Make your dentist happy
UK dentists don’t always get the best press but many are helping their patients to prioritise their oral hygiene at home and to look at improving their cleaning practices, resulting in fewer avoidable trips to the dentist’s chair.
National Dentist’s Day falls on 6th March 2025 and to celebrate hardworking dentists, DenTek has teamed up with dental hygienist Emma Nelson from the Dental Referral Centre to “debunk” many common oral health myths and to reveal what really makes a dentist happy!
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 Temparin Repair Kit will hold fillings or crowns in place until you can be seen. This can help minimise the risk of infection.
According to dentists, the single most important practice to incorporate into any oral hygiene routine is to clean between the teeth. 31% of UK adults have tooth decay and 66% have visible plaque* but these statistics could be reduced simply by adding interdental cleaning. Interdental cleaning is vital for keeping teeth and gums healthy but only about a quarter of adults clean between their teeth 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”.
Many common dental issues are preventable or at least delayable by cleaning teeth effectively. Most people know 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.
*Oral Health Foundation
It’s time to clean between! DenTek meet the oral health needs of the population by offering a wide range of oral health accessories, from floss picks and roll floss, to tongue cleaners and scrapers, to interdental brushes and picks.
DenTek products are available at Boots, Amazon, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, Superdrug and through the DenTek website.
Please visit https://dentek-eu.com/sustainability/ for more information.
