Download Extra notes for slide 5

Many myths and stories surround oral health, ask the group to think of just one and write it on a sticky note then stick to flip
chart for discussion.
Suggested myths
• A baby’s teeth don’t need brushing = As long as teeth are exposed in the oral cavity, it CAN get tooth decay. The
baby’s teeth are first exposed to infant formula or breast milk and to their first solid foods which can all have high sugar
content, so toothbrushing with a smear of fluoridated toothpaste is advised for babies as early a the teeth are present. If
their teeth have not erupted yet, the gum pads and their tongue should be cleaned regularly.
• If I had an electric toothbrush my teeth would be brushed better = it’s not the toothbrush but the brusher. If the
brusher takes time to ensure each tooth surface is brushed properly so plaque is removed from the surface then
toothbrushing is effective be it manual or electric.
• I need to brush really hard to get my teeth clean = Excessive brushing could expose the root of the tooth to irritation,
and that could in turn irritate the gums. Brushing vigorously can also erode tooth enamel. The trick is to brush very
gently for two to three minutes making sure every surface of the tooth is brushed.
• When gums bleed = don’t brush or stop brushing = Gums bleed when they are irritated by bacteria, it is the body’s
way of responding to try and eliminate the bacteria, however due to the nature of plaque being sticky and colourless
plaque can only be removed by brushing, therefore, if gums bleed more attention needs to be paid to toothbrushing
technique to ensure gums and teeth are brushed correctly in order to remove the plaque bacteria responsible for the
bleeding gums, also known as gum disease and gingivitis.
• Brushing with salt will help whiten my teeth = This is a false statement and it will damage the tooth surface and
cause erosion due to abrasiveness.
• My bad breath is because of a stomach upset I had last night, it can’t be my teeth as I brush them every day =
gum disease is caused by bacteria and this bacteria can hide without good toothbrushing technique and interdental
cleaning. Trapped food breaks down and the bacteria feed on it and if not removed cause bad breath.
• Losing baby teeth to tooth decay is ok as they will fall out anyway = tooth decay in baby teeth can result in
damage to the developing crowns of permanent teeth below them. If baby teeth are lost prematurely, the permanent
teeth may erupt malpositioned and require orthodontics later on.
• Dental decay is only a young person’s problem = In adults and elders, receding gums can result in root decay.
Commonly used drugs such as antidepressants, diuretics, antihistamines and sedatives increase the risk of tooth decay
by reducing saliva production.
• As long as my teeth seem okay and I’m not experiencing any problems, I don’t need to visit the dentist =
Regular check ups are extremely important. You may think that your teeth are fine, but a visit to the dentist to make sure
is always advisable. If you do need treatment, it is much easier, less painful to treat early. Leaving it could result in
having much more lengthy and expensive surgery. Dentist are also checking your soft tissues as well as your teeth.
• There is no need to brush milk teeth = Milk teeth still have to be brushed even though a child will lose them. It helps
establish good habits early in life and ensure life long dental health with little fear of dentist or dental phobia, along with
preventing any drastic early intervention such as extractions.