What common dental advice do you follow to maintain your oral health? There is a chance that some of your regime and daily practices may not come recommended by a licensed and professional dentist. You'd also be surprised how many people subscribe to mythical health advice that has no real foundation in facts. Where your health is concerned, doing this could even be dangerous.

 The dental experts at Rippe Dental Associates want to keep our community safe by debunking these myths and giving you the correct information. The best way to ensure your dental and oral health is to see a dentist in Centennial bi-annually, but there are things you can do at home to prevent cavities, bad breath and other oral problems.

Oral Health is Not a Joke

Dental and oral health is an important issue! Currently about 60-90% of children and almost 100% of adults have tooth decay, according to the FDI World Dental Federation. While some decay is natural, it often leads to pain and discomfort and should be taken seriously. Taking the appropriate response and implementing daily oral maintenance steps are crucial in maintaining a person’s overall health and well-being.  

Debunking the Myths

Rippe Dental Associates is here to help you develop a daily oral routine and maintenance plan to keep your teeth pearly white and healthy. Our team also wants to debunk common myths people have about oral hygiene to guide you in the right direction until you can schedule an appointment with us:

• Myth #1: Cavities are caused only by sugar

The truth is that sugar alone does not cause cavities; however, it can contribute to them. If sugar residue is left on the teeth it feeds the organisms that make plaque (the acid that wears off the enamel of the teeth). The more sugar you eat the more these organisms are fed, this is why your dentist recommends brushing your teeth and rinsing after consuming foods with a lot of sugar.

But sugar isn’t the only cavity contributor -- alcohol, sugar-free carbonated drinks, and citrus foods are also culprits of damaging the teeth. Even without sugar in the mix there is still a risk of plaque build up if you are not brushing and flossing properly. Prioritize your oral and dental health by eliminating sugary foods and eating vegetables and fruits that have more fiber in them instead.

•  Myth #2: No toothache, no dentist needed

Good oral hygiene requires visits to a dentist in Centennial every six months. You should see a dentist twice a year to prevent dental issues from occurring and stop an issue before it gets serious if one has developed. In most cases, people who do not schedule regular visits with their dentist end up suffering the most. Even when everything looks normal, visiting your nearest dentist is important to prevent oral health disease. 

• Myth #3: White teeth are signs of healthy teeth

This idea is perhaps the most common misconception about healthy teeth. People get this idea from Hollywood celebrities and international models because of their clean and white gleaming smiles. However, people’s teeth do not have identical natural colors, so making any particular shade a standard doesn’t make sense. The natural teeth’ color differs in light and will also depend on age. The primary signs of good oral hygiene are fresh breath and zero cavities. Teeth whiteness doesn’t have as much of a bearing on the standard of healthy teeth because people can whiten their teeth and not take care of them.

• Myth #4: Teeth-whitening products cause damage to tooth enamel

Over-the-counter products for teeth-whitening have the active ingredient carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Both of these are safe if the recommended dosage is followed. Nevertheless, failure to comply with these recommendations can cause damage to the enamel. For the safest teeth-whitening procedures, visit your nearest Rippe Dental Associates in Centennial, CO.

Make an Appointment With Rippe Dental Associates

When it comes to your dental health, you should only trust the experts for advice! The dentists at Rippe Dental Associates in Centennial are here to help you maintain your oral and dental health. Make an appointment with us today by calling 303-779-9876 or scheduling an appointment on our website. https://www.drrippe.com/request-appointment.