Most of us start believing in the wrong dental practices without even fact-checking them. Wrong dental practices may lead to dental problems. If your dental health is not getting proper attention, the issue can become severe in upcoming years. People should not blindly follow what they see or hear.
The biggest dental myths about oral health should be unraveled. Mentioned below are the most common myths and misconceptions about dental health. If you are struggling with dental problems, you should immediately see Fairfield, ME family dentistry.
Common dental myths and misconceptions
- Hard brushing cleans the teeth better
It is one of the biggest misconceptions in people about oral health. Most of us still believe that brushing harder cleanses the teeth better, which is completely wrong. The truth is, when you brush too hard, there are great chances of your teeth’s enamel warning away, and neither does it clean better. If you have a habit of brushing your teeth hard, it may lead to having more cavities in the future.
- Sugary foods are the cause of cavities
Sugar is not itself the cause of cavities in your teeth. It may help in cavity formation, but it does not cause them. Bacteria is the main cause of cavities. The bacteria in our mouth produce acid which eats up the enamel. Bacteria love sugar in the mouth, which in turn increases the activity of bacteria in our mouth, causing a cavity. Unless you brush your teeth properly, it may cause tooth decay.
Sugar itself does not cause cavities on your teeth, rather it feeds the bacteria to do the job. Therefore, it is the only dental myth that holds a bit of truth.
- Charcoal toothpaste is the best
Charcoal toothpaste is a new trend in the dental industry. It claims to make your teeth whiter. It is true to some extent because charcoal is abrasive. It helps in removing surface stains on the teeth. The action is similar to baking soda. But as charcoal is an absorbing material, it may cause some dental problems too. While you use charcoal toothpaste for brushing, it can absorb essential nutrients from your mouth.
- Bleeding gums are normal
Most of us have heard people saying that bleeding gums are normal for them. It is one of the misconceptions about oral health. While bleeding gums may not hurt, they should be taken seriously, as it can be a milder state of gum disease. It may show the sign of tooth loss or symptoms of an infection. Many patients suffer from gingivitis without even them knowing it.