Hear a Dentist Debunk These 4 Common Dental Myths

With the advent of the Internet, it can be difficult to know exactly what is true about dentistry and certain treatments and what is in fact exaggerated or just a total myth. As a person who cares about their oral health, it’s likely that you may have heard a few of the following myths regarding dentistry, but didn’t know they were myths to begin with! Thankfully, with the help of a dentist in South Jersey, you can stay more informed. Here are the four most common myths dentists hear on a regular basis.

White Teeth = Healthy Mouth

It’s common for people to assume that a white smile means a healthy smile, but this is not always the case. You can still have cavities and oral infections present and still have white teeth because these issues are generally not visible in your smile. White spots on teeth can actually mean there is a calcium deficiency or excessive plaque buildup occurring.

With that said, just because your teeth are not white does not mean that your teeth are unhealthy. Your natural tooth color can vary and in many cases it is purely cosmetic.

Teeth Whitening is Harmful

There’s a common myth that the bleaching ingredients in whitening products, over-the-counter or professional-grade, damage tooth enamel. The reality is they are safe for your smile as long as they are approved by your dentist. This myth stems from the fact that hundreds of years ago, people did use very acidic compounds to whiten teeth, which did in fact remove and damage enamel. Modern-day whitening often uses carbamide peroxide, which may cause minor teeth sensitivity but does not cause permanent damage to teeth.

Brushing Gum Tissue Causes Bleeding

If you notice blood after brushing, it’s likely because you have gum disease, not because you’re simply brushing your gums too hard. If you notice blood after a few days, it’s likely that you’ve developed gingivitis and just need to pay closer attention to your daily oral care. You may also want to make sure your next dental checkup is scheduled so you can avoid problems later. Make sure to always use a soft-bristled toothbrush and only brush for about two minutes at a time twice a day. Always floss once daily.

The More Sugar You Eat, The More Cavities You Get

While you should always pay close attention to your sugar-intake, it’s important to recognize that it’s the amount of time that your mouth is exposed to sugar, not just the amount of sugar you consume.

Simply put, the more time your mouth is exposed to sugar is far more harmful than the actual amount of sugar consumed. For example, sipping on a soda throughout the day consistently bathes your mouth in sugar, giving oral bacteria more opportunities to create plaque acids which damage enamel. This is significantly different than eating a bunch of candy bars in one sitting, albeit you should still avoid this practice.

Were you surprised by these myths? Need to schedule your next dental appointment? Give our office a call!

About the Practice

Drs. David Crescenzo and Joe Montalbano are dedicated to keeping patients informed no matter what treatment they intend on completing. Their expertise is sure to keep your oral health in check, whether you’re interested in pursuing preventive or cosmetic dentistry. To learn more about their practice, you can contact them through their website.