Do You Believe Dangerous Dental Myths?

As someone hoping to take great of your smile this year, have you considered that there could be dangerous misconceptions negatively impacting your oral health? When you believe common misconceptions about dental health, it can be difficult to properly protect your teeth and gums, much less to effectively prevent cavities and other common issues. Fortunately, your preventive dentist is a great source of information about what your smile really needs in order to stay healthy, and what more you can do to care for your smile between dental visits.

Myth: As long as I don’t eat too many sweets I can avoid cavities.

Many people think that eating a cupcake or other sweet treat is the biggest threat their smiles will face. Unfortunately, these same people sometimes unconsciously consume vast amounts of sugar in the beverages they drink, and other packaged foods that don’t seem all that sweet.

Since sugar is what the bacteria in your mouth feed on, the more sugar you consume the more likely you are to struggle with dental cavities and even gum disease. To prevent this, it is important to be careful about how much sugar you consume, not only in the form of desserts and other confections, but also in the form of sweetened beverages (everything from sodas to juices and smoothies) and even seemingly healthy foods like granola bars, crackers, and yogurts, which are often filled with added sugar.

To avoid the need for restorative dentistry, eat a well-balanced diet that is low in added sugar.

Myth: Flossing isn’t as important as brushing my teeth.

Brushing your teeth twice a day is important to maintaining good oral health, but flossing is just as imperative. That is because flossing is able to remove the food particles and bacteria that fall between teeth, where bristles are unable to reach. To best prevent against gum disease, flossing should be a daily part of your routine.

It’s also important to keep in mind that while mouthwash can be a great addition to a hygiene routine, it is no substitute for flossing and brushing.