When it comes to caring for your teeth, it may be wiser to consult an expert instead of seeking some traditional ‘boere raad’ remedies.
Ensuring the longevity of one’s chompers. ‘Boere raad’ from Tannie Nortje is likely to hold peril compared to the sage advice of a professional dentist.
The Courier spoke to Ballito dentist, Dr Danielle Walmsley of Dentique, to get a grip on some of the ridiculous myths out there when it comes to your teeth.
Tannie Nortje may have you believe that simply cutting out sugar would see cavities become a thing of the past, but this is not the case.
“There are three main causes of cavities. The one is indeed sugary foods but also acidic foods that put the mouth into an acidic state on which bacteria in plaque thrive. The third factor is time – the bacteria need time to do their damage,” said Dr Walmsley.
Referring to whitening toothpaste, she said there’s no drastic short-term solution. Whitening toothpaste can only make a small difference and only after some time.
“This is because it is slow acting and mild, often the difference is not really noticeable.”
And whatever you do, don’t add too much pressure to brushing your teeth, as this won’t have the desired effect. Instead, brushing too hard can remove teeth layers.
Dr Walmsley said that simple brushing with no force applied was ample enough.
Chewing sugar-free gum is no substitute for brushing one’s teeth. That being said, chewing sugar-free gum may actually help to reduce your risk of cavities as it can reduce plaque build-up.
Another pointer to remember is that because you don’t experience any pain or sensitivity, it does not necessarily mean there is no hidden problem.
Regular check-ups are vital, as in many cases, like with cavities, one doesn’t have any sensitivity at first but only once the cavity is already quite large.
“Seeing a dentist regularly helps detect early cavities and fix them before they cause pain,” she said.
And just as teeth are important to you, so too are the teeth of babies. Baby teeth have important functions, from facilitating proper speech development to guiding the growth of permanent teeth.
“They keep adequate spaces open for permanent teeth and help guide these teeth into the correct position. Early loss of baby teeth can lead to crowding and possibly the need for braces at a later stage,” Dr Walmsley said.
While mouthwash is helpful, it should not replace brushing despite what some may suggest.
Dr Walmsley said this is because plaque and food particles need mechanical debridement to be removed.
“A mouth rinse alone cannot do this. It is a great adjunct to brushing and flossing, but not very effective on its own.”
Lastly, there is no need whatsoever to avoid the dentist when pregnant.
Dr Walmsley said some women can suffer from pregnancy gingivitis, which cleaning helps keep under control.
Hormonal changes can lead to increased risk of gum disease, so maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for both the mother and baby’s health.
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