Nine dental health myth everyone should know

1) Myth: If you brush your teeth well, you don't need to floss.

Fact: In 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture, Health and Human Services removed dental floss recommendations from the dietary guidelines. What is the reason? Recent studies by the American Academy of Periodontology have failed to prove its benefits. Now, before you throw all the floss into the trash can, remember that the gum disease is developing very slowly, and the above study does not allow for the time period required to prove the benefit. In addition, due to common sense, all dentists still recommend flossing. Floss can help remove plaque between the teeth, so it can only help. It certainly does not cause any harm.

Recommendation: Continue to floss!

2) Misunderstanding: In order to make the teeth cleaner, use a hard toothbrush, brush your teeth hard, use rough toothpaste or baking soda.

Fact: Using a hard toothbrush, brushing your teeth hard, and cleaning your teeth with harsh materials will wear off the enamel that protects your teeth. do not do that!

Recommendation: Gently brush your teeth with a soft brush and regular toothpaste.

3) Myth: If your teeth or gums bleed - brush and floss less let them heal.

Fact: When bacteria and plaque are stuck in our teeth and gums, they can cause inflammation of the gums and cause bleeding. This often happens when you don't use floss frequently. The instinct to make teeth and gums heal in time is wrong.

Recommendation: Continue to brush your teeth regularly and floss, especially if they are inadvertently bleeding (possibly).

4) Misunderstanding: If you brush your floss before going to the dentist, they won't know that your dental hygiene has been lax.

Fact: Sorry, guys, our dentist can tell you. If your gums bleed during flossing, tartar and plaque form in some places, which means you need to improve your dental hygiene.

Recommendation: Don't try to hide your negligence on dental hygiene because your dentist is not easily fooled. It is best to take care of your teeth and gums so your dentist will be impressed.

5) Myth: Sugar is the cause of most tooth decay, if not all tooth decay.

Fact: Sugar does help with tooth decay, but carbohydrates are also. If the teeth and floss are not properly brushed, the bacteria in the mouth will form substances that break down the food particles. These bacteria will release an acid that will damage the enamel layer that protects the teeth.

Recommendation: Everything should be moderate. Sugar and carbohydrates should be restricted to a healthy diet, but when you eat them, be sure to maintain proper dental hygiene.

6) Myth: You should brush your floss immediately after eating or drinking anything.

Fact: On the surface this sounds like a good idea. If food and drink are not affected, they will attract enamel bacteria, so it makes sense to remove these foods immediately, right? wrong. In fact, you can brush your food or drink to make things worse.

Recommendation: It is best to rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth after 30 minutes.

7) Myth: If you don't feel pain in your mouth, you don't need to go to the dentist.

Fact: Dental cleaning and inspection are preventive. Of course, cleaning is important, but X-rays and visual inspections help to identify problems before they cause pain. In fact, if you feel pain, it means that the decay has reached the nerves, which means you may need root canals or tooth extraction to solve the problem.

Recommendation: In any case, schedule cleaning/checking every 6 months. Preventive dental care now saves pain and money.

8) Misunderstanding: Soda without sugar can not damage your teeth.

Fact: Sugar-free soda is highly acidic, so it will erode your enamel protective layer.

Recommendation: Try to avoid acidic drinks such as sugar-free soda, orange juice and lemonade. If you want to drink an acidic drink, it's best to drink it quickly, use a straw to circumvent your teeth, then rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes.

9) Myth: To alleviate toothache, you can put an aspirin directly on your teeth.

Fact: This is an old family therapy, but the effect is not very good. In fact, aspirin is an acid that can damage your teeth and soft tissues.

Recommendation: If you have a toothache, you should go to the dentist!