Unless you’re a medical professional or someone who takes a special interest in health, there’s a good chance you have a few misconceptions about your body’s wellbeing, especially in relation to your dental health. Several widely-believed myths are not just wrong, they’re dangerous. Believing that they’re true leads people to adopt unhealthy habits that cause serious problems for their pearly whites.

So it’s time to debunk some of the harmful myths you may be operating under.

Pretty Smiles Are Healthy Smiles

It’s easy to assume that a pretty white smile is not just toothpaste commercial quality on the outside, but also a dentist’s dream inside.  The truth is that even the most sparkling smile can have problems lurking below.  The old saying is definitely true here – you can’t judge a book by its cover.

Many oral health issues do not rear their ugly heads in appearance or sensation.  The reason dentists recommend twice yearly check-ups is not just for good deep cleanings.  Some problems can only be detected in a professional dental exam.  So even if you have a traffic-stopping smile and feel fine, you need to have regular check-ups to check for things like cavities, decay, gingivitis, and even oral cancer.

Celebrity Smiles Are Real

Just as air-brushed photos of celebrities can cause us to have unrealistic expectations about our physiques, they can also give us major smile envy.  A huge number of uber famous actors, models, and even political figures have flawless teeth that make us feel like our own naturally imperfect ones are lacking.

In reality, though, most celebrities have naturally imperfect smiles just like us. The difference is that many of them opt for veneers, which are exactly what they sound like. Veneers are customized covers that fit over teeth to create a perfect, uniform look.  They are ideal for covering up stains and correcting unevenly shaped or sized teeth. Though celebs pay big bucks for top-of-the-line veneers, there are several affordable options out there for regular folks looking for a red carpet ready smile.

More Sugar, More Problems

It’s understandable to think that someone eating 10 pieces of candy in one short sitting is doing greater harm to their teeth than someone who just pops one piece in their mouth every couple of hours. The opposite is actually

It’s understandable to think that someone eating 10 pieces of candy in one short sitting is doing greater harm to their teeth than someone who just pops one piece in their mouth every couple of hours. The opposite is actually true, though. If you’re going to indulge in a sugary treat, it’s better to consume it all in one go than to stretch it over several hours or over the course of a day.

Each time you take a bite of something sweet, you release bacteria-causing sugar that go to work on your teeth for a given period of time. So in that regard, one bite is the same as twenty. The amount of sugar doesn’t matter. The presence alone is what makes a difference. So if you have a treat (or 10) and rinse with water or brush your teeth afterwards, you’ll be much better off than drawing out your indulgence and giving the sugar multiple opportunities to do damage.

The Way You Brush

Most of us learned to brush our teeth before we even learn to read and we’ve been engaging in the activity twice a day for decades. So you probably take it for granted that you know how to brush. But the method that many people use is not only ineffective, it can be quite harmful. Rough, long, back and forth strokes don’t do the job of getting between teeth, and if you brush too hard, you may be wearing away precious enamel.  Instead, use a soft-bristled brush and keep it in one spot as you gently jiggle it back and forth, allowing the bristles to get in between the teeth. Then shift to the next section and do the same thing on the fronts, backs, and tops of your teeth. Watch this quick tutorial to see the technique in action.

Dental Health is Isolated

Remember the old kid’s song that went, “The hip bone’s connected to the backbone?”  Well, it’s true. All your parts are connected, including your teeth and gums.  Research has shown a correlation between oral health, heart health, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer.

Though it may not be entirely clear if there is causation or just association, it’s clear that one can impact and even worsen the other.  So, next time you’re thinking of neglecting your dental health, remember that you’re also neglecting your overall health.

One of the biggest factors of taking good care of yourself is knowledge. The more you know, the more likely you’ll be to make good choices and practice healthy habits that will benefit you for many years to come.

Recommended Reading:

• Heal Cavities, Gum Disease, Naturally with Organic Oral Care – Toothpaste Recipes Included
• The Toxic Toothpaste Ingredients That You Need To Avoid For Good Oral Health
• Dying to Cut – Unnecessary Surgeries You May Want to Avoid, and Why

This time of year is not just about gifts and celebrations – for many, it’s also about taking stock of the year that has been and reflecting on what can be better for the year ahead.

Many of us even make promises to ourselves so that we feel more accountable for making certain improvements.  You might resolve to spend more time with family, follow a long-held professional dream, or just get to the gym more often.

As a dentist, I’d like to recommend that at least one of the promises you make to yourself this year be about your dental health and here’s why. The health of your teeth and mouth are closely linked to the health of your whole body, and research has even shown associations between poor oral health and diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis.  That’s why it’s so important to care for your teeth and gums. So, if you know that you could stand to do a little better, start by adding a couple of these dental health resolutions to your list.

1. Floss Like a Boss

Flossing is the single biggest thing that most people can do to improve their dental health, yet it’s the thing that is most often neglected.  The fact is that hardly anyone particularly likes flossing, but it’s something you need to do every day if you truly wish to have healthy teeth and gums.

One challenge many have is that they simply don’t know how to floss properly, so it ends up taking a long time and not really getting the job done anyway.  If that’s the case for you, ask your dentist for a quick tutorial at your next check-up or check out this dentist’s genius one-minute flossing technique.  And if you really loathe the traditional string floss, consider investing in a water flosser, which may make the job a little more pleasant for you.

2. Commit to 2 Minutes

Did you know that to effectively clean your teeth you’re supposed to be brushing for a full 2 minutes in the morning and at night before bed?  Even though you may be using your toothbrush two times a day, chances are that you’re not brushing for long enough, in which case you’re not keeping your teeth as clean and healthy as you should be.

Try to get in the habit of using your phone’s timer app or a basic kitchen timer to ensure that you’re brushing for 120 seconds.  Some electric toothbrushes even come with a 2-minute timer so you can just keep brushing until it goes off.  It might feel like a long time at first if you’re used to brushing for only a minute or so, but consider the time a chance to reflect on the day that’s been or on the one ahead.

3. Get Yourself Something Nice

Sometimes all we need to motivate us to take better care of ourselves is some new toy that makes the routine a bit more fun.  If all you’ve got is a standard toothbrush and string floss, think about treating yourself to some new tools that can reignite your interest in oral care.  Here are a few suggestions that are both cool and useful:

• Water flosser
• Electric toothbrush
• Wall-mounted toothpaste dispenser
• Fancy toothpaste
• Tongue scraper
• Toothbrush sanitizer

4. Say No to Soda

If you’re still guzzling soda on a regular basis, now is the time to quit.  Both regular and diet or sugar-free soda is extremely harmful to your oral health and overall health.  The huge amount of sugar that is in soda and many other sweet beverages rots your teeth and widens your waistline at a dangerous rate.

Your brain might not register it as you enjoy these drinks, but you should look up exactly how much sugar you’re ingesting each time you down one of these beverages. It just might be the wake-up call you need in order to commit to giving up those sweet drinks. And for a replacement, try the healthier and more economical alternative of plain carbonated water flavored with a bit of natural fruit juice.

As you can see from these simple tips, improving your oral health doesn’t require any massive lifestyle changes, just a few tweaks to your everyday routines.

And taking on just a couple of these resolutions will help you make sure that 2016 is your healthiest year yet.

Reccommended Reading:

• Heal Cavities, Gum Disease, Naturally with Organic Oral Care – Toothpaste recipes included
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included