Consistent practice of oral hygiene is paramount to maintain your teeth and gum’s health. Aside from brushing and flossing, it’s also essential to have an appointment for dental check-ups to promote oral health care. However, there are many people who believe in dental myths that can lead to unhealthy practices and eventually damaging the teeth and gums. To obtain healthy and pearly white teeth, it makes sense to debunk those myths.
Common Myths That Compromise Oral Health
You’ve likely herd parents are telling their children that eating foods and beverages with higher sugar content is one of the reason for tooth decay. Thus, they prevent their children from consuming sodas and sweets to avoid cavities. Interestingly, it’s not the sugar itself that does the damage, but rather the chain of events that takes place after consuming the sugar. It’s the acid produced from the bacteria which eat carbohydrates and sugars that is the main culprit that damages the enamel of the teeth. Soft drinks like Coke also contain phosphoric acid… so if you’re sipping on a Big Gulp all day, will also contribute to tooth decay. The best thing to do is to brush the teeth and drink plenty of water after eating sweets so you can rinse away bacteria’s food.
2 Whiter teeth are healthier teeth
It generally looks good to have whiter teeth, but it does not necessarily mean that these whiter teeth are actually healthier. The color of teeth varies from one person to another for a variety of reasons. It’s not enough to make your teeth whiter – regular brushing and flossing is once again important but dental complications should be avoided. There are treatments that can help achieving whiter teeth such as dental cleaning.
Some people also believe that using a harder brush is better. The truth is, using toothbrush with soft bristles is much better as long as you’ll brush longer. In fact, brushing vigorously with a hard brush over time can lead to gum recession, which only makes matters worse. Alternatively, you can use an electric toothbrush with soft bristles. Most have timers built into them, so you know exactly how long you need to brush.
If you believe that bad breath is a sign of gum disease, then you’re mistaken. It’s because bad breath has several causes such as illness, medication, foods and worse poor dental habits. Using mouthwash doesn’t guarantee resolving the problem. Instead, brushing your teeth every after meal and cleaning your tongue can eliminate the bacteria that cause bad breath.
This is a myth that confuses a lot of people. Sensitivity in teeth may be caused by sweets and cold. That’s why if you notice that your teeth are becoming more sensitive, you should identify what triggers the sensitivity. Perhaps your gums are receding, which is common with age. While tooth sensitivity doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an issue, consult with your dentist to be sure.
Chewing gum isn’t necessarily bad because it enhances the production of saliva that is responsible for washing away the oral bacteria. However, make sure not to chew sugary gum and brush your teeth as soon as possible after you’re done.
The mouth and its condition can be a reflection of a person’s health. In fact, there is growing evidence that gum disease is related to heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. That’s why it’s essential to consider the proper mouth care that greatly impacts the overall well-being of an individual.
Image Source: The Awkward Yeti