Top Dental Myths to Stop Believing

1. Top Dental Myths to Stop Believing Believing in myths and having misconceptions about something can lead to serious consequences. Dentistry is one area where people tend to believe in many myths. If such myths or misconceptions are not removed from the minds of people, they may cause health complications. This is why believing in the instructions of dentists, say a Northcote dentist, is far more important than going by hearsays. Let us understand the common dental myths and misconceptions that people should stop believing. Top Dental Myths for People to Ignore Oral health is to be taken seriously as it is linked to the general well-being of your body. However, people often start believing in myths and misconceptions and start ignoring professional advice given by dentists of all hues, including those from the Northcote family dental clinic. This can lead to serious consequences later. #1.Brushing hard means cleaner teeth: Nothing could be further from the truth, for hard brushing can wear away the tooth’s enamel. As the tooth’s enamel is weakened, bacteria will have a gala time attacking the tooth and creating cavities or caries. So, brush gently using the correct strokes (the top-down approach).

2. #2. Sugar forms cavities: Even though the presence of sugar can lead to the formation of dental cavities, the real villain is the bacteria. The bacterial colonies feast on the leftover food stuck inside the nook and crannies of your teeth producing acid. The acid attacks the tooth enamel (the outer layer) and creates cavities. Eating sugary food can create the right environment for the bacterial colonies to thrive inside the mouth and cause havoc. Thus, sugar feeds the bacteria that ultimately form cavities. #3. Charcoal toothpaste is the best for teeth: In dentistry, people have, of late, woken up to the idea of using charcoal toothpaste. Being a mild abrasive, it can help remove stains on the surface of the teeth, similar to a baking soda. But as an absorbent chemical, it can absorb the essential nutrients from the mouth as well leading to other complications. #4. Ignore bleeding gums: People tend to ignore bleeding gums, which can turn out to be very serious. It could be a sign of some underlying dental disease, such as gingivitis. If not treated in time, the condition of gingivitis can aggravate leading to the loss of your tooth. Bleeding gums can be treated by expert dentists and should be referred to in the initial stages. If you notice bleeding gums, visit any dental clinic, such as the emergency dental clinic Northcote and get it treated at the earliest. #5. Sensitivity is due to the loss of enamel: Teeth sensitivity can be a result of a host of factors. These include tooth decay, exposed tooth roots, worn-out enamel, cracked tooth, periodontal or gum disease, or gum recession. It does not go on its own and needs proper treatment. The loss of your tooth enamel is not the real reason to feel sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. So, even if you do not feel any pain while showing signs of sensitivity, it is better to visit a dentist, such as a Northcote dentist on High Street to get professional advice and the right treatment. #6. All kinds of toothpaste are the same: This is a misconception as there are special types of toothpaste that are made with different ingredients. These may give relief from sensitive tooth, prevent gingivitis, or make the enamel strong. But the ingredients used in commonly marketed toothpaste are indeed more or less similar. #7. Teeth whitening can be harmful: Bleaching your teeth to make them appear white is considered to cause harm by many people. This is farther from the truth as there is no evidence supporting it. This myth or misconception probably started with the knowledge that bleaching hair or skin can be harmful. In fact, teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that can hide the stains on your teeth and turn them sparkling white. To avail of such teeth whitening procedures in say, Northcote, Australia, you may visit a dentist skilled in cosmetic dentistry Northcote. At the same time, if your teeth start to lose their luster, it is time to visit a dentist. #8. Dental ailment does not affect your body: This is a common myth, which needs to be discarded. The bacteria present in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream to reach other parts of the body, especially the heart, and affect the heart valves. Even gum disease or periodontitis can cause heart disease. So, do not ignore dental issues and get them treated at the earliest from a dentist, say a Northcote dentist. #9. No need to visit a dentist if there is no pain: It is a common misconception and many people ignore visiting a dentist unless they feel throbbing pain. Instead, everyone should visit a dentist twice a year to get any underlying dental issue identified and treated. For instance, sensitivity or dental cavity in the initial stages need not be associated with pain. This can make the patient complacent and avoid visiting a dentist until the problem has aggravated. Also, visiting a

3. dentist late can increase the complexity of the disease leading to more visits to the clinic and a higher cost of treatment. #10. Chewing gum is like brushing: Even if some chewing gums are prescribed by dentists to promote better breath and cleaner teeth, they are no replacement for brushing. Besides, normal chewing gum contains sugar, which can create additional problems like dental cavities. So, do not ever give up brushing for chewing gums. #11. Flossing is not important: Flossing removes stubborn plaque deposits and should be a part of your daily dental cleaning regimen. Ignoring this can lead to food particles stuck in the nook and crannies of your teeth, which otherwise cannot be removed by brushing, leading to tooth decay. Conclusion: Believing in the common myths and misconceptions associated with dentistry can increase the severity of your dental condition. Acting on professional advice is always the best one to be followed by visiting a dental clinic, say a Northcote dental clinic, periodically. Source: https://northcotewebguru.wixsite.com/mysite/post/top-dental-myths-to- stop-believing Thank You