Debunking 5 Common Dental Myths

There is a lot of misinformation out there that can cause some confusion. Whether it is outdated info or just rumor that has been spread over and over again, we want to address a few of the common dental myths that we see online or hear in person. It is important that everyone takes care of their teeth and gums correctly. That is why we are going to discuss five of the most common myths, where they come from, and the truth behind them. If you are in the Greater Boston area and are looking to see a dentist, please give us a call.

Myth: Brushing Is More Important Than Flossing

This one should be immediately obvious based on how often you probably hear your dentist ask how often you floss. For one reason or another many people get it in their head that it is ok to skip flossing as long as you brush regularly. One reason this might happen is because we all know you are supposed to brush twice a day, but most dentists only recommend flossing once a day. The decreased frequency might make someone think brushing is more important. But flossing is just as important as brushing. No matter how good you brush your teeth, the bristles are not going to get fully in-between your teeth. Food and sugars from beverages can get tapped between your teeth and lead to bacteria growth. Brushing and flossing together is the only surefire way to protect your teeth.

Myth: Dental Crowns/Fillings Prevent Future Decay

This is a common misconception that is pretty easy to understand. While it is true that the filling material or crown material is not organic and won’t decay in the same way a tooth would, they won’t prevent decay either. In fact, a filling or crown can actually make a tooth more vulnerable. Decay can happen at the edge between a filling/crown and the tooth. This can lead to a “leaky” filling where liquid gets in the space between the filling and the tooth. If you have fillings or crowns you need to make sure to take special care of those teeth with brushing and flossing.

Myth: Dental X-Rays Are Dangerous

Many people who are worried about x-rays often get their fear from the precautions that we take during the x-ray process. First and foremost, dental x-rays use much less radiation compared to a medical x-ray. For example, an x-ray used to see the teeth in the jaw uses a similar amount of radiation from the radiation that come from phone screens and televisions. That said, it is common practice in every medical field to use lead-line materials to cover any area not being x-rayed as an extra precaution. Radiation in a high amount can be dangerous, but the radiation experienced during a dental x-ray is very small. That said, your dentist will often sit in a different room to keep themselves safe since they are likely doing dozens of x-rays a day.

Myth: Brushing Harder Makes Your Teeth Cleaner

Doing something more makes it better right? Not really. Brushing too hard can actually damage your gums. The goal of brushing is to remove plaque, food, and sugar that is sitting on the surface of your teeth and near the gum line. Brushing too soft or for too short of a period of time or with frayed bristles is ineffective. However, brushing really hard can also be ineffective. It is important to make sure you are using a good brush with bristles that aren’t frayed, that you brush for two full minutes, and that you don’t go too hard or too soft. You can always ask a dentist to demonstrate how to brush during your cleaning.

Myth: You Don't Need To Go To The Dentist If You Don't Have Any Oral Pain

One of the biggest myths is that you can skip the dentist just because you don’t have any obvious issues. Our teeth are not the best indicators of problems. Nerves for our teeth are deep inside so by the time you start to feel pain there is already a lot of decay. Preventative care is better in many ways. A cleaning and exam is cheaper, causes less discomfort and is quicker than needing extensive restorative work like tooth replacement.

Family Dental Services in Massachusetts

If you live in the Greater Boston area or in Revere Massachusetts and need a family dentist for your yourself or your kids, please give us a call. Nothing beats the benefits of seeing a dentist in person for your oral health. Call us or use our online appointment scheduling to get started!

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