Myth #1: Brushing harder will make your teeth cleaner.
Actually, brushing harder will not clean your teeth better, it will essentially wear down your enamel that protects your tooth from harmful decay and cavities. The correct way to brush your teeth is to place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle then gently move the brush back and forth in a circular motion, finally brush the outer surfaces, inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of your teeth for around 2 minutes, twice a day and don’t forget to floss!
Myth #2: Chewing sugar-free gum is the same as brushing your teeth.
Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol can help with protecting your teeth. Gum also produces saliva which can help wash away any food or drinks that are harming your teeth. But in fact, chewing sugar-free gum does not replace actually brushing your teeth. Chewing gum doesn’t get rid of the harmful plaque that can be stuck in between your teeth. It is very important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day to get rid of any plaque build- up and to maintain great dental hygiene.
Myth #3: If your gums bleed when flossing, don’t floss anymore.
Over time bacteria and plaque that cannot be reached from your toothbrush get caught in between your teeth and eventually get into your gums causing them to become inflamed, which makes your gums bleed when you floss. The best bet to stop your gums from bleeding is to make flossing part of your daily routine and over time the bleeding will stop because your gums will be healthier.
Myth #4: Sugar is the main reason for cavities.
When thinking about cavities you often think the main causes are sugary candies and sweets. While that may be true, people tend to forget about chips, pretzels, and crackers that can be worse for your teeth. These hard snacks get stuck in between your teeth and are more difficult to get out, which will cause plaque and then lead to more serious dental problems.
Myth #5: If nothing is bothering you then you don’t need a dental checkup.
When it comes to dental problems you often don’t feel or notice anything right away. If you wait until the problem worsens instead of going to your routine checkups the outcome will only cause you more pain and cost more money. If you wait until a cavity starts to hurt, you put yourself at risk of getting a root canal. This could have been prevented if you went to your routine dental checkups. So, don’t let these myths fool you, keep up with your dental hygiene to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life with Philadelphia Dentistry! Give us a call today to schedule your routine check-up 215-568-6222.
