On World Oral Health Day Maintaining one’s overall health is important to lead a healthy
lifestyle, however, people tend to neglect their oral health. Amidst all
of this dental practitioners are often asked about several oral
concerns and even common misconceptions associated with them when it
comes to oral hygiene.
Questions range from why one should floss if there is a brush
available or aren’t children supposed to brush twice or will cola melt
my teeth. Confusion, doubts, or myths on oral hygiene are part of any
dentist’s daily routine and on this ‘World Oral Health Day’ Dr. Anirban
Chatterjee, Periodontist and Implantologist, President-Elect of Indian
Society of Periodontology shares some interesting insights with us:
Myth 1: Brushing one’s teeth is enough for good oral health
It is often believed that brushing twice means one is adhering to
good oral hygiene practices. However, no matter how efficiently brushing
is done, it cannot clean the entire mouth as teeth constitute only 25%
of one’s mouth. To ensure that the entire mouth is clean, rinsing with
mouthwash daily after brushing is equally important to remove leftover
germs that cause major oral health problems like tooth decay, bad breath
and gum problems.
Using a mouthwash with essential oils will help to clean the whole
mouth of leftover germs from under the tongue, the roof of the mouth,
and between the cheeks. But be mindful, do not gargle the mouthwash. It
is best to use the mouthwash as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Myth 2: Mouthwash only settles bad breath
One of the most common myth is that mouthwash only resolves bad
breath. People are always under the impression that mouthwash can be a
quick fix and can also replace brushing to overcome bad breath. However,
that is not the case, a mouthwash not only helps to overcome bad breath
but also get rid of leftover germs in the mouth which usually are not
cleaned even after brushing. These germs are the root cause of bad
breath and lead to plaque which can cause the breaking down of teeth
over time and even gingivitis or gum problems.
Do not replace brushing by using mouthwash, instead add that to the
daily oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash containing essential oils can help
to prevent cavities and reduce bacteria-causing plaque. Therefore
mouthwash is much more than just a solution to address bad breath, it is
an important part of one’s overall oral hygiene.
Myth 3: Hard toothbrushes are better
This is a highly prevalent misconception. Toothbrushes with hard
bristles followed by harsh brushing can damage the tooth enamel. On the
other hand, softer bristles are a better option as they are less
abrasive to the teeth and gums, but the best option is using a medium
toothbrush. However having the right toothbrush, an excellent brushing
technique and brushing twice is not enough. An overall good oral hygiene
regime is important to ensure the cleaning of the whole mouth.
Myth 4: Brushing longer makes the teeth shine
Brushing too much, too frequently can cause abrasion of the enamel
the outermost layer of the teeth. The recommended time to brushing is
just two minutes, which is just enough for the fluoride in the
toothpaste to react with the teeth and make it clean and should brush
twice a day, not more than twice. To get whiter teeth one should visit a
dentist, as it is a cosmetic process.
Myth 5: One need to visit a dentist only during an Emergency
The perception of dental treatment to be painful often leads people
to avoid regular dental check-ups. Many of the oral issues are
asymptomatic and hence, a regular dental visit at least every six months
is always recommended.
Myth 6: One should use mouthwash only when they have oral problems
A common misconception regarding mouthwash is that one should use it
only when they have issues like bad breath, swollen gums, or cavities.
This however is not true, using mouthwash twice daily and making it a
routine will help to prevent several oral hygiene problems.
Myth 7: Flossing regularly will lead to gaps between the teeth
There are many myths and misconceptions around flossing. While some
people think that flossing creates a gap between teeth others think
flossing is important to avoid future oral health problems and is
unnecessary as a routine. The fact is, flossing is considered to be the
correct way to clean in between the teeth.
It helps to remove food residue, plaque build-up between the teeth
and reach places that are difficult for a toothbrush. Regular flossing
along with other oral care is necessary for gum health and will make one
less likely to develop cavities in the long run. Don’t forget to rinse
after flossing.
Myth 8: Professional cleaning weakens the tooth
It is mistakenly believed that scaling – in common terms known as
cleaning of teeth — can weaken one’s teeth. It is a common reason for
patients to avoid this procedure. However, in order to control the
tartar forming on the teeth, scaling is required. The process uses
ultrasonic instruments that only remove the tartar. After the process,
regular use of essential oil-based mouthwash can help to control the
formation of tartar around the teeth.
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