The document discusses 7 common oral health myths that are damaging to teeth. Some of the myths addressed include that mouthwash can substitute for brushing/flossing, that hard bristle brushes clean better than soft, and that sports drinks don't harm teeth. The document provides evidence against these myths and explains the actual effects, such as that mouthwash does not remove plaque like brushing/flossing, soft bristles are safer, and sports drinks contain sugar that erodes enamel. It aims to dispel these myths and provide better information for oral health care.

1. 7 ORAL HEALTH MYTHS7 ORAL HEALTH MYTHS
THAT ARE DAMAGINGTHAT ARE DAMAGING
YOUR TEETHYOUR TEETH

2. THINK YOU HAVE A GOOD GRASP OFTHINK YOU HAVE A GOOD GRASP OF
WHAT IS EFFECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TOWHAT IS EFFECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO
CARING FOR YOUR TEETH? CHECK OUTCARING FOR YOUR TEETH? CHECK OUT
THESE MYTHS AND SEE IF YOU KNOWTHESE MYTHS AND SEE IF YOU KNOW
THE TRUTH BEHIND THEM.THE TRUTH BEHIND THEM.

3. MOUTHWASH IS A SUBSTITUTE FORMOUTHWASH IS A SUBSTITUTE FOR
FLOSSING OR BRUSHINGFLOSSING OR BRUSHING
• Mouthwash may make your mouth feel clean and it does killMouthwash may make your mouth feel clean and it does kill
bacteria for about 30 seconds, but after that your mouth is justbacteria for about 30 seconds, but after that your mouth is just
as susceptible to bacterial invasion (causing cavities).as susceptible to bacterial invasion (causing cavities).
• ACT is a good mouthwash because it has the added benefit ofACT is a good mouthwash because it has the added benefit of
fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. But it does not take thefluoride, which helps prevent cavities. But it does not take the
place of brushing and flossing.place of brushing and flossing.

4. BRUSHING WITH A HARD OR FIRM BRISTLEBRUSHING WITH A HARD OR FIRM BRISTLE
BRUSH CLEANS TEETH BETTERBRUSH CLEANS TEETH BETTER
• This is completely false. Brushing with a hard bristle brush can actually do moreThis is completely false. Brushing with a hard bristle brush can actually do more
harm than good.harm than good.
• The firm bristle brushes are only to be used with dentures or removal mouthThe firm bristle brushes are only to be used with dentures or removal mouth
appliances. There is no reason to even buy one, unless you need it for yourappliances. There is no reason to even buy one, unless you need it for your
appliance.appliance.
• The saying is, “Brush your teeth like you are brushing a tomato.” With a soft bristleThe saying is, “Brush your teeth like you are brushing a tomato.” With a soft bristle
brush and careful strokes.brush and careful strokes.

5. ZOOM WHITENING OR SAME DAY WHITENING ISZOOM WHITENING OR SAME DAY WHITENING IS
FAR BETTER THAN TAKE-HOME BLEACH KITSFAR BETTER THAN TAKE-HOME BLEACH KITS
PROVIDED BY A DENTAL PROFESSIONALPROVIDED BY A DENTAL PROFESSIONAL
• Zoom Whitening and other similar products are very effective (like the ones shownZoom Whitening and other similar products are very effective (like the ones shown
on makeover shows). They work to effectively bleach your teeth but can also leaveon makeover shows). They work to effectively bleach your teeth but can also leave
your teeth very dry.your teeth very dry.
• The take-home bleach kits from a dentist works over time and bleaches the enamelThe take-home bleach kits from a dentist works over time and bleaches the enamel
of your teeth. Plus, if your teeth don’t shift, they can be used again years later with aof your teeth. Plus, if your teeth don’t shift, they can be used again years later with a
bleach refill. These are much more effective for cost and time in the long term. If youbleach refill. These are much more effective for cost and time in the long term. If you
are wanting to whiten your teeth, spend your money wisely on treatments that reallyare wanting to whiten your teeth, spend your money wisely on treatments that really
work.work.

6. FLOSSING IS ONLY EFFECTIVE WITHFLOSSING IS ONLY EFFECTIVE WITH
WAXED FLOSSWAXED FLOSS
If you think plain, boring floss is the only way to floss your teeth, think again.If you think plain, boring floss is the only way to floss your teeth, think again.
There are a few other options for reaping the full benefits of flossing – water picks,There are a few other options for reaping the full benefits of flossing – water picks,
flossing sticks, even cinnamon flavored floss.flossing sticks, even cinnamon flavored floss.
A couple of things to keep in mind about flossing however… water picks can be veryA couple of things to keep in mind about flossing however… water picks can be very
effective, but make sure not to turn the power up too high.effective, but make sure not to turn the power up too high.
This can damage your gums. When you floss, don’t just shove it down and pop the flossThis can damage your gums. When you floss, don’t just shove it down and pop the floss
back out.back out.
If you have tight contacts (the space between your teeth) you’re going to damage yourIf you have tight contacts (the space between your teeth) you’re going to damage your
Sharpey’s fibers. Sharpey’s fibers are the tiny ligaments that attach your tooth to theSharpey’s fibers. Sharpey’s fibers are the tiny ligaments that attach your tooth to the
bone. Not to mention you might be pushing more bacteria down into your gums.bone. Not to mention you might be pushing more bacteria down into your gums.
Use a slow see-saw motion down, wrap the floss around the sides of each tooth, thenUse a slow see-saw motion down, wrap the floss around the sides of each tooth, then
see-saw back up.see-saw back up.

7. CANKER SORES CAN BE CUREDCANKER SORES CAN BE CURED
• As painful and uncomfortable as these mouth problems are, there is no evidence toAs painful and uncomfortable as these mouth problems are, there is no evidence to
prove that they can be cured as of yet.prove that they can be cured as of yet.
But until there is a cure, you can manage the pain symptoms with CankerCover orBut until there is a cure, you can manage the pain symptoms with CankerCover or
Anbesol/Orajel. Unfortunately, it still usually takes anywhere from 10 days – 2 weeksAnbesol/Orajel. Unfortunately, it still usually takes anywhere from 10 days – 2 weeks
to get rid of them completely.to get rid of them completely.
• And there isn’t even any solid evidence into what causes them. Bacteria? AcidicAnd there isn’t even any solid evidence into what causes them. Bacteria? Acidic
foods? No consensus yet.foods? No consensus yet.

8. SPORTS DRINKS DON’T DO ANY HARM TOSPORTS DRINKS DON’T DO ANY HARM TO
TEETHTEETH
• In fact, any sports drink, soft drink or sugary drink is bad for teeth. Think of it this way 1 coke = 10 literal teaspoons ofIn fact, any sports drink, soft drink or sugary drink is bad for teeth. Think of it this way 1 coke = 10 literal teaspoons of
sugar. Same goes for Gatorade/Powerade/etc.sugar. Same goes for Gatorade/Powerade/etc.
• How many times have you seen or even experienced giving kids Gatorade or another sports drink after playing sports?How many times have you seen or even experienced giving kids Gatorade or another sports drink after playing sports?
• It happens all the time. The premise is on refueling the lost electrolytes.It happens all the time. The premise is on refueling the lost electrolytes.
• But the reality is that these are the same kids who have a mouthful of dental cavities. One office visit can yield 10 fillingsBut the reality is that these are the same kids who have a mouthful of dental cavities. One office visit can yield 10 fillings
on their baby teeth.on their baby teeth.
• The reason?The reason?
• It’s the sugar. This constant exposure to sugar creates an acidic environment which literally melts or erodes the enamelIt’s the sugar. This constant exposure to sugar creates an acidic environment which literally melts or erodes the enamel
causing decay.causing decay.

9. ““IF I HAVE A CROWN ON A TOOTH, IT CAN’TIF I HAVE A CROWN ON A TOOTH, IT CAN’T
GET ANOTHER CAVITY.”GET ANOTHER CAVITY.”
Crowns do not guarantee that your tooth will never get a cavity.Crowns do not guarantee that your tooth will never get a cavity.
Usually where the cavity occurs is in the space where the crown margin meets theUsually where the cavity occurs is in the space where the crown margin meets the
natural tooth.natural tooth.
Often times, this space gets neglected and when that happens, plaque builds up andOften times, this space gets neglected and when that happens, plaque builds up and
bacteria gathers, all creating the perfect breeding ground for a cavity.bacteria gathers, all creating the perfect breeding ground for a cavity.
So brush this area well, just like you do for the rest of your mouth.So brush this area well, just like you do for the rest of your mouth.

10. CONTACT USCONTACT US
• Mark C. Marchbanks, D.D.S.Mark C. Marchbanks, D.D.S.
• 2624 Matlock Road Suite 100, Arlington, TX 760152624 Matlock Road Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76015
• Phone: (817) 261-2747Phone: (817) 261-2747
• http://arlingtontexasdentist.net/http://arlingtontexasdentist.net/