7 ORAL HEALTH MYTHS 7 ORAL HEALTH MYTHS THAT ARE DAMAGING THAT ARE DAMAGING

YOUR TEETHYOUR TEETH

THINK YOU HAVE A GOOD GRASP OF THINK YOU HAVE A GOOD GRASP OF WHAT IS EFFECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT IS EFFECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO CARING FOR YOUR TEETH? CHECK OUT CARING FOR YOUR TEETH? CHECK OUT THESE MYTHS AND SEE IF YOU KNOW THESE MYTHS AND SEE IF YOU KNOW

THE TRUTH BEHIND THEM.THE TRUTH BEHIND THEM.

MOUTHWASH IS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MOUTHWASH IS A SUBSTITUTE FOR FLOSSING OR BRUSHINGFLOSSING OR BRUSHING

• Mouthwash may make your mouth feel clean and it does kill Mouthwash may make your mouth feel clean and it does kill

bacteria for about 30 seconds, but after that your mouth is just bacteria for about 30 seconds, but after that your mouth is just

as susceptible to bacterial invasion (causing cavities).as susceptible to bacterial invasion (causing cavities).

• ACT is a good mouthwash because it has the added benefit of ACT is a good mouthwash because it has the added benefit of

fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. But it does not take the fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. But it does not take the

place of brushing and flossing.place of brushing and flossing.

BRUSHING WITH A HARD OR FIRM BRISTLE BRUSHING WITH A HARD OR FIRM BRISTLE BRUSH CLEANS TEETH BETTERBRUSH CLEANS TEETH BETTER

• This is completely false. Brushing with a hard bristle brush can actually do more This is completely false. Brushing with a hard bristle brush can actually do more

harm than good.harm than good.

• The firm bristle brushes are only to be used with dentures or removal mouth The firm bristle brushes are only to be used with dentures or removal mouth

appliances. There is no reason to even buy one, unless you need it for your appliances. There is no reason to even buy one, unless you need it for your

appliance.appliance.

• The saying is, “Brush your teeth like you are brushing a tomato.” With a soft bristle The saying is, “Brush your teeth like you are brushing a tomato.” With a soft bristle

brush and careful strokes.brush and careful strokes.

• Anything more than that and you can damage the precious enamel on your teeth.Anything more than that and you can damage the precious enamel on your teeth.

ZOOM WHITENING OR SAME DAY WHITENING IS ZOOM WHITENING OR SAME DAY WHITENING IS FAR BETTER THAN TAKE-HOME BLEACH KITS FAR BETTER THAN TAKE-HOME BLEACH KITS

PROVIDED BY A DENTAL PROFESSIONALPROVIDED BY A DENTAL PROFESSIONAL

• Zoom Whitening and other similar products are very effective (like the ones shown Zoom Whitening and other similar products are very effective (like the ones shown

on makeover shows). They work to effectively bleach your teeth but can also leave on makeover shows). They work to effectively bleach your teeth but can also leave

your teeth very dry.your teeth very dry.

• The take-home bleach kits from a dentist works over time and bleaches the enamel The take-home bleach kits from a dentist works over time and bleaches the enamel

of your teeth. Plus, if your teeth don’t shift, they can be used again years later with a of your teeth. Plus, if your teeth don’t shift, they can be used again years later with a

bleach refill. These are much more effective for cost and time in the long term. If you bleach refill. These are much more effective for cost and time in the long term. If you

are wanting to whiten your teeth, spend your money wisely on treatments that really are wanting to whiten your teeth, spend your money wisely on treatments that really

work.work.

FLOSSING IS ONLY EFFECTIVE WITH FLOSSING IS ONLY EFFECTIVE WITH WAXED FLOSSWAXED FLOSS

If you think plain, boring floss is the only way to floss your teeth, think again. If you think plain, boring floss is the only way to floss your teeth, think again.

There are a few other options for reaping the full benefits of flossing – water picks, There are a few other options for reaping the full benefits of flossing – water picks, flossing sticks, even cinnamon flavored floss. flossing sticks, even cinnamon flavored floss.

A couple of things to keep in mind about flossing however… water picks can be very A couple of things to keep in mind about flossing however… water picks can be very effective, but make sure not to turn the power up too high. effective, but make sure not to turn the power up too high.

This can damage your gums. When you floss, don’t just shove it down and pop the floss This can damage your gums. When you floss, don’t just shove it down and pop the floss back out. back out.

If you have tight contacts (the space between your teeth) you’re going to damage your If you have tight contacts (the space between your teeth) you’re going to damage your Sharpey’s fibers. Sharpey’s fibers are the tiny ligaments that attach your tooth to the Sharpey’s fibers. Sharpey’s fibers are the tiny ligaments that attach your tooth to the bone. Not to mention you might be pushing more bacteria down into your gums. bone. Not to mention you might be pushing more bacteria down into your gums.

Use a slow see-saw motion down, wrap the floss around the sides of each tooth, then Use a slow see-saw motion down, wrap the floss around the sides of each tooth, then see-saw back up.see-saw back up.

CANKER SORES CAN BE CUREDCANKER SORES CAN BE CURED

• As painful and uncomfortable as these mouth problems are, there is no evidence to As painful and uncomfortable as these mouth problems are, there is no evidence to

prove that they can be cured as of yet. prove that they can be cured as of yet.

But until there is a cure, you can manage the pain symptoms with CankerCover or But until there is a cure, you can manage the pain symptoms with CankerCover or

Anbesol/Orajel. Unfortunately, it still usually takes anywhere from 10 days – 2 weeks Anbesol/Orajel. Unfortunately, it still usually takes anywhere from 10 days – 2 weeks

to get rid of them completely.to get rid of them completely.

• And there isn’t even any solid evidence into what causes them. Bacteria? Acidic And there isn’t even any solid evidence into what causes them. Bacteria? Acidic

foods? No consensus yet.foods? No consensus yet.

SPORTS DRINKS DON’T DO ANY HARM TO SPORTS DRINKS DON’T DO ANY HARM TO TEETHTEETH

• In fact, any sports drink, soft drink or sugary drink is bad for teeth. Think of it this way 1 coke = 10 literal teaspoons of In fact, any sports drink, soft drink or sugary drink is bad for teeth. Think of it this way 1 coke = 10 literal teaspoons of sugar. Same goes for Gatorade/Powerade/etc.sugar. Same goes for Gatorade/Powerade/etc.

• How many times have you seen or even experienced giving kids Gatorade or another sports drink after playing sports?How many times have you seen or even experienced giving kids Gatorade or another sports drink after playing sports?

• It happens all the time. The premise is on refueling the lost electrolytes.It happens all the time. The premise is on refueling the lost electrolytes.

• But the reality is that these are the same kids who have a mouthful of dental cavities. One office visit can yield 10 fillings But the reality is that these are the same kids who have a mouthful of dental cavities. One office visit can yield 10 fillings on their baby teeth.on their baby teeth.

• The reason?The reason?

• It’s the sugar. This constant exposure to sugar creates an acidic environment which literally melts or erodes the enamel It’s the sugar. This constant exposure to sugar creates an acidic environment which literally melts or erodes the enamel causing decay.causing decay.

““IF I HAVE A CROWN ON A TOOTH, IT CAN’T IF I HAVE A CROWN ON A TOOTH, IT CAN’T GET ANOTHER CAVITY.”GET ANOTHER CAVITY.”

Crowns do not guarantee that your tooth will never get a cavity. Crowns do not guarantee that your tooth will never get a cavity.

Usually where the cavity occurs is in the space where the crown margin meets the Usually where the cavity occurs is in the space where the crown margin meets the

natural tooth. natural tooth.

Often times, this space gets neglected and when that happens, plaque builds up and Often times, this space gets neglected and when that happens, plaque builds up and

bacteria gathers, all creating the perfect breeding ground for a cavity.bacteria gathers, all creating the perfect breeding ground for a cavity.

So brush this area well, just like you do for the rest of your mouth.So brush this area well, just like you do for the rest of your mouth.

CONTACT USCONTACT US

• Mark C. Marchbanks, D.D.S.Mark C. Marchbanks, D.D.S.

• 2624 Matlock Road Suite 100, Arlington, TX 760152624 Matlock Road Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76015

• Phone: (817) 261-2747Phone: (817) 261-2747

• http://arlingtontexasdentist.net/http://arlingtontexasdentist.net/