When and how you care for your teeth can have an impact on your general health. A pleasant, healthy-looking smile can also boost your confidence. Many people follow a specific routine when it comes to dental care. However, there is a wide range of misconceptions and myths that can do more harm than good. If you lack correct knowledge of the right way to protect your smile, you could follow dental hygiene practices that are damaging to your oral health.
Below are the most common myths that you need to stop believing immediately.
Brush Hard for Cleaner Teeth
This is a potentially dangerous myth. If you brush your teeth too hard, you can cause damage. Your gums are sensitive, and the rough scraping of bristles across them could cause gum recession and other unnecessary trauma. Enamel protects teeth from decay, cavities, and other issues. If you brush too hard or use a toothbrush with hard bristles, you could brush away the protective enamel.
Flossing Is a Waste of Time
Flossing isn’t on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans anymore. The lack of “strong evidence” was the deciding factor in removing it from the list. However, many dentists still encourage their patients to floss. Additionally, just because there isn’t evidence that flossing isn’t effective doesn’t mean you should stop or never start. In fact, some dentists continue to recommend the routine to get rid of food stuck between the teeth and control tartar.
It’s Normal for Gums to Bleed During Brushing
When you brush or floss your teeth, you might notice a little blood and assume it’s because you brushed too hard or cut your gums with the floss. While that may be true, consistent bleeding isn’t normal and could indicate a serious medical condition. Periodontitis and gingivitis are common problems that could lead to tooth loss.
You Don’t Need to See the Dentist Unless You’re Experiencing Pain or Other Issues
This is one of the biggest myths you should stop believing right now. Dentists recommend routine checkups every six months. Even if you’re not in any pain or don’t notice any issues with your teeth or gums, it’s still a good idea to schedule your appointments regularly. You could have an underlying problem that isn’t causing any symptoms. For example, you might have a cavity that doesn’t hurt yet. If you wait too long for a dentist to look at it, a painful procedure, such as a root canal, may be your only option for fixing it.
Your Teeth Are Healthy If They’re White
Just because you have sparkling white teeth doesn’t necessarily mean they’re perfectly healthy. Conversely, yellow teeth don’t always mean there’s a problem. Age, food and drinks, smoking, and other culprits can lead to a discoloration of teeth. If you’re worried about the changing shades of your teeth, you should visit your dentist for an exam. And even if your teeth are movie-star white, schedule visits with your dentist regularly to be sure you get to keep them.
Contact Us
Babylon Dental Care offers a range of dental care and services to patients in the Patchogue and West Babylon areas. When you come to us, we will treat you like our family and provide the treatments you need to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful. To schedule your next appointment, call us today.
