Many of us are doing our best to care for our respective smiles, but we may be working with outdated or incomplete information. That’s why our Toluca Lake dentists have put together this short article, debunking some common dental myths. Let’s get started!
Myth 1: Brushing More Is Always Better
We all know that brushing your smile is crucial to maintain oral health. However, that does not necessarily mean that it is always better to brush as much as possible. Brushing too often and too vigorously can actually cause your dental enamel to thin and your gum tissue to recede. You want to make sure that you are not brushing your teeth right after you eat or drink something acidic, as acid exposure temporarily softens enamel. The best plan for most patients is to brush your smile in the morning and before bed, and to rinse your smile to refresh your mouth during the day.
Myth 2: Stop Flossing If Your Gums Bleed
It can be jarring to spot blood when you are cleaning your smile, and your first instinct may be to stop brushing or flossing until your oral tissues heal. However, if your gums are bleeding it could be a sign of gum disease; in this case, it is critical that you continue to brush and floss your smile as recommended by your dentist. As you clear bacteria from your mouth, your oral tissues will be able to heal.
Myth 3: Treat Bad Breath With Mints And Gum
You may think of malodorous breath as a bit of a trivial oral health issue—after all, can’t you just freshen your breath with mints or gum during the day? Mints and gum do deliver immediate results in masking unpleasant breath, however, they do not address the underlying cause of bad breath—bacterial build-up. And, if you are using mints or gum that contain sugar, you could be inadvertently compounding the problem.
We hope that this information empowers you to make healthy choices for your smile day to day. Remember you can always schedule a consultation with our Toluca Lake dentists to get some personalized guidance!