Brushing your teeth is an essential habit that offers them the best protection against harmful bacteria which can cause tooth decay and cavities. However, is there any such thing as brushing them too much? Should you brush them before or after breakfast? There are many myths surrounding good dental hygiene that can often feel misleading.
As an experienced nervous patient dentist in Manchester, we understand that it can be stressful to do the right thing and take a trip to visit your dentist and query when you are unsure about the health of your teeth. So, to help you understand the best way to care for dental needs, we explore some of the common myths we hear and the truth behind them.
Myth 1: You Should Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
You should always ensure that you brush your teeth the moment you wake up. Brushing your teeth before breakfast cleans away any bacteria, and the toothpaste helps to protect against plaque build-up from anything you may eat following your cleaning. You should also ensure you clean your teeth before going to bed to defend your teeth against plaque and bacteria as you sleep.
During the night, your mouth produces less saliva, which helps to clean away any plaque and bacteria, which is where the term “morning breath” comes from. Brushing them after each meal will not harm your teeth if you wish to ensure they keep clean throughout the day but never do it immediately after your meal. After eating, your teeth are vulnerable, and any build-up could be an abrasive during brushing. Always wait half an hour after eating before brushing your teeth to allow them to regain strength first.
Myth 2: Sugar Causes Cavities
Although this is true, it isn’t the sugar that creates holes within teeth. Your mouth is full of bacteria, both good and bad. However, sugar increases the harmful bacteria within your mouth, which results in the breakdown of enamel, making teeth vulnerable to cavities. Sugar, when digested, increases the acidic bacteria within your mouth, and this acid can remove minerals from the tooth enamel, which protects your teeth. Therefore, the more sugar you consume, the more risk of cavities within your teeth.
Although reducing your sugar intake can help protect your teeth, there is sugar in many products. Even natural sugars can be detrimental to your teeth. The food and drink industry are taking significant steps in reducing the amount of sugar added to products but opting for sugar-free foods and drinks can help keep your teeth protected for longer, reducing the exposure to excess sugar. The best way to protect your teeth is with regular dental hygiene care by flossing and brushing your teeth regularly.
Myth 3: Chewing Gum Can Help Keep Teeth Clean
Chewing gum has been around for many years and has been used to help freshen the breath, distract people from cravings, and much more. However, sugarless chewing gum can have many more benefits regarding dental health care. Although it should not replace regular dental hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing, it can be a fantastic way to protect your teeth throughout the day when brushing is impractical.
Saliva can help protect teeth by neutralising the acids within your mouth, which wash away harmful bacteria. Studies have shown that chewing gum can help increase the saliva present within the mouth by replicating the body’s reaction to digesting food. This increase in saliva carries much more calcium than regular saliva, which gives your teeth much more strength. In addition, the adhesive nature of gum may also help remove any plaque in between teeth that would otherwise be stuck until you were able to brush or floss your teeth. So, this myth is valid if you ensure you are using sugar-free gum.
Myth 4: Charcoal Toothpaste Offers the Best Results
Charcoal toothpaste has gained popularity due to its marketing through influencers and social media. The results from certified charcoal toothpaste have been impressive, with whiter teeth visible from the first few uses. However, many sceptics have wondered about the success of toothpaste in providing excellent all-around results.
Charcoal toothpaste, often referred to as black toothpaste, if it contains the right ingredients of activated charcoal, can assist in providing whiter teeth. However, a study was done in 2021 that compared the teeth-whitening effects of activated charcoal toothpaste to the everyday fluoride-based toothpaste that has been scientifically proven to lighten the shade of teeth. The results concluded that charcoal toothpaste offered no advantage over fluoride whitening toothpaste and brought a debate about the use of black toothpaste causing more damage to dental work, such as fillings. So, whilst black toothpaste is a popular trend marketed by influencers and social media, it is always recommended to use products which dentists have recommended. However, if they don’t appear to be achieving that bright white smile you are looking for, consider using services such as our top teeth whitening in Salford. We provide excellent solutions which can be done mostly at home and offer you excellent results and no harm to your teeth.
Myth 5: Bleeding Gums Can Be Normal
No. When it comes to your gums, the blood sign indicates something is wrong. Although it doesn’t always mean there is an underlying issue, it requires attention and checking to ensure there is nothing untoward happening that could put your teeth at risk for tooth decay.
Common issues for bleeding gums include:
- Inadequate removal of plaque when brushing
- Brushing too hard
- Smoking
- Stress
- Clenching or grinding teeth
If you suffer from bleeding gums after brushing or flossing, it is always recommended to visit your dentist to ensure that your gums are healthy. As a leading private dentist in Manchester, we are happy to see any patient with concerns with their gums and evaluate their dental hygiene routines and mouth for any recommendations to prevent their gums from bleeding. We offer a variety of services, including our highly-rated smile makeover, which combines a multitude of services to provide you with the smile you have always wanted. For more information on our services, you can look online at our various treatments as a cosmetic dentist in Manchester.