There are many myths and misconceptions when it comes to dental hygiene. Below we’ve rounded up some of the most common ones we hear from patients and debunked them. Check it out. ?
- You Should Brush Your Teeth Hard to Get Them Really Clean
Brushing your teeth with an abrasive toothbrush or pressing down firmly while brushing can actually cause more harm than good in the long run. It can erode your enamel, the stuff that protects your teeth from cavities and decay. It can even cause your gums to recede! Instead of brushing hard, we recommend using a soft bristled toothbrush or even an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor to protect your gums and enamel.
- Poor Oral Hygiene Only Affects Your Mouth and Teeth
Actually, if you don’t take your oral hygiene seriously, it can have devastating affects on your entire body! From your heart to your lungs and everything else in between, neglecting your teeth can cause a bacterial buildup that will impact the rest of your body. Read our full blog post on the ways dental hygiene affects your overall health here.
- We Can’t Tell If You Have Poor Oral Hygiene If You Brush and Floss Before Your Appointment
We’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we can see a full picture of your dental hygiene the minute you open your mouth, even if you floss and brush your teeth before the appointment. If you don’t floss and brush regularly, a hard tartar will form around your teeth and after a while, you won’t be able to remove the tartar just by brushing. Not to mention the inflammation that will be noticeably visible during your appointment if you have poor oral hygiene normally.
- Tooth Sensitivity is Only Caused by Worn Enamel
In actuality, there are a host of other reasons your teeth could be experiencing some sensitivity. In fact, a large number of people experience tooth sensitivity due to the whitening products they use. Many whitening products use hydrogen peroxide which whitens the tooth by penetrating the layer of the tooth below the enamel. This layer of your tooth is much more sensitive. To combat tooth sensitivity when whitening your teeth, we recommend switching to a more gentle toothpaste to reverse symptoms.
- Leave Your Gums Alone If They Bleed When You Floss
If your gums bleed when you floss or brush, this is due to inflammation. If you don’t floss often, a bacteria will buildup and cause your gums to become inflamed over time. Your gums bleeding is just a way of your mouth telling you something is going on. Eventually, with continued, daily flossing the bleeding should subside.
Which of these dental myths have you heard before?
