I S S U E 0 9 - F a m i l y F e a t u re
Fact or fiction? 14 things you’ve always wanted to know about teeth
Celebrity dentist Dr Robbie Hughes sorts the facts from the myths for some of the biggest questions around dental health and teeth
There have always been strange myths bounded around about teeth and dental health, but are they actually real or were they just dreamed up by exasperated parents to stop the daily teeth brushing battle? 108
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You have to brush your teeth twice a day for them to stay healthy FACT: Probably unsurprising, but yes, this is a fact. You need to brush your teeth last thing before you go to bed and then ideally first thing in the morning. This removes plaque and bacteria, which prevents decay and gum disease, as well as giving you minty-fresh breath.
Chewing gum cleans your teeth MYTH: Unfortunately, this is a myth. It doesn’t clean your teeth, but chewing sugarfree gum does neutralise the pH in your mouth and stimulates saliva flow, which reduces the risk of tooth decay.
Eating cheese can protect your teeth FACT: Chewing cheese helps to rebalance the pH in your mouth, reducing acidity through the production of saliva. This not only preserves and rebuilds enamel, but also plays an important role in washing the bacteria and plaque off the teeth. Cheese also contains calcium and phosphate, both of which are essential components of healthy teeth. Bad teeth are inherited FACT: Gum disease is
partly genetic, but it is also affected by environmental factors such as smoking, diet and oral hygiene. If you don’t have it in the family and you look after your teeth, you should be able to avoid it as much as possible. www.FamilyFirst.co.uk
