For quite a lot of people…most, in fact…going to see a dentist once every six months represents one visit too many. They go because they know they have to for the sake of their oral health, but given the opportunity they would most likely never set foot in the door again. Still, it’s the dictionary definition of a necessary evil and one which realistically cannot be avoided.
Instead, the best anyone can do is to invest in the most effective oral health tools and gadgets available to them, practicing good oral health at all times. But even with a small arsenal of protective weapons including the very best cordless water flosser money can buy, so many of us fall foul of a number of common slipups. Why? Well, for the most part it comes down to the fact that there is so much conflicting information readily available these days which can make it extremely difficult to know which priceless pearls of wisdom are actually on point. There are so many myths and untruths doing the rounds these days that it is hardly surprising so many have ended up with a somewhat stunted or inaccurate view when it comes to oral health in general.
So if you’ve found yourself reading into the following oral health myths, it might be time to rethink the way you approach your own habits:
Myth 1: Whiter Teeth Are Healthier Teeth
Contrary to popular belief, whiteness is in no way, shape or form an outright indicator of oral health. The simple fact of the matter is that in a purely natural sense, teeth are not pure white and are not supposed to be pure white. That’s not to say that impressive white teeth cannot be extremely healthy – it’s just to say that you cannot judge oral health or the health of teeth in general by their whiteness. Teeth naturally become discoloured as part of the aging process and there will always be certain foods and drinks that can discolour teeth faster. Nevertheless, it is often simply a cosmetic difference and has no bearing on health.
Myth 2: Bleaching Teeth Is Unsafe
The truth behind this particular theory varies in accordance with the exact approach taken by the individual planning to whiten their teeth. If you a) have your teeth whitened by dental professional or b) invest in the very best teeth whitening kits over the counter, there is really nothing to worry about when it comes to health and safety. By contrast, if you come up with your own bizarre chemical at home or invest in the very cheapest kit you can get your hands on from some unknown seller online, there’s a very good chance you will end up doing more harm than good. Low-quality and dated approaches to teeth whitening often center around products with an extremely high acid concentration which could cause permanent damage to the teeth. Stick with quality products and methods and safety need not be any concern.
Myth 3: Brushing Gums That Are Bleeding Is Bad
Another extremely common myth states that if you detect blood on your toothbrush and summarily find that your gums are bleeding, you should immediately avoid brushing the affected areas. In reality however, the world’s leading dental professionals insist that sensitive or bleeding gums should still be brushed carefully and gently, in order to ensure that plaque is removed. Failure to do so will only exacerbate the inflammation that could summarily lead to gum disease, meaning that to avoid brushing bleeding gums is to do more harm than good. It’s important to be careful, but even more important to continue brushing as normal.
Myth 4: Sugar Alone Is the Leading Cause of Tooth Decay
Contrary to popular belief, tooth decay actually occurs due to a combination of acid, bacteria and sugar. It isn’t the sugar itself that causes significant damage and can ultimately lead to a tooth decay, but rather the way in which it has an effect in conjunction with other potentially harmful elements. This is perhaps best illustrated in the fact that if you never eat sugar but still do not follow effective oral hygiene practices, you will most likely find yourself falling victim to tooth decay regardless.
Myth 5: Flossing Is Overrated and Not Really Necessary
You really only have to think about this particular claim logically to realise that it really doesn’t make any sense at all. The reason being that when you clean your teeth normally, you are actually only cleaning somewhere in the region of 70% of the total surface of the tooth. There will always be so many areas of the mouth that your toothbrush simply cannot reach and while mouthwash can do a good job in clearing much of the bacteria away, debris and plaque between the teeth can be another story entirely. If you don’t floss, you aren’t properly cleaning your mouth – it is as simple as that.
Myth 6: Gum Disease Isn’t Very Common
Quite to the contrary, gum disease is quite terrifyingly common – it’s just that the vast majority of people with gum disease do not actually realise they have it. According to research carried out by the CDC in America, close to 50% of adults over the age of 30 have gum disease to one extent or another. It is only as such individuals age however that the damage and consequences become more apparent.
Myth 7: Bad Breath Means You Have Gum Disease
Bad breath has the potential to be a symptom of gum disease, but in the overwhelming majority of instances is actually caused by something completely unrelated. There are so many conditions of the mouth, throat, stomach and digestive system in general that cause bad breath that it is always advisable to have yourself checked out by a professional if concerned.
Myth 8: If I’m Not Having Any Problems, I Don’t Need To See My Dentist
Last but not least, the classic excuse for not going to see a dental professional on a regular basis is that of currently having no specific problems and therefore not seeing the point. In reality however, almost everything the average dentist does is work toward prevention and minimisation of future problems, as opposed to tackling severe existing problems. Which in turn means that to avoid going to the dentist now is to simply open the door to all manner of potentially hideous consequences further down the line. Suffice to say, it’s a risk that really isn’t worth taking!
