The ‘Tooth’ Behind Popular Dental Myths

Good oral hygiene is important. So much so that in the US they’ve dedicated the entire month of October to the topic in a bid to get more people to take dental hygiene seriously.

And while we are yet to dedicate an entire month to the issue, recent statistics show that the UK’s relationship with our dental hygiene isn’t much better, with 49% of adults believed to have not seen a dentist in over 24 months.

That figure is extremely worrying when you consider that evidence shows that people who suffer from periodontal disease as a result of poor oral hygiene are at a greater risk of diabetes and heart disease. Other health complications linked to poor oral hygiene include cancer, sepsis and even pregnancy complications.

And if the health benefits of taking better care of your mouth weren’t enough to sway you, research shows that you’re 14% more likely to get a ‘swipe right’ on dating sites if you’re smiling in your profile picture.

But what does good oral hygiene actually look like? With the rise of the internet and social media platforms there is a magnitude of often conflicting information available. Which is why leading oral health brand, DenTek, have put together a factsheet debunking popular dental hygiene myths.

From when is the correct time to brush your teeth in the morning and the truth about charcoal toothpaste to if gum is really that bad for you, Dentek are filling in the tr-ooth about the 15 most popular hygiene myths by search volume.

How Safe Is Teeth Whitening?

A big one for a lot of people, as the desire for a ‘Hollywood-ready’ perfect smile has left a lot of us wondering ‘is home teeth whitening safe?’.

The short answer is no. Unless it’s being carried out by a registered dental professional, teeth whitening has the potential to cause more harm than good to your teeth. That’s because in a bid to be more affordable many of the home kits for teeth whitening provide a ‘one size fits all’ mouthguard that can be easily mass produced.

However everyone’s teeth are different, and when using a mouthguard that has not been made to fit your mouth properly, there is a risk that some of the bleaching gel could leak out. And if the gel comes into contact with your gums, it could cause them to blister, leading to gum sensitivity.

And that’s if you even opt for a home kit. Last year, a TikTok ‘hack’ went viral which saw one user claim that dipping a cotton bud in hydrogen peroxide solution and then rubbing it all over their teeth was a cheaper alternative to teeth whitening.

Unfortunately this Tik Tok trend is more cap than fact, as hydrogen peroxide is a highly dangerous solution which can seriously damage tooth enamel if used incorrectly – and less enamel leads to yellow teeth and increased sensitivity.

Gum Is Good? Kind-of

Chewing gum has a bit of a bad rep, and is often considered to be a bad habit, but did you know that chewing gum can actually benefit your oral health?

The key is choosing the right type. Opting for sugar-free gum can have a number of benefits including helping prevent tooth decay and encouraging saliva production – which can help neutralise and wash away acid that forms in your mouth after the breakdown of food.

There’s also evidence that this increased saliva means more minerals in your mouth that can strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities!

Of course it’s worth remembering that sugary gums will have the opposite effect and lead to increased plaque buildup on your teeth and that even sugar-free gum is by no means a substitute for brushing your teeth twice a day.

Other Popular Dental Hygiene Myths Debunked

Charcoal toothpaste can help whiten your teeth – unfortunately there is not a lot of evidence to support this. Charcoal toothpaste is great at removing and preventing stains which may help the teeth appear whiter at first but actually prolonged use can wear down enamel leading to yellower teeth

Green tea can stain your teeth – This is true! While green tea is reported to have multiple health benefits, whiter teeth isn’t one of them and that’s because green tea contains tannins which are organic substances that can stain your teeth and gums when consumed regularly.

Brushing harder means a deeper clean – Wrong! Brushing your teeth too hard can lead to enamel wear and receding gums, both of which can lead to tooth decay and worse problems down the line.

Leaving toothpaste on is better for your teeth – While leaving toothpaste on your teeth could help keep them strong due to the strengthening properties of fluoride, it won’t in any way help keep them clean which means in the long run this probably isn’t worth it.

Flossing creates gaps in your teeth – This is another myth that is completely wrong! Correct flossing technique not only won’t create gaps in your teeth but will help you clean parts of your smile that brushing alone can’t – and that’s because brushing alone only cleans 60% of your teeth!