Curious about what’s true and what’s not when it comes to dental care? Let’s uncover some popular myths that might be holding you back from the healthiest smile possible! Knowing the facts can make all the difference for your oral health.

Myth #1: If You’re Not in Pain, Nothing is Wrong

Fiction! Dental problems often develop silently. Cavities, gum disease, and enamel erosion may progress without symptoms until they become serious. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to spot early signs of trouble and prevent the need for invasive treatments later.

Myth #2: Brush Immediately After Meals

Fiction! Brushing right after eating, especially acidic foods, can harm softened enamel. Saliva needs about 30 minutes to neutralise acids and harden enamel. Waiting to brush helps protect your teeth and keeps them strong.

Myth #3: Brushing Harder Cleans Better

Fiction! Vigorous brushing can damage gums and wear down enamel. For effective cleaning, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and light, circular motions. Gentle brushing removes plaque without causing harm.

Myth #4: Bleeding Gums Mean Stop Brushing

Fiction! Bleeding gums are often a sign of plaque buildup and inflammation. Continue brushing gently along the gumline and use interdental tools to clear hard-to-reach areas. Persistent bleeding, however, may indicate gum disease, so consult your dentist.

Myth #5: Sugar Alone Causes Cavities

Partly Fiction! While sugar feeds bacteria that produce enamel-damaging acids, poor oral hygiene and prolonged sugar exposure are also to blame. Brushing, flossing, and reducing sugary snacks all play a role in preventing decay.

Myth #6: Baby Teeth Don’t Matter

Fiction! Baby teeth are essential for guiding adult teeth into place, supporting speech development, and enabling correct chewing. Protecting them helps avoid alignment issues and promotes lifelong oral health.

Myth #7: Mouthwash Replaces Brushing

Fiction! Mouthwash may freshen breath, but it doesn’t remove plaque or food particles. Brushing and interdental cleaning are essential for a thorough clean. Use mouthwash as a supplement, not a substitute, for daily oral care.

Back in November 2023, Haleon (formerly GSK) and the College of General Dentistry launched the Dental Health Barometer, a project created to help understand the role that preventative oral healthcare plays in routine dental visits across the UK. The project kicked off with a research survey of dental health professionals and consumers, with one of the key findings from the survey being that there’s a gap between the intervention of oral health professionals to provide preventive oral care and the delivery of such care.

The majority of professionals and the public acknowledged the crucial importance of preventive healthcare, but both audiences saw a great deal of room for improvement in the actual provision of advice. Now, the College is working with Haleon to help close the gap - which is where you come in.

On the 5th of March 2024 at 6:30 pm, we’re hosting a focus group to bring together dental professionals and discuss potential recommendations that Haleon, the College and others can deliver to improve oral health across the UK.

Fill out the form below to book your place in our focus group today.

At Forward Dental Care, we offer numerous hygiene treatments to our patients to ensure healthy mouths. To tackle plaque, Forward uses the Airflow® MAX by EMS Dental as part of the hygiene treatment.

What is Airflow®

An Airflow® MAX is a piece of equipment that the clinical team use to remove plaque during GBT treatments. GBT (Guided Biofilm Therapy) is a minimally invasive and detailed procedure that removes plaque from the teeth using gentle air jets.

During your GBT treatment, your dentist will use an organic dye on your teeth to show your dentist where the plaque is and where it is most condensed; then, the Airflow® will be used with Erythitrol powder to remove the plaque.

This treatment is not painful and doesn’t involve using anaesthetic, so you can continue your day after receiving it. It is known to be very comfortable for patients due to the temperature of the water and the regulation of vibrations.

Benefits of the treatment

There are many benefits to receiving GBT, such as the guarantee of the complete removal of plaque and calculus, which will improve your oral health. GBT is a preventative measure; it can help avoid cavities and prevent gum disease. If you already have gum disease, then GBT can halt the progression. Additionally, this treatment can better your overall health as the bacteria from plaque can affect your entire body.

At Forward Dental, we understand that going to the dentist can be anxiety-inducing, and we do our best to alleviate the worries of our patients. Surveys reveal that 53% of the UK population have dentist-related anxiety, which leads to patients not visiting the dentist as often as they should. We want to highlight that the use of Airflow® during GBT is entirely pain-free, but if you’re still worried, our dentists are more than happy to discuss the procedure and your concerns.

If you want to learn more about the Airflow® or wish to book an appointment for GBT, contact us to take the next step in your oral health journey!