Dental Care: Deciphering Fact From Fiction

Dental Care: Deciphering Fact From Fiction

Do you know what's what when it comes to caring for your mouth? Understanding which advice is golden and which is misleading is key to avoiding dental emergencies and ailments. Scan the following list to make sure you know the ins and outs of oral care.

Electric toothbrushes aren't any better than manual ones. As long as you've got the proper form down, it doesn't matter if you power your toothbrush with electricity or arm muscles.However, if you tend to brush too hard, or you have children who dislike brushing, electric brushes can be a help- they're also handy for adults who have a difficult time brushing with manual brushes due to arthritis or a lack of dexterity.

Don't brush right after a meal. It's definitely a good idea to clear away remaining food particles... eventually. After you eat, there are acids still in your mouth from the food you've eaten. Brushing rubs these acids against your teeth and damages the enamel. Give your mouth at least 30 minutes to neutralize the acids with your saliva before you turn to your toothbrush.

A fever doesn't indicate a baby is teething. Despite what many people believe, research shows that a fever is not a common symptom of a new tooth coming in. If your baby develops a fever while teething, don't assume the two are connected. You may end up overlooking an infection that requires medical attention instead.

Fruit juice isn't any better for your teeth than soft drinks. Often, we're told to kick the soda habit and opt for healthier fruit juice instead. Unfortunately the damage to teeth is about the same. Both soda and juice contain acids that break down enamel and expose teeth to bacteria. Choose water the majority of the time. If you occasionally want to sip on something sweet, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth and have your drink with a meal to minimize the harm.

Gum can help prevent decay. Chewing on gum stimulates the flow of saliva, which works to neutralize acids and keep your mouth clean. Make sure the gum is sugar-free, though. Any option that contains sugar will only exacerbate the harmful acids in your mouth and increase the likelihood of decay. Opt for a gum that's sugar-free and shows the ADA seal of approval on the front- only brands that prove their product is helpful in preventing cavities, gum disease or other dental issues are awarded this seal.