Top 5 Com­mon Den­tal Myths You Should Stop Believ­ing Today

Believing misinformation about dental health could lead you to turn away from conventional advice and put your trust in those who don’t have your best interests at heart. Listening to health and wellness influencers on social media can occasionally be helpful if they share insightful information that makes your life easier. However, they are also known to spread dangerous information, so it’s vital to be able to tell the difference.

In this guide, we’re looking at some of the more dangerous myths that often do the rounds on social media. These misconceptions about oral health and caring for your teeth could lead to widespread issues if they are believed. Read on to learn more about the most common dental myths and why they could be bad for your health.

1. If your teeth don’t hurt, you don’t need to visit a dentist

There is a common misconception that you only need to visit the dentist if something is wrong. This means that many people are only prompted to remember to book a trip to the dentist because of pain, discomfort or a visible change in their teeth or gums.

Whether you simply forget to book a checkup or the thought makes you quite nervous so you try to avoid it, this is a dangerous belief. There is a reason that dentists will recommend that you visit at least once a year. It simply comes down to the fact that many dental problems will not be visible or obvious to you until it is too late and the damage is already done.

Pain is rarely the first symptom, so you can avoid it getting to this stage by simply visiting the dentist more often. This will allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and stop small issues from becoming more advanced issues.

2. Brushing can reverse the damage done by diet

Another harmful myth is that you can eat whatever you want, as long as you are brushing. While this may be true to a certain degree, there’s always more you could be doing to protect your teeth.

Remember that you only brush your teeth twice a day, and the choices that you make for the rest of the day will have a significant impact. Something as simple as stopping drinking fizzy drinks can have a huge impact on your oral health.

3. Only teenagers can have braces

If you missed out on NHS orthodontics as a teenager, you might be feeling robbed of the chance to have a perfect smile. Thankfully, this is simply a myth. There is no upper age limit for braces, so you are able to start treatment as an adult.

Another benefit of adult braces is that you’ll have more choice over treatment systems and can start at any time. You can also straighten your teeth even if you only have minor imperfections. This will result in fast treatment times that mean that you can achieve a stunning smile faster.

You also don’t have to settle for fixed braces, although this is still an option if you’re looking for a predictable and cost-effective treatment. You can also opt for clear and removable aligners that will allow you to enjoy a more discreet treatment.

4. It’s normal for gums to bleed if you’re brushing well

Another common myth that we hear is that bleeding gums is a sign that you are brushing well. The theory is that the bleeding is caused by your toothbrush and it’s a sign that you are being extra thorough. While intensive brushing could result in bleeding gums, this type of brushing would also likely lead to enamel damage so it should be avoided.

If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, you are either brushing too hard, or you are suffering from gum disease. Gum disease occurs when a buildup of bacteria near the gumline leads to inflammation of the gums. Inflamed gums are more delicate, so brushing will cause them to bleed, no matter how gentle you are.

If you notice that you spit out blood when you brush your teeth, it’s essential to get this checked to find out if gum disease, brushing technique or another issue is at play.

5. You shouldn’t floss if your gums bleed

Another misconception about bleeding gums is that flossing might be to blame. Rather than addressing the bleeding gums, some people believe that simply not flossing is the way forward.

It’s important to realise that not flossing might be the reason that you are suffering from bleeding gums. Around 40% of the tooth surface is between the teeth, so this can be an important breeding ground for bacteria. If this is allowed to build up, this can lead to inflammation that causes your gums to bleed when you brush and floss.

Rather than avoid flossing, bleeding gums is a sign that you really need to add flossing to your routine. A trip to the dental hygienists could also help you to get on top of your oral health care.

Ready to start ignoring the myths and getting your dental advice from the professionals? Book an appointment with our team today.