Busted: 5 Myths when Brushing Your Teeth
1. Baby teeth aren’t important.
Many people think baby teeth aren’t important and don’t need to be cared for in the same way that adult teeth do; after all baby teeth aren’t permanent. But even though baby teeth aren’t here to stay, it’s essential to teach children healthy habits for dental hygiene from their very first tooth. Good habits developed early ensure healthy teeth for the rest of our children’s lives.
Additionally, many parents may think their baby won’t need a dental appointment until their second or third tooth. This is also a myth! Once a baby’s first tooth starts poking out the child should be brought in to the dentist for a routine checkup. Children’s teeth have weaker enamel and are more prone to decay. Severe decay and extraction of the baby teeth can even harm the growth of adult teeth later on. And remember, cavities are painful! “The number one reason for children to be admitted to hospital for a general anaesthic in the UK is for tooth extractions” according to the British Dental Association. Anything we can do to minimize our children’s pain and maintain their oral health from an early age is worth it.
2. Brushing once a day is enough.
You may remember being told as a child to brush your teeth three times a day or after every meal. Most people shrug this off and only brush their teeth once a day: before bed or after waking up. But really, we should all be brushing our teeth twice a day to protect our teeth as best as possible. Brushing at the end of the day cleans the mouth of plaque, sugar, and other food particles that stick on and between the teeth. Brushing in the morning after waking cleans the mouth of bacteria (which grows while we sleep) that has the potential to cause cavities.
3. The more you brush your teeth, the healthier they’ll be.
This isn’t necessarily true. While it’s important to brush your teeth more than once a day, brushing too often can case abrasions on your teeth, especially if you use a hard-bristled toothbrush. Brushing too often and too vigorously causes tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. It’s best to brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush in small circular motions.
4. If your gums are bleeding, you should not brush or floss.
Just the opposite! Flossing your between your teeth and gums keeps them healthy. Gums may bleed if they haven’t received regular care; brushing and flossing is necessary to rid the gums and teeth of plaque buildup.
If your gums are swollen and bleeding you may have a stage of gingivitis and if your gums are bleeding, severely sensitive, and have retreated from the base of your teeth you may have a stage of periodontal disease which cal lead to loss of teeth. Routine checkups with your dentist are important to assess the health of your teeth and gums and to prevent oral diseases like these from developing and/or advancing.
5. Flossing isn’t necessary.
Flossing is one of those things that many people know they ought to do but never seem to actually do. And when we fail to floss we miss cleaning a large portion of our teeth’s surface area. Bacteria and food particles on these surfaces are more dangerous because they are harder to access and clean. For this reason one of the most likely places for cavities to develop is between your teeth, but flossing regularly is an inexpensive and easy way to prevent that from happening.
So Remember…
To maintain your healthiest teeth: brush twice a day for two minutes reaching all the surfaces of your teeth using gentle circular motions, floss between all of your teeth, and schedule an appointment with your dentist every 6 months for a routine checkup!
Happy Brushing!
Dr. Elvie Nathanson and the Team at Gentle Care Family Dentistry
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