Four Dental Myths Busted

1. You should always brush your teeth immediately after eating.

Brushing directly after you eat reduces the effects of salvia, your mouths natural mechanism to break down food particles. This is especially true in the case of acidic foods. Waiting ½ hour after eating to brush is more effective, giving you two stages of cleaning.

Read Healthline.com (Source Material)

2. Using a good mouthwash can replace brushing.

There is no better way to remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria than brushing. The best mouthwashes include fluoride which can help prevent tooth decay. This is more important today as many cities have removed fluoride from city water supplies. (See Should Waterloo Put Fluoride Back in our Water?) A good mouthwash will also reduce bacteria and freshen your breath, but it can’t replace brushing.

3. You don’t need to floss if you use an electric toothbrush.

Commercials for electric toothbrushes often claim to reach between teeth. It’s just not true. At least not as effectively as dental floss. To remove plaque below the gums and between teeth you need to floss. If you hate flossing, there are alternatives to traditional flossing. (Read Alternative to Flossing, and The Waterpik Water Flosser).

Electric toothbrushes are great and they do a good job, but the best toothbrush is the one that’s used regularly.

4. You don’t need to visit the dentist if your teeth look good.

Many people fool themselves by thinking their dental health is fine because from their point of view their teeth look great. Your dentist looks much closer. Dentist and hygienists are trained to spot trouble and conditions that will lead to bigger problems. Erbsville Dental also uses digital x-ray to look below the surface of teeth and gums. Regular checkups help you to spot issues before they happen and avoid future heartache.

We’re glad your teeth look good. Keep up the good work! But let Erbsville Dental keep them beautiful for decades to come.