At Town Center Dentistry, our team of dental specialists pride themselves in providing the most up-to-date information to our patients so they can make the best decisions about their oral health. This being said, we are well aware of the overwhelming number of misconceptions and myths surrounding dental health. In this blog post, we dispel common myths regarding oral health.

The more I brush, the healthier my teeth will be.

Believe it or not, there is such a thing as over brushing. Brushing too hard can harm the teeth and irritate the gums, making the latter susceptible to bacterial infection. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing teeth twice a day or after every meal. The association also recommends using a toothbrush with soft bristles and short, “tooth-wide” strokes to gently brush the teeth.

Bleeding gums are normal.

Bleeding gums after brushing and flossing (or in general) can be a sign of a serious dental issue. Often times, bleeding gums are a result of plaque not being properly removed by brushing and flossing. Brushing and flossing your teeth gently and regularly can stop the bleeding. If the bleeding persists, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.

Flossing is not important.

The ADA considers flossing an important part of oral hygiene and recommends that everyone floss at least once a day. Unfortunately, many people skip flossing. In fact, a study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination found that roughly a third of all Americans never floss. Flossing is important because it removes bacteria and food debris between the teeth and other areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. If left in the mouth, this bacteria and food can lead to plaque, cavities and tooth decay.

I should only visit the dentist when necessary.

Even the whitest and straightest teeth can benefit from a routine dental exam, as many dental issues show no early symptoms. A dentist can thoroughly check the teeth, gums and jaw for bacteria, plaque and other dental concerns that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Checking for dental issues early on allows your dentist to diagnose and treat them before they cause severe damage to your health.

All dental procedures hurt.

When many people think of going to the dentist, they imagine loud drills and jarring, painful pressure applied to their mouths. In fact, this is a big reason why many people avoid going to the dentist or feel nervous about receiving dental treatment. Fortunately, there are several sedation dentistry options that not only make dental treatment pain-free, but comfortable as well. At Town Center Dentistry, our sedation dentistry specialist Dr. Thomas Gonzales has years of experience using sedation methods to put nervous and anxious patients at ease. If you are feeling nervous about receiving dental treatment, please speak to us about the sedation dentistry options we offer.

To schedule a consultation, please contact our Rancho Bernardo office at (858) 521-0000.