Let’s take a look at 3 popular dental myths and fact check them.
1. Bleeding gums are normal.
Bleeding gums are a concern because they can be a sign or symptom of many other underlying issues. Your gums can indicate gingivitis, gum disease, incorrect brushing or flossing technique and other issues inside your mouth.
Gums are connected to your overall health. Bleeding gums are associated with diabetes, leukemia, vitamin deficiency, and more. If bleeding gums are a frequent concern for you, be sure to mention this to your dental or medical provider.
2. Cavities in baby teeth don’t matter since you will lose them anyway.
Baby teeth hold space for and ensure that permanent adult teeth can erupt and grow in correctly. If cavities in baby teeth are ignored, it can lead to infection, swelling and pain. Cavities can also cause trouble chewing and may even lead to malnutrition. It’s important to seek your dentist’s opinion on the best treatment for a child’s cavity.
If the tooth is or may become loose soon, the dentist may recommend removing it. If not, the dentist will recommend treatment to prevent the cavity from worsening. To ensure a lifetime of good oral health, it’s important to get started early.
3. Harder brushing and more toothpaste get your teeth cleaner.
Brushing your teeth harder does not get them cleaner and doing this repeatedly can actually cause damage to your teeth and gums. Unless otherwise instructed by your dentist, you should use a soft bristled toothbrush and hold your toothbrush with your fingertips rather than your palm. You can also use an electric toothbrush – they often have sensors to let you know if you are brushing too hard.
For adults, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is enough to effectively clean your teeth. However, if you like to use a little more, it won’t cause any harm. You may just go through the tube a little faster.
For children, using too much toothpaste can cause issues if they cannot spit out all of it. Swallowing too much fluoridated toothpaste can cause stomach upset, damage to enamel, and may even lead to fluorosis. Children under 3 years old should use a smear of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice, but only after they are able to spit.
This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.
