There are so many myths and misconceptions when it comes to your mouth teeth and gums. There is so much information about oral health and dental care that you can read online or you may have heard from family and friends that it’s sometimes difficult to discern the facts from the myths. Let’s debunk some of these dental myths with Kenmore dentist, Dr Rachel Hall.
Let’s set the record straight with the facts. Here are the top dental myths and misconceptions revealed.
While sugar does contribute to the formation of cavities, it’s not the sugar alone that causes the problem, as it’s the bacteria that eat the sugar that destroy your teeth.
Sticky food, like starches, attracts bacteria to thrive on and around teeth. These bacteria produce an acid compound that promotes tooth decay.
Rinse and brush after meals to reduce acid and plaque buildup.
Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing is not normal. In fact, it is a symptom of gum disease which is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the gums.
Bleeding gums mean you have inflamed, unhealthy gums.
Gums can become inflamed and begin to bleed due to excessive plaque buildup, the onset of gingivitis, gum disease or other causes. It’s not normal.
If your gums bleed contact your dentist for a dental examination.
Brushing harder is counterproductive. The harder you brush, the more trauma the tooth enamel and gum tissue endure, and you might as well be taking sandpaper and rubbing that on your teeth (we do not recommend doing this by the way!).
Brushing too hard can eventually lead to problems such as gum recession and sensitivity.
Brush gently for two minutes, twice daily with a soft-bristled brush.
Flossing is an integral part of maintaining good oral health. One in five people never floss, and only 40% of those who do floss do it daily.
Flossing removes the plaque from between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach.
Plaque deposits promote tooth decay, but you can remove them with a daily flossing regimen.
Chewing gum is not a replacement for brushing your teeth. Some chewing gums can promote cleaner teeth and better breath, and some dentists even recommend sugar-free varieties to chew on instead of sweets.
However, while some chewing gums serve as aids to oral health, they still don’t reach the level of being able to replace brushing your teeth as they will not remove food particles or plaque from your teeth.
Brushing helps to massage and care for the gums and chewing gum is no substitute for this. As neither is a mouthwash on its own.
Whiter teeth are not always healthier teeth.
Teeth begin white, and over time, they can become discoloured through staining or damage. Whitening teeth may leave the underlying cause of discolouration unaddressed.
If your teeth are losing their lustre and shine, speak to your dentist about why and to see if you are suitable for teeth whitening.
Charcoal toothpaste is marketed for whitening but in reality, it offers little protection for teeth.
Charcoal toothpaste actually works against teeth by absorbing protective agents meant to keep teeth healthy and strong.
Many charcoal kinds of toothpaste are too abrasive and can wear or damage your tooth enamel.
Poor oral health early on can lead to lifelong complications. You should start brushing your child’s teeth twice per day as soon as they have teeth.
These baby teeth have to last until the child is 6-11 years old and are responsible for helping with speech, facial development, jaw growth and holding open the space for the adult teeth to come through correctly.
Tooth decay in children can lead to health concerns long after their baby teeth are gone.
Tooth sensitivity has many causes such as decay, a cracked tooth, inflamed dental nerve, a dental abscess, failed dental fillings, brushing too hard, or enamel loss from acidity or grinding teeth (bruxism).
If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, discuss these symptoms with your dentist.
The bacteria present in gum disease can spread to other parts of your body where they are linked with or said to cause other health issues.
There are many studies that have connected gum disease to whole-body health. Gum disease is linked to a whole host of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia and even some forms of cancer.
This is why regular dental hygiene visits are so important if you want to live a long healthy life as well as have a great smile too.
A dental exam is the best way to spot trouble before it starts. The longer problems go undetected or untreated, the harder they are to treat when you do start to notice them.
Twice yearly dental exams and checkups are the best way to maintain optimal oral health — so even if you don’t notice anything amiss, it’s best to still schedule routine dental visits.
Proactive dental care is the best defence against tooth decay, gum disease and oral health issues.
To speak to a dentist about your oral health, or to schedule a check-up and examination, call us today at 07 3720 1811 or contact us HERE.
Rachel is the founder and principal dentist at Evolve Dental Healing with over 30 years experience, practising holistically since 2001. Not your typical dentist, Rachel is a passionate opinion leader, challenging convention to empower people to make better dental and health choices, helping thousands to have healthy natural smiles. A respected writer and presenter on holistic dentistry, health and wellness it is Rachel’s mission to revolutionise the way people look at their dental health.
