6 Dental Myths BUSTED!

There is a lot of disinformation out there on the internet. Dr. Hamilton is here to bust a few DENTAL MYTHS!

MYTH 1.) Brushing harder cleans your teeth better.

Absolutely NOT! Many people think that the harder you brush, the quicker you can finish brushing and the cleaner you teeth will be. This is simply not true. You can do a lot of damage by brushing too hard, such as brushing away gum tissue, brushing away root surface, and toothbrush abrasion. So be thorough, but not rigorous!

MYTH 2.) If your teeth are white, they are healthy.

Even if your teeth look good on the outside, it doesn't mean they're doing well on the inside! Teeth don't have to hurt for them to be unwell. It is important you see a dentist regularly to let them check the places you cannot see. Your smile may look great, but on the inside you may have unseen issues.

MYTH 3.) Charcoal toothpaste is better than regular toothpaste.

Charcoal toothpaste is much too abrasive for teeth. So abrasive, in fact, that you can actually brush away your enamel, which is the outside surface of the tooth. This exposes dentin, which is the darker yellow underneath your teeth -  making your teeth more dull and less bright.

MYTH 4.) If your mouth doesn't hurt, you don't need to see a dentist.

You need to see a dentist at least once every 6 months. Even if everything feels fine and nothing hurts, there still could be underlying issues with bone, gum tissue, areas between the teeth, etc. A dentist can see these areas with x-rays and examinations and be sure all is well.

MYTH 5.) Kids don't need to brush their baby teeth.

This is absolutely incorrect! Good dental hygiene habits should be established early on. Children need to learn to brush their teeth and develop good oral care. It is true, these baby teeth do eventually fall out, however, these teeth are maintaining space so that there is room for the adult teeth to come in. If those teeth break down or are lost prematurely, those spaces are no longer there for the adult teeth to come in the right place. So, you can guarantee that your children are going to need braces if they don't take care of their baby teeth!

MYTH 6.) Bleeding gums are normal.

If tissues are bleeding, that is NOT normal. In health, things don't bleed. Your gum tissues bleed because they are unhealthy. With good oral care and flossing, the gums will cease to bleed.

Hopefully Dr. Hamilton has helped clear up some of the myths that are out there. If you have any issues or questions, call or text us to make an appointment at 404-816-2230!