The health of your teeth and gums plays an important role in
your overall health and well- being.
Additionally, we all know that a beautiful white smile is
attractive. Dentistry is a popular topic
online because we all want to look and feel our best, but not everything you
read is the truth. Buying in to common
dental myths and misconceptions can actually hurt your teeth. Forest Lane Dental debunks some of the most
common dental myths.
If I Don’t See a Problem With My Teeth, I Don’t Need to See A Dentist
Probably the most common dental myth, and the one that costs
patients more time and money than anything else is avoiding the dentist in the
absence of visible problems. The truth
is, most dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease start off without any
symptoms. Cavities in the early stages
do not cause pain, but will continue to grow and require more extensive
treatment to repair them if they are not detected early.
Problems such as gum disease start off as
gingivitis- reddening of the gums and gums that bleed easily. Left unchecked and untreated, gingivitis
becomes a destructive infection that destroys gum tissue and breaks down the
bone that holds your teeth in! Only
through a combination of good personal dental hygiene and regular dental
check-ups can these problems be detected early and corrected with the least
amount of dental work and expense.
Brushing Twice a Day Can Damage Tooth Enamel
Nothing could be further from the truth. The American Dental Association recommends
brushing for two minutes, twice per day, the right way. When we eat, sugars and carbohydrates remain
on the tooth surface, providing food for destructive bacteria that lead to
cavities. It is important to remove this
residue and any resulting plaque to prevent breakdown of enamel and tooth
decay.
When using the proper brushing
technique with a soft bristled toothbrush, destructive processes are stopped in
their tracks, preserving the strength of tooth enamel. For best results, use a pea sized amount of
fluoride toothpaste on a soft bristled brush.
Brush the teeth and gums using small circles on each tooth surface to remove
plaque from tooth surfaces. Floss daily
to clean between teeth, because your toothbrush cannot reach the plaque between
teeth as well.
Placing an Aspirin Next to an Aching Tooth Will Provide Relief
Don’t try this home remedy.
Aspirin is an acid. Placing an
acid directly on the gum tissue around an aching tooth can cause a chemical
burn, damaging tissue and actually cause more pain. Aspirin is intended to be taken internally. For toothache pain relief, take an oral
medication such as Tylenol or Advil according to the package instructions. See a dentist right away- the only way to
provide relief from a toothache is to treat the source of the problem.
Taking Care of Baby Teeth Is Not Important Because They Will Fall Out Anyway
Teaching kids good dental habits from a young age helps set
them up for a lifetime of good dental hygiene and a healthy smile for
life. Although baby teeth fall out
eventually, if they become decayed, damaged or fall out too soon, it can cause
problems with your child’s bite, teeth alignment and other dental problems in
the future.
For answers to your dental health questions and to get on
track with good dental health, contact the office of Dr. Jack E. Burroughs at
Dallas’ Forest Lane Dental.
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