DENTAL WIVES TALES VS DENTAL TRUTHS


We hear them all the time; “Don’t go outside in the cold or you will catch a cold’, “Eating carrots will give you better eyesight”, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. But how do old wives’ tales effect dentistry?

 

 

ALCOHOL MOUTHWASH CLEANS YOUR MOUTH BETTER THAN REGULAR MOUTHWASH


Although not proven, most studies advise a clear relationship between the use of alcohol based mouthwash and oral cancer. The alcohol within mouthwash can actually do more harm than good, yes it does clean your mouth however it reduces both good and bad bacteria colonies inside the mouth, thus further increasing risk of decay.

 

 

 

YOU CANT SEE THE DENTIST WHEN YOU ARE PREGNANT 


Whilst pregnant, you are more likely to develop Gum Disease, this is why this old Wives’ Tale is completely untrue. Regular dental checkups can help maintain and protect the health of the mother and unborn child! “When I was pregnant the baby leached most of the calcium out of my teeth and that’s why I have cavities”, this is a common misconception within dentistry. Whilst there are many hormonal changes during pregnancy that can make teeth and gums more susceptible to decay and disease, the calcium of adult teeth cannot be ‘leached’.

 

 

HARD TOOTHBRUSHES CLEAN BETTER THAN SOFT ONES


The harder the toothbrush the easier it is to cause damage to otherwise healthy teeth! Hard toothbrushes are known to slowly wear away the outermost layer of teeth, causing increased sensitivity. Once healthy tooth and gum structure has been worn away there is no way to grow it back, the only way to replace the missing structure is through restorative procedures. Try sticking to soft tooth brushes and soft gentle motions to remove plaque from teeth.

 

 

 

YOU SHOULDN’T BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR GUMS IF THEY BLEED


The opposite is true! Gums bleed when they are damaged and have bacteria living beneath them. The best way to help your gums heal is to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day, yes even whilst they are bleeding, they will soon stop as they become more healthy!

 

 

 

 

RINSE YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH WATER AFTER BRUSHING YOUR TEETH


Rinsing with water after brushing with regular fluoride toothpaste actually washes away all of the ingredients within the toothpaste to help strengthen against decay! The longer that we leave the toothpaste on the better! It allows more time for less healthy parts of the teeth to become strong again!

 

 

 

 

BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN SICK


Brushing your teeth after being sick can do more harm then good. We understand that after being sick it is common to want to brush your teeth, however the excess acid within the mouth can cause erosion of the teeth when brushing against the outer most surface. Instead try rinsing with water our mouthwash and brushing your teeth a good time later to ensure no acid wear!

 

 

DENTISTS ARE JUDGMENTAL


Not at Australia Dental Clontarf! We pride ourselves on our patient care and great customer service. We understand how nerve racking visits to the dentist can be for some. Which is why we offer sedation and relaxation procedures!

We also offer after hours appointments and online bookings for your convenience. Trying to get the family to the dentist can be a real balancing act. We understand that busy smiles have busy schedules, which is why we offer late evening appointments every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and  are also open Saturday’s for your convenience. Being able to book online is also a great advantage for shift workers and night owls. We look forward to seeing your smile.