The importance of dental hygiene: myths debunked by our dentist

It is commonplace for many people to overlook the role of dental hygiene, especially as an area of dental care. But, even if you have good oral health, it is advised that you see a professional in relation to your dental hygiene in London at least twice a year.

At Cannon Street Dental Centre, our dentist in London is aware of the importance of dental hygiene and will always advise patients to take a proactive approach to keep the amount of plaque in their mouths down and their teeth and gums healthy.

Here, our dentist in London provides insight into the role of dental hygiene by debunking common myths.

Myth 1- If you don’t eat sugar, you don’t need to brush your teeth twice a day

Even if you have eliminated sugar from your diet completely, our dentist in London still recommends that you brush your teeth twice daily. Softer foods such as mashed potato, porridge, or fruit still cause food debris to accumulate on your teeth which, if left, will form plaque and cavities. So, be aware that even with a sensible diet, the chance of decay is still not gone if hygiene is not maintained.

Myth 2- Flossing isn’t important

A possible 40% of the surface area of your teeth is hidden where they meet. So, flossing is incredibly important to keep that area free from debris and plaque, and it also aims to reduce gum disease and cavities forming.

As part of your dental hygiene regime, you should be flossing your teeth twice a day. If you find flossing with traditional floss tough, try using interdental brushes or even a water-based flosser. These will all help to keep that hidden 40% clean and your teeth looking bright and healthy!

Myth 3- Manual toothbrushes are as good as electric ones

Sadly, no, they aren’t

Even if you are able to reach all of the spots in your mouth with a manual toothbrush, an electric one is better at removing plaque and food debris, as well as removing surface stains.

Just be sure that when you are using an electric toothbrush to change its head every 3 months, and if you have any concerns, call our team for guidance.

Myth 4- Harder brushing equates to better cleaning

In theory, it should work like that, but in reality, it doesn’t.

Indeed, the harder you brush your teeth, the more likely you are to remove the enamel on your teeth and cause damage and recession to your gum line. So, with that in mind, it is well worth investing in a toothbrush that has a pressure sensor. For a manual toothbrush, this will involve the head of the brush clicking when it is pressed too hard against the teeth. And, for an electric toothbrush will involve the tooth vibrating in an odd way or shutting off altogether.

Myth 5- Hygienists and dental teams are the same thing

While there are some similarities, a dental team that performs check-ups and a hygienist are not the same at all.

Dental teams are able to perform fillings, root canals and crowns. Whereas, as the name suggests, hygienists are focused on improving the hygiene of your mouth. This will involve providing a scale and polish, gum pocket depth readings and providing you with advice on how to minimise plaque on your teeth and gums.