As a dentist, I’ve come across many oral health myths that can potentially harm your teeth and gums. It’s essential to separate fact from fiction when it comes to oral health. In this article, we’ll discuss five common oral health myths and provide the truth behind them.
Myth #1: Chewing Gum is Bad for Your Teeth
One of the most common oral health myths is that chewing gum is bad for your teeth. In reality, chewing sugar-free gum can actually be beneficial for your teeth. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and neutralize acid in the mouth. However, it’s important to choose sugar-free gum to avoid promoting tooth decay.
Myth #2: All Stains Can Be Whitened
Many people believe that all stains on teeth can be whitened, but this is not always the case. While professional teeth whitening can significantly improve the appearance of most teeth stains, some stains are more difficult to remove than others. For example, intrinsic stains, which occur inside the tooth if the tooth has had trauma for example, are more challenging to whiten than extrinsic stains, which are on the surface of the tooth and can be easily cleaned off before teeth whitening.
Myth #3: White Teeth Mean Healthy Teeth
Another common myth is that white teeth automatically mean healthy teeth. While white teeth can be a sign of good oral health, they are not the only indicator. Teeth can appear white and still have underlying issues such as cavities or gum disease. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene habits, including regular dental check-ups, to ensure optimal oral health.
Myth #4: You Have to Have Your Teeth Shaved Down to Create a Beautiful Smile
Many people believe that to achieve a beautiful smile, they have to have their teeth shaved down. In reality, there are several cosmetic dentistry options that can help improve the appearance of your smile without altering your natural teeth. For example, composite bonding, teeth straightening, and teeth whitening can all enhance the appearance of your teeth and are minimally invasive options. We can even provide porcelain veneers without any drilling of your teeth.
Myth #5: Cosmetic Dentistry Means Your Smile Will Look Fake
Some people believe that cosmetic dentistry means their smile will look fake, but this is not true. Cosmetic dentistry can enhance the natural beauty of your teeth and create a more aesthetically pleasing smile. Skilled cosmetic dentists use advanced technology and techniques to create a natural-looking smile that complements your unique features. The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of your teeth while still maintaining their natural aesthetics.
Do not let these oral health myths stop you from transforming your smiles and maintaining your oral health!
Dr Raj graduated from the University of Birmingham having gained his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) with Clinical Distinction and followed on to complete post-graduate training in Dental Implants, Orthodontics, Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry. Dr Raj has also achieved a Post Graduate Diploma in Clear Aligner Therapy. He takes pride in delivering the very highest quality of care while offering his patients personalised experiences and achieving exceptional results. This means treating everyone as an individual and considering their face, teeth and smile as a whole before making a plan.
The use of the most modern digital dentistry is something Dr Raj is passionate about. He incorporates advanced techniques into all aspects of treatment and uses state-of-the-art equipment to offer comprehensive solutions to his patients. Dr Raj has worked tirelessly to become a leader in his field and his vision for excellence is found in all the work done at Face Teeth Smile.
Through extensive experience in performing Invisalign procedures, Dr Raj has become one of only a few dentists recognised as an Invisalign Diamond Provider. He’s a highly respected Invisalign Clinical Speaker and is involved in mentoring young dentists, with whom he shares his comprehensive knowledge. Dr Raj also has a keen interest in orthodontics and implants, as well as in aesthetic dentistry, which he believes should be done using minimally invasive techniques where possible.
Dr Raj’s qualifications include Certification in Cosmetic Dentistry and Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry, as well as Certification in Implant Dentistry. He’s currently working towards gaining his post-graduate diploma in orthodontics. Having been awarded the Central Counties Branch of the BDA Prize in Restorative Dentistry in 2015, he went on to win the NSK Rising Star Award and be recognised as a finalist in the Best Young Dentist category at the 2018 Dentistry Awards. In 2020, he was a Best Young Dentist Finalist at the Private Dentistry Awards.
