6 Commonly Held Falsehoods About Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is a well-known and widely-recognized part of overall health maintenance. Due to the interconnected nature of the body, oral health issues can be a precursor to systemic issues. If you want to get the most out of your time spent brushing your teeth, it's crucial that you do so correctly.

It's likely that you've heard a wide variety of advice, myths, and specifics about how to brush your teeth. While there is a wealth of useful data available online, I do believe it is important to dispel a few myths. This article will dispel six common misconceptions about proper tooth care and brushing techniques.

It's time we dispelled those six common misconceptions on brushing.

1. The myth that you only need to brush your teeth once a day. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. From morning to night, our mouths are constantly in use for a variety of activities, including speaking, eating, and drinking. Every day, not just once, is required. If possible, you should brush your teeth after each meal, but at the very least you should do it twice a day.

• Two: mouthwash can't replace tooth brushing and toothpaste. While mouthwash can remove some of the plaque and tartar that toothbrushing and toothpaste can't reach, it shouldn't be used in place of regular dental hygiene routines. Brushing your teeth is still the best way to get rid of the bacteria that can cause bad breath, but mouthwash can help with the other tissues in your mouth, too, like your cheeks and tongue. It does not replace the need for a toothbrush to manually remove plaque and bacteria from teeth. Accumulations of plaque are called bacterial biofilms. These biofilms can only be removed by a dentist if they are not calcified (hardened) on the teeth by regular brushing. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day.

• Third, flossing is something you should do occasionally rather than every day. If you want to get rid of the bacterial biofilms I was talking about, flossing is the only way to reach the spaces between your teeth where your toothbrush can't reach them. The difficulty in cleaning these areas makes them ideal habitats for bacteria. The recommended frequency of flossing is twice daily, in the morning and before bed.

• Four, brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking: You should brush your teeth after eating or drinking certain foods, but not always immediately after. The enamel on your teeth can wear away if you regularly consume acidic foods and drinks (like oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits). You could do more damage to your tooth enamel if you immediately brush your teeth after eating something acidic, as the acid would be brushed into your teeth. We recommend rinsing with water and waiting an hour before brushing again.

• When I brush too hard, I end up with bleeding gums; this is a sign that I need to cut back. In fact, this indicates an even greater requirement for dental hygiene on your part. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you likely have gum disease or infection. As a result, you should step up your efforts to eradicate the bacteria. Try this: keep up with your regular flossing and brushing routine, regardless of whether or not your gums bleed, and in about a week, you should see a reduction in the bleeding. You can expect a full recovery from the bleeding if you stick to your regular routine (which should also include regular visits to your hygienist to get rid of any bacteria you can't reach).

• The only way to get my teeth truly clean is with a toothbrush that has very stiff bristles (number 6). Yes, NO! Please only use a toothbrush with soft bristles from now on. Brushing your teeth with hard bristles does nothing but harm in the long run, from the enamel on your teeth to the gums. Keep in mind that you need to disrupt the bacterial biofilms on your teeth when you brush, and as long as you brush for a long enough period of time, using a toothbrush with soft bristles will do the trick just fine.

I'm wondering if there are any other teeth-brushing myths you've heard. It's fine if you bought into a few of them as you went along! This is a real thing that occurs.

Due to the overwhelming amount of data available online and the advice we receive from our loved ones, it can be difficult to determine the best course of action. And I bet there are more urban legends circulating about the state of your teeth and gums that you believe. Sure, send some of those my way! I'd be happy to dispel those misconceptions for you.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!

Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted 15- time Best of Las Vegas from The Las Vegas Review-Journal. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.

With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning.  Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens.  She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.

Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!