Whether you want to renew your commitment to your dental health or plan to improve the appearance of your smile, you need to learn about basic practices that take care of your oral wellness. This way, you can prevent common risks and maintain your dental health for a long time.
At first, this process might seem long and demanding. But once you look into it, you can instantly recognize that it is actually a smooth ride. With that being said, you do need to jump past the bumps in the road that come in the form of common but harmful dental health myths.
To help you learn more about these false suggestions, here are 10 oral health myths and why they are wrong.
Myth: Brushing Once a Day is Fine
Everyone understands the benefits of proper oral care for your health. But not many people appreciate the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day. If you don’t brush your teeth once in the morning and once before going to bed, you can harbor bad bacteria that could affect your teeth, gums, and dental structure.
Myth: You Can Use Mouthwash Instead of Brushing Your Teeth
Whether you get dentures made from dental labs or get scaling for your natural teeth, you shouldn’t ever replace the practice of brushing your teeth with using mouthwash. Instead, you should use them as a combination. While brushing your teeth physically removes food particles, bacteria, and plaque-building elements, mouthwash could help fortify tooth enamel and further kill bacteria.
Myth: Brushing Harder Means Cleaner Teeth
You might have seen people going quite hard on their poor toothbrush. But it does nothing for their teeth except damaging their enamel and harming the surrounding gum line that supports them. Instead of using all your strength on your brushing routine, set a 2-minute timer and brush through that duration for optimal hygiene.
Myth: You Can Stop Brushing If Your Gums Bleed
Similar to how you may keep exercising through a fitness platform even after you feel post-workout soreness, you should continue brushing your teeth even when your gums bleed a little. It’s because bleeding is a symptom of gum disease, which can be managed with the habit of regularly brushing your teeth.
Myth: Flossing is Unnecessary
The excessive reactions to flossing might make you feel like it’s an unnecessary activity. But this is not true at all. In fact, flossing is crucial to your oral care because it removes food particles that are stuck between your teeth and reduces the risk of plaque. Similar to best skincare habits, you should adopt flossing as a practice.
Myth: You Don’t Need to See a Dentist For Regular Checkups
If you don’t go to a dentist at least once a year, it can make many problematic conditions grow to a worrisome level. Even if you have to buy dental insurance to cover these visits throughout the year, that step is worth it for taking care of your dental health.
Myth: Your Teeth Repair Themselves
Many people falsely believe that if your teeth are chipped or damaged, they might repair themselves with time. But these types of issues need active treatment from a dentist. While you can harness the advantages of diet for preventing tooth decay, teeth that are already damaged need to be repaired and possibly replaced by a dentist.
Myth: Teeth Whitening Damages Your Natural Tooth Enamel
When not used carefully, some types of at-home teeth whitening products can damage your dental health. But when you get these treatments from a qualified dentist, they do not hurt your teeth or gums. If you are hesitant in getting teeth whitening treatments, you can discuss your concerns with a dentist to become more confident in these solutions.
Myth: Your Dental Health Only Affects Your Mouth
No matter if you use a fitness journal or a wellness app, you cannot ensure an ideal state of health for yourself without taking care of your oral hygiene. It’s because poor oral care can lead to issues like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Keeping this in mind, make sure to commit to proper dental care.
When you clarify your concepts and bust these myths, you can take better care of your teeth, gums, and smile. Besides improving your appearance, this can also work wonders for your overall wellness.
