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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : September 9, 2014 1:09 PM IST
Oral hygiene habits often vary from one person to the other. However there are certain myths which are believed to be facts and followed by most people thinking they are good oral health practices. According to a recent survey conducted by TePe, many of us struggle to know what is good practice when it comes to taking care of our teeth, with 20 per cent of respondents questioned brushing only once a day and 45 per cent having never heard of floss or inter-dental brushes. This lack of knowledge can do more harm than good so here are few myths debunked by the brand's experts.
Myth: Eating fruit before you go to bed cleans your teeth
Fact: While containing necessary nutrients, a lot of fruits contain sugary substances that are not good for your teeth before bed. Eating fruit before bed provides sugary and acidic conditions for plaque bacteria to thrive. Coupled with the reduction in the protective saliva flow that occurs naturally at night, eating fruit before bed puts teeth at risk of damage.
Myth: There is no harm in sharing toothbrushes
Fact: It is always best to keep to your own toothbrush because your unique bacteria does remain on the brush and some bacteria simply should not be shared in this way.
Myth: All mouthwashes do the same job
Fact: Mouthwashes, like toothpaste, contain different ingredients that are included to achieve different results. Some of the ingredients are not suitable for all individuals. People with a dry mouth, who suffer with mouth ulcers or who have sensitivity should avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
Myth: Brushing your teeth harder than normal is a better way to keep them clean
Fact: To maintain a healthy mouth, it is recommended that we brush for two minutes, twice a day with a soft to medium toothbrush, using a gentle circular brushing motion with fluoridated toothpaste and cleaning the spaces in between the teeth with floss or an inter-dental brush.
Apart from these myths, many even follow wrong brushing practices. Here are a few common ones:
Not cleaning the tongue
Tongue too can be a breeding ground for bacteria and you must not ignore it. Rinsing your mouth is a good idea and you shouldn't forget to use a tongue scraper. Read more forsome tips on cleaning your tongue.
Brushing immediately after eating
Ideally, you should wait for some time to brush your teeth after a meal. Certain foods contain acids and brushing immediately after eating them can increase the risk of tooth abrasion. If you wait for some time, the saliva in your mouth will neutralise these acids. If you want, you can rinse your mouth with water.
Keeping your toothbrush unclean
Not many people will be able to buy a new toothbrush every day. Therefore, it is important to properly rinse it with water after brushing and ensuring that it dries. Read more such oral mistakes here.
With inputs from IANS/femalefirst.co.uk
Photo source: Getty images
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