Not everything your grandparents thought they knew is always true. Take the test on our dental hygiene myths and read if you are up to date in dentistry …
1. Do not forget to brush your teeth after eating
Yes and no: Food and acidic drinks cause acids to form in the mouth, which soften the enamel. If you brush your teeth directly after eating, you „scrub“ away the dissolved enamel and possibly cause damage. It is better to rinse your mouth with water after eating. Wait about 30 minutes before brushing until the acid has neutralised.
2. Eat an apple instead of brushing your teeth
Better not! Apples are a food that also contains fructose. Apples are not a substitute for a toothbrush. An apple „cleans“ the mouth by chewing, but leaves behind fruit acid that can attack the tooth enamel. A good alternative to an apple is to chew sugar-free chewing gum.
3. Bad teeth are inherited
No: It is usually the wrong brushing habits or irregular visits to the dentist that are inherited and thus cause bad teeth.
4. Teeth grinding does not need to be treated
Wrong: Cracked teeth, headaches, neck pain and even inflammation of the jaw joints can be caused by teeth grinding and should be treated. The reason is an up to tenfold increase in chewing pressure on the teeth. Plastic splints and appropriate therapy can reduce the pressure. Ask your orthodontist or dentist about the right treatment options.
5. Without sugar and sugar-free means: There is no sugar in it
Wrong: Any labelling on food that ends in -ose (e.g. fructose, lactose, glucose, maltose) contains sugar. These substances can promote tooth decay and are not tooth-friendly.