Make Your Dentist Happy – Debunking Common Oral Health Myths

Make Your Dentist Happy – Debunking Common Oral Health Myths | AD

To celebrate National Dentist’s Day (which falls on falls on 6^th March 2025), let’s explore some common misconceptions about oral health. UK dentists don’t always get the best press but most of them want to help their patients to prioritise their oral hygiene at home and help them improve their cleaning practices. If more people do their best at home, that will result in fewer avoidable trips to the dentist’s chair. Together with DenTek and dental hygienist Emma Nelson from the Dental Referral Centre, let’s get into debunking common oral health myths and reveal what really makes a dentist happy.

Common Oral Health Myths (and What’s Really True!)

Let’s explore some common oral health myths and misconceptions and learn what’s really true and what the experts recommend when it comes to dental hygiene.

MYTH: I can use mouthwash instead of daily brushing.

No. Mouthwash has its benefits but should not replace the use of a toothbrush. Mouthwash alone cannot effectively disrupt the formation of plaque. Mouthwash can be a valuable part of oral hygiene routine by helping to prevent caries and reduce plaque bacteria that can lead to gum disease. 

MYTH: Brushing harder leaves my teeth cleaner.

One of the most significant problems dentists see today is tooth abrasion caused by brushing too hard. Teeth have layers – enamel and dentine. Brushing too hard wears down the enamel, exposing the dentine, which can lead to sensitivity and an increased risk of developing cavities. Use an electric toothbrush since this helps you to control the pressure of your brushing.

MYTH: Sugar is the only cause of cavities.

While sugar is a major contributor to cavities, bacteria in the mouth can also damage the enamel. This bacteria is found in plaque that accumulates on the teeth, especially in between them and produces acid that breaks down the enamel. In short, bad oral hygiene is also a major cause of cavities.

MYTH: You should brush your teeth straight after eating.

This might seem like a good idea but it actually does more harm than good to the teeth. Eating changes the pH levels in the mouth, creating an acidic environment. This temporarily softens the enamel so brushing the teeth at this point wears the enamel away. Leave at least 30 minutes after eating to allow the pH to rebalance and the enamel to harden again. 

MYTH: Diet drinks are better for your teeth.

This goes back to our earlier question about sugar being the only cause of tooth decay. While diet drinks have removed the sugar, they are still very acidic and this is what weakens and erodes tooth enamel. This makes the teeth more prone to decay, so diet drinks should be consumed minimally as they can still cause issues for dental health.

MYTH: I only need to see a dentist when my teeth hurt.

We would always recommend having regular dental check-ups every 6 to 12 months, as your dentist can identify any potential problems and stop them from developing further. It’s not advisable to only see your dentist when something is wrong, as preventable damage could already have been done to the tooth. Early intervention allows for the best outcome.

MYTH: Tooth loss is inevitable as you get older

No, it’s not inevitable. Many older patients have better teeth than younger people because they don’t eat as much processed food and sugar. As you get older you can be more susceptible to gum disease causing receding gums and deterioration of the supporting structures of the teeth, leading to potential tooth loss. Periodontal disease is treatable at any age, although success of treatment does depend on the severity of the disease. Routine professional cleaning helps to maintain the health of the teeth and gums.

MYTH: If I lose a filling, I need to see a dentist straight away.

We would always recommend seeking advice from a dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth. Temporary filling repair kits like the DenTek Temparin Repair Kit will hold fillings or crowns in place until you can be seen. This can help minimise the risk of infection.

Dentists Advise Patients to Clean Between Teeth

According to dentists, the single most important practice to incorporate into any oral hygiene routine is to clean between the teeth. As many as 31% of UK adults have tooth decay and 66% have visible plaque according to the Oral Health Foundation. These statistics could be reduced by people simply adding interdental cleaning to their routing. Interdental cleaning is vita for keeping teeth and gums healthy, but most people don’t regularly clean between their teeth. Actually, only about a quarter of adults do interdental cleaning regularly!

“Over 70% of tooth decay starts between the teeth but a toothbrush alone cleans just 60% of the tooth”, says Emma. “To reach the other surface areas that the toothbrush can’t reach, the importance of adding interdental cleaning cannot be overstated. Oral hygiene products such as DenTek’s floss picks and interdental brushes are vital and can be introduced at an early age. In fact, dentists recommend children start interdental cleaning as soon as two teeth are touching”.

There are many common dental issues that are preventable or at least delayable by cleaning teeth effectively. It’s true that most people know how to brush their teeth, but too few include interdental cleaning. By adding this important task to your oral hygiene routine, both you and your dentist will be smiling!

DenTek products are available at Boots, Amazon.co.uk, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, Superdrug and through the DenTek website.

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