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Nothing but the tooth by ANGELA EPSTEIN, Daily Mail
It is easy to take all our 32 teeth for granted. But many common assumptions about them are based on myth. Here, Angela Epstein reveals the surprising truth about our teeth
YELLOW TEETH ARE HEALTHIER THAN WHITE TEETH Gleaming white teeth may look better, but research has shown that they are less resistant to decay than yellow ones. As we grow older, structural changes in dentine (the bone-like tissue below the surface tooth enamel) and a reduced blood supply to the teeth may make teeth appear more yellow, but that does not mean they are less healthy. Overuse of whitening products can also strip away the protective enamel layer.
BRUSHING AND FLOSSING WON'T STOP BAD BREATH Regular brushing and flossing will remove the excess bacteria that could otherwise remain trapped in the mouth and cause bad breath, says dental surgeon Dr Philip Stemmer of the London-based Fresh Breath Centre. But other things can still promote bad breath. These include eating sulphur-producing foods such as onions, or a dry mouth caused by medication. Bacterial build-up at the back of the tongue will also aggravate the problem.
BRUSHING AFTER EATING CAN DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD Although it is important to brush morning and evening, it isn't necessary to do so after every meal. In fact, it can do more harm than good - particularly after eating acidic foods such as citrus fruits, as brushing will wash away tooth enamel that has been weakened by the acid. Leave teeth cleaning for at least an hour after eating. It is also better to brush teeth before breakfast, not after, as this prevents dental erosion by coating the teeth with fluoride.
BRUSHING IS GOOD FOR BLEEDING GUMS Bleeding gums are a sign that they are unhealthy and inflamed - usually as a result of plaque accumulating around the teeth. Gums will continue to bleed until the plaque is removed. So brushing teeth efficiently will help gums recover.
THUMB-SUCKING WON'T HARM CHILDREN'S TEETH Contrary to popular belief, thumb-sucking under the age of four rarely causes problems. But if the habit continues it can result in the forward placement of the teeth, stopping them from developing properly.
SUCKING AN ASPIRIN WON'T HELP A SORE TOOTH If you have toothache then aspirin may help - but only if swallowed. Applying one directly to the surface of an aching tooth may burn the soft, sensitive tissues in your mouth.
A HOT PACK WILL ONLY AGGRAVATE TOOTHACHE Never use a facial hot pack to treat dental pain. The heat may aggravate inflammation and make the pain worse. Alternating hot and cold packs may help if there is swelling, but they will not help toothache. Any swelling must be checked by a dentist as you may have an abscess.
DON'T IGNORE SLIGHT TOOTHACHE - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE Most toothaches start in a small way and then build gradually. Never ignore painful twinges, pressure or other warning signs, however slight. Get any problems checked by a dentist.
ADULTS CAN STILL GET CAVITIES - ESPECIALLY AFTER 60 Children do get more cavities than adults and the cavity risk does slow down after the age of 20. However, as more adults are keeping their teeth, this risk increases again around the age of 60, when gums begin to recede. As the gums pull away from the teeth, the roots are exposed, causing a cavity. Dr Phil Stemmer points out that at any age, a combination of refined sugar and bacteria can lead to cavities.
AN ELECTRIC BRUSH IS THREE TIMES BETTER THAN A MANUAL Manual brushes tend to be used in a sawing, side-to-side motion, which can wear away the gums and the neck of the teeth. Electric toothbrushes are thought to be better for the teeth, because they vibrate in three directions, which means they are more far-reaching. They should be used in conjunction with flossing.
CHOCOLATE PROTECTS AGAINST DECAY If you crave something sweet, it is better to eat chocolate than sticky sweets. researchers in Japan found that the part of the cocoa bean from which chocolate is made has an antibacterial content that could protect against tooth decay. While any sugar in the mouth will increase the risk of decay, this could offset the high sugar levels in chocolate.
FIZZY WATER CAN DISSOLVE YOUR TEETH Avoid fizzy water as it contains carbonic acid, which can dissolve teeth enamel. Drinking fluoridated water is linked to a reduction in tooth decay and improved dental health.
TOO MUCH BRUSHING CAN DAMAGE TEETH AND GUMS Once you have removed plaque, you are actually endangering teeth by lengthy, aggressive brushing _ damaging the enamel and causing the teeth to wear away. Up to 20 per cent of people suffer from receding gums, often caused by scrubbing their teeth too aggressively. Dr Stemmer suggests brushing for no more than two minutes, using a rotating motion. Place the brush at the neck of the tooth where it meets the gum and use small movements at a 45 degree angle.
USING TOOTH POWDER CAN BE DAMAGING Some people still swear by old-fashioned tooth powder applied by hand. But a finger may not reach all areas of the mouth and powders can also be coarse and erode the outer layer of the teeth. Fingers can be used, though, to massage gums after brushing.
MILK TEETH NEED AS MUCH CARE AS ADULT ONES While it is true milk teeth will be replaced, early loss of milk teeth through decay will interfere with chewing and affect nutritional intake. It will also lead to drifting of the adjacent teeth. As a result, adult teeth may erupt into an irregular position, resulting in crowding. It is also vital to get children into the habit of teeth-cleaning.
DRINKING FRUIT JUICE CAN HARM HEALTHY TEETH Many parents give their children fruit juice instead of fizzy drinks - but while the nutritional content is better, their acidity can cause problems. Dentist Dr Andre Hedger says some fruit juices have a pH level higher than 5.5 - the level at which teeth can dissolve.
DENTAL DECAY DOESN'T ALWAYS RESULT IN PAIN Pain is not always related to decay. Only if an infection is present and it cannot escape through the mouth, say via a broken tooth, might you experience pain. It is possible to have an abscess without realising it. That's why it is vital to have a dental check-up at least every six months.
FLUORIDE IS VITAL FOR ADULTS AS WELL AS CHILDREN Fluoride is just as effective at preventing cavities in adults as it is in children. Always select a toothpaste with fluoride, as fluoride makes teeth more resistant to decay.
CHEWING GUM CAN HELP PREVENT TOOTH DECAY Chewing sugarless gum after eating helps prevent tooth decay by dislodging bacteria in the mouth. It also promotes production of saliva, which contains the minerals calcium and phosphate. These wash over the teeth to "remineralise" and harden them after an acid attack from food. Choose chewing gums containing xylitol, a natural sweetener made from pine bark which reduces harmful bacteria in the mouth.
DRINKING MILK CAN DAMAGE YOUR TEETH While milk has an excellent nutritional content, it should only be drunk at meal times as the lactose (milk sugar) content can damage the teeth. For this reason, do not leave milk by a child's bed overnight, as drinking it through the night will mean the teeth are under an acid attack - particularly as neutralising saliva dries up while we sleep.
DENTURES NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY FIVE YEARS A well-fitted set of dentures can be used for many years, but they will not last for ever. The oral tissues that lie below the dentures will change over time, while the dentures are made of stiff materials that do not adapt. So even well-fitted dentures need to be changed at least every five years.
PROFESSIONAL CLEANING WILL NOT LOOSEN TEETH Having a scale and polish may feel quite invasive - but teeth are firmly held by supporting tissues of the periodontium, including bone.
MOUTHWASHES WITH ALCOHOL CAN LEAD TO BAD BREATH Some research claims that alcohol-based mouthwashes actually feed bacteria and lead to bad breath. They may also dry the mouth. Some studies have linked high levels of alcohol in the mouth to oral cancer.
MOUTH ULCERS ARE RARELY A SIGN OF CANCER Mouth ulcers can be caused by many things but they are rarely cancer. They can be the result of hormonal changes, stress or deficiency in iron, folic acid or vitamin B12. Ulcers usually heal on their own within 14 days. However, do check any painless, non-healing ulcers as these could suggest a malignancy.
PREGNANT WOMEN MUST TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEIR TEETH Pregnant women do need to be careful about dental health, as they are likely to be eating more sugary food and more frequently too. They are also likely to suffer from bleeding gums due to hormonal changes.
BAD TEETH ARE NOT ALWAYS HEREDITARY Though there is some genetic connection between parents who have weak teeth and their children, it is more likely that bad dental habits such as poor diet are passed on from parent to child.
MOUTHWASHES CAN'T BEAT BACTERIA Mouthwashes are important for reducing plaque volume, but they cannot reach areas of bacteria that toothbrushes can. Nor can they rinse bacteria away. Dr Stemmer recommends brushing with a fluoride toothpaste before breakfast, and then rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash after eating.
FLOSSING HELPS PREVENT HEART DISEASE Flossing helps prevent not only gum disease, but heart disease too. Researchers in America have discovered that people with gum diseases are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary heart disease as those without such conditions.
YOU COULD GRIND YOUR TEETH WITHOUT KNOWING Tooth grinding is an involuntary action and usually takes place at night, so you could be totally unaware of it. A dentist would fit a night-time guard so the jaw can relax.
A DRY MOUTH COULD DAMAGE YOUR TEETH A permanently dry mouth could be a sign of diabetes. Left untreated, a dry mouth can also damage teeth as saliva is vital to wash away food and neutralise acids.
WHITENING PASTE DOESN'T CHANGE TOOTH COLOUR Whitening pastes can only remove existing stains so the underlying colour - be it white or yellow - becomes apparent. They cannot make teeth brighter than the original colour.
YOUR SALIVA CAN SHOW IF YOU HAVE BAD BREATH Place saliva from the back of the tongue on the inside of your wrist. Leave for a minute, then check the odour.
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