4 common dental myths debunked

There are many myths surrounding the dentist, and always have been! Whether they began through childhood whispers or simply the spread of misinformation is anyone’s guess. But what we do know is how damaging the incorrect information can be for your teeth.

When it comes to looking after your smile, having the correct information makes all the difference. Here at AP Smilecare, we’re passionate about the smiles we look after, so we’ve compiled a list of four common dental myths we’ve heard time and again, so you can learn the truth about dental treatments and your oral health!

Braces are only for children and teenagers

We often hear this as dentists, and it couldn’t be further from the truth! You’re never too old to get the smile of your dreams. Crucially though, teeth can move at any age, and braces are an easy and effective remedy for this problem. There are also different kinds of braces to choose from, so you can choose a brace that helps you feel confident while enhancing your smile.

At AP Smilecare especially, we know that embarking on your braces journey as an adult can be a little daunting, especially if you’ve never had any similar dental treatments throughout your childhood, so we offer several discreet and effective adult brace options to help you get the results you desire without those prominent silver tracks that put so many people off. Whatever you feel comfortable with, we’ll have an option to suit you!

Healthy teeth are white and bright

There’s no denying that a bright, pearly white smile looks beautiful, but it doesn’t mean all other smiles aren’t healthy! In fact, human teeth naturally have an off-white colour to them, and that’s perfectly normal. The enamel on the teeth is a blueish-white colour, but it is also somewhat translucent, so the yellow of the dentine beneath it shows through to make the teeth appear off-white/light yellow. If you have any significant discolouration a dentist should always look. Still, generally speaking, if you brush your teeth twice a day and see your dentist regularly, your teeth should be in great condition, regardless of the pearly white status.

However, if you do want to whiten your teeth, it’s always best to avoid doing it at home and consult professionals – and that’s where we come in! At AP Smilecare, we aim to provide long-lasting results, so we don’t compromise on quality! Visit our treatment page on teeth whitening for a breakdown of our entire process and to get your pearly white smile.

You should rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth

This is one of the harder ones to recognise when it comes to oral health myths. Many people believe that you should be rinsing your mouth out straight after brushing your teeth – but this isn’t true. There’s nothing wrong with rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash, just make sure it’s not straight after brushing your teeth. Swilling your mouth immediately after brushing can wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste. Fluoride is what helps to protect your teeth from decay by strengthening your enamel and slowing the production of bacteria caused by plaque, so it’s important not to wash it away! To avoid this, we’d suggest waiting at least 30 minutes to use mouthwash – this way, you get the full benefit of both.

If you’re not in pain, you don’t need to see a dentist

This is arguably one of the more dangerous dental myths out there. Tooth decay isn’t always noticeable, especially in its early stages when it’s most treatable. That’s why it’s so important to see your dentist regularly for checkups and tooth cleaning. If the beginnings of any decay or oral health problems are starting to manifest, your dentist will notice before you do, and the treatment will be less invasive. If you wait until you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort to visit your dentist, the chances are the damage is going to be much worse. Not only this, but being proactive will save you more time, energy and money in the long run when it comes to looking after your smile.

Now we’ve cleared that up, you can proceed in your oral health journey with a bit more clarity and confidence! The main takeaway from this piece is to make sure you visit your dentist regularly. If you have any oral heath related question, they’ll be able to give you the answers you need and help you look after your smile.

At AP Smilecare, it’s what we do best! We’re passionate about taking care of teeth and providing top tier dental treatments tailored specifically to each patient, so your smile gets the care it deserves. From braces, to implants to teeth-whitening and gum health – we do it all! If you have any questions regarding our treatments or you want to book an appointment – get in touch with our friendly team via 01254 297 000 or pop into our Blackburn clinic and we’ll be more than happy to help!