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<\/a>You\u2019ve probably been told since you were little about the importance of brushing twice a day and seeing the dentist regularly, but how much do you really know about protecting your oral health? There are a lot of misconceptions floating around that can lead you to developing bad habits that will ultimately harm your teeth \u2013 possibly even causing tooth loss. Here are 5 myths that every dentist would like to see debunked.<\/p>\n
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Some patients decide to skip their biannual dental appointments if they don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything wrong with their mouths. After all, if you do get a cavity, you\u2019ll know right away from the pain, right? Wrong. Tooth decay and gum disease don\u2019t always hurt; in fact, pain can be a sign that the infection has advanced to the point where more drastic treatment such as root canal therapy or tooth extraction is necessary. The goal of a dental checkup is prevention, whether that means stopping an issue from getting worse or making sure it doesn\u2019t happen at all.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s true that the government has removed flossing from its Dietary Guidelines for Americans, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean it isn\u2019t beneficial. Most dentists will still recommend that you floss daily in order to remove the plaque buildup between your teeth that you wouldn\u2019t be able to remove otherwise.<\/p>\n
Sugary snacks such as candy can definitely raise the likelihood of cavities, but foods that contain starchy carbohydrates \u2013 chips, pasta, crackers, bread and so on \u2013 can be just as much of a threat to your oral health. The starches may stay in your mouth and eventually break down into simple sugars that are eaten by the bacteria that cause decay. It\u2019s best to avoid these foods, but if you do eat them from time to time, remember to brush afterwards.<\/p>\n
You might think that infected gums are only a threat to your mouth, but it can contribute to some serious health issues in the long run. Studies have shown a link between gum disease and an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and certain kinds of cancers; the condition has also been connected to Alzheimer\u2019s and respiratory diseases.<\/p>\n
You might think that you\u2019ll be able to get a clean bill of health if you brush right before your dental appointment, but that likely won\u2019t be enough. If plaque isn\u2019t removed with daily oral care, it\u2019ll harden into tartar that you can\u2019t remove by yourself. You also won\u2019t be able to reverse inflammation in the gums with only a few days of flossing.<\/p>\n
These and other misconceptions can have a severe negative impact on your oral health. Speak with your dentist about your dental habits to identify any weaknesses you can work on; it just might save your smile.<\/p>\n