Mouth Myths Everyone Thinks Are True dentistwestjordanut.com /mouth-myths-everyone-thinks-are-true/ Kent Bladen
You never know how stories get started and become accepted as the gospel truth. We have been told a lot of flat out myths when it comes to the subject of our teeth. Listed below are a few examples of this type of misinformation that has been widely circulated throughout the years.
It’s Good to Brush Your Teeth Right After Eating How many times have you heard that you should brush your teeth as soon as you finish eating? Most people presume that this is correct because that is when you have the most debris on your teeth, and it needs to be removed promptly. However, this can be counterproductive to your overall goal of having a healthy smile. Brushing your teeth immediately after consuming food or acidic beverages can lead to a higher chance for erosion of your tooth enamel, because this is when you have the highest amount of acidity in your saliva. When combined with the abrasion of brushing, these acids result in undermining the hard surface of the enamel by gradually destroying it. Some dentists’ suggest rinsing your mouth out with water after eating to restore the pH balance, and then brushing about a half hour later.
A Dog’s Mouth is Cleaner than People’s Mouths Uh no, it is not! When you consider all the activities that dogs engage in, you will have no doubt these furry creature’s mouths are full of germs. For instance, drinking out of the toilet, licking their private parts, snacking on garbage, and the list goes on.
Although they are adorable, studies reveal their saliva harbors a variety of bacteria including E-coli, staph, and Enterobacter cloacae, which can cause urinary tract infections in humans. There has even been research revealing that periodontopathic bacteria in dogs can be passed on to humans. The rumor of dog’s mouths being cleaner than humans is believed to have come from archaic medical journals that mistakenly stated that if a human bit you, you had a higher risk of experiencing infection than if you suffered from a dog bite. Recent testing proves that this past theory was completely wrong and that our canine friend’s mouth is a hotbed of pathogens. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that pet owners need to practice stringent hygiene after handling their dog. To prevent the spread of bacteria, they recommend washing your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water.
Whiter Teeth are Healthier Teeth This is another statement that is not necessarily true. Healthy teeth come in a wide range of natural shades. Having extremely white teeth may be all the rage right now, but healthy teeth will never fall out of fashion. Your first concern should be about how you are taking care of your teeth; the color of them is secondary. The foundation of a great smile is having a daily oral routine in place, coupled with seeing a dentist to help support your efforts in keeping your teeth in great condition. In the past bleaching products were so acidic and caused demineralization of the tooth enamel. The consequences led to problems including sensitivity and a vulnerability to decay. However, these days the tools used for bleaching are much safer, because they have been created to have the same pH balance as your enamel. Even with today’s advancement in teeth whitening, you still need to be careful not to become addicted to over-bleaching. Over-the-counter kits are prevalent, but people must remember that the frequent use of these trays and strips can result in thinning of the enamel; the teeth’s natural pigmentation is altered causing them to look translucent. The color change does not always signify the weakening of the enamel.
Gum Disease is Not That Common On the contrary, gum disease is extremely common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease.
Specific Types of Gum disease include: Gingivitis – This denotes the beginning of periodontal disease. The gums become inflamed and are the consequences of sticky residue clinging to the teeth and gum line. Aggressive Periodontal Disease – Gingivitis left untreated will continue to contribute to the gums pulling away from the teeth and pockets form creating more space for plaque hide and produce more bacteria. Pyorrhea – At this phase, the condition of the gum disease has advanced and is affecting the bones that support the teeth. They have become eroded and infection is producing abscesses.
Brushing Bleeding Gums is Bad Brushing is not only good on teeth, but also on your gums and tongue. Gently brushing your gums can help get rid of tartar, which lowers your chances of developing inflammation, gingivitis, bad breath, and advance gum disease. The same process should be applied to the tongue as well as the roof of the mouth, and the insides of the cheeks. This can remove the mucus that overlays the bacteria on the
tongue and germs that reside in every part of your mouth.
You Will Know When You Have a Cavity Usually, by the time you discover the pain of having a cavity; it is too late, because more than likely it has extended to a larger area, prompting a more invasive action by the dentist than if it had been caught in the early stages. Cavities are common, most people do not feel or recognize the softening of the two protective layers, which are the enamel and dentin, until the decay reaches the nerves of the inner pulp. If the hole is big enough, it will cause an irritating reaction when they eat or drink something that is hot or cold.
Dentist West Jordan, Utah Regularly visiting the dentist will help him and you become aware of any small issues that may present themselves before they turn into larger problems such as infections and tooth extractions. Contact Dr. B. Kent Bladen, DDS in West Jordan, Utah for your next dental check-up.
westjordandentist@gmail.com • 801-441-2231 Facebook Google+ Twitter Pinterest
Kent Bladen Dentist at B. Kent Bladen, DDS Dr. Kent Bladen is the Owner/Proprietor of B. Kent Bladen, DDS. He and his staff work hard to ensure that their patients feel comfortable and relaxed while providing top notch dental care.
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