Do You Believe These Four Oral Health Myths?
Let’s Find Out!

There’s a lot of hogwash going around when it comes to oral health facts! Today, we’re going to talk about four myths that we believe to be surprisingly common among patients.

1.Yellow teeth are unhealthy.

This is plain false! Teeth that aren’t perfectly white can be perfectly healthy, too. We consume many substances that naturally stain the teeth over time. But, whiter teeth are viewed as more attractive and could be assumed to be healthier. A whitening treatment with our dentist is a perfect way to dramatically brighten your smile. However, if your teeth are yellow because you smoke or chew tobacco – then you might want to think about quitting the habit sooner than later in order to look after your smile’s health.

2. Flossing is a waste of time.

This oral health myth couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone should be flossing daily in order to prevent gum disease and cavities that form in between the teeth. If you’re not a regular flosser, chances are, you definitely have gingivitis (the early form of gum disease) and your gums will bleed the next time you floss or even brush. This is because not flossing leads to an accumulation of bacteria build-up, creating the gums to become infected and inflamed. Please floss every day

3. Once you fill a cavity, you don’t need to worry about that tooth again.

Cavity fillings actually typically need to be replaced every 10-15 years, but can sometimes be more or less. It’s no big deal! Just make sure to see your dentist for regular check-ups (every 6 months) so that the status of your existing fillings can be monitored and changed if need be.

4. Sugar is the direct cause of tooth decay.

You might assume that sugar has been causing your cavities, but this actually isn’t the case! Sure, sugar and carbs fuel the decay process, but they aren’t what’s attacking your teeth. In fact, the bacteria in your mouth, namely a bacteria referred to as strep mutans uses the sugars you consume to create acids – and that’s what eats at your enamel, causing tooth decay and cavities.

So, do or did you ever believe any of these myths? Feel free to let us know!

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