8 Oral Health Myths That Should Be Addressed ASAP

Even though there is a lot of information about teeth and gums, many people still spread some myths and misconceptions about oral health. In addition to the fact that most of them are ridiculous and groundless, they can mislead you and do more harm than good. In this article, we have gathered eight oral health myths that should be addressed ASAP.

1. You can brush your teeth once a day
Indeed, tooth brushing once a day is better than nothing, but it is not enough to maintain proper oral hygiene. The point is that bacteria that linger in your mouth tend to multiply actively if you don’t remove them regularly. These bacteria cause gum inflammation, produce acids that wear out your tooth enamel, and cause bad breath. So if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need to brush your teeth twice a day and use dental floss once a day. 

2. Gum bleeding during tooth brushing is normal
It is important to understand that healthy gums shouldn’t bleed. If you have noticed that your gums are bleeding during tooth brushing, it can be a sign of gum disease. Don’t delay your dental appointment since advanced gum disease can cause pis between the teeth, loose teeth, gum recession, and tooth loss. 

3. Teeth whitening can ruin your teeth
Many people don’t bleach their teeth since they think that teeth whitening can ruin their tooth enamel. However, modern teeth whitening performed by professional dentists is completely safe. You may experience mild teeth sensitivity after the procedure but it goes away in a few days.

4. Tooth decay in baby teeth can be left untreated
There is a common misconception that there is no need to treat cavities in baby teeth since they fall off soon. But if your child has tooth decay in baby teeth, you need to make an appointment with a pediatric dentist. If left untreated, tooth decay can affect permanent teeth that develop in the jaw. Additionally, your child may undergo fluoride treatment to prevent cavities. 

5. Gum disease affects smokers and elderly
Even though smokers and the elderly are more prone to gum disease, this condition can affect everyone. The point is that gum disease occurs because of bacteria overgrowth. This means that both children and adults who don’t maintain proper oral hygiene are at risk of gum disease. To prevent the development of gum disease, you need to maintain proper oral hygiene and visit your dentist on a regular basis.

6. You can treat a cavity at home
If you have a cavity, you should make an appointment with a dentist to fill it. Even though there are home remedies and pain medications that can help ease symptoms of tooth decay, they can’t treat a cavity. During the treatment, the dentist will remove the damaged tissues of the tooth and fill the cavity with a special filling. 

7. Oral thrush affects only infants
Oral thrush is a condition that occurs when the number of Candida fungi in your mouth increases dramatically. It causes white patches, soreness, light bleeding, loss of taste, and irritation in the mouth. This condition is more common for babies and the elderly. But people who have a weakened immune system, diabetes, vaginal yeast infection, or take certain medication can also get oral thrush. 

8. You should visit a dentist only if you have some symptoms
It is important to understand that many oral issues cause mild symptoms or even develop asymptomatically. Obvious symptoms may occur only when a condition becomes advanced. A professional dentist can recognize many signs of oral issues and perform timely treatment.