Debunking Myths About Your Oral Health
Myths about Oral Health
When it comes to oral health there are numerous myths people believe to be true.
These myths can actually derail your dental care plan and oral health. Learning the facts allows you to make some drastic and necessary changes to ensure healthy teeth and gums. Here are some common dental myths, and what the actual facts are.Dental Myth: If your teeth are white, your teeth are healthy.
- Fact: Decay and gum disease can lurk behind white teeth. While whitening will make your teeth and smile more attractive, it doesn’t treat tooth decay.
Dental Myth: Baby teeth don’t need to be brushed.
- Fact: Decayed baby teeth cause pain, speech problems and eating issues.
- Fact: Decayed baby teeth can cause adult teeth misalignment.
Dental Myth: Bad breath means you have poor oral hygiene.
- Fact: Poor oral hygiene is only one possible cause of bad breath. Other causes could be foods you are eating, illnesses and certain medications.
Dental Myth: The more sugar you eat, the more cavities you will get.
- Fact: How long your teeth are exposed to sugar matters much more than how much you eat. For example, sucking on one lollipop for 30 minutes without brushing your teeth is a much bigger problem than eating five lollipops and brushing afterwards.
Dental Myth: You should put an aspirin on an aching tooth.
- Fact: Aspirin doesn’t work unless it is swallowed. In addition to not working, it causes acid burns to gums and lips.
To ensure you have healthy teeth and gums you should:
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily
- Floss your teeth before you brush to remove plaque
- Limit sugary foods to avoid tooth decay
- Quit smoking and drinking to avoid yellowing of teeth
- Use mouthwash to keep your gums healthy
- And most importantly…….
