Everyone knows that a good dental hygiene starts with regular tooth brushing, what is perhaps less widely known is that flossing and rinsing are not just supplements to tooth brushing. Or that chewing gum will never replace brushing, no matter how little sugar it contains.
Over the years, these and many other assertions have become established as facts in the dental hygiene imaginary when in most cases, they are myths that we tend to consistently believe just because “we have heard it all our lives”.
Let us debunk some myths about toothbrushing!
The most common myths about tooth brushing
Brushing teeth right after eating
This is probably the most widespread belief. Yes, you should brush your teeth after eating but… Is it necessary to do it immediately after eating? Actually, no, in fact, it is advisable to wait around 20 minutes after each meal to brush your teeth.
The reason is simple: when we eat, the pH acidity of our mouth increases. This causes the enamel to soften, and if we brush just then, we run the risk of damaging it and unprotecting our teeth, which is exactly what we want to avoid by brushing.
You have to wet your toothbrush before using it
It is not said that we should not do this, but the truth is that it is not necessary, because when we wet the bristles of the toothbrush, we contribute to “neutralise” the properties of the toothpaste.
In fact, experts have very different opinions on this subject: while some recommend putting the toothpaste directly on the dry toothbrush, others recommend wetting the bristles a little before applying the toothpaste.
In any case, both positions agree on one point: if we are going to wet the toothbrush, we should do so as little as possible in order to preserve all the properties of the toothpaste and the toothbrush’s ability to remove dirt.
The harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth will be
Brushing your teeth very hard is not going to make them cleaner.
The quality of brushing does not depend on how hard we brush our teeth, but on how conscientiously we do it, with gentle, controlled movements that cover every tooth from every possible angle.
If I chew gum, I don’t need to brush my teeth
It is true that chewing gum generates more saliva, which is our mouth’s natural way of cleaning itself. However, although chewing gum can be used as a cleaning aid, it is never a substitute for cleaning, as although it fights some bacteria, it does not remove food debris that can later turn into plaque.
Sugar free gum can help if you need a quick dental cleaning and you don’t have a brush or floss handy, but it can never be considered a complete and definitive cleaning.
Dental floss is merely a complement to brushing
When we talk about oral hygiene, we tend to think exclusively of brushing, but the use of dental floss is not a complement to brushing, it is just as essential.
Each tool has its function: the bristles of the toothbrush remove bacterial plaque, toothpaste provides extra benefits such as reducing microorganisms or extra fluoride to prevent decay, and dental floss reaches all those nooks and crannies that the toothbrush cannot reach.
So, no, dental floss was never just a complement to brushing, but a step in a complete oral hygiene.
It is normal for gums to bleed during tooth brushing
Bleeding gums only occur when there is an infection, with gingivitis and periodontitis being the most frequent causes. For this reason, no oral bleeding can be considered normal, unless you have just undergone surgery in the area.
Some people think that the solution to this bleeding is to avoid brushing, but doing this will only increase the infection and irritation and make the bleeding worse.
If you are bleeding while brushing, see a specialist for proper diagnosis and advice.
The other side of the coin: the universal truths about tooth brushing
Brushing before bedtime is essential
As mentioned above, saliva is the mouth’s natural protective mechanism and at night we generate much less saliva, so we don’t have that antibacterial barrier – at least not to the same extent.
For this reason, brushing your teeth before going to bed is extremely important, as this is when we remove all the debris that can form plaque.
Toothbrushes need to be replaced every three months
Over time, the bristles of the toothbrush lose their effectiveness and we tend to compensate for this weakening by applying more pressure when toothbrushing, which can damage our teeth.
According to the ADA (American Dental Association), the correct thing to do is to renew your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months, as after this time, the bristles begin to wear down and break, causing the teeth not to be cleaned properly. This also prevents the accumulation of bacteria on the toothbrush itself, which is inevitable in the long term.
