Keeping your oral health in check is vital and 94% of people say they very first thing they notice is someone’s smile – so is yours in its best condition?
Health on Female First
Colgate has just what you need to help you achieve a smile you will want to show off. They surveyed 250 independent dentists and 1,000 adults to show off. They surveyed 250 independent dentists and 1,000 adutls across the UK to life the lid on some of the most common oral health myths and help people to have a better understanding of how to improve their oral health.
Here are some fun and helpful tips and statistics to get your teeth into:
Did you know… bleeding gums are one of the first and most common symptoms of gum disease? 42% of the UK believe that when their gums bleed it is a sign that they are brushing too hard. On the contrary, it’s a sign that you’re not getting teeth and gums clean enough, even the smallest amount of bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth could mean you have gum disease.
Know how to spot gum disease? Typical warning signs including gum bleeding, swelling, inflammation, redness and recession.
67% of you either agreed or weren’t sure whether brushing too much can wear away the enamel. We can confirm that there is in fact some truth in this, although only if you’re brushing incorrectly. Brushing too much, too hard or with a hard-bristle brush can, over time, erode your enamel. It’s also important to use an effective brushing technique to help ensure you are cleaning your teeth properly.
Top Tip: To brush your teeth, you should use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth, and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration. Proper brushing takes at least two minutes.
17% of you thought that for every child you have you lose a tooth. Many believe that during pregnancy the baby depletes the mother’s mineral supplies and makes the mother more susceptible to weakened and damaged teeth. This is a myth and is simply not the case. Pregnant women are more susceptible to gum disease, however, and to minimise the effects of pregnancy gingivitis they should practice good oral hygiene.
Your diet also has an impact on your oral health. Eating lots of calcium rich foods such as cheese and milk and avoiding snacking on sugary foods between meals can help to keep teeth strong.
Ever thought flossing is bad for your teeth because it makes your gums bleed? 16% of you agreed. Rather than causing the problem, if your gums bleed when you floss, it merely alerts us to the existing problem. In fact regular flossing helps protect your teeth and gums by allowing the removal of plaque and food particles in the spaces between the teeth and gums in places where a toothbrush can’t easily reach, helping to prevent gum problems.
When should you brush your teeth, before or after an acid meal? Well, 73% of you believe that brushing directly after an acidic meal will reduce damage from enamel erosion, when really it’s best to wait 30 to 60 minutes after eating acidic foods because the acid weakens your enamel and if you brush straight afterwards you may be further weakening it. Consider using fluoride mouthwash after acidic foods/drinks then brushing 45 minutes later.
31% of men surveyed believe that rubbing your teeth with salt is better than toothpaste. Simply put, they’re wrong. The Department of Health guidelines recommend we brush our teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a key ingredient to help strengthen and protect the teeth from decay. While salt does contain natural antiseptic properties, it is no substitute.
Did you know… Receding gums are caused by gum disease and occurs when the gum tissue surrounding the teeth reduces exposing the root of the tooth. It can also be caused by over brushing. While it is more common in those over the age of 40, it may start as early as in the late teens. 41% of you thought it was all part of getting older and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Thought eating parsley neutralises bad breath? 87% of you did. While it can be effective if you’ve just eaten a strong smelling food, the most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. Bacteria that coat your teeth, tongue and gums can cause plaque build-up (the soft, sticky deposit that forms on the surface of the teeth), gum disease and dental decay. These bacteria combine with saliva and food in the mouth, breaking down food particles and proteins, which releases an unpleasant-smelling gas.
22% of you said “good teeth are inherited so there’s not much I can do.” While that is a nice excuse to get away with not taking good care of your teeth it’s just not true. While the shape, position and, to some small degree, strength of your teeth may be influenced by your genes, the effectiveness of your personal oral care routine is the biggest factor by far when it comes to having healthy teeth and gums.
A good oral health routine consists of flossing once a day, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and using an anti-bacterial mouthwash, at a different time to brushing, to help protect your gums.
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