There are a lot of myths about dental hygiene and dentists which are just not true. Misunderstandings about tooth care can lead to poor oral health or a fear of going to the dentist. Some of the most repeated and believed myths are:
- The more you bush, the better. Over brushing will wear down your enamel which will lead to sensitive teeth and will cause receding gum lines.
- Hard brushing is necessary to clean your teeth. When you brush to hard, the same problems arise as over brushing. Plaque is soft enough that a rag could remove it if you could reach all the nooks and crannies so a lot of pressure with your brush is not needed
- Tooth whitening can damage your teeth. Whitening done by a professional will not damage your teeth
- You should not brush if your gums are bleeding. Bleeding gums is usually a sign of plaque which needs to be removed to avoid gingivitis
- Only sugar causes cavities. Cavities occur when plaque combines with any carb (in bread, juice, milk, candy, and a lot of other foods) and forms an acid which is what creates cavities.
- Once a tooth is knocked out, it’s gone. Teeth can be put back in and be perfectly fine. Just rinse it off and store it a saline solution or milk.
- Wisdom teeth must be removed. If the teeth do not cause discomfort or shifting, it is not necessary for removal.
- Chewing gum after a meal, is just as good as brushing after a meal. Sugar-free gum can be helpful to help clean teeth, but twice-a-day brushing and flossing is the only way to absolutely ensure that your teeth and the spaces between them are clean.
If you have any questions about dental myths, or need to schedule an appointment, please call the Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville office at 610-489-5555 today.
