5 Popular Dental Myths Busted

You have been told time and time again to take care of your teeth, to make sure to brush and floss and rinse and repeat, since you were little. Many people don’t take as good of care of their teeth as they should, which can lead to some health problems and some dental myths to explain bad oral hygiene habits. Your oral health is important to your overall health, but many people think otherwise. Here we will break down common dental myths so you know the truth about your teeth.

Myth 1: You don’t really need to floss.

Growing up, your dentist (and your mom) probably told you to floss everyday. Many people don’t floss regularly, though, and say “it just takes too much time” or that they’ve “been meaning to” when they come in for a checkup. Flossing isn’t as time-consuming as people make it out to be, and is a necessary step in your oral health routine. It removes food particles that could be decaying, causing you to have bad breath. It will help decrease plaque buildup and decreases your chances of getting gum disease. It’s important! Don’t skip this step.

Myth 2: I don’t need to worry about getting gum disease because my gums look fine.

It’s something that people don’t think they’ll ever get until they find out that they have it. Gum disease is a widely misunderstood ailment. People think that because their gums aren’t bleeding or their teeth aren’t sensitive, that they don’t have to worry. This simply isn’t the case. Gum disease can cause major damage to your gums and teeth before you even notice something wrong. This is why it is so important to brush regularly and floss – not only to take care of your teeth, but your gums as well!

Myth 3: Cavities are only caused by sweets.

Cavities are actually caused by carbohydrates reacting with the bacteria in your mouth. Carbs includes a lot of sugars, and a lot of sugary snacks have more carbs in them, so usually people associate sugary treats with cavities. It’s easy to see how this came about, but it isn’t completely true. Anything that contains a large amount of carbs can cause cavities! This includes bread, crackers, or any potato-based snack like chips.

Myth 4: Bleeding gums isn’t a big deal.

People might think that if your gums are bleeding, that’s just a part of the process and to take it easy on that tooth or that part of the mouth. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. The only reason that gums would be bleeding is because something isn’t right. Healthy gums shouldn’t bleed – if they are, you are brushing or flossing too roughly. Bleeding gums are also a sign of gum disease and gingivitis, so if your gums won’t stop bleeding even after you brushed your teeth, there might be a problem. It would be best to make a quick call to your dentist to see if you should schedule an appointment.

Myth 5: Taking care of baby teeth isn’t that important.

Teaching your child about the importance of good oral hygiene at a young age is irreplaceable and sets them up for a successful smile in the future. Neglecting to take care of their teeth or teaching them how to do so can cause problems with their bite or the way that their permanent teeth come in, which may lead to your child needing costly braces in the future.

There are many other misconceptions about dental care, and we here at Mogren Dental can dispel dental myths and answer any and all the questions you may have! Call us today to set up an appointment or browse our website to see all the services we can offer you!