Common Dental Myths Busted by Our Dentist Office

As a local dentist office, we are asked many questions about oral health. It is normal for people to come in with a health condition that needs to be addressed and was brought on by misinformation. Myths tend to circulate from time to time and cause confusion when they do. Some have been around for generations, and as a local dentist, we are always trying to combat them so our patients can be educated and informed. We encourage you to ask questions when you visit our dental office so we can shed light on any oral health issues that you are dealing with or curious about. In the meantime, here are a few common myths and the truth about oral health.

Myth #1: Flossing is not important.

The Truth – In our dentist office, we stress the importance of flossing because it is the best way to fight gum disease on a daily basis. When you eat, food particles can become trapped in between your teeth and plaque can start to form. Plaque is the sticky substance that develops when the bacteria in your mouth colonize on your teeth. Brushing will remove most of it, but flossing gets into the places where your toothbrush cannot. The problem is that if you do not floss, the plaque can become trapped, and you could develop gum disease. If you do not like to use traditional floss, buy a flossing tool at the store and use it once a day to improve your oral health.

Myth #2: Using a hard toothbrush will give me the best clean.

The Truth – You are actually more likely to get the best possible clean with an electric or battery-operated toothbrush. However, if you do not have one, we recommend that you use a soft toothbrush instead. We can teach you how to use it in our dentist office, so you get the best possible clean without irritating your teeth, something that can happen with a hard toothbrush.

Myth #3: Baby teeth do not matter.

The Truth – This is one of the most dangerous myths because it leads many parents to neglect the health of their children's teeth. The truth is that baby teeth can experience decay just like adult teeth, making it important to brush them twice a day and visit a dentist for annual teeth cleanings. Baby teeth need to remain in place until the adult teeth are ready to come in, because they hold a space for the permanent adult teeth to go, as well as make it possible to develop clear speech patterns and smile boldly.

Myth #3: Root canals are painful.

The Truth – When you visit our dental office, we can remove the infection from your tooth using a root canal. This is a standard procedure we perform on a regular basis, and we do so without causing patients any discomfort. We can provide you with medication so you do not feel anything other than slight pressure. Afterward, you will feel significantly better than before your root canal.

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