Myth-Busting Common Dental Misconceptions

As dentists, we sometimes have to fight against misconceptions about oral health that are worthless or even dangerous. Myths or “old wives’ tales” are often repeated as facts from generation to generation until people accept them as fact. These may be harmless in some situations, but if they negatively affect oral health, you need to know they are myths and stop believing them. We’ve compiled some of the most common dental misconceptions and busted the myths surrounding them.

1.   It’s okay if your gums bleed occasionally.

No, bleeding gums are a sign that something is wrong. If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or at random times, they are trying to tell you something. The gums are inflamed due to infection or gum disease. If your gums bleed, contact our office to schedule a dental exam.

2.   Choosing a stiff toothbrush and thoroughly scrubbing will clean your teeth better.

A stiff toothbrush and heavy-handed scrubbing of your teeth will wear away the protective enamel on your teeth. Your teeth will begin to look dull, losing their shiny surface. Without the protective enamel, your teeth are more prone to cavities and gum recession. You may also irritate your gums, leading to gingivitis. Brush gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush.

3.   Flossing isn’t important.

Over the years, we have seen many patients who bragged, “My teeth are healthy, and I’ve never flossed.” Sadly, these same patients often end up with multiple cavities later in life or the need to have teeth extracted. Flossing removes up to 80% of the plaque buildup on your natural teeth. When plaque isn’t removed, it leads to gum disease and tooth loss.

4.   Bad teeth are genetic.

If you’ve heard that bad teeth run in the family, you might think a mouthful of cavities or early tooth loss is inevitable. It’s not true. Good oral hygiene can prevent tooth loss even if a tendency toward poor oral health is in your genes. Daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups can prevent damage to thinned enamel, regardless of whether you inherited it.

5.   Sugar-free chewing gum can take the place of brushing your teeth.

This myth is relatively new but no less dangerous. Some people believe chewing sugar-free gum is a good substitute for brushing teeth. However, chewing gum doesn’t remove as much plaque from the gum line and can’t get into the spaces between teeth, so you don’t get a thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums. In a pinch, you can substitute sugar-free gum for brushing, but only when you don’t have access to a brush and toothpaste, and only rarely.

6.   Seeing the dentist while pregnant isn’t a good idea.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Oral health care is extremely important to keep you and your baby healthy when pregnant. Hormone production increases during pregnancy and is associated with gum disease. Nearly half of women develop gingivitis while pregnant, so regular dental checkups are crucial. Many techniques can safely and effectively treat gum disease if you need emergency or therapeutic work. However, cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and veneers should be delayed.

Drs. Phillips and Johnson‘s gentle touch and compassionate demeanor have helped them establish themselves as the finest doctors in the area. We look forward to dispelling any dental care myths you may have and caring for your teeth using proven technologies and techniques.