Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Debunking Dental Myths: How Well Do You Know Your Teeth?

By Dr. Brian Nový, Director of Practice Improvement, DentaQuest Institute

Myths are something we are exposed to every day – we hear them from our co-workers, friends and family. Everyone has heard the ones about chewing gum staying in your stomach for seven years, if swallowed, or that you should never wake a sleep walker. But, did you know there are many myths about oral care and your teeth? In this post, we’ll play a game of true or false, and cover 9 common “facts” about teeth. Can you guess what is a myth and what is true?

1.    You should floss before you brush your teeth.
This is in fact true. If you floss after you brush, there is a risk that you will wipe plaque all over your clean teeth. Ideally, you would brush, floss and then brush again.

2.    Whitening your teeth will hurt your enamel.
This is a myth. While excessive whitening can be harmful, a tiny bit of bleaching gel, like carbamide peroxide, can help kill bacteria on your teeth that can cause periodontal disease and tooth decay.

3.    Bad breath is only caused by not brushing your teeth.
Would you believe that this is false? Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors. For instance, your tonsils can collect debris causing your breath to smell. Bad breath can also be caused by more serious issues, like periodontal disease and untreated tooth decay.

4.    You should use an electronic toothbrush over a regular toothbrush.
Also a myth – a regular toothbrush can do a great job of brushing, but some patients find that an electronic toothbrush can make brushing easier. Soft toothbrushes do a better job cleaning than medium or hard bristled toothbrushes, so always select a toothbrush with soft bristles.

5.    You only need to visit your dentist only once a year.
False! Everyone needs to visit the dentist at least once a year, and some patients need to visit the dentist four times a year. You should talk with your dentist about how many times a year you should visit his or her office.

6.    Brushing bleeding gums is bad.
This is one of the biggest myths out there! If your gums are bleeding, you need to brush more carefully and floss more often. If your gums still bleed after a week of gentle thorough brushing, see your dentist to ensure everything is ok.

7.    People who get cavities simply just don’t brush their teeth.
It’s much more complicated than that – this is another myth. Cavities are caused by a bacterial infection. Brushing is an easy way to prevent some cavities but you need to encourage oral health by eating protective foods, flossing and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups. 

8.    All fillings you have in your mouth will eventually need to be replaced.
This is true! Once you have had a filling, your tooth has been weakened. There currently is no perfect filling material out there, so fillings must be maintained over your lifetime. You can help you fillings last longer by caring for them with proper home care.

9.    You should not go to the dentist when you are pregnant.
This is a very common myth. While you are pregnant, your hormone levels change which can make it easier for bacteria to cause dental infections. It is important for expecting mothers to also let their dentist know if they have any changes in their oral health, like bleeding gums. Be sure to see your dentist regularly if you are pregnant.

How did you do? Did you get all 9 right? As you can see, knowing the difference between the facts and myths surrounding dental health is important not only for your oral health, but also your overall health. Always check with your dentist if you have any questions or want to clarify any myths!