I’ll start with this; I have an irrational fear about dentists so, I can understand that there are a lot of myths circulating around the internet about dentists. But, these myths need to be debunked because oral hygiene is key to good health, and you need to visit your dentist twice a year. Even though I fear and even hate dentists, I still go to my annual visits because I fear tooth decays more than dentists. Most of the myths out there about dentists out there are clearly fake and misleading and are, in my opinion, fear-mongering in nature, and we need to debunk them.
#Myth 1- Bleeding gums are entirely natural
Take a wild guess and ask yourself if this is true or not; you have a 50% chance of being right. But, I’ll save yourself the trouble and tell you that it isn’t natural; you shouldn’t bleed when you floss or brush your teeth. If you find yourself bleeding while flossing or brushing your teeth, it might be a sign of inflammation. Inflammation may be caused by excessive buildup and might be the sign of onset gingivitis. If you find yourself bleeding whenever you floss or brush your teeth, you ought to contact your dentist.
#Myth 2- Flossing is not necessary
This is also 100% untrue, and flossing is integral for your teeth to stay in good health and is a way for you to maintain good oral hygiene. According to the studies conducted on oral health, studies found out that 1 out of 5 Americans have never flossed, and about 40% of Americans floss daily. Flossing is really necessary for good oral dentists because it removes about 80% of the plaque in your teeth and they promote tooth decay.
#Myth 3- Sugar causes cavities
This myth is as old as time and has been passed down through generations because my grandma has been telling me this prior to the invention of the internet. While sugar does contribute to the formations of cavities but it is not the sole reason for cavity formation and is not the cause or root of the problem. It is the bacteria inside your mouth that feeds on the sugar and other starches, and they act any food residue in your mouth and create acid compounds that will create and promote the formation of tooth decay. Rinsing and watching your mouth after every meal reduces plaque buildup and acid formation, which prevents tooth decay.
#Myth 4- Brushing harder means your teeth are cleaner
Well, this sounds like it works like because you are actively cleaning your teeth, and brushing harder should mean that your teeth are cleaner, right? Well, no, it doesn’t; it’s counterproductive to oral hygiene and is another way to damage your teeth further instead of cleaning them. This can cause trauma to your teeth, enamel, and gum tissues, which can eventually lead to gum recession. The proper way to take care of your teeth is to brush them gently for two minutes twice a day and make sure that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush to do this.
#Myth 5- White teeth are healthy teeth
White teeth are not a sign of healthy teeth, and something this is far from reality. Our teeth’ journey begins as white, but over time, they discolor through damages or straining because of wear and tear and the things we eat. Whitening your teeth may leave underlying discoloration issues unaddressed, and it might be an issue in the future. If you find that your teeth are losing their luster, then speak to your dentist about it, and they will be able to help you and help you with how to fix it.
You shouldn’t believe everything that you read and see on the internet, and remember you need to use your critical skills to decipher the truth and the fake because a lot of thing on the internet is just there for clickbait. Sound off in the comments section below and tell us some of the myths about dentists that you believe.
