Whether you like it or not, your dental routine is here to stay. Every day of your life (hopefully), you brush your teeth twice and floss at least once. It’s one of those things that takes up such a consistent place in our routine that many people have come up with some of their own solutions to make their dental care even more efficient. Unfortunately, most of these are myths that actually result in poor dental hygiene. To fight against these rumours, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to bust some of those myths and keep your dental hygiene on track.
‘Rinsing your mouth out after brushing is better’
The chances are that everyone has been guilty of this one at some point in their lives. However, we’re sorry to say that this one is a definite myth. We understand that it can be nice to get rid of that leftover toothpaste stuck in your mouth, but what you’re actually doing is removing all the fluoride you’ve put on your teeth! Fluoride helps your enamel stay strong and assists in that fight against teeth decay – it therefore plays a vital role. We’d suggest spitting out your toothpaste to make your mouth feel less intense after a brush. If you’ve got into the habit of rinsing since you were a child, it can be very hard to shift. Put post-it notes on your mirror or in your bathroom to keep reminding yourself not to rinse.
‘I don’t have any pain so my teeth are great’
This one really is a clanger. It’s very important to note that just because you’re not experiencing any problems with your teeth now doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be checking in with your dentist on the regular. Gum and teeth problems tend to start off painless and start hurting after it’s too late to stop the issue effectively. If you can build up a rapport with your dentist it makes regular visits much more inviting. We’d suggest checking out London City Smiles if you live in the London area – their service focuses on slow dentistry and they have a fantastic record for relieving dental anxiety. Having that confident and beneficial relationship with your dentist will be vital for maintaining high levels of dental health throughout your life. Make a visit to the dentist a monthly occurrence if you can – getting complacent is the worst way to deal with your oral hygiene.
‘Right after eating is the best time to brush’
Cleaning right after you’ve had your dinner is a big no-no in the eyes of your dentist. If you get the toothpaste out when you’ve just eaten you’re not allowing your saliva to break down your food and perform antibacterial miracles in your mouth. As a result, any bits of food that you’ve missed will have some bad effects on your teeth. Even worse is that all the acid you received from your food will have an immediate effect on your enamel. Brushing after eating starts to scrub away at the surface of your teeth, which only helps the acid. In our opinion, if you can brush an hour after your dinner you’ll be brushing at the optimum time.
‘A more forceful brush makes your teeth stronger’
This myth may seem very obvious, but it’s an easy one to fall into. Brushing rigorously actually has a very negative effect on your teeth. If you’re being too firm, you can actually damage the surface of your teeth and cause some serious harm. Be careful with the type of toothbrush you’re using and make sure you have one suitable for your teeth, especially if you have sensitive gnashers. Ultimately, brushing with too much strength can do much more harm than good for your teeth. Take it easy and use a softer toothbrush if you’re worried about being too firm.
‘Females lose a tooth each time they have a baby’
Yep – there are some people out there who think this irrevocably true. We’re sorry to break it to you, but this one is definitely not true. This odd myth has passed down generations but it’s ultimately an old wives tale – much like carrots helping you see in the dark and your crusts making your hair go curly. Pregnancy can obviously have some profound effects on the body and any that seem unusual should be immediately checked out. Fortunately, teeth are one part of the body that aren’t affected – as long as you’re keeping up an effective brushing routine. If you’re having any trouble with your teeth during pregnancy, go straight to your local dentist.
‘The best place to get my teeth whitened is the salon’
Sorry ladies, but this one is a definite no. Teeth whitening is a distinct form of dentistry with its own special procedures and regulations. If you’re getting your teeth whitened from anywhere but a dentist, you should definitely have second thoughts. Many dental whitening techniques are incredibly long-lasting and offer cheap, affordable options for those with little money to spare. Getting your teeth whitened can have a brilliant effect on your smile and improves your self-esteem tenfold. If you’re thinking about getting it done, have a look through some natural and long-lasting procedures from certified dentists. Not only will the whitening last longer than non-dentistry’s, it will be much more safe for your teeth. To top it off, if there isn’t a professional dentist present the whole treatment is illegal anyways.
While some of these myths might be a bit silly, some are very believable and make sense logically. Always check in with your dentist if you’re worried about which way forward is best for your brushing routine. If you’ve got dental anxiety, we understand that it can be tough to push through that barrier. All that we can say is keep trying and build up a rapport with your dentist – you’ll soon realise how beneficial it is to have a good relationship. We can’t stress enough just how important it is to get your dental routine perfect. You’ll see the fantastic results of glimmering teeth in no time.
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