7 Surprising Myths About Your Teeth and Dental Care
- Jun 11 2022
Oral health is an area that affects everyone, but many patients are in the dark about these common dental myths. Dispelling them and gaining a clearer understanding of how your teeth and dental care work can help you build a better foundation for lifelong oral health.
Myth 1: Bright Teeth Are Always Healthy
The whiteness of their smile is a major factor in the oral care decisions of many people. However, it’s not a primary indicator of how healthy your teeth are. Teeth can often become stained and discolored with no real health impact.
The opposite is also true. Just because your teeth are shiny and bright doesn’t mean you don’t have unseen oral health issues. Even individuals with flawless-looking teeth should visit the dentist regularly.
Myth 2: Gum Disease Isn’t Very Serious
This dangerous myth comes from a misunderstanding of the real consequences of gum disease. It doesn’t just cause gum recession and dental issues — it’s a type of infection that can spread and cause serious damage.
Gum disease can lead to you losing teeth and even cause degradation of the jawbone. In some cases, it has been linked to various forms of cancer and other serious conditions.
Myth 3: Braces Are Only for Kids
Braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic treatments are by no means solely for children. Most of these treatments happen during childhood because it’s best to treat orthodontic issues as early as possible.
Adults who never got treatment as children can still benefit from treatment today. There are also numerous orthodontic issues that can arise in adulthood and require braces or other treatment.
Myth 4: Only Sugary Foods Cause Cavities
Avoiding excessively sugary foods can be a great way to reduce your risk of tooth decay. However, it doesn’t bring it anywhere close to zero. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that eat sugars in your mouth.
These same bacteria produce acid that can begin to wear away at your teeth. There’s enough sugar in just about any food for these bacteria to grow and multiply. That means everyone has to keep up with brushing and flossing.
Myth 5: Brushing Harder Is Better
If you want to clean a tough mess, you scrub harder, right? Well, that isn’t the case for your teeth. Brushing regularly with the right toothpaste and toothbrush matters, but you don’t need excessive force.
Brushing too hard can be harmful. You can cause damage to your gums and even create accelerated enamel wear if you’re brushing hard enough.
Myth 6: Toothaches Aren’t a Major Concern
Many patients try to avoid visiting the dentist for toothaches. They think they’re only minor issues. However, toothaches have a wide variety of causes. Many of these causes can be very serious.
This is particularly true if you have a powerful toothache that stops. This could mean that the tooth has become so decayed that the nerve inside has been destroyed. Avoiding treatment will surely mean losing the tooth.
Myth 7: Adults Don’t Need Regular Dental Checkups
Many adults likely remember visiting the dentist regularly as a child but haven’t kept up the practice as they’ve grown. Your teeth are for life, so going without regular dental checkups can have lifelong consequences.
Dental issues continue to develop in adulthood. If they go undiscovered and untreated, you’ll likely find yourself missing multiple — or even all of — your teeth as time goes on.
Professional Dentistry in Queens, NY
Do you have any further questions about oral health and dental issues? You can always schedule an evaluation with Payam Cohen, DDS, PC, to find out how various dental treatments could benefit you.
Schedule an appointment today for general and cosmetic dentistry treatments in Queens, NY.
Categories: Dental Health