There are lots of misconceptions when it comes to oral health, so we’ve decided to debunk a few common dental myths:
Myth 1: Brushing hard cleans your teeth more efficiently
Brushing aggressively or with a hard-bristle toothbrush can actually cause some damage by eroding your teeth’s enamel, which protects against cavities and decay. It can even wear out the gums and cause a degree of recession. Instead, consider a soft-bristle brush, which is more than enough to clean your teeth without the risk of harming them.
Myth 2: Sugary foods cause cavities
A high-sugar diet can certainly lead to cavities, but sugar itself isn’t necessarily the main culprit. Bacteria thrive on not only sugars, but starches as well. When bacteria mixes with food and saliva, plaque begins to form. If plaque isn’t regularly removed, your teeth’s enamel becomes worn, allowing acids to reach your teeth’s inner layers and eventually causing cavities. Sugar may be a stepping stone to cavities, but it’s not the direct cause, and there lots of other important factors to consider when it comes to how cavities occur.
Myth 3: Always brush your teeth right after eating
Actually, waiting at least 30 minutes is ideal, particularly after eating or drinking anything acidic, like citric fruits and juice. Acids weaken your enamel and leave it in a vulnerable state, which is why brushing too early after eating risks wearing out your teeth’s protective layer more quickly.
Myth 4: There’s no need to worry about baby teeth since they aren’t permanent
In fact, it’s vital to focus on children’s oral health from an early age in order to lay a solid foundation for dental care techniques and to stimulate the proper growth of permanent teeth. Take your child to the dentist by the time their first tooth comes in!
If you have any questions or concerns about your own oral health, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
