Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
You can find an extensive amount of information online when seeking tips for proper oral health care. Unfortunately, not all sources provide truthful information, resulting in believing false or misleading oral care practices that could cause damage to your teeth and gums. Fortunately, our Greeneville family dentists at Tusculum Dental Care share nine oral health myths that you shouldn’t fall for to maintain good oral health.
Myth One: Gums that bleed are OK
Seeing pink in the sink when brushing or flossing is common, although that doesn’t make it OK. Bleeding gums could be a sign of inflammation caused by excessive plaque and harmful bacteria. They can also be the beginning sign of gingivitis or gum disease. Therefore, if you notice bleeding while brushing your teeth, it’s time to contact our Erwin dental office to schedule an appointment for a checkup and cleaning. It’s essential to get your bleeding gums checked by the dentist because the condition will likely worsen without treatment.
Myth Two: Brushing hard = Better clean
Even though brushing your teeth harder to remove more bacteria may make sense, the activity is counterproductive to good oral health conditions. For example, the harder you brush, the more damage can occur to tooth enamel and gums. In many cases, brushing harder can lead to gum recession or enamel erosion. Therefore, we recommend patients brush gently with a soft-bristled brush for two minutes, twice a day.
Myth Three: Flossing is not necessary
According to the American Dental Association, flossing your teeth once per day helps remove food debris and bacteria between the teeth and below the gum line. Our Greeneville family dentists explain that flossing can help remove up to 80% of plaque trapped between teeth. Therefore, you can reduce your tooth decay risk when you floss daily.
Myth Four: Chew gum instead of brushing your teeth
There is no substitute for brushing your teeth. Even though chewing gum can improve your breath after a meal and help reduce oral bacteria, it fails to reach the nooks and crannies where food debris and bacteria prefer to hide. Furthermore, choosing a sugar-filled gum can increase harmful bacteria production and create adverse effects on your oral health. Therefore, our dentists recommend that patients choose sugar-free gum varieties to stimulate saliva production and then, brush their teeth as soon as possible to prevent oral health damage.
Myth Five: A white smile is always healthy
Brighter teeth are not always the healthiest. Teeth stain or discolor because of what you eat and drink. Certain lifestyle habits like using tobacco products also stain teeth. Although a teeth whitening session may brighten your smile, it may not address the underlying discoloration cause. Therefore, if you notice a dull or dingy smile, call our Jonesborough dentists that offer teeth whitening services to determine the discoloration cause and receive the appropriate treatment.
Myth Six: Charcoal toothpaste cleans better
Charcoal toothpaste is an over-the-counter product marketed to people looking for a teeth whitening option. Unfortunately, charcoal toothpaste fails to protect teeth and prevents them from absorbing protective agents that keep them healthy and strong.
Myth Seven: Children don’t need to brush baby teeth
Practicing good oral health care with your child starting as soon as the first tooth emerges can instill a lifetime of healthy oral care habits. Teaching healthy brushing habits can also reduce adolescent oral health complications, like gum disease and cavities. So, contact our Erwin pediatric dentists for an appointment after you discover your child’s first tooth.
Myth Eight: Tooth enamel loss is responsible for sensitivity
Tooth enamel loss may lead to sensitivity, but it’s not the only cause. Some patients grind their teeth while sleeping (bruxism), and other patients have receding gums. Unfortunately, the result is brittle teeth that can chip, crack, or break easily. However, we offer treatments to help these conditions and lessen your sensitivity.
Myth Nine: Gum disease only affects your mouth
Gum disease is the result of a bacterial infection that can enter your bloodstream and spread to other body areas. Unfortunately, adverse conditions may develop, such as diabetes, heart disease, or some forms of cancer. Therefore, our Greeneville dentists encourage people to schedule an oral health checkup and cleaning once every six months to prevent bacteria buildup.
Family Dentists in Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin, Tennessee
Visiting a dentist is the easiest way to find more information about oral health truths. Our family dentists at Tusculum Dental Care aim to provide the best information to our patients for their care. If you need to schedule a checkup or cleaning, please contact Tusculum Dental Care at (423) 639-7575 or contact us online.