When it comes to dental care, we all know the basics.
Brush your teeth after each meal, chew sugar-free gum, floss after you’ve eaten—all of these and more will keep your pearly whites healthy for a lot longer. However, is there really any evidence to suggest that these practices are really worth it?
Sure, there’s nothing wrong with brushing your teeth after each meal or flossing. But won’t that just make your teeth weaker? After all, it’s pretty well known that the enamel becomes weaker after you have a meal. So brushing or flossing as soon as you’re done might not be the best thing to do!
To appease your concerns, we decided to get to the bottom of this dilemma by consulting with our resident experts at Advanced Dental Center!
Popular Dental Care Tips You Shouldn’t Follow
- Brushing Your Teeth after Each Meal
What You Should Do: Brush your teeth before or after breakfast and before you go to bed
If you brush your teeth after each meal, you will probably end up damaging the enamel layer. This is because of an abrasive compound in your toothpaste known as silica, which is usually added to remove any external stains that may be present on your teeth.
- Floss after Each Meal
What You Should Do: Floss at least once a day, using the right technique
Unless you have something stuck in there, it is best if you just stick to flossing once a day. Over-flossing will end up exposing the root of your tooth, which could lead to cavities and tooth decay. Ask your dentist which floss would work best for you and inquire about the technique as well. People commonly use a saw-like technique to get clean their teeth, but that can cause bleeding, as well as wear through your enamel as well.
- Chew Gum to Keep Your Teeth Clean
What You Should Do: Chew sugar-free gum a maximum of 2-3 times a day
Typically, dentists recommend that you choose sugar-free gum with xylitol. However, even while using that, your intake should be limited. Chewing too much sugar-free gum with xylitol can cause a laxative effect. Regular gum can cause digestive issues as well. The takeaway? Chew a stick after your meal, with gentle chews. Then throw it away after 15 minutes.
- Use a Hard Toothbrush to Rub off those Stains
What You Should Do: Ask your dentist for the right toothbrush recommendation for your teeth
Logic seems to dictate that if you use a hard toothbrush, it’ll rub off those coffee and wine stains off your teeth. But you’re forgetting that it’ll rub off the enamel as well. Instead of using your own ideas on what’s best for your teeth, always consult with a dentist and ask their opinion on which toothbrush would work best for you.
Book an Appointment!
With Advanced Dental Center, you can get the dental care you deserve. Book an appointment and allow a professional to have a look at your teeth. They’ll give you the best advice on what your pearly whites need.
Call our Germantown clinic at (301) 353-8890!
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