Feb
13
There are so many misconceptions about dental treatment and how to care for your teeth, so we thought it would be great to debunk a few dental myths.
- “The harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth will be”
- Did you know that brushing your teeth with harder force will actually cause more damage than good? Over brushing your teeth with hard force can wear down the enamel surface and damage the gums. This can also lead to sensitive teeth also. We always recommend to use a soft toothbrush and to not brush too vigorously.
- “If you have no problems, you don’t need to have regular dental check-ups”
- Having a regular dental check-up is a great way to make sure your oral health is in great shape. At these appointments your dentist will carry out a routine exam, clean off any plaque build up that you can’t brush off yourself, as well as check for any problems such as tooth decay. We recommend seeing your dentist every 6 months to make sure your mouth is in top shape and to identify any problems early on.
- “Caring for baby teeth is not as important as caring for adult teeth”
- Even though baby teeth are only around for a short period of time it is very important to make sure these teeth are well looked after as it contributes to the health of your baby’s gums and the future of their permanent teeth. Baby teeth maintain the space for their adult teeth and if these teeth are not cared for correctly this can lead to decay and gum infections which can affect the spacing of the adult teeth later on.
- “Diet drinks are better for your oral health”
- Many people believe that diet drinks are a better alternative and are much better for their oral health. However, this is not the case. While diet soft drinks contain less sugar, they can be highly acidic which can weaken the enamel and lead to cavities and tooth erosion. If you still choose to drink diet soft drinks, please see our tips below to lessen the affects:
- Use a straw when drinking to minimise contact with the teeth
- Rinse your mouth with water after finishing your drink
- Avoid brushing your teeth for 30 minutes to an hour after finishing your drink to avoid spreading any acids
- Avoid drinks that have acids listed on the ingredients
- “Braces are just for kids”
- Majority of people are under the impression that orthodontic treatment is only for children, but you can receive orthodontic treatment at any age. Dr Michael Zabik looks after the orthodontic treatment here at DBay Dental and he has even placed braces on a patient who was 72! If you are interested in orthodontic treatment or have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the practice.
- “My gums are bleeding so I shouldn’t brush my teeth”
- Sometimes you may notice a bit of blood when spitting out the toothpaste or when flossing. This can cause some people to worry and they avoid brushing their teeth until this ‘settles down’. However, this is the complete opposite to what you should do. The biggest cause of bleeding gums is when there is plaque build up along the gum line. To minimise this it’s best to maintain a good oral hygiene routine (don’t stop brushing or flossing!) and see your dentists if the bleeding gums still persists.
- “Root canal treatment is painful”
- Root canal treatment is used to treat the infected pulp of the tooth while maintaining the structure of the rest of the tooth. The patient is given anaesthetic prior to treatment and this is usually no more painful then having a dental filling. Check out a previous article about root canal treatment here.
- “I don’t need to see a dentist to clean my teeth, I brush at home”
- Following a good oral hygiene routine at home is great, but it is important to see your dentist for a professional clean every 6-12 months. At these cleaning appointments the dentist will remove any calculus build up. Calculus is hardened plaque which most commonly builds up behind the lower teeth as this area is difficult to clean with your regular toothbrush.
To book an appointment please phone 3203 0162 to speak to our friendly reception team or appointments can be booked online here.