Five Dental Myth Busters

Tooth be told, there’s a lot of misconceptions when it comes to proper dental care and these sometimes fuel the lack of excitement when you see an upcoming dental appointment on your calendar.

And while its true that going to the dentist isn’t all fun and games, knowing the truth behind certain myths will certainly help your chances of maintaining good oral health.

Here’s FIVE of our favourite dental myth-busters:

1.  They’re just baby teeth and will fall out anyway, so no need to see a dentist: 

FALSE. One of the biggest misconceptions is that baby teeth don’t really matter, since they “just fall out”anyway.

On the contrary, baby teeth play a huge role in guiding the adult teeth in both direction and health. They foster good nutrition through proper chewing, and aid in speech development.

2. If your teeth are white and look and feel fine, then you don’t need to see the dentist: 

FALSE.  Sure, it’s great to have healthy looking  teeth, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a pesky hole forming that you cannot see or feel.

Dental visits and cleanings every 6-12 months will help keep your teeth looking and feeling healthy; and help to catch any beginning stages of gum disease or a cavity before it leads to pain. 

Any person who tells you they only see a dentist when a tooth hurts, is doing themselves a big disservice.  Straight perfectly white teeth are definitely not a substitute for poor oral health care.

3. You can’t go to the dentist while you’re pregnant: 

FALSE. Some mums-to-be assume that the dentist should be avoided while pregnant.

Tthere is no scientific basis for this. In fact, the vast majority of dental procedures are completely safe for pregnant women and the babies they’re carrying.

As we’ve said many times, our mouth is the gateway to our body.  Bacteria, infection and other problems here can easily affect the rest of your health, which may affect your baby.

Additionally, pregnancy results in hormonal changes that can cause tooth and gum problems, so getting a dental check-up during pregnancy is not only safe but also incredibly important!

4. You don’t have to floss if you’re brushing regularly:

FALSE. When you don’t floss, you’re at risk for two major dental issues in your mouth: gingivitis, and cavities between your teeth, and you are not able to properly remove dental plaque buildup.

Brushing only cleans the visible parts of your teeth. Whereas flossing gets to all those tricky hard to reach areas.

Oh and brushing harder does not give you a better clean, that’s another myth!  It can actually erode tooth enamel.  We recommend using a soft-bristled brush and gently massaging your teeth and gums. Harder is NOT better.

Using an electric toothbrush does not stop the need for flossing either.  It is still super important.

5. You can dissolve a tooth in Coca Cola In 24 hours:

FALSE.  This is actually not possible.

While there’s no question that Coke will deteriorate and stain your teeth, leaving a tooth in a coke can for 24 hours will not dissolve an entire tooth.

Coke is acidic and as much as I dislike what it does, it simply can’t make a tooth disappear.   But remember, always keep soft drinks in moderation.

So there you go, that’s our top FIVE myth busters!

Oral health education is a big part of what makes us tick at Taree Dental Care. The more you know, the healthier your smile.

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