Maintaining a healthy and attractive smile for the long-term becomes so much easier once you are armed with all of the information you need. Unfortunately, there is a fair amount of misinformation floating around out there. Today, our Saint Louis dentists are correcting just a few common misconceptions about dentistry and oral health. Keep reading to learn more!
“The more I brush, the better off I am”
Undoubtedly, brushing is an indispensable part of a healthy oral hygiene routine. The general recommendation from the American Dental Association is that patients brush their smiles before bed and in the morning. However, it is possible to brush too much. Because brushing is somewhat abrasive, over-brushing can lead to enamel erosion and gum tissue damage. You also want to be careful to wait to brush for at least 20 to 30 minutes after acid exposure; your dental enamel is softer than usual for that period of time. Always talk to your dental team before making changes to your brushing routine.
“An overbite/underbite is purely an aesthetic issue”
Many people choose to treat bite issues because they don’t like the way their smiles look when their front teeth do not line up properly. This is a fine reason to pursue treatment, but it is also important to know that bite misalignment should be treated for oral health reasons as well. Patients with poorly aligned bite surfaces often deal with TMJ dysfunction, as well as uneven dental wear and tear, because they have to alter their bites to compensate for structural problems. This is why our dental team encourages patients to undergo bite assessments even if their aesthetic dental issues are not prominent.
With so much information out there, it is all too easy to get the wrong idea about all kinds of dental topics. Our Saint Louis dentists are here to help you get the facts, so that you can move forward with a dental plan that works for you, as an individual. Please feel free to contact our team to schedule a personal consultation!