The truth about common dental myths
Many old beliefs and myths regarding dental care persist. Many people still remain confused about the basics of brushing, flossing, whitening and other dental care procedure. Here are some popular dental myths and related comments of dental specialists. More sugar means more tooth decay
It is not the amount of sugar you eat; it is the amount of time that the sugar has contact with the teeth. Foods such as slowly-dissolving candies and soda are in the mouth for longer periods of time. This increases the amount of time teeth are exposed to the acids formed by oral bacteria from the sugars. White teeth are healthier teeth
We may think they look pretty, but teeth are not meant to be pure white. You can help keep your teeth as white as possible by brushing regularly with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing. Avoiding food and drinks that can stain teeth, such as tea, coffee and red wine, will also help to keep them white. So you will not need unnecessary polishing or whitening treatments. The more you brush, better your teeth. On the contrary, overzealous brushing for extended periods of time does more harm than good. The teeth surface is made of enamel which gets abraded on brushing for extended periods which lead to tooth sensitivity and other complications in the long term. The recommended time period for brushing is 3 minutes twice a day. Using toothpicks widens gap between teeth
There is no such harm when you use the commercially available toothpicks. Toothpicks can help you remove food particles between teeth. In fact, you might as well floss your teeth than using toothpicks which serves the same purpose but is more effective. Be careful of injury to your gums when you use sharp tooth picks. Expensive toothpastes are always better than cheap ones
It is not always true, and some moderately expensive toothpaste can be very effective. Ask a dentist about the toothpastes that can be good for your particular dental situation. The write up is compiled by Dr Kazi Md Niazur Rahman, Dental Surgeon working at Dhaka Dental College and Hospital. E-mail: dr_niaz24@yahoo.com
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