaged teeth.
Your mouth has self-cleaning properties, meaning it can remove acidity and break down any harmful bacteria that may be present. Good brushing practices can help clean up any leftover bacteria and debris, resulting in cleaner teeth and a healthier gum line.
Brushing your teeth too frequently could clean your mouth, damaging your oral health, especially your tooth enamel. The abrasion your teeth experience from too much brushing could leave them more susceptible to further sensitivity and damage.
Myth No. 2: Brushing Harder Means Cleaner Teeth
The truth: Like the first myth, brushing your teeth too hard or using a toothbrush with hard or coarse bristles could damage your teeth and gums.
This practice could wear down the tooth enamel, the hard, shiny outer layer of your teeth that protects the more sensitive tissues underneath.
Tooth enamel, which is jam-packed with minerals, is the hardest substance in the human body. It helps protect the inner parts of your teeth from bacteria and acidity, which could lead to tooth decay.
However, the constant wear and tear your teeth experience from bushing aggressively could wear down this protective layer, leaving your teeth and gums more vulnerable to decay, sensitivity, and other possible consequences.
Myth No. 3: More Toothpaste Means Better Toothbrushing
The truth: Toothpaste is good in moderation, but using too much could be harmful.
Toothpaste is advertised to help in cleaning and strengthening teeth. Most brands carry fluoride for its strengthening properties for tooth enamel. It helps prevent tooth decay and subsequent infections by helping the enamel better resist the effects of acids in the mouth.
However, too much fluoride exposure can harm one’s dental health and cause dental fluorosis, a condition common in children in their teeth-forming years. According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey, 16 percent of children may have mild dental fluorosis in their baby teeth.
Mild cases of dental fluorosis could cause white spots to form on the surface of the teeth, which could be barely noticeable. More extreme cases could cause pits or holes in the teeth. Although these cases are rare, it’s best to avoid using too much fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth.
Experts advise using only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, especially for children. Most of all, do not swallow your fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.
Pro Tip“Milk teeth of small children still need good oral care even if they are going to fall off in due time. Kids are exposed to refined sugar in the form of chocolates, bread, and other sweet stuff at a very early age.” |
Myth No. 4: Brushing Is Enough to Remove Plaque From Between the Teeth
The truth: You still need an interdental cleaner, such as dental floss, to clean your teeth thoroughly.
Brushing your teeth is vital to maintaining your dental hygiene, but it is not enough for a thorough cleaning. It’s still best to floss correctly and regularly to remove plaque and buildup between your teeth.
As you eat and go about your day, a small amount of your food and drinks will likely get stuck between your teeth. Brushing alone cannot reach the narrow spaces between each tooth, leaving this residue behind.
The bacteria in your mouth merge with these food byproducts and build up dental plaque, a sticky film that coats and sticks to your teeth, gum line, and other dental work you may have.
When left unattended, this plaque eventually hardens into tartar, a rough, porous substance that sticks above and below the gum line, putting you at risk of gum disease or gingivitis. Severe cases could cause swollen or bleeding gums.
Myth No. 5: Rinsing the Mouth With Water After Toothbrushing Is Advised
The truth: Rinsing immediately with water or mouthwash could wash away the fluoride necessary for strengthening your teeth.
We have been taught to spit out the excess toothpaste and rinse our mouths with water after brushing our teeth. It seems like it makes sense, as keeping toothpaste in your mouth could feel uncomfortable and not exactly pleasant.
However, rinsing your fluoride toothpaste as soon as you’re done brushing doesn’t give enough time for fluoride’s benefits to affect your teeth. Fluoride usually requires quite a bit of time staying on the surface of your teeth for you to enjoy its benefits fully.
Even professional fluoride treatments don’t involve immediate rinsing. Dentists apply a concentrated fluoride solution, varnish, gel, or foam during these treatments. The application only lasts a few minutes, but you may be asked to avoid eating, drinking, or rinsing for at least 30 minutes afterward.
Have Your Teeth Checked at Dentistry on 7th
Finding out that our routines or beliefs are incorrect or harmful could be inconvenient. It’s challenging to change our habits, especially ones we’ve held on to for a long time.
However, it’s always wise to put our health first. The province of Ontario has many programs in place to help make dental health accessible to all, so you could easily visit a dental clinic in Hamilton for better dental care.
The dentists at Dentistry on 7th have years of experience to help you develop better dental practices and give you tips to improve your oral hygiene. Consistent brushing is not enough to protect your teeth from dental problems and periodontal disease. Visit Dentistry on 7th to get the perfect healthy smile you deserve!
FAQs on Toothbrushing Myths
How long should toothbrushing last?
Dentists advise that people brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time.
Should I wet my toothbrush before putting toothpaste on it?
The order of when you wet your toothbrush doesn’t matter, as long as you don’t use too much water. Your toothpaste will still work as intended with the proper brushing technique.
What is the best way to brush my teeth?
To brush your teeth properly, follow these steps:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush your teeth gently at a 45-degree angle.
- Clean every surface of your teeth. This includes the top side, the tongue side, and the cheek side of each tooth.
- Brush for around two to three minutes.
- Clean your tongue.
- Spit out excess toothpaste. Do not rinse with water.