3 Common Dental Care Myths

Many people find that going, and even scheduling an appointment with their dentist to be a nerve-racking experience. After all, if your teeth are white, you floss and swish ten ml. of Listerine in your mouth (every once in a while), why should your dentist be telling you that you have five small cavities in two teeth?

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Maybe it’s because you can’t tell what is fact and fiction when it comes to taking care of your teeth.

Here are some common dental care myths that may be destroying your pearly whites.

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Myth #1 – Your Teeth Are Whiter Than Your Friend’s Teeth. So, You Must Have Healthier Teeth Than Your Friend.

False: If you didn’t know, teeth color varies, and someone with darker teeth might have healthier teeth. However, that is not to say that your pearly whites should not be on the whiter side. Plus, the older you get, the darker your teeth become. When it all comes down to it, even though your teeth are white, you can still have infections or cavities between them. So, white teeth do not necessarily mean healthy teeth.

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Myth #2 – Flossing as Much as You Brush Your Teeth Does Not Make a Difference.

False: Flossing is important to add to your daily dental routine if you would like to lessen your chances of having a cavity, gum disease, and much more. What’s more, it helps to prevent the build-up of bacteria between your teeth.

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Many people skip flossing because it adds time to the routine, but if you don’t floss, you are not cleaning the 30% of your teeth that a brush cannot reach.

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Myth #3 – If You Eat More Sugar, The More Likely It Is That You Will Have Cavities.

It Depends: Sugar is not great for your teeth—but it is not what is actually doing the damage. The bacteria in your mouth requires processed sugar to thrive, but if you limit your sugar intake and still have horrible oral hygiene habits, there is definitely a possibility that you will get cavities and/or suffer from tooth decay. In all, it’s important to brush and floss daily to remove plaque (the sticky biofilm that’s constantly forming on our teeth and gums) to protect your smile from problems!

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In the end, keeping yourself well-informed and aware of how to take care of your teeth, as well as what does and does not do damage, will help you to have healthier teeth.

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To learn more about taking care of your teeth, or to schedule an appointment at our office, please do not hesitate to Contact Us at any time!