7 Common Dental Myths & Misconceptions Debunked

A snow-white smile is the dream of many, and healthy teeth is the desire of all. Here we want to tell you about the myths surrounding topics related to dental health.

Myth #1. Brushing Once a Day is Enough Is Enough

While most everyone grabs their toothbrush and toothpaste to brush their teeth in the morning, many people’s pre-bed routine doesn’t include dental care, and their oral health suffers. There is a myth that brushing our teeth once enough is enough for good oral health, but brushing two times a day for two minutes is recommended to prevent gum disease, keep up tooth enamel, improve whitening, and reduce the bacteria that cause cavities.

Myth #2. Sugar Causes Cavities & Toothaches

While sugar and starches can contribute to cavities, it’s not the sugar itself that leads to a cavity – it’s the bacteria that eats sugar. Sugars and starches stick to teeth and attract bacteria, which then eat the sugar and produce acids that damage teeth and cause cavities. If you floss and brush your teeth this removes the acid buildup and keeps your teeth healthy.

Myth #3. If Your Teeth Don’t Hurt You Don’t Need to Go to the Dentist

The saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is particularly true when it comes to oral hygiene.  Many issues aren’t painful right away; for example, you usually won’t have cavities and gum disease in the early stages but if you wait until they hurt it’ll be a much bigger issue – sometimes even needing a root canal or tooth extraction. 
One of the main motivators for people to go to the dentist is tooth pain, but going in for regular dental exams is one of the best ways to make sure no dental issues arise. Proper dental hygiene includes regular dental checkups so that your dentist can deal with a small problem before it turns into a big one.

Myth #4. Diet Soda Is Fine Because There’s No Sugar

While diet soda doesn’t have the sugars that let bacteria thrive, it is very acidic. Not only does the acidity of soda weaken enamel, there are bacteria that like the acidic environment and cause further enamel decay.
Every time you take a sip of soda it makes your mouth more acidic, which hurts your enamel and leads to more bacteria. It takes about 20 minutes after every drink for your mouth to remove the acidity and restore the correct pH level.

Myth #5. Baby Teeth Aren’t Important – Kids Don’t Need to Brush Them

First, baby teeth are important because they create the space for adult teeth to line up and come in correctly. If baby teeth decay they drop out too early, which alters the amount of space and can cause adult teeth to grow in incorrectly.
Further, it is good to start good dental health habits when young. If someone doesn’t develop the habit of brushing and flossing their teeth as a child, they are less likely to as an adult, leading to various tooth health issues.

Myth #6. The Harder You Brush The Better

It seems like brushing your teeth hard would clean them better and remove more plaque, but that isn’t how brushing works. If you brush too hard, it can erode your tooth enamel, which actually makes you more likely to get cavities, not less. This is also why it’s better to use a toothbrush with soft bristles – so your enamel isn’t eroded.
Brushing too hard can also hurt your gums by making them get smaller and recede, which can expose tooth roots and cause sensitivity and pain.

Myth #7. You Don’t Need to Floss if You Brush Regularly

This is a common misconception, probably because many people don’t want to take the time to floss. Only about 20% of people never floss, and of those who do only 40% do it daily.
Flossing is important because it removes buildup between teeth where a brush can’t reach, getting rid of teeth-harming plaque. By flossing regularly, along with brushing, you give yourself the best odds of having a clean, pain-free smile.