You’re probably already aware of the common oral or dental care practices because there are a lot of resources for these, from your dentist, magazines, as well as from the internet. However, the latter can also be a place where you can find articles and blogs that regrettably promote ideas and misconceptions that cannot be any more untrue – it can even be harmful at times if you in believe them.
To make sure that you don’t fall for some of the common myths associated with oral and dental care, we have gathered some of them to shed some light on the matter and debunk them accordingly.
The harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth will be
If scrubbing the floor will get rid of unwanted stains, it only makes sense that your teeth will be cleaner if you brush harder, right? No – quite the contrary, actually. If you brush at the wrong spot, or approach at the wrong angle, your teeth may not be cleaned properly. If you brush your teeth too hard, you could end up destroying your toothbrush or getting mouth ulcers. Furthermore, brushing your teeth harshly can cause damage to the tooth enamel and gum tissues, resulting in the development of receding gums. Once a particular spot on your tooth has been cleaned, move on to another spot to clean the unclean areas.
As a good practice, brush your teeth carefully and gently, but with sufficient force so that you can dislodge and remove any food particles and bacterial plaque that might be stuck on and in-between your teeth. Doing so can also prevent you from getting gum disease and stimulate blood flow into your gums, which can be beneficial because oxygenated blood rejuvenates your tissues.
The whiter your teeth, the healthier it is
This is an idea that most people have because they equate whiteness with cleanliness, but this isn’t necessarily the case with your teeth. In its natural state, teeth have a very light shade of yellow, but they can be whitened with professional teeth whitening services. But that doesn’t mean that the more yellow the teeth are, the healthier they are because discoloured teeth may be dirty, stained or damaged.
To keep your teeth healthy, see to it that you observe proper oral care by brushing twice a day for four minutes each time. Doing so will help maintain the light yellow shade of your teeth – or whiteness if you had them whitened by a dental professional. But if you do happen to have discoloured teeth, speak to your dentist so they can make the proper assessments and provide you with the solution.
Gum disease is only an oral health problem
Most people think that because gum disease happens in the oral region, the complications and consequences are limited to the mouth as well. However, to think so could be detrimental because the signs of gum disease mean there is more going on in your body. As a matter of fact, studies have found a link between gum disease and serious complications such as heart diseases, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer.
When you develop gum disease, the blood vessels are swollen and permeable, which allows bacteria or toxins to find their way into your circulatory system and wreak havoc easily. To keep gum disease at bay, it’s important for you to not just to brush your teeth twice a day, but also to floss so that you can clean the areas that toothbrushes can’t reach.
Everyone’s gums bleed when brushing
It’s easy to think bleeding gums are normal because it only happens when you brush your teeth. But if there’s one thing that most mouthwash commercials tell us, it’s that bleeding gums indeed aren’t normal. When you notice traces of blood while brushing your teeth, it can be an indication that there is an ongoing inflammation due to excessive plaque buildup.
When your oral health is in check, your gums will only bleed if you brush too hard or get unfortunately injured in that area. Otherwise, you might need to reinforce your oral care regimen and visit your dentist so that they can provide you with the necessary treatment to get your gums back to full health.
Regular dental checkups are unnecessary
People often have the idea that if you’re not experiencing any oral health issues such as toothache, sensitivity, or bleeding gums, you don’t need to visit a dentist. However, regular dental checkups are a must because, sometimes, oral health issues don’t manifest until they get very serious. Doing so will make sure that these issues are nipped into the bud so that you can keep your health in check and confidently flaunt a smile.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a dental clinic that can help you maintain maximum oral health, look no further than BigSmile Dental, where a beautiful smile is more than just straight teeth. For over 30 years, we have been striving to provide extraordinary service and dental solutions that are high quality, comfortable, and affordable. On top of that, we also cater to orthodontic concerns by providing treatments such as lingual braces and ceramic braces in Singapore! Call us at +65 6734 0007 to book an appointment today!
Location
10 Sinaran Drive, #11-18
Novena Medical Centre
Singapore 307506