When it comes to your teeth, many dental myths float around that are accepted as fact. Some of these dental myths may seem harmless, but in reality, they could hinder you from giving your oral health the attention it needs for your teeth to stay healthy. Read on as we debunk these common dental untruths.
Make No Mistake About These Myths.
1. The Harder You Brush, the Cleaner Your Teeth.
This is a common misconception, but the truth is that using a toothbrush that’s too firm or brushing too hard can erode your teeth’s enamel, the protective coating that protects your teeth’s internal structure from decay. It can also hurt your gums, so your best bet is to use a soft toothbrush at normal pressure.
2. If Your Gums Bleed, Skip the Floss.
If you notice that your gums bleed a bit when you floss, it may be tempting to stop altogether. But this happens because you have inflammation that results from bacteria or plaque buildup between the teeth where the toothbrush can’t effectively remove it. The answer is to floss more regularly to properly remove those bacteria.
3. Sugar is the Main Cause of Cavities
While too much sugar consumption isn’t good for your teeth — or your health — carbohydrates are really to blame. They have sugars that break down your teeth, but carbs such as crackers or potato chips also have stickiness that makes them hard to remove.
Sugar itself is not bad, but bathing your teeth with it all day and not brushing is a big culprit of rampant decay!
4. Sensitivity Means Your Tooth Enamel Is Gone.
Loss of enamel is a key cause of teeth sensitivity. But your teeth and gums may also feel more sensitive due to gum recession, whitening toothpaste, or bleaches, which can penetrate through the enamel to the layer beneath. If teeth whitening agents are to blame for your tooth sensitivity, switching to a gentler toothpaste can help alleviate symptoms.
5. Gum Disease Only Affects Your Gums.
Gum disease is found by your dentist on examination, but it’s not just an implication of your oral health. It can also indicate underlying health concerns such as diabetes, hypertension, and even certain cancer types. That’s why it’s essential to treat gum disease as soon as it arises.
6. You Don’t Need a Check-Up If Your Teeth Feel Normal.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about dental health. Just because your teeth feel how they usually do doesn’t mean there aren’t issues that can only be identified by a dental professional or special diagnostic tools. Many dental problems don’t cause pain right away, so issues like gum disease or cavities could be happening as you’re unaware. Getting regular check-ups helps your dentist catch these things as they start so they can be treated as soon as possible.
It’s No Myth That Park Avenue Cares for Your Teeth.
When it comes to taking good care of your teeth, the team at Park Avenue is committed to keeping the whole family healthy and properly informed. We’re here with helpful resources and the dental treatments that allow us to detect and treat potential problems early with regular check-ups. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
