There are still many misconceptions around dental health, so in this article we aim to shed light on the most common myths we hear about or are asked about at Fullarton Park Dental.
Myth 1 – Baby teeth don’t really matter because they fall out anyway
It is a common misconception that baby teeth don’t really matter as they will be replaced, but this could not be further from the truth.
Although we only have our baby teeth for a short period of time, they play a vital role in the health of our adult teeth in the future. For example, if your child needs to have a tooth extracted then they could be more likely to have braces or other issues with the adult tooth developing below. It has also been shown in many studies that having decay as a child is one of the biggest predictors for having decay as an adult.
We encourage you to book your child in for an appointment as soon as they get their first teeth. Our team of children’s dentists will be able to have a look and help educate your child on how to care for their teeth.
Myth 2 – If your teeth are white, they’re healthy
People have varying degrees of opacity in their teeth, and a yellow colour doesn’t mean someone doesn’t look after their teeth. Don’t be alarmed and think you’re doing something wrong if your teeth are not a bright white colour!
Myth 3 – Extra brushing is good for your teeth
This is not necessarily true.
It is important to brush twice a day, but brushing properly twice is much more beneficial than brushing more than two times a day. In addition, extra brushing can put you at an increased risk of wearing away the enamel and recession of the gums.
We recommend you brush with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Myth 4 – Whitening damages your teeth
This is not entirely a myth.
There are many whitening products on the market, especially online, which contain larger amounts of dangerous chemicals. It is best to avoid these products, and instead use whitening products from a certified dental clinic that have been clinically tested and approved.
Fullarton Park Dental will always give you detailed instructions on the use of professional teeth whitening products, and ensure we answer all of your questions.
Myth 5 – ‘Diet’ drinks are better for your teeth
From the perspective of sugar, these drinks are better; but one of the main problems with soft drinks is the acidity can cause erosion on the outer surface of your teeth, resulting in sensitivity and decay.
This means that drinking a diet soft drink is no longer an excuse to drink more! Cutting down on soft drinks and rinsing your mouth with water if you do have one is the way to go to improve your oral health.
Myth 6 – You shouldn’t floss because it makes your gums bleed
It is understandable that you may not want to do something that makes you bleed, but this is not always the case, as bleeding gums suggests that your gums are inflamed.
When you floss bleeding gums, you are not irritating them or making things worse, you are just disrupting and removing the bacteria that caused the inflammation in the first place.
The best way to treat gum inflammation is by brushing and flossing to remove the irritant. If your gums are bleeding when you are flossing it is a sign that you should be flossing even more regularly to improve the health of your gums.
Myth 7 – Fluoride isn’t good for you
There has been overwhelming evidence that fluoride strengthens your teeth, it has even been labelled the best intervention in public health.
The National Health and Medical Research Council have proven through multiple complex studies that “fluoridation of drinking water is an effective way to ensure people across the community are exposed to fluoride and can benefit from its preventative role in tooth decay, regardless of age, gender or socioeconomic status.”
