DenTek has teamed up with dentists and hygienists to cut through the dental hygiene jargon and find out what they really want their patients to know.
“There are a lot of dental hygiene “myths” out there on social media and growing trend towards achieving the perfect celebrity smile. It can be confusing”, says Emma Nelson, hygienist at the Dental referral Centre in Dronfield. “We want people to be armed with the best knowledge when it comes to caring for their teeth”.
“The single most important practice to incorporate into any oral hygiene routine is to clean between the teeth. Interdental cleaning is vital for keeping teeth and gums healthy but only about a quarter of adults clean between their teeth regularly. The majority of tooth decay starts between the teeth but a toothbrush alone cleans just 60% of the tooth”, says Emma. “To reach the other surface areas that the toothbrush can’t reach, the importance of adding interdental cleaning cannot be overstated. Oral hygiene products such as DenTek’s floss picks and interdental brushes are vital”.
Here are the top oral hygiene “myths” DenTek’s dental experts hear and the truth dentists want everyone to know:
MYTH: Mouthwash is enough without brushing
FACT: Mouthwash helps reduce bacteria but can’t replace brushing for removing plaque*
MYTH: Brushing harder cleans better
FACT: Brushing too hard damages enamel. Use gentle pressure or an electric toothbrush**
“One of the most significant problems dentists see today is tooth abrasion caused by brushing too hard”, explains hygienist Hannah Ripley from East Harling Dental Care. “Teeth have layers – enamel and dentine. Brushing too hard wears down the enamel, exposing the dentine, which can lead to sensitivity and an increased risk of developing cavities. Use an electric toothbrush since this helps you to control the pressure of your brushing”.
MYTH: Sugar is the only cause of cavities
FACT: Plaque bacteria also produce acid that erodes enamel so daily cleaning is vital***
MYTH: Brush straight after eating
FACT: Wait 30 minutes to allow acidity levels to return to normal and avoid wearing away enamel****
MYTH: Diet drinks are healthier for teeth
FACT: Even without sugar, their acidity still weakens enamel*****
MYTH: Dentists are only needed when there is pain
FACT: Regular check-ups catch problems early******
“Upgrading your smile does not mean spending hundreds on whitening treatment or veneers to get a bright, clean smile”, continues Hannah. “Adding interdental and tongue cleaning to your oral hygiene routine are the two most important things to remember as they remove plaque build-up and bacteria that is otherwise missed by the toothbrush”.
Many common dental issues are preventable or at least delayable by cleaning teeth effectively. Adopt an all-round oral hygiene routine including interdental cleaning and keep the dentist smiling!
Please always consult a professional if issues persist or worsen.
* https://www.blancodentalcenter.com/mouthwash-myths-vs-facts-a-dentists-opinion/#:~:text=Myth1:MouthwashCanReplace,officeforapersonalizeddemonstration
** https://surreydocksdental.co.uk/brushing-to-protect-your-enamel/#:~:text=Brushingtoohardisone,ofgumdiseaseanddecay
*** https://www.bupa.co.uk/dental/dental-care/symptoms/tooth-decay#:~:text=Abouttoothdecay,fortoothdecaythebetter
**** https://absolute-dental.co.uk/tooth-erosion-are-you-at-risk/
***** https://www.nothingbutthetooth.co.uk/2025/06/are-sugar-free-drinks-still-bad-for-my-teeth/#:~:text=yes!,bedamagingtoyourenamel
****** https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/dental-check-ups/#:~:text=Youmayassumeyoushould,ifpossiblepreventthemaltogether