Cavities are one of the most common oral health problems among adults and children. They occur when bacteria has eaten away the outer layers of your teeth and may result from poor oral hygiene, frequent snacking or drinking sugary beverages. Here are some of the most common myths about cavities you should not believe.

Brushing Is Enough to Keep Cavities Away

Brushing your teeth twice a day is certainly important to prevent decay. However, brushing alone may not help you avoid cavities. It is also important to limit your consumption of sugary foods and beverages, as they can attract cavity-causing bacteria. You also need to floss your teeth each day to loosen food particles and visit your dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning.

If Your Teeth Do not Hurt, You Do not Have a Cavity

Just because you are not in pain, does not mean you don't have a cavity. In the early stages, tooth decay often doesn't cause any pain at all. As the cavity grows, you may start to feel pain when you consume hot and cold foods and beverages.

Visiting your dentist twice a year will help detect early signs of cavities.

Once Your Cavity Gets Filled, You Can Forget About It

Dental fillings are one of the most common ways to treat cavities. However, decay can still accumulate around the filling if you don't practice proper oral hygiene. Remember to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly every day. When you go to your dental checkups, your dentist should inspect your fillings for cracks and replace them if necessary.

Baby Teeth Can't Get Cavities

Some people falsely believe that children's baby teeth can't get cavities because they aren't permanent. However, baby teeth can absolutely get cavities and negatively affect permanent teeth. If you have a child, encourage good oral hygiene habits to reduce the risk of decay.

All Gum Causes Cavities

Gum that contains sugar can increase risk of getting cavities. Sugar-free gum, on the other hand, can actually help you avoid decay. When you chew sugar-free gum, you stimulate saliva flow, which washes food particles and bacteria away. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals may help you prevent getting cavities.

As you can see, there are many misconceptions about cavities. If it has been more than six months since your last dental services, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

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