Don’t Bite Off More Than You Could Chew There are many of us who are believe so many things about our dental health that we have no clue sometimes if it is true or not. So, before it is too late, you should know if some myths are actually just myths or it there is some truth in it. Read on and be enlightened! FALSE: The more sugar intake that you have, the more tooth decay. Contrary to what everybody believes, we do not obtain tooth decay just because we have a lot of sugar intake. It is not exactly how much sugar you take. It is more of how long does the sugar actually stays in your mouth and teeth. So, for example, if one person eats gum or candies all the time, they are more prone to tooth decay. Gums and cadies stay in the mouth for long periods of time and this gives time for bacteria to form. However, the person that eats chocolate but brushes his or her teeth soon after, will not be prone to tooth decay that much. Without the sugar in the mouth, the acid inside cannot form bacteria. FACT: Citrus food and other acidic foods can cause tooth decay. We all think that because eating fruits is healthy for out body, it is also healthy for our teeth. We should know that too much acid in the mouth is not good for our teeth. It causes erosion on the enamel and decay soon after. This doesn’t mean that you should stop eating citrus fruits. It just means that you need to have everything in moderation and not to forget to brush regularly. MYTH: You will if your tooth is starting to have cavity. This is why most people are surprised when they go to their dentist. We think that once we have cavities, we will immediately know. The thing is that when cavities form, we are always unaware of it until we have a checkup. When we start to have toothaches, this means that it must be bad. This is why it is always recommended to have a regular checkup so that the dentist can take care of it earlier. Not have checkups could only lead to major treatments that can cost a lot of money. FACT: Cracks and chips on your teeth can lead to serious tooth decay. Cavity likes to hide in places where your toothbrush can’t reach. So, if you have cracks on your teeth or if you have chips on your teeth, that is the best hiding place for cavities. There are many reasons why people have cracks and chips. It could be because of an accident or as simple as grinding of the teeth. It would be better to have a dentist look at and find a way to fill those cracks. You can visit your family dentist such as www.manlyfamilydentist.com.au and find out more about your dental health.