Don’t Let Misinformation Sink Your Smile—Our Medford Dentist Explains

It just breaks our hearts when we see patients who have put off treatment due to misconceptions about dental care and oral health. Many of these people have endured significant dental damage, simply because they didn't know what to do to care for their smiles.

These patients, and their stories, motivate our Medford dentists to educate the community about oral health issues. Keep reading to learn more!

Let’s start by addressing a few misconceptions about at-home oral hygiene:

“I should brush as much as I can”

The truth is that maintaining a healthy smile is all about quality of brushing, not quantity. Generally speaking, patients should brush every morning and night for at least two minutes. For most people, this routine is sufficient. However, if you want to brush more throughout the day, please talk to your dental team, as brushing too frequently can actually cause gum tissue damage and enamel erosion.

“Brushing is for cleaning teeth”

You absolutely want to make sure you clean your teeth every time you brush, but that’s not all you should be doing! Make sure that you are gently address your gum tissue and buff plaque off of your tongue. Bacteria accumulate throughout your mouth, not just on your dental enamel.

“All toothbrushes are pretty much the same”

This is a biggie. It is crucial that you use a toothbrush that is appropriate for your smile. The first thing to know is that different brushes have different bristle strengths: extra firm, firm, medium, and soft. Soft is the right choice for a majority of patients; this type of bristle is strong enough to clean well, but gentle enough to protect enamel. If you don’t know what type of bristle is right for you, please talk to your dentist. You can also ask your dentist if you’d benefit from an electric or sonic brush; some people find these helpful, especially when treating ongoing periodontal disease.

Our Medford dentists are here to give you any additional information that you may need; so give us a call to get started!

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