March Mayhem: Debunking Common Oral Care Myths
March Mayhem is upon us, and basketball fans are busy cheering on their favorite teams and filling out their brackets. We here at Moorestown dental office are getting into the spirit of things by going on the offensive to clear up common oral health care myths. Let’s pivot away from confusion as we clear up the most common misconceptions for a slam dunk smile.
Myth 1: Sugar causes cavities
Sugar is linked to cavities but not necessarily in the way you might think. Cavities are caused by oral bacteria, which live in a sticky biofilm called plaque. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth, and when you eat sugary carbohydrates, like bread, pasta, or even fruit, the bacteria feed on this and form an acidic waste byproduct that erodes dental enamel, eventually leading to cavities.
Ditching the sugar can help keep your teeth and body healthier, but a strong dental hygiene routine is your best defense against plaque and cavities. Brush twice daily and floss after meals to keep plaque and bacteria under control.
Myth 2: If flossing makes your gums bleed, stop
We’ve all been there: You pick up the dental floss, start to clean between your teeth, and notice a bit of pink on the floss or in the sink. No doubt it’s alarming, but does that bleeding signal the need to stop flossing?
Bleeding gums are often the earliest sign of gingivitis or gum inflammation, which is caused by plaque buildup. That means they’re a sign that you need to bump up your oral care routine rather than the reverse. Continue flossing regularly and gently, and brush twice a day. Schedule a professional cleaning as soon as possible to have plaque and tartar buildup removed so that your gums can begin to heal, and the bleeding should stop.
Myth 3: Baby teeth fall out anyway, so they don’t matter
Baby teeth might be small, but they’ve got a big job to do. They not only serve as placeholders for the permanent teeth that will eventually take their place, but they also serve a vital purpose in helping babies and toddlers chew and speak. If you don’t take good care of those tiny teeth, your little one could suffer from infections, misalignments, pain, and other potentially serious dental problems.
Pediatric dental care can help keep your baby smiling and their teeth in great shape for years to come.
Myth 4: Teeth whitening toothpaste is just as effective as professional whitening products
Teeth whitening toothpaste can be great for those annoying surface stains, but they can’t do much about the deeper stains from things like coffee or wine, nor can they change the color of your teeth. For that, you need professional teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening treatments use professional-strength ingredients that penetrate deep into the enamel to produce visibly whiter results. We can help you get the whiter, brighter smile of your dreams.
Myth 5: You only need to see a dentist if you have a problem
Just because your teeth feel fine doesn’t mean you don’t have dental problems. Many dental health problems, like gum disease and tooth decay, start slowly and with few or no obvious symptoms. These issues are easy to spot with routine dental checkups and are easy to treat and may even be reversible in some cases. When we catch problems early in checkups, we can treat them more effectively and affordably. Prevention is critical to preserving and protecting your healthy smile!
Contact our dental office in Moorestown to schedule your next checkup by calling (856) 212-0975. We are ready to help you learn more about how you can keep your smile sparkling and your mouth healthy.
