There’s a lot of assumptions and misinformation when it comes to visiting your dentist. Because of their fear of visiting a dental practice some patients experience, these myths can, unfortunately, become a fact in no time.

Everyone has an idea in their head about what good oral care means, but when you’re next visiting your family dentist, here’s 5 things your dentist wished you knew before getting into that chair:

1. Brushing harder doesn’t mean cleaner teeth

One of the most common misconceptions is that scrubbing your teeth as hard as possible will clean your teeth more thoroughly.

In fact, regular aggressive brushing only causes gum recession and wears out the surface of your teeth. Brushing in soft circles around the gum area with a good quality toothbrush is all you need for the perfect amount of pressure.

2. You should visit your dentist every six months

Regular dental visits mean that potential oral health issues can be found fast. Not everyone enjoys visiting their oral care service. However, think about the difference between a regular check-up and a much more costly and intense procedure years down the line due to negligence. That’s an incredibly huge difference, thus it makes sense to check out this dentist in woodbridge on a regular basis.

Visiting your dentist at least once every six months for Teeth Whitening in London is the key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, clean, and free from future complications. From there, dentists may further suggest getting clear aligners (read about them here at Smile Direct reviews) to help your smile.

3. Change your toothbrush every three months

This is a seldom known fact – swapping your toothbrush every three months is essential in good dental healthcare. Eroded bristles don’t give teeth the support they need to remain strong and healthy.

Using the same toothbrush for too long also causes bacteria to build and stay within the bristles. Try to replace your toothbrush every twelve weeks with a quality product that’ll clean your teeth effectively.

4. Bleeding gums are a worry

A troubling assumption with oral healthcare is that bleeding gums are just a result of over brushing. But if your gums bleed after brushing or flossing, it’s not always due to aggressive scrubbing. 

Bleeding gums is the first sign of gingivitis, which is a gum infection that can lead to severe gum disease if not addressed.

If you’re unsure of whether you’re brushing too aggressively, or if your bleeding gums are an early sign of gingivitis, seek out an oral hygienist as soon as possible for a discussion.

5. Dentists understand dental anxiety

Dentists are very aware of dental anxiety and have decades of experience in alleviating a patient’s worries. Sitting with your dental care provider and discussing these concerns is the first step towards a much more comfortable future check-up.

Explaining your fears lets the dentist communicate ways for you to work together and overcome these worries.

It could be headphones, putting television on in the background, or even bringing a loved one for mutual support. Either way, being open with your dentist makes sure that your stress levels reduce with every visit, and soon enough you’ll be worry-free with a mouth full of healthy teeth!