In the midst of the everyday rush getting the day progressing amidst the pandemic alongside juggling various domestic chores with professional work, oral hygiene seems to be one activity that hardly receives our attention. Though our oral health is often taken for granted, the practice of restoring a healthy and clean mouth is an integral part of our daily lives. Not many know the fact that overlooking your enamels for an elongated time duration can eventually impact your overall health. With the current home-bound situation that has become the new normal, some spare moments that come tagged with it are bonuses of quarantine life. We must make the most of this free time to bust some myths about dental hygiene which will facilitate in refining our enamel health.
Rinsing, brushing or flossing are these really the fundamentals of proper oral hygiene? Is
flossing hyped? Can brushing more often or harder help to make your dental condition
healthier? Below mentioned are a couple of myths and facts regarding oral health.
Myth 1: The more you brush your teeth, the healthier they’ll be: Brushing extremely
hard or very frequently can do more harm to your teeth than good. Too much brushing can actually erode some of the hard enamel that guards the inside of the enamels against cavities and deterioration. This practice can wear away your enamels and even the gums. Ideally, you should consider tooth brushing post each meal like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you have an occupied schedule, it is recommended to brush twice a day by using a soft-bristled brush.
Myth 2: You shouldn’t brush too close to the gum line: Dental surveys have reported
that the majority of respondents tend to agree with this notion. We must try to shield our
gums; avoiding brushing close to the gum line is not a solution, as it hampers the appropriate dental cleaning. Microbes often tend to hang out where your enamels run into your gum – about one to two millimeters beneath your gum line. This area is easily accessible; just ensure that your toothbrush bristles are flexible enough to bend. Make sure you are maintaining the 45-degree angle, and don’t brush too hard.
Myth 3: Putting a cap on your toothbrush protects it from bacteria: This is a popular
concept that seems to mislead majority of people. Dental surveys have shown about 62% respondents who believe in this notion. The fact is that making use of a toothbrush cover tends to create a moist-enclosed breeding ground for dental microbes and bacteria. The foremost way to keep your toothbrush clean is to properly rinse it with tap water post brushing. You must let it dry properly and keep it erect in a holder. Moreover, always ensure that you are not keeping your toothbrush in closeness with other toothbrushes to avert the exchange of germs.
Myth 4: Chewing sugar-free gum is just as good as brushing: Chewing of gums might
play an important role in stimulating saliva production which can facilitate in washing away the acids present in foods and drinks that you have consumed. You must remember that chewing of gums can never replace brushing. Tooth brushing followed by flossing can remove deposited plaque from all enamel surfaces, a feature that is not possible for a chewing gum to perform.
Myth 5: You need to use a toothpick after eating: Many people agree that making use of
a toothpick post food consumption is required to clean the stuck food particles from the
enamels. The truth is that a toothpick can possibly harm your gums and can open up the way for germs to enter the gums and can cause an infection. You can replace your toothpick with a dental floss. By flossing you will be able to reach the space between all your enamels effortlessly without injuring your gums.
Myth 6: If your gums bleed when you floss, it’s best to stop: If not used properly, dental
floss can marginally harm your gums. This does not imply that you should stop flossing.
Furthermore, it’s much more probable for your gums to bleed due to irritation caused by germs and plaque trapped between your teeth. You must make flossing a regular habit to evade this
condition.
Myth 7: Flossing can create spaces between your teeth: Dental flossing is so thin that it
just cannot create spaces in between your enamels. Sometimes if you have accumulated plaque and tartar between teeth, it can be hard to floss properly. This is a clear sign that it’s time for you to visit your dental expert for a professional clean up.
By comprehending these dental myths and facts will help you to value your dental health so that you can uphold a happier and healthier smile.
