Have You Fallen for Oral Health Misinformation?

How savvy do you think you are about your oral health? Anything you do to support a healthy smile - whether it’s thorough brushings or routine visits to the dentist – is beneficial. But if you are going to put effort into maintaining good oral health, you may as well be sure you are getting the most out of it!

In conjunction with World Oral Health Day in March 2017, the FDI World Dental Foundation conducted a global survey across 12 countries that focused on the myths associated with oral hygiene practices.

Dental Myths vs. The Facts

In general, the results showed that many of those surveyed around the world have good intentions for their oral health. But a few misconceptions persist:

Myth: Over half of those surveyed think it is important to brush directly after a meal.

Fact: You should actually wait for at least 30 minutes after a meal for oral hygiene. If you brush right away, you risk weakening your tooth enamel.

Myth: The majority of people believe rinsing with water after brushing is important.

Fact: Fluoride is a natural mineral that is added to your toothpaste to strengthen and protect your teeth. Wait for about 15 minutes to rinse and give the fluoride a chance to work.

Myth: Almost half thought fruit juices were better for oral health than carbonated drinks.

Fact: Fruit juice is high in sugar and acid that eats away at your teeth and causes cavities. The best approach is to keep all sugary drinks to a minimum as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Please Call Us If You Have Questions

Keeping a healthy smile isn’t difficult, but it does require some effort on your part, so you want to make sure you are following the best practices. If you have questions for our Fairfax, VA dentist, please call our office and we will be happy to arrange a convenient appointment.