There are common adages about teeth we’ve all heard before. Don’t eat too much sugar or your teeth will rot. You should never brush bleeding gums. You’ve probably heard one of these at least once in your life, but these are actually myths.To help arm you against misinformation, here are six common dental myths:
Bleach Products Weaken Teeth
Hundreds of people all across the Tulsa area want a cleaner, brighter smile, and probably use dental bleaching products to help achieve one. There is some apprehension to using bleach products, though, as some claim overuse of bleach products weaken teeth. Fortunately, whitening products don’t affect the durability of your teeth, only the color. Too much bleaching will make the teeth appear translucent, but this isn’t the enamel weakening. It is only a change in color. If you want to have a brighter smile, consider stopping by a Tulsa dentist for professional whitening treatment.
Don’t Brush or Floss Bleeding Gums
There are many factors which can lead to bleeding gums, and some people recommend it is best to leave them alone when they bleed. Isn’t brushing or flossing going inflame the gums more, and only cause more bleeding?Actually, no, you should absolutely brush your teeth when you have bleeding gums. If your gums are bleeding then deposits of bacteria have accumulated under your gum line, and you need to remove it. That should fix the bleeding. If your gums bleed when you floss, it probably just means you’re flossing too hard. Continue to floss, but floss gentler.If the bleeding is a regular occurrence and doesn’t stop, then visit a Tulsa dentist to make sure the problem isn’t serious.
Bad Breath Means You’re Not Brushing Right
It is easy to assume that bad breath is a result of poor brushing, but this isn’t always the case. There are many causes of bad breath, and you can still suffer from bad breath even if you take excellent care of your teeth. Sometimes very pungent foods can make your breath smell bad, but even medication can change your breath’s odor. In some cases, bad breath can be caused by medical conditions, too.
Gum Disease is Not Common
Unfortunately, this is not even close to the truth. Nearly 50 percent of adults from the age of thirty suffer from periodontitis in some form. Know the signs so you can take care of the problem quickly. For more information, take a look at our article “Signs of Gum Disease.”
Too Much Sugar is Bad for Your Teeth
Many of us enjoy a sweet treat every now and again. With moderation and good dental hygiene, we don’t have to worry about sugar discoloring our teeth, so surely if we eat sugar in moderation, it isn’t bad for our teeth.While this might seem like common sense, the truth is a bit more complicated. The amount of sugar consumed doesn’t actually affect your teeth, but how long the sugar is in contact with your teeth does. Your mouth’s natural bacteria and the sugar react and produce an enamel-eroding acid. Don’t think moderation is useless, though. The less sugar you eat, then the less time sugar will have contact with your teeth. Of course, a surefire way of dealing with this problem is good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth after eating sweets, and you’ll be okay.
Putting an Aspirin Directly on the Tooth Relieves Toothaches
Simply put, no, putting an aspirin on your tooth will do nothing to relieve a toothache. You will have to swallow it like you would for anything else. Only once you swallow it can the aspirin prevent the tooth from sending your brain pain messages.If you have any questions about other dental myths, visit a Tulsa dentist near you for more information.
