20 Common Dental Myths

By Elite Dental Group

Those who are reading this blog have probably been told by their parents to brush their teeth twice a day. According to recent studies, it has been revealed that one in four adults don't brush their teeth twice a day. Since they are not brushing enough, about three-quarters of these people have visible plaque on their teeth. With this being said, there are plenty of dental myths that may potentially ruin someone's dental hygiene. However, many of these myths have been debunked, and we will mention them today. 

1. Flossing Isn’t Necessary

A few years ago, the strength of flossing came into question, making people believe they were wasting their time with interdental cleaners, dental floss, and water flossing. Different organizations have their own opinions on this myth. One says that there is no substantial evidence to prove that flossing is superior than simply brushing with toothpaste and flossing incorrectly can injure gums. On the other side, a dental association defends it a longstanding recommendation to floss, defining that the ordinary practice assists in removing oral bacteria, preventing decay, and protecting the gum tissue and enamel.

2. Tooth Decay Is Always Painful 

Many people incorrectly assume that if their teeth were decayed or damaged, they would only recognize this from pain. The early stages of gingivitis, cavities, along with some other infections aren’t that painful. So, it is best to have routine dental checkups. With the help of these checkups, dentists can examine your teeth for small problems like fresh tooth decay or cracks in your teeth to prevent larger issues.

3. Oral Health Does Not Affect Your Body's Health

Different people have different mentalities. That is why many people think that dental health isn’t related directly to their entire wellness. So, they often put off resolving dental issues. People should keep in mind that oral bacteria can spread into a person’s bloodstream and can cause inflammation, which in turn impacts other parts of the body. Due to this reason, gum-related disease has been directly linked to heart problems.

4. You Can Whiten Teeth At Beauty Salons

There is a big difference between having your teeth whitened at a beauty salon versus a dentist's office. Professional treatment of whitening takes place in a dental office with a combination of correct equipment and precautions. Having a treatment done with a cheaper alternate can result in harmful effects to the gums and the chances of increased sensitivity in the teeth. 

5. Tooth brushing Is For Cleaning Out Food 

The main purpose of brushing at least twice daily is to remove dental plaque, not only food debris. Our eyes cannot see the microscopic plaque that is there. However, the formation of dental plaque is considered a natural process and there are almost no chances of prevention. Plaque collects under the gum tissues and along the gum lines, this in turn causes toothache and cavities.

6. Pregnant Women Don't Need Dental Visits

A wise person knows that a woman who is pregnant needs to take special care of herself as it is beneficial for the health of the unborn child. The same thing is applied regarding oral hygiene. If someone is inadequate regarding this dental hygiene, it can put their child at risk. In the pregnancy period, gum disease has been shown to increase a woman’s likelihood of premature labor. Neglect with dental hygiene can also result in low birth weight in infants. So, it is advised to have a regular visit to the dentist whether you are pregnant or not.

7. Bad Breath Is Related To Bad Oral Hygiene

Many people feel embarrassed to talk with someone very close, as it increases the chances of exposing their bad breath to that person. Even this problem can be embarrassing to talk about with the dentist, but that does not mean that the person has bad oral hygiene. Hepatitis, liver diseases, periodontal disease or diabetes can be some common causes of bad breath.

8. Brushing Too Much Doesn't Cause Damage

Some people have a belief that scrubbing their teeth with force can clean them better. If you think the same, unfortunately, this is a wrong fact as participating in this process can actually damage the enamel of your tooth. Enamel is considered as the hardest substance from top to bottom of a person’s body. Instead of rubbing them hard, try to pursue a soft brush for cleaning and try to apply it with ease inside the mouth.

9. Stress Can't Affect Dental Health

Stress can influence a person's dental health. According to research, a high level of stress has been linked to an increased likelihood of developing gum diseases, especially because of the strain in the immune system. Having stress can also lead to negative habits which can adversely affect dental health. A common result of stress is clenching teeth, this is muscle tension that can cause pain to radiate through the jaws along with your face and head.

10. Fluoride Can Be Unhealthy

If we are not having something in moderation, then it can be unhealthy. Whether it is water, food or anything else. According to research, it has been stated that a proper amount of fluoride is helpful in reducing tooth decay.

11. It Is Always Crucial To Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Many people have their wisdom teeth and are not facing any problems. Removal of these types of teeth are necessary in some cases, like if there is no adequate space left in the mouth. Lack of space can create problems as the chances of gum disease and tooth decay arise. Without proper care, wisdom teeth can cause misalignment of the teeth, and severe pain as well. Check with your specialist to see if you need to extract your wisdom teeth.

12. Teeth Decay and Discolor From Food And Drinks

It is a proven fact that the types of food and drinks we consume can alter the shade of our teeth. Many people don’t know that environmental factors like mineral levels in our drinking water directly correlates to tooth staining. We may simply inherit teeth that are naturally yellower from our parents, or a childhood illness may have caused discoloration and staining.

13. Chewing Sugar-Free Gum Is Better Than Brushing

Gum that contains xylitol can have a protective effect on your teeth as it encourages production of saliva. This eventually helps in washing enamel-eroding acids from fluid or food or even stomach in issues like acid reflux. But this doesn’t actually mean that you replace this with brushing. Brushing removes the plaque from the different surfaces of teeth.

14. It Is Better To Stop Flossing When Your Gums Bleed?

If your gums bleed when you floss, this may be due to inflammation. This can happen when plaque and bacteria get cemented between the teeth where the bristles of our toothbrush do not reach properly. Bacteria takes advantage of this and causes the gums to become inflamed. Bleeding is also a part of this process.

15. Sensitivity Means Too Much Enamel 

Sensitivity is considered as one of the key signs of the loss of enamel, the tough preservative layer on the outside of teeth. Even gum recession or whitening toothpaste can contribute as some of the factors. If sensitivity occurs due to teeth whitening, it is better to switch to a more gentle toothpaste that will alleviate your symptoms. 

16. Gum Disease Is Only Associated With The Mouth

If someone has gum disease, they are more likely to have some other health issues like hypertension and diabetes. Along with different types of cancers which have a link to chronic inflammation.

17. No Dental Check-up Is Needed If There's No Pain 

If you think the same, then you should keep reading. Many dental issues don’t cause pain within minutes or hours of developing. That is why it is beneficial to visit the dentist for regular check-ups. These check-ups will prevent future problems such as cavities or procedures such as root canals.

18. Brushing Can Be Done Anytime From Morning to Night

Brushing at certain times can make a big impact on our oral health. This is because when we sleep at night, salivary glands generates less saliva as compared to the day period. Dry mouth creates more chances of cavities as they have less saliva. That is why brushing your teeth before going to bed at night is important, the foods we have eaten will sit all throughout the night in our teeth and it will encourage tooth decay.

19. Diet Sodas Are Fine Since There's No Sugar

Diet Sodas do not contain cavity-causing sugars, but they are highly acidic. It has a pH level of 2-3 and these types of sodas eat away at enamel which is considered more dangerous.

20. It Is More Important To Care For Teeth When Older

A short and simple fact about this point is that those who take care of their teeth from their childhood days until they become an adult have healthier teeth. Try to brush and floss often throughout your entire life in order to keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

All in all, we should be taking better care of our teeth and visiting the dentist more often. If you don't take care of your teeth, you risk developing health issues such as cavities, sensitive teeth, bleeding gums, and even cardiovascular problems.