Myth Busters: Dentistry Edition
At Dental Care of Boca Raton, one of the things we enjoy most is talking to patients. We love learning about your families, seeing pictures of your pets, hearing about your crazy co-workers, and finding out about your dental and overall health. Not only do these conversations help us get to know you and make you more comfortable when you come in, it allows us to keep our fingers on the pulse of patient education. When you are correctly informed, our job becomes easier. To that end, here are a few common dental myths that we’d like to bust:
Myth #1 – Bleeding Gums Should Not Be Flossed
Nope. Your gums are probably bleeding because you don’t floss regularly. When you fail to floss daily, bacteria build along (and eventually beneath) the gumline, causing inflammation, tenderness, and bleeding. If your gums are bleeding, start flossing immediately and schedule an appointment with your dentist to be sure you don’t have gum disease.
Myth #2 – More Brushing = Better Dental Health
Back away from the toothbrush! Brushing your teeth for two minutes after each meal is plenty. If you brush more or if you scrub aggressively when you do brush, you could be damaging your enamel. Enamel is what protects your teeth from decay, so be kind to your teeth and use a soft brush and max out on brushing three times a day.
Myth #3 – Whitening Damaged Teeth
False. Under the supervision of your dentist, teeth whitening is perfectly safe. We carefully consider your whitening goals and devise a treatment plan that is both safe and effective. While you may experience some sensitivity after a whitening treatment, your teeth are fine. If the sensitivity does not subside within a few days, see your dentist find out if there is another condition that may be affecting you.
Myth #4 – Toddlers Don’t Need Dental Care
Wrong again. While those adorable little baby teeth will eventually fall out, dental care is necessary as soon as your child cuts his or her first tooth. This allows us to make sure the teeth are coming in as scheduled, helps us prevent bite issues, and establishes a positive association with dental health. Brush that tiny tooth and call us to schedule an appointment.
If you’d like us to set you straight about some other common dental myths, contact Dental Care of Boca Raton to schedule an appointment. It’s our mission to keep you informed and keep that smile as healthy as possible.
