As a General Dentist , We Debunk Common Oral Health Myths

As a local general dentist, we are asked many questions about oral health. We welcome these conversations because it gives us the opportunity to provide you with information about how to keep your teeth and gums healthy. During these appointments, we are also asked questions that arise from oral health myths. The problem is, if you believe myths that are actually bad for you, it can lead to further oral health problems. For this reason, we recommend that you visit our office with any questions or concerns you have. In the meantime, here are a few myths we hear on a regular basis and the truths behind them.

Myth #1: If your gums are bleeding, they should be left alone.
The Truth – As a general dentist, we want to examine you if your gums are bleeding because that is usually a sign of gum disease. Gum disease is a leading cause of adult tooth loss, so it is important to do what you can to prevent it and have it treated immediately. We can help by deep cleaning your teeth and gums.

Myth #2: The natural sugar in juice and milk is not bad for you.
The Truth – All forms of sugar are bad for your teeth. As a general dentist, we recommend that you rinse your mouth after drinking anything that has sugar in it and brush your teeth two to three times per day. You should also avoid sugary foods and drinks whenever possible. If you have toddlers, be sure to keep this in mind, because many parents send their children to bed with a cup of juice or milk and end up with baby bottle tooth decay as a result. Stick with water instead.

Myth #3: Hard toothbrushes are best for your teeth.
The Truth – While it may seem like a hard toothbrush will give you a better clean, they can be bad for your teeth. Aggressive brushing can lead to enamel erosion and sensitive teeth. You have a limited amount of enamel, so if it is stripped away, your teeth could become sensitive and need to be protected with a bonding procedure or crowns. Instead, we recommend that you use a soft toothbrush or an electronic one. Apply steady pressure and brush in a circular pattern that begins at the gums and moves towards the center of the mouth. This will give you a good clean, but without the risk of erosion.

Myth #4: You can whiten your teeth with lemons.
The Truth – Yes, lemons can make your teeth look brighter, but the acid inside of them can harm your teeth and lead to erosion, just like if you were brushing too aggressively. It is unnecessary to do so because we can whiten your teeth safely in our dental office. Given the wide variety of procedures we offer and our in-depth expertise, we recommend that you call our office to ask any dental questions that you have.

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Signs You Need to See a General Dentist

It can be hard to visit a general dentist when life is so busy, but it should not be neglected. Visiting a general dentist can provide you with long-term protection against tooth decay and gum disease. If you have any of these questions, it may be a sign that you should see a dentist soon to receive care.

Q: Why are there white spots on my teeth?
A: Many people ignore spotting on their teeth, but white spots can be a sign of enamel wear and decay. If you have white spots on your teeth, you should visit our general dentist office.  We will evaluate the damage and provide proper preventative or restorative solutions. By seeing a dentist, you will avoid worse damage to your teeth.

Q: My teeth are stained— is there anything I can do to make them whiter?
A: Teeth staining is very common. Teeth become discolored and dull with age, and it can be hard to keep up with whitening. A professional whitening performed in our general dentist office can help your teeth stay white longer. We will select the right bleaching solution for the shade of white that you prefer.

Q: Why do I have a sharp pain in my tooth when I eat and drink?
A: Tooth discomfort or sensitivity to different food temperatures is often a sign of tooth decay. The thinner your enamel becomes; the more susceptible your nerves are to having sensitivities. As a general dentist, we can treat your cavities and provide you will relief from these symptoms.

Q: What is gum disease and how will I know if I have it?
A: Gum disease is also referred to as periodontal disease. This disease is a result of plaque and tartar build up in your gums. This buildup creates a great environment for bacteria growth. Gum disease can lead to long-term problems like tooth loss and receding gums. These symptoms are a good sign you may have gingivitis and/or periodontal disease: inflamed and bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, loose teeth, and general pain in your teeth and gums. If you have any of these symptoms, you should visit our dentist office as soon as you can to receive treatment.

Q: Why are my gums receding?
A: Gum recession needs to be checked out immediately. Gum recession may be the result of periodontal disease or another serious infection. Brushing your teeth too vigorously can also give you receding gums. Whatever you think the reason may be, we can treat your gum disease or show you how to brush your teeth correctly, without damaging your gums.

All of these problems are common and can happen to anyone. Visiting our general dentist office regularly can make your chances of infection and decay minimal. Take the initiative and visit us if you have any of these symptoms or if you have noticed any other abnormalities. Becoming familiar with your teeth and gums and seeing a dentist can help you avoid future problems.

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More of Your Questions Answered by Our General Dentist Office

As a general dentist office, we find that many people visit the dentist with trepidation.  Hollywood has done an excellent job of portraying dentist as people that like to pull teeth and use noisy dental drills on unsuspecting patients.  If this is your idea of dentistry – keep reading.  In real life, your visit to our office will be welcoming, enjoyable and pain-free.  We take the time to get to know our patients and address their concerns while helping our patients to relax.  A lot of it comes down to a conversation and taking the time to answer our patient's questions.  After all, by being informed you can become comfortable with the procedures that we are recommending.  Since many of these questions are similar from patient to patient, we have answered them for you here.

Will my cracked tooth need to be pulled?

Probably not.  In our dental office, we specialize in dental restorations.  That means that if your tooth is cracked, chipped or infected we can usually save it.  By using a dental crown, dental veneer or a bonding procedure we can restore the functionality and appearance of a damaged tooth so that it can remain in place.  Likewise, if a tooth is infected, we can remove the infected area so that it doesn’t need to be pulled.  Our goal is to keep as many natural teeth in place as possible because this is what is best for the jawbone in the long-term. 

Are there new ways to treat cavities?

Dental technology has continued to improve, and the tools that we use are better than they used to be.  They are both smaller and quieter which means that we can treat a cavity faster and with more precision.  As new technology develops, we will continue incorporating it into our general dentist practice.  

Why does my crown need to be replaced?

Many people make the mistake of thinking that a dental crown will last forever.  Forever is a relative term but how long it lasts is, in part, up to you. If you take good care of your teeth and gums, preventing infections, your crown may last for a couple decades.  In fact, some people have had a crown in place for over twenty years.  Most people, however, need to replace their crown around the ten-year mark.  This is often due to oral hygiene and what foods are eaten but regardless, the material crowns are made of is not meant to last forever.  That means that over time it will wear out. If you grind your teeth at night you are at further risk of it becoming damaged.  In this case, we recommend wearing a night guard to prevent your upper and lower teeth from touching.  By taking these precautionary measures, you can keep your crown in longer.  If, however, it does need to be replaced you need to do so quickly so that the tooth underneath does not become irritated. 

Can my filling blend in?

Yes, we in our general dentist office, we use a tooth-colored ceramic material for fillings.  This way no one can tell that you had dental work done after your cavity has been treated.  

Learn How to Brush Your Teeth the Right Way From a General Dentist

In our general dentist office, we help our patients to stay in good oral health by providing preventative care and educating patients on what they can do to stay healthy at home.  What you eat and drink can directly impact how healthy your teeth and gums are.  Your brushing and flossing habits also influence how healthy your mouth is, making it important to brush correctly.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that as long as they brush their teeth for at least two minutes, they will get a good clean.  This is partially true since brushing your teeth is better than not brushing at all.  However, how you brush your teeth is also important.  Here is what you need to know.

Start with the right tools.
If you are brushing with a hard toothbrush, you may be damaging your teeth.  A toothbrush with hard bristles can actually strip away enamel from your teeth.  This can make them feel sensitive both now and in the future.  A hard toothbrush, or brushing too aggressively, can also make your gums sensitive or cause them to bleed.  Throw it away and buy a soft toothbrush instead.  If you brush properly, you can get just as good of a clean without causing irritation.

As a general dentist, we also suggest that you try an electronic or battery operated toothbrush.  The bristles will move automatically, and you will get a more thorough clean as a result.  Regardless of which type of toothbrush you use, make sure to replace it every three months.  This way the bristles won’t fray, and you will consistently get a good clean.  If your brush is electric, simply replace the brush head.

Your toothpaste is also important.  Use toothpaste that is recommended by the American Dental Association.  Just look for the ADA seal on the bottle.  If you use toothpaste that contains fluoride, you can strengthen and protect your teeth.  They also make toothpaste for sensitive teeth that you can try.

Motion matters.
When you brush your teeth make sure that you move the brush in a circular pattern instead of moving it from the front to back.  This will help your teeth to stay cleaner while also preventing gum irritation.  It’s important to remember that you want to keep bacteria and plaque off of your gums.  When you brush, move everything away from your gums.  You can do this by starting at the gum line so if you are brushing your top teeth, brush downwards.  If you are brushing your bottom teeth, brush upwards.  Make sure that you apply even and gentle pressure, instead of brushing too aggressively.

In addition to brushing your teeth, make sure to floss on a daily basis so that food particles and bacteria can be removed from in between your teeth.  You can also use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill any remaining germs.  Make sure to visit our general dentist office at least twice a year so that we can clean your teeth and remove anything that you were unable to get by brushing and flossing at home. 

As a General Dentist We Treat Athletes That Have Injured Their Teeth

If you are an athlete, a trip to the general dentist is in order before you start the game.  According to the American Dental Association, the majority of adult tooth injuries are due to playing sports.  Since most adults only play casually with friends, this means that even a pickup game of basketball or tossing a ball with your kids can lead to tooth damage.  In order to protect your teeth, you need to keep them in good health.

We recommend that you have your teeth cleaned twice a year so that we can remove the bacteria and plaque from your teeth that can lead to a tooth infection.  It is important to keep your teeth cavity free and to prevent gum disease because if a random ball hits your face and there is an infection, your tooth will be more likely to break or be knocked out.  Think of it like a pond that becomes frozen in the winter.  A solid sheet of ice can support kids playing on it for hours, but one small crack can cause the entire thing to shatter when someone steps on it.  Teeth that are infected are like a pond with a small crack.  They cannot withstand the impact of something hitting them. 

It is also important to strengthen your teeth by brushing with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.  Fluoride is a mineral that when placed onto your teeth will help them to be stronger.  You can further strengthen your teeth by eating a healthy diet that contains lean protein, nuts, cheese, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables.  This, combined with trips to our general dentist office can keep your teeth and gums in excellent health. 

We also recommend that you wear a mouth guard while playing sports.  This prevents hundreds of thousands of injuries on an annual basis.  When considering high school and football players alone, the American Dental Association claims that over 200,000 injuries are prevented every year due to wearing a mouth guard.  When you consider how many different sports and age groups there are, it is clear that this simple device is a fantastic way to protect yourself from injury.  

If you take these precautionary steps and still injure your teeth, we can restore them in our general dentist office.  If a tooth is cracked or chipped, we can use a dental veneer to correct it by placing the veneer onto the surface of the tooth.  It will look completely natural and make it possible to eat and speak like normal.  If the tooth is severely cracked or a lot of enamel is missing, we can use a dental crown to restore the tooth instead.  This provides a greater level of stability because it can surround the tooth entirely.  This is a durable procedure that can help your teeth to function as good as new after a serious injury.  If a tooth has been knocked out, we can replace it as well by using either dental implants or a dental bridge.  

If your tooth has been injured, schedule a dental appointment right away.