In order to properly care for your smile, you need to have all of the accurate, quality information that you can get. Misinformation about dental health is rampant, and, unfortunately, it prevents many people from achieving long-term oral health.
Today, our Elmhurst dentists are addressing some common misconceptions about oral health. We hope that you find this information in your own life!
“It’s always a good idea to brush; I should do it as much as I can.”
We’ve all know that we have to brush our teeth in order to stay healthy, so, at first blush it makes sense that more brushing = better teeth. However, this isn’t necessarily true. First of all, brushing is actually slightly abrasive, so over-brushing may lead to dental erosion and gum damage. Plus, you need to be mindful about brushing after eating or drinking. Keep in mind that our dental enamel is actually slightly softened directly after acid exposure; brushing during the first 20 to 30 minutes after you eat or drink something acidic may cause your enamel to thin.
Additionally, there are a number of good reasons as to why the ADA recommends that patients brush once in the morning and once right before bed—this schedule is designed to refresh your smile at critical points in the day. If you feel like your brushing routine isn’t cutting it, talk to your dentists before you make any alternations to your existing oral hygiene plan.
“Too much dental whitening can make my teeth look fake”
Some patients avoid whitening their smiles because they worry that their teeth will end up looking “too white.” The truth is that the professional whitening treatments we use are designed to life discoloration from your natural tooth’s surface. This means that whitening treatments simply work to restore your smile to its previous level of whiteness; we are not painting a new shade over your enamel. If you’re concerned about whitening results, please talk to our Elmhurst cosmetic dentists; we’ll design your treatment plan to meet your specific needs.
As always, our Elmhurst dentists are here to give you any additional information that you may need to make sound decisions for your smile. Give us a call to get started!