Myth Busting with the Pros from izzo

When it comes to oral health, some people are lying through their teeth. We’re here with izzo's own dental expert Dr. Jason Goodchild, DMD, to set the truth straight about how to keep your teeth happy and healthy. Check out these common myths to put an end to superstition, and a start to super clean and white smiles!

Myth #1: Toothbrushes with hard bristles clean better.

The Truth: Everyone should use a soft toothbrush. Think risk versus reward – the risks to your teeth and gums outweigh any potential benefits of using a hard or firm bristled brush. Studies show that soft bristles are more effective than hard bristles for safely removing plaque and debris from teeth. The only benefit to a hard bristles brush is that it may last longer! However, given that most people brush too hard, the risk of using a hard bristled brush involves potential damage to your teeth and gums via abrasion, especially along the gumline. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes with angled or multi-layer bristles to ensure an excellent clean without harming your teeth. The bristles on izzo’s Oscillating Brush Head provide the perfect amount of gentle cleaning action, with faster bristles safe and effective clean every time you brush. 

Myth #2: Storing your toothbrush in a case protects it from bacteria

The Truth: It is important to remember that your toothbrush will never be fully sterile, and that there will always be microorganisms living on it.  But you can reduce the number of germs on your toothbrush with proper storage.  First, do not store your toothbrush on or near the toilet – this is just gross! Next, avoid placing the used, wet toothbrush in a closed medicine cabinet or a closed case because this will create an optimal environment for the growth of microorganisms.  Toothbrushes should be stored upright in a way that allows for them to dry out completely between uses. To help take your toothbrush to a completely new level of clean–meaning actually germ-free–the use of izzo’s UVC sanitizer is a great idea! izzo’s toothbrush case provides safe and effective storage for your toothbrush with its built-in UVC light that kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria. 

Myth #3: Flossing is the only way to keep the areas between my teeth healthy

The Truth:  Practicing proper oral hygiene between your teeth (aka, interdental care) is essential to achieving a healthy mouth!  That said, proper interdental cleaning is still neglected by the majority of people – even those who are truly interested in their oral health. It is estimated that the majority of individuals are not cleaning their interdental spaces, and therefore may be suffering from plaque and inflammation leading to bleeding gums, bad breath, and hard to reach cavities. It has been stressed for many years by dentists and hygienists that flossing should be incorporated into daily oral-hygiene routines. However, flossing is only effective in very narrow spaces between the teeth, such as between tightly aligned teeth.  When it comes to the interdental spaces between teeth that are not tightly aligned or between teeth that are spaced apart, it is more effective to use interdental brushes, water flossers, or specially designed at-home scalers for manual debridement of the areas. 

izzo’s Eco Friendly Floss Picks make it easy and convenient to floss your teeth, but you can also use the izzo Scaler to clean along your gum line. Unlike the metal scaler at the dentist, it’s specifically designed for at-home use, making it a safe and effective way to clean along your gum line. Add these into your daily oral care routine to help prevent gum disease and keep your breath clean and fresh! 

Myth #4: Cavities come from sugar

The Truth: Sugar itself doesn’t cause cavities, but it can contribute to them. Sugar feeds the bacteria that live in the plaque in your mouth.  The bacteria produce acid that demineralizes and weakens the enamel of your teeth. Even if you don’t consume sugar, you will still be risking cavities if you don’t brush and floss properly. The cycle of demineralization and weakening of enamel is exacerbated if sugar stays in your mouth longer, so it is a good idea to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after consuming sugary foods or drinks. Besides sugar, sugar-free carbonated drinks, alcohol, citrus fruits, and starchy foods can also be blamed for damaging your teeth because of acid erosion. In order to prioritize your oral health, you should eat a balanced diet and practice regular effective oral hygiene habits. izzo’s Polishing Paste and Polishing Head remove stains and leave you with a fresh-from-the-dentist feel. Together, they deliver a 93% better cleaning efficiency than advanced whitening toothpastes.

Myth #5: The longer you brush your teeth, the cleaner they will be

The Truth: While most individuals don’t brush long enough, there is actually a danger of brushing for too long!  Toothbrush abrasion is damage that is caused by brushing your teeth and gums too hard or incorrectly. Brushing your teeth every day is an important part of your oral care routine, but too frequent or too forceful tooth brushing can cause more harm than good, damaging your teeth (usually along the gumline) and gums. When it comes to brushing correctly, and even when using the izzo, it is a good idea to read instructions for use.  

Oftentimes, individuals continue the action of “brushing” even when using a powered or electric toothbrush.  When using the izzo Power Handle with the Brush Head it is not necessary to press hard or scrub while brushing. Instead, gently move the brush in a circular motion along the teeth to cover the outsides, insides, and chewing surfaces.  The izzo Power Handle also will pulse every 30 seconds to remind you to move to the next area (or quadrant) of the mouth, ensuring the ultimate clean. 

Click here to learn more about izzo or buy the 4–in-1 Oral Care Kit! 

Smile On.