A group of third-year Dentistry students launched an awareness campaign on Sunday to debunk common myths when it comes to caring for teeth.
Their “Cavities & Sugar” campaign is part of their study module. On Sunday, the group had a booth to promote dental care awareness at Bandarku Ceria at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
Team member Dalila Azra binti Awang Mawardi said one myth is “brushing teeth harder cleans them faster”. She said gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush is better at keeping teeth clean. “Brush in small circles to protect the teeth and gums,” she said.
“Another myth is that you should brush your teeth immediately after eating. Instead you should wait around 30 minutes after eating to brush, as brushing too soon can cause tooth erosion due to the mouth’s acidic environment.”
She also noted that mouthwash is a supplement to brushing teeth, and not a replacement. “Not brushing your teeth if you use mouthwash is a myth,” she said, “Mouthwash and flossing however, are essential to remove plaque and cavities.”
She said the group hopes to raise awareness about dental cavities and the impact of excessive sugar consumption on dental health.
“This disease is especially prevalent in Brunei due to the normalisation of high-sugar diets. By raising awareness, we hope to encourage not only making healthier dietary choices but also better oral hygiene practices.”
