Myths That Can Be Harming Your Dental Hygiene

The Internet is full of amazing information and facts regarding your dental health, much of it accurate and helpful. However, the Internet also has a lot of information that hasn’t been scientifically proven. By buying into these myths, you may actually be doing more harm to your oral health than good.

3 Harmful Dental Hygiene Myths

Below are a few of the many misconceptions out there regarding the health of your teeth. Our goal is to help educate you so that you can avoid the myths and take the best care possible of your dental health!

• White Teeth = Healthy Teeth
• Avoid Brushing Gums That Bleed
• Flossing Is Less Important Than Brushing

The natural color of teeth will vary from person to person. A person with naturally yellow teeth may have excellent dental hygiene, while another person with glowing white teeth may have cavities and decay. The natural color of teeth has absolutely nothing to do with the health of the teeth.

If you brush your teeth, but not your gums, plaque may begin to build up on the gums, causing gum disease and gingivitis. This will cause the gums to be incredibly sensitive. Gums should be brushed no matter what. If your gums are prone to bleeding, make sure to brush gently, and at an angle to avoid irritation, but keep brushing them!

Many people skip flossing under the mistaken idea that brushing is more important. But did you know that flossing allows you to reach 33% of your tooth’s surfaces that your brush can’t reach? Avoiding the floss will allow cavities and decay to build up between the teeth, which can eventually turn into infection and gum disease.

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for your teeth is to follow the 3 general rules of dental hygiene – Brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit the dentist every 6 months for a dental cleaning and exam!

To schedule an appointment for your child, please contact Firestone Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. Our children’s dentist office is located in Firestone, CO!