Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
4 common dental myths that may surprise you, according to one Birmingham expert
Reading time: 3 minutes
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Let’s be honest: most of us have Googled whether it’s really that bad to skip brushing before bed.
To help separate fact from fiction, we turned to a local expert: Dr. Chris Swicord, lead dentist at Smile Craft in Homewood, who’s on a mission to help folks take better care of their teeth without all the stress or shame.
We hit him with a round of rapid-fire myth-busting questions, and his answers may surprise you.
Myth #1: Skipping a brush before bed isn’t that bad, right?
We encourage you to practice good hygiene every day, but if you’re gonna skip one, it may not be the worst thing in the world. It all comes down to what you eat beforehand.
“If you’re going to skip brushing, timing matters. If it’s a bunch of sweets, wine, things like that may damage your enamel overnight.
It’s not the worst thing in the world, but it’s a bad habit to start.”
Dr. Chris Swicord, Lead Dentist, Smile Craft
So, maybe lay off the gummy worms before dozing off?
Myth #2: Sugar is the biggest threat to your teeth
Wrong—it’s actually acid.
“Substances with a pH below 4.5 or 5 can dissolve enamel. The worst things are drinks that are both acidic and sugary—sodas, lemonades, and fruit juices are some of the biggest offenders.”
Dr. Chris Swicord, Lead Dentist, Smile Craft
Myth #3: Flossing isn’t a big deal
We’ve all told ourselves flossing doesn’t really matter, but Dr. Swicord couldn’t be clearer:
“Even if you brush regularly, sugar and acid and those things that deplete enamel get in between your teeth. That can cause cavities and other problems.”
Dr. Chris Swicord, Lead Dentist, Smile Craft
You only get one set of teeth for your whole adult life, so take care of them!
Myth #4: Some people just have bad teeth
This one’s partially true, but there’s more to it.
“There’s a genetic aspect to it. But also, it’s important to consider lifestyle differences.
For example, adding fluoride to your teeth helps. But if you drink soda or something, it dissolves that off. Every time you drink something acidic, it basically reverses the effect of the flouride.”
Dr. Chris Swicord, Lead Dentist, Smile Craft
- Tip: Dr. Swicord suggests always drinking water alongside your soda to replenish fluoride + protect your teeth from dissolving enamel.
Ask the expert yourself at Smile Craft
At Smile Craft, Dr. Swicord and his team are on a mission to make dental care approachable and stress-free for Birmingham locals.
Located in the heart of Homewood, Smile Craft offers a welcoming, neighborhood dentist experience grounded in real expertise and a genuine passion for healthy smiles.
- Location: 3351 Old Montgomery Hwy SUITE#202, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 8AM-4PM
- Smile Craft: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Want to see more of Dr. Swicord in action? Check out our latest Youtube video where he busts even more dental myths, plus some fun facts to get to know him.
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