Do You Believe One of These Dental Myths?

The dentists of Blue Coast Dental are no strangers to dental misinformation, not just online, but with patients they speak to every day! Dental myths can be very harmful to long-term oral health, which is why we want to take a moment to bust a handful of the ones we hear the most often. The more you know, the better you’ll be able to take care of your smile and avoid costly restorative and emergency dental treatments going forward!

Myth #1: “You only need to visit the dentist when your teeth hurt.”

woman in dental chair, smiling, with dentist in background

If you’ve heard the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” then you already know the importance of routine dental checkups, even when there’s nothing wrong with your teeth.
By the time you start to notice issues like tooth pain or inflamed gums, it’s already too late to consider preventive dental treatments.
The Truth: Biannual checkups are not only necessary, but the best way to avoid dental problems and emergencies.

Myth #2: "You don’t need to floss.”

Brushing your teeth will never remove all plaque from teeth on its own. In fact, it’s estimated that brushing only cleans about 60% of the surfaces of teeth.
Flossing also works to remove food debris that gets stuck in between teeth and contributes to tooth decay.
The Truth: Flossing at least once a day will ensure your teeth are actually free of plaque, dramatically reducing your risk for cavities.

Myth #3: “Kids don’t need to brush their baby teeth.”

The moment baby teeth erupt, they can develop cavities. This generally occurs when oral bacteria from an adult finds its way into a child’s mouth (usually through shared utensils) or because a child was put to bed with a baby bottle (allowing issues like baby bottle tooth decay to develop).
The Truth:Parents should help their children practice oral care until they feel comfortable letting them brush on their own. Even then, we recommend supervising their oral care routine until they reach 6 to 7 years of age.

Myth #4: “Sugar causes cavities.”

Technically, it’s not the sugar that causes cavities. Rather, it’s the oral bacteria that consumes the sugar (as well as starches) in food, then produces plaque acids.
These acidic compounds stick to enamel and eventually develop into plaque and tartar.
The Truth:Oral care matters, but so does maintaining a diet that’s balanced and includes fruits and vegetables.

Myth #5: “Brushing harder and longer cleans teeth more.”

Not only do you not need to brush for more than two minutes at a time with gentle pressure to keep teeth clean, but overdoing it can actually damage enamel along the way.
Additionally, brushing for too long or with too much pressure can lead to gum recession, a condition where the gum tissue permanently pulls back and exposes vulnerable portions of the teeth.
The Truth:Don’t overdo your brushing habit, simply follow guidelines from our office and the ADA to keep teeth healthy.

Did you learn something new today? We hope so! If you are overdue for a dental checkup, don’t hesitate to give our office a call or let a friend or family member know about our new patient special. Blue Coast Dental accepts most dental insurance plans and is happy to schedule visits on Saturday for your convenience!

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