Myths and urban legends are common in the medical industry, and the dental industry may have more than its fair share of them. These myths are typically spread by word of mouth, often in the form of experiences shared by someone they know. These myths run the gamut from the excruciating pain of having a root canal to baby teeth not being important (both false, by the way). We decided to present a few of the most pernicious myths in dentistry and spend a little time debunking them.
Seeing Your Dentist Isn’t Required If You Don’t Have Oral Health Problems
This is among the most frequent misconceptions among dental patients and the one that leads to the many oral health problems. The majority of dental care, ideally, is preventative in nature. This includes your regular professional cleanings, x-rays, and use of sealants and fluoride treatments. If all goes well these simple and relatively inexpensive treatments will make it possible for you to avoid costly treatments altogether.
Baby Teeth Aren’t Important To Adult Oral Health
Wrong, wrong, wrong! Primary teeth play a central role in the healthy development of adult teeth. Their primary role is aiding your permanent teeth in coming in straight and in the correct positions. Losing your teeth prematurely can impact the alignment and health of your permanent teeth. This means that children must be well versed in caring for their teeth to give them the best possibility of a future with beautiful, health adult teeth.
You Should Stop Brushing And Flossing If Your Gums Bleed
We’re not sure where this idea initially arose, but it is the exact opposite of true. If you experience bleeding when you’re performing your daily oral hygiene routine its a sign you need to be even more diligent. You also should immediately schedule an appointment to see your dentist to ensure that your basic hygiene routine is sufficient to eliminate the concern. Bleeding gums is a common symptom of gum disease, and can also indicate other concerns.
Sugar-Free Gum Is An Effective Alternative To Brushing!
No, just no! There are no alternatives to proper oral hygiene! This myth may have got its start due to the ability of chewing gum to act as a minor cleaning agent between brushing. As you chew the gum will collect food debris and help eliminate plaque, but not as efficiently or thoroughly as a conscientious brushing will do. Add floss and mouthwash to the mix and no gum, even sugar-free gum, is going to be able to be as thorough.
These are four of the most common dental myths that we hear from our patients. Each of them has been part of a recurring theme, and we frequently have to help patients understand why they’re false. If you have more questions about common dental myths then call for an appointment with Dr. Alan Martin today!
