Debunking the Most Common Dental Myths That Exist Today
No doubt you’ve heard plenty of dental advice over the years, either from parents, in schools, or on the internet. Unfortunately, so many of these truisms turn out to be little more than dental myths.
While some myths may be more or less harmless, others can seriously impact your health and quality of life. Here are some of the top falsehoods that need to be debunked.
Brushing Harder Means Cleaner Teeth
One of the most common mistakes the average person makes is to brush too hard. In particular, trying to “make up” for slacking off on dental care by brushing extra hard is common.
But this is one of the worst things you can do. Not only does brushing harder not clean more effectively, but it could be doing damage in the process. Brushing hard can wear down your enamel and irritate the gums. Over time, this can contribute to tooth loss or lead to conditions like receding gums.
White Teeth Are Healthy Teeth
We’re told from childhood that a sparkling, white smile is the optimal goal. It’s why whitening treatments are among the most popular commodities in the dental industry.
But dental health is more complex than having a set of pearly whites.
While it’s true that teeth start white, and discolored teeth can be a sign of disease or decay, it’s not always the case. And even if there is an underlying issue, over-the-counter dental treatments that whiten the teeth won’t address the underlying issue. Many of them are quite harsh as well and can end up contributing to tooth loss.
If you’re concerned about the color of your teeth, consult your dentist to find out why they’ve lost their luster. And if you must have your teeth whitened, only use professional dental procedures administered by your dentist.
Bleeding Gums Are Normal
One of the most common complaints dental patients voice is bleeding gums. It’s ubiquitous to the point that it’s become normalized to a degree.
But don’t let yourself think that bleeding gums are no big deal. Though you’ll need an assessment from your local dentist to know for sure, sensitive, bleeding gums are a common warning sign of gum disease.
If you’re experiencing bleeding gums, check out this Gum disease guide to see if you’re experiencing other symptoms, and make a dental appointment as soon as possible.
You Only Need a Dental Exam if You Have Issues
It can be tempting to think that you only need to see your dentist if you’re experiencing pain, sensitivity, or some other issue. But the truth is that regardless of your perceived health, you need to see your dentist every six months.
In part, this is so you can have a professional cleaning done regularly. But more importantly, it’s because the best dentist can catch potential issues before you notice anything wrong.
Ignore These Dental Myths
Your oral health affects more than your mouth. Conditions like gum disease or tooth infection can have far-reaching consequences throughout the body.
And dental myths like these help perpetuate poor dental health and disease. So it’s time we retire them in favor of the instructions of our regular dentists.
And, of course, it’s worth remembering that as important as oral health is, it’s only one facet of our well-being. So to ensure that you have all the knowledge you need to make positive healthcare decisions, be sure to keep up with our latest health and lifestyle news.
Carla Gayou
Carla is a high performing marketing professional with 5+ years of experience driving growth of in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Strong command of digital operations with exposure to influencer marketing strategy, branding, analytics, SEO/SEM, customer success, content development, and social media Core expertise lies in managing end-to-end campaigns, creating memorable content, and facilitating improved conversion rates to enhance e-commerce operations. Adept in ensuring alignment with organizational goals, facilitating streamlined operations, and leveraging a data driven strategy used to make insightful marketing decisions.
