Myth: You Should Always Brush After Every Meal
The thinking behind this idea is obvious: To protect your teeth from decay, get rid of leftover food as early as possible. But you'd really be better served to wait a while before brushing.
The human mouth has a one–two punch to defend itself. One is tooth enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The second line of defense is saliva. saliva contains some of the same enzymes used in detergent to break down starches (known as amylase), and antibacterial substances so effective that wounds in the mouth will heal twice as fast as those located on the skin.
So give your body's natural ability to break down foods a chance to work after you eat. The acidic environment in your mouth temporarily softens the enamel on teeth while it breaks down food particles and washes them away. Brush too soon after meals and you'll end up scrubbing away tooth enamel in the process. It's not a bad idea to wait at least 30 to 60 minutes before grabbing that toothbrush.
Myth: I can’t brush my teeth because my gums are bleeding.
When you notice that your gums are bleeding it is especially important to maintain a strict schedule of brushing and flossing. Brushing and flossing can help build strength in your gums and the lack of or step back from your oral hygiene routine can only make matters worse.
Make sure you choose a toothbrush with soft bristles rather than medium or hard, as these may be harmful to your tooth enamel and disrupt your gums. Gently guide floss between your teeth and around your gum line rather than forcing it between your teeth.
