Facts About 10 Common Dental Myths

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When it comes to dental health care, misinformation and myths are still stuck in the mind of people and they often accept it as truth. We tend to believe these myths blindly, rather than finding the fact. Remember, myths can be harmful. In this article, we have tried to drill down the facts behind the 10 common dental myths. Take a look.

Myth # 1: Brushing milk teeth is not required

Fact: A child loses milk teeth after a certain period. But, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be cared or brushed. Even though the child loses the milk teeth, it is necessary to brush the teeth twice daily as it not only develops good habits, but it also ensures life-long dental health.

Myth # 2: Visiting a dentist is not required, if there is no problem with the teeth

Fact: It is very important to visit the dentist every six months for check up. You may think that your teeth are healthy and fine, but to make it sure, visiting a dentist is a good practice. If you get to know that your teeth needs treatment, then don’t delay, as treating in the early stages will keep the procedure simple and less painful. Leaving the problem untreated will make the treatment even more complex.

Myth # 3: Brushing teeth more than once a day can lead to loss of enamel

Fact: This depends on what type of toothbrush you are using. It is recommended by dentists to use soft bristle brush to avoid damage to the teeth and gums from becoming rough. Tooth brush that has soft bristles will protect the enamel. It is better to brush after every meal.

Myth # 4: Extraction of tooth can actually lead to loss of vision

Fact: Tooth extraction and loss of vision are not related with each other. If this was true, in orthodontic treatment (fixing of braces), infected teeth are extracted, sometimes more than two teeth are extracted. If more than two teeth are removed, then the person treated would have become completely blind.

Myth # 5: If the gums are bleeding, no need to brush your teeth

Fact: Bleeding gums means you need to see the dentist soon. It doesn’t mean that you need not brush. In this situation use a soft bristle toothbrush to clean your teeth.

Myth # 6: Dental treatments are unbearable and very painful

Fact: This is not true because based on the severity of the treatment local anaesthesia is given, so that it is not painful for the patient. For root canal treatment, extraction is performed under local anaesthesia. For less painful treatments like teeth whitening, restoring the tooth with crown and filling of teeth, anesthesia is not required as the pain is bearable.

Myth # 7: No matter how much care we take, loss of teeth after a certain age is inevitable

Fact: If you take good care of your teeth, visit the dentist regularly, eat food that is healthy and avoid food that is unhealthy for your teeth, you will retain your teeth lifelong. It is better to practice good oral hygiene.

Myth # 8: Enamel of the teeth is lost after getting it cleaned by the dentist

Fact: For cleaning the teeth, dentist uses instruments that are blunt and only vibrate to loosen the dirt around the teeth. This instruments do not harm or scratch the enamel of the teeth.
It is true that teeth becomes sensitive soon after cleaning, but they will get back to normal within a week time.

Myth # 9: Dental treatment during pregnancy should be avoided

Fact: It is true that dental treatment during pregnancy should be avoided, but for a specific period. It is better to inform the dentist about your pregnancy because some antibiotics are given for a treatment, these antibiotics may not be good for you and your unborn baby. Make sure the treatment is done in the period that is considered safe during pregnancy to avoid future problems.

Myth # 10: Flossing creates gaps between the teeth

Fact: Many people think that flossing creates gaps between the teeth. This is not true, flossing is done to clean away the left over food particles that get struck in the teeth. You should know why the food gets struck? This is because there are already gaps between the teeth and that is the reason food gets stuck. Flossing doesn’t create gaps between the teeth, it just cleans them.