Technology certainly has its place, but one of the downsides of having the world at our fingertips is that we’re so overwhelmed by information, it’s hard to know what’s true and what’s not.

In the age of the internet, your friends at Shook Dental Care want to make sure our patients are armed with the facts that will help them maintain healthy, beautiful smiles!

Don’t Be Duped By These Dental Myths!

Don’t be duped into dental disaster by believing these common myths about oral health:

*Avoiding Sugar Is The Only Way To Avoid Cavities*

A sugar-free diet would certainly benefit your oral and overall health, but staying away from sugar isn’t the only way to avoid tooth decay and cavities.

That’s because bacteria inside your mouth can cause problems regardless, especially if you have microscopic fractures on your tooth enamel where bacteria can enter. Acidic foods and drinks can eat away at your teeth and cause cavities or create this kind of dental damage, as well as the more obvious causes like accidents and injuries.

*If You Had A Cavity, You’d Know It*

Not necessarily.
Although you might experience some red flags, like increased tooth sensitivity or pain while chewing, there is no guarantee you’ll be symptomatic when you have a cavity, or any number of other dental problems for that matter!

That’s why it’s so important to visit your San Pedro dentist regularly for comprehensive dental exams. We have the hi-tech equipment that can detect even the tiniest issues long before you see them or feel them!

*Bleeding Gums Are No Big Deal*

Big myth!
Your gums are not supposed to bleed, not even when you brush and floss.
If your gums are tender, swollen, red, or bleeding, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Shook right away. It could mean you have gum disease, and the sooner we address it, the better your chances for stopping, and even reversing, its potentially devastating effects.

*Teeth Whitening Harms Your Enamel*

There is actually a grain of truth to this, but that’s only because teeth whitening treatment comes in so many forms.

You have a wide selection of DIY kits and whitening products available in stores and online. Not only are consumer-grade methods ineffective, but they actually can be harmful to your gums and tooth enamel.

Where this statement starts to morph into myth territory is when you’re talking about professional teeth whitening treatment. Dr. Shook and our team are highly-trained to use a safe, powerful whitening system that not only outperforms store-bought products, but does so without causing damage to your sensitive gum tissues or your enamel.

Schedule A Dental Checkup In San Pedro!

If you’re concerned about the state of your dental health or want to know more about how to keep your mouth healthy, schedule a checkup in San Pedro!

We will make sure your teeth and gums are free and clear of harmful plaque buildup, and we’ll check for any signs of trouble to your oral health so we can treat it right away.

Call Shook Dental Care at 310-982-6333 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment.