You only need to go to the dentist if your teeth hurt– This is definitely not true, and it has always been the case that when pain is noticed, the hole/decay is very deep and in such cases a root canal treatment maybe recommended. However, if you do visit the dentist for check-up every 6 months, such invasive procedures can be avoided as we can detect the hole/decay at an early stage. Thus, a simple filling may suffice.
Flossing can create spaces between your teeth– The correct technique of flossing will be told to you by your dentist and once you follow this, no such spaces can be created. Flossing is a very essential part of oral hygiene as it removes food particles stuck in between the teeth where normally a brush cannot reach.
It is only a baby tooth, no need to take care of it– Milk teeth are the most important set of teeth to take care of. Without the milk teeth, spaces between the other teeth will start to close prematurely preventing the permanent tooth from erupting in it/s original position. Also, any injury to the milk teeth in the form of decay or trauma to the milk teeth can cause damage to the underlying permanent teeth.
The harder I brush, the cleaner my teeth get– This is a common misconception and we always tend to brush harder in order to clean our teeth. However, following the right tooth brushing technique followed by using a soft-bristled tooth brush and brushing twice a day is more than enough to maintain good oral health. Brushing teeth vigorously can cause loss of the 1st layer of the tooth known as enamel and invariably lead to tooth sensitivity.
Regular professional cleaning at the dentist causes teeth to become brittle and chip-off– A regular check-up every 6 months is advised followed by which if you require professional cleaning, your dentist may suggest it. This treatment procedure does not harm your teeth and cleans out all the deposits that are stuck to your teeth- something which cleaning with a toothbrush may not be able to do. Also, one should note that only if there are any debris or deposits stuck onto the tooth, a professional cleaning known as “scaling” is required, and getting it doe too many times such as every month is definitely not advisable.
Oral health is not connected to the rest of the body– In fact, oral health is very much concerned with the overall general health. Many a time, the status of the gum and the bone which supports your teeth in the jaw, can give us an idea regarding your general health in terms of diabetes for example. How is this possible you may ask, well, let me give you a brief description- a landmark 1954 study, was the first to show that oral germs such as those that cause gum disease, frequently enter the blood stream and quickly spread throughout the body. Among the ways this can happen, could be through tooth brushing, tooth extraction or even chewing food. The spread of these germs throughout the body can result in chronic inflammation, a process linked to many disorders including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even some forms of cancer. Poor oral health has also been linked to dementia, rheumatoid arthritis and even pregnancy complications. Therefore, it is very important to take care of your oral health as well as there is a direct correlation to your systemic health.
My teeth are unhealthy because I am aging– Aging has very little to do with poor oral health. Maintenance of good oral hygiene from the very beginning will prevent the teeth from further damage as years go by. On the other hand, aging can be associated with dry mouth with less saliva in the oral cavity. This in turn can lead to more decay in the teeth and also associated gum problems. Thus, coming in for a regular dental check-up is very important since prevention is always better than cure.
Only sugar causes tooth decay– There are many factors responsible for tooth decay. Too much sugar intake can lead to more cavities, however, the time at which the sugary substances are taken can also affect the development of decay. Its always suggested that whenever one takes sweet food, limit the intake of these as soon as you finish your meal. A break in between your meal and intake of the sweet food can cause more cavities as there will be fluctuation in the pH in the mouth leading to development of more decay. This is just one example as to how other factors can affect the development of decay. Thus, not only sugar, but time, the tooth, the amount of sugar consumption, the bacteria present in the oral cavity, all influence the development of cavities in the teeth. Therefore, make sure to take care of your teeth by following routine brushing and flossing to maintain good oral hygiene.
As an adult, I do not need to wear braces– There is no age limit to wear braces. However, we do recommend to undergo braces treatment at an early age, as the bone is more pliable. If you do feel that you need braces, do visit your dentist so that he/she can explain the various treatment options as now a days with various technological advances, braces also are undergoing various new dimensions such that it is comfortable for everyone and at any age to undergo treatment. Remember you deserve that beautiful smile!
Removing the tooth will cause blurred vision– This is just a myth and not at all true. Removal of your wisdom tooth has nothing to do with your vision. There are other factors to be considered which your dentist will explain to you in detail before you undergo wisdom tooth removal. However, it is a routine procedure that is carried out at any dental clinic and there is therefore, nothing to worry about.
