Everyone brushes their teeth in the morning, looks in the mirror, and when they see their shiny teeth smiling back at them, they believe they cannot have gum disease. Everyone wants sparkling teeth, but only a handful spend the required time to keep healthy gums and teeth.
Do you know that only 31% of the US population flosses their teeth regularly? While flossing is an important oral hygiene and the percentage is so low, gum diseases are bound to prevail among people. But there are some common myths about gum diseases that are widely believed.
Your first line of defense is to have knowledge of gum diseases and visit a dentist in Chandler, AZ, regularly to avoid any oral diseases.
Myths About Gum Disease
You must go through these common myths about gum diseases to learn if you believe in any of these. If yes, it is time to visit your dentist in Chandler, AZ.
Good Oral Hygiene Means No Gum Disease
It is the first myth that most people believe. While it is not wrong, your oral hygiene is not only affected by your oral routine but also by your habits. Your mouth is an indicator of your overall health.
While everyone knows that smoking, tobacco usage, drinking alcohol and other carbonated beverages, drinking excessive coffee, and eating sugary foods is not good for health, these habits are hard to leave.
Other risk factors can also cause gum diseases, such as diabetes, pregnancy, age, etc. If your health is deteriorating, so will your oral health, and even thorough oral hygiene won’t be able to protect you. Paying timely visits to your dentist is recommended so that they can detect any periodontal diseases at the earliest.
If I Have Gum Disease, I will Know
Sparkling teeth may fool you into believing that your teeth are healthy. You see no darkening, brown or black spots, and no plaque, and this is the myth that makes you think that gum diseases are apparent and you will know if you will have them.
But gum diseases aren’t obvious until they have reached an advanced stage. Bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, shifting teeth, and pockets between your teeth are some signs that you should never ignore. Unfortunately, these symptoms are not painful and thus easily ignored. Don’t make the same mistake.
Gum Disease Is Not Common
It is a common myth that gum diseases are not very common. But you will be shocked to learn that 47.2 percent of the US population is affected by gum disease. From the given data by CDC, it can be understood that almost half of the US population is suffering, making gum diseases more common than they are believed to be. So, if you feel like you might be suffering from it, don’t hesitate to get your teeth checked.
Flossing is Perfectly safe For Teeth and Gums
Since flossing is a part of oral hygiene, it is supposed to be safe, but flossing can also affect your teeth adversely if you don’t know how to do it properly.
How to floss your teeth?
Take a floss thread. Hold it tightly in your mouth and gently rub the thread against the teeth in an up-and-down motion. Keep the thread away from your gums, and don’t rub too harshly. Do it for all of your teeth and remove any residue between them. Rinse your mouth afterward for a cleaner and odor-free mouth.
While it may sound simple, one wrong move might damage your gums. When you start flossing, your gums bleed for a week or two, but the bleeding eventually stops. If it doesn’t, you might be doing it wrong. Consult your dentist in Chandler for a thorough examination.
Diabetes Means Gum Disease
Lifestyle changes have increased the risk of diabetes which has increased the risk of gum disease. Diabetic people are indeed at risk of gum disease, but having diabetes doesn’t mean in itself that you will have gum disease. You can book regular appointments and get your teeth cleaned while following a rigorous oral hygiene routine to avoid gum disease despite diabetes.
Gum Disease Can’t Be Cured
It is partially true. Gum diseases start from plaque. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. If you visit your dentist regularly, cleaning can remove gingivitis and save your teeth and gums. But once you are past the initial stage, curing gum diseases can be tricky.
Periodontal treatments can stabilize gum diseases and control bleeding gums and bad breath, but reversing the process might not be possible.
Some people also believe that periodontal treatments are painful, but it is not true. Advanced technologies have contributed to minimizing pain and completing treatments quickly.
Conclusion
Poor oral hygiene is indeed the primary cause of periodontal diseases, but lack of proper knowledge also contributes significantly to the problems. Do you also believe in the myths mentioned above? If yes, they are busted now.
If you face any symptoms, visit Peace of Mind Dental Studio today and save yourself from any probable gum diseases with the best dentists in Chandler, AZ.