1) Myth: White teeth are healthy teeth!

Fact:White teeth are attractive but not necessarily healthy. Number of factors influence teeth discolouration, the most common is smoking. Nicotine causes yellowness in teeth. Additionally, food and beverages also cause discolouration. Coloured food and beverages cause stains due to its residue. Acidic food and beverages can cause tooth enamel to become porous and therefore stain teeth. Items that are both, pigmented and acidic such as wine and coffee are known to stain teeth.

2) Myth: Time of day does not matter when brushing

Fact: Brushing at a certain time of the day does influence oral hygiene. During the day,saliva glands produce more saliva which cleans the teeth by removing food debris.Whilst asleep,less saliva is produced, and thus teeth do not get cleansed. Hence, missing out on brushing teeth at night allows food particles to remain, and eventually lead to tooth decay. Brushing in the morning not only fights away bacteria but also combats bad breath.

3) Myth: Flossing creates gaps between teeth

Fact: Flossing does not create spaces between your teeth! In fact, it removes food particles and bacteria trapped between teeth. It is the only way to remove plaque build-up. This helps prevent tooth decay and should be done daily. It is normal to experience bleeding during the first few flosses and this should stop within a few weeks.If the bleeding persists, this may be a sign of more severe gum disease, in which case the dentist should be visited. 

4) Myth: The harder you brush, the cleaner the teeth

Fact: Although the gums are formed of a robust tissue, hard brushing or brushing with an abrasive tooth brush can wear away the protective enamel of the tooth or damage the gums causing them to bleed. Plaque is soft and loose and does not need a very hard brush. Brushing hard cannot substitute a good daily oral routine.

5) Myth: Bleeding gums are nothing to worry about

Fact: Bleeding gums are a sign of plaque build-up and left-over food debris that were not removed through brushing and flossing.  Brushing bleeding gums should not be avoided, instead the daily oral routine should be improved. If you feel your gums are easily prone to bleeding, you need to consult your dentist.

       Keep in mind, dental treatment is not expensive, Neglect is!

                                                                                                                                                          Dr. Hemali Virani ...