By Stone Falls Dental Care · Published
TL;DR
Many beliefs about teeth lead people into habits that cause problems later, and the post corrects ten of them. Yellow teeth are not necessarily unhealthy, since enamel shade varies. Brushing after meals matters more than brushing first thing, and brushing alone is not enough without flossing and tongue cleaning. Regular scaling does not weaken teeth, wisdom tooth removal does not affect memory or eyesight, and brushing harder damages tooth surfaces. Sticky foods cause cavities too, bleeding gums should not be ignored, and checkups every six months catch problems early.
There are many myths related to oral health. These lead people to wrong practices, ultimately causing health issues. Untreated oral problems can lead to severe future complications. Clearing the following common misconceptions will help you improve your overall dental health.
White teeth are healthy, yellow teeth not so much. While white teeth may be healthy, the impression that yellow teeth are necessarily unhealthy is incorrect. The thickness and shade of the enamel can vary from person to person which can make teeth appear in color other than white. If you feel teeth are too yellowish, however, discuss whitening options with your dentist.
Brushing in the morning is more important than after meals. The fact is brushing after meals is more important than brushing before meals. Brushing after meals is the key to good oral hygiene as it will clean your mouth immediately.
Brushing suffices good oral health. In addition to brushing twice a day, cleaning your gums by flossing plus cleaning your tongue with a tongue cleaner should be done as the bare minimum for good oral health.
Regular scaling weakens your teeth. Regular scaling once in 6 months to a year only leads to good health and oral hygiene. It helps clean surfaces that otherwise cannot be cleaned with normal brushing, and when executed properly will not harm teeth.
Removing wisdom teeth impacts a person’s eyesight and memory. The evolution of our eating habits has reduced the size of our jaws, causing slanting and problems between adjacent teeth. In such cases it is recommended to get these checked by a dentist; their removal will not affect your memory or eyesight.
Brushing harder is better. A very common myth which ruins teeth surfaces and causes attrition. Work on your brushing technique: stroke from gums to teeth at least 20 times on each side using downward motion for upper teeth and an upward motion for lower teeth, preferably with a soft brush.
Only sweets cause cavities. Sticky foods can also significantly contribute to an acidic environment in the mouth, causing cavities. Remember to gargle or rinse with plain water after such meals, so that the layer formed on the teeth can be removed.
Oral health is not connected to your overall health. There is a proven correlation between your mouth and your body. Any bacterial infection in your mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause overall health issues, especially heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and more.
Bleeding gums can be normal. Bleeding gums may be indicative of other underlying conditions, such as nutritional deficiencies or diabetes, and should not be ignored. Periodontitis (gum disease) can lead to teeth mobility and loss. They are also related to heart diseases and can be avoided if proper oral hygiene is practiced. To keep the entire oral structure intact, missing teeth should be replaced immediately. Smoking and alcohol usage should be reduced or stopped and if any changes in the inside of the mouth are noticed then a dentist should be immediately consulted.
You need to visit the dentist only in pain. Precaution is better than cure, as the old adage says, and if a dental problem is diagnosed on time, it can be really helpful in saving the tooth. Visit a dentist every 6 months for regular check-ups to catch the problem early so that the treatment is neither extensive nor expensive.