Without having accurate information about oral health, many of us can fall for strange myths revolving the subject. Here we debunk some myths to help you get your facts straight. 
Read on to learn 5 myths about dental health that you shouldn’t believe and 5 facts to keep in mind.
5 Myths to Look Out For
Myth 1: Flossing Causes Gaps in Your Teeth
Flossing causes you to develop gaps between your teeth is one of the most widely believed misconceptions. It does not create or widen any gaps between your teeth. However, it helps remove food debris from between your teeth, which could lead to decay if left unattended. This decay could, in turn, cause gaps to appear. So flossing actually prevents gaps between your teeth.
Myth 2: Gum Disease Only Affects Your Mouth
Oral health is very much connected to the rest of your bodily health. If you have oral or gum disease, the bacteria from that disease can spread to the rest of your body from your mouth. More and more research is being done on how gum disease can be liked to diabetes, heart disease, and some kinds of cancer as well.
Myth 3: Eating Sugar Gives You Cavities
Eating sugar can contribute to cavities, but it is not the main cause. Sugar attracts bacteria that eat the sugar and produces an acidic compound as a result. This acid is responsible for decaying the teeth and causing cavities. So, as long as you brush well and clean your teeth after eating sugar, you don’t have to worry about cavities.
Myth 4: It’s Okay for Gums to Bleed When You Brush or Floss
Bleeding gums are a sign of inflammation. Healthy gums should not bleed as a result of brushing or flossing. If you have frequent bleeding, you may have a buildup of plaque or the beginnings of gum disease. It would be a good idea to visit a dentist with this concern.
Myth 5: You Don’t Need to Brush Baby Teeth
Just because baby teeth will eventually fall out doesn’t mean they don’t need to be looked after and properly cleaned! Poor childhood oral health can lead to a lifetime of complications and poor adult oral hygiene habits. Children should be brushing their teeth as soon as their teeth begin to come in.
5 Facts to Be Aware Of
Fact 1: Not Brushing Your Teeth Before Bed Causes Tooth Decay
Our mouths produce more saliva during the day than when we are sleeping. Saliva provides a cleansing effect to our mouths and helps remove food particles. It is important to brush our teeth before we sleep at night to make up for the reduced cleansing from saliva. Brushing removes any leftover food from the day that could cause tooth decay.
Fact 2: Regular Visits to the Dentist Help Prevent Oral Disease
In the early stages of cavity formation, tooth decay, and many gum diseases, you may not experience any symptoms or pain. This leads to oral diseases going untreated. With regular visits to the dentist, your dentist can catch the oral disease before it gets to an advanced stage.
Fact 3: Flossing Removes 80% of Plaque Buildup
If you want to avoid a buildup of plaque along your gums and skip out on visits to the dentist for scaling, we suggest flossing daily. Many people do not believe in the benefits that flossing can provide you. It is proven that flossing removes up to 80% of all plaque buildup on your teeth.
Fact 4: Tongue Scraping Should Be a Part of Your Oral Hygiene
Your tongue can harbor bacteria that cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum infections. While you may be brushing your teeth every day, you should also scrape your tongue. Regular tongue scraping can improve taste, overall hygiene and prevents bad breath.
Fact 5: Oral Diseases Affect 3.5 Billion People Globally
Oral diseases like cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer are more common than you would think. Almost half of the world’s population, nearly 3.5 billion people, have some form of oral disease in their lifetime.
Long Island Endodontics – Endodontics NY
Long Island Endodontics is a dental practice that specializes in root canal treatment and oral surgery. Our team works hard to ensure that every customer receives quality care, pain-free services, and a comfortable experience.
Call us at (516) 670 1596 or send us an email at [email protected] for more information. You can also visit our website to book an online appointment.
