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Debunking Common Dental Myths

April 11, 2025

Myth 1: Braces Are Only Effective When Young

Although most dentists recommend getting braces between the age of 10 and 14, there is actually no age limit to getting orthodontic treatments. Whether you’re 20 or 80 years old, healthy adult teeth can be moved just as easily as they are for children and teens. The only difference between adult and non-adult teeth, is that adults have a more mature and denser bone tissue. Therefore, treatment time may take longer in adults, but rest assured that treatment is just as effective.

Myth 2: Brushing Harder Cleans Better

The reality is that hard brushing is actually counterproductive, when you brush your teeth aggressively you are causing severe damage by eroding the protective enamel layer on your teeth’s surface. In addition, this method of brushing on the long-run causes gum bleeding and even gum recession. Always make sure to brush gently for at least 2 minutes, twice daily with a soft-bristled brush.

Myth 3: White Teeth Are Healthy Teeth

In this misconception , we can understand where the confusion comes from however this is quite distant from the truth, your teeth contain both enamel(blue-white) and underlying dentin(yellow), this gives the teeth an off-white but somewhat yellow color which is incredibly natural. Moreover , Some patients go an extreme route to whiten their teeth by buying over-the-counter whitening products that usually contain ingredients that can harm your teeth, such as bleach. This causes the dentin to get exposed as a result, raising the risk of cavities and infections.

Myth 4: Charcoal Toothpaste Is Better

Studies have shown that there is no increase in teeth whiteness when using charcoal toothpaste compared to regular toothpaste. In fact, the side effects of using charcoal toothpaste makes your teeth more prone to staining as it absorbs protective agents meant to keep teeth healthy.

Myth 5: Doesn’t Matter What Time of The Day You Brush Your Teeth.

Suprisingly, the time of day you decide to brush your teeth at is incredibly important , Your teeth are vulnerable to cavity causing agents and gum disease when we sleep as antibacterial saliva production slows. So the most recommended times to brush at, are before you go to sleep and when waking up.

Myth 6: Teeth Whitening Will Damage Your Teeth

There is a huge difference between cheap Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening and Professional Whitening done under the supervision of qualified dentists. In the latter, treatment involves safe, non-acidic bleaching solutions, skilled dental application and a safe enviroment for treatment.

Myth 7: Wisdom Teeth Must be Removed

Contrary to popular belief, not all individuals need to get their wisdom teeth extracted. While in some cases, wisdom teeth contributes to crowding and leads to discomfort, however if your third molar erupts properly aligned and healthy, we do not recommend having them removed as the pros outweigh the cons significantly.

Myth 8: Oral Health is Not Connected to Your General Health

Another misconception that people often have is that oral health is not correlated to the overall health of your body. In actuality, it is common for bacteria that resulted from gum disease to enter the bloodstream and cause severe repercussions like dementia, heart disease, lung infections and pregnancy complications.

Myth 9: Sugar leads to cavities

While it is true that sugar promotes the formation of cavities, in reality it is not the sugar itself rather the bacteria that eats the sugar. These bacteria produce acid in the mouth that in return causes tooth decay. If your diet consists of high carb intake, we recommend you to brush and rinse after every meal to avoid any buildup.

Myth 10: Diet Soda Doesn’t Harm Your Teeth

Perfect! so instead of regular soda , I should get the zero-sugar option correct? To be clear, diet soda actually causes as much harm as regular soda. Carbonated drinks as a whole are highly acidic , this high acid content attracts acid-loving bacteria to your mouth causing cavities and high teeth sensitivity.

Myth 11: Coke Can Dissolve A Tooth Overnight

Despite what you may have heard, if you leave a tooth in a glass containing Coca-Cola overnight it won’t dissolve. Although coke is highly acidic with a large sugar content, it is highly unlikely that anything will occur.

Myth 12: Mouthwash Is The Cure for Bad Breath

While mothwash can be a temporary solution for halistosis,  it doesn’t take care of the problem at its source. Plaque that causes bad breath can only be removed by a brushing and flossing routine, you cannot remove plaque with mouthwash.