I know we have all heard some pretty crazy things in regards to our oral health! For whatever reason, there are several common myths about dentists and oral health that endure to this day. Some of these dental myths are kind of funny while others are kind of weird.
Unfortunately, not all these myths are silly and harmless. Here are six commonly held notions about dental health that are just plain wrong and why!
MYTH:
“I don’t like my smile but I’m too old for braces!”
With new technology like Invisalign, even adults into their 80’s have a great new smile! For adults who want faster results, natural looking porcelain veneers are used for smile makeovers in no time!
MYTH:
“Headaches are caused by stress.”
Most headaches are triggered by the jaw muscles from teeth clenching. Teeth clenching can be caused by an uneven bite that the dentist can fix!
MYTH:
“Don’t brush or floss if your gums are bleeding!”
Gums bleed due to inflammation caused by leaving plaque on the teeth. Brushing and flossing regularly is the only way to make gums start to heal.
MYTH:
“Cavities hurt—so if my teeth don’t hurt, they must be ok.”
Decay can kill the nerve in a tooth so even big cavities usually don’t hear. Cavities are under the surface so you cannot see them by looking.
MYTH:
“You can stop a toothache by putting an aspirin by an inflamed tooth.”
Aspirin cannot enter a tooth to relieve pain. Placing an aspirin on your gums will burn your gums!
MYTH:
“Eating too much sugar will cause tooth decay!”
Sugar does cause decay but it is how OFTEN you eat sugar that matters more than how much! Frequent snacking on sugar is 10 TIMES WORSE than eating a big dessert all at once!
Dental care and hygiene are important subjects. Your mouth’s health impacts the health of your entire body. False information like this is dangerous because it keeps people from taking care of themselves as well as they should be. As dentists, our job is to look after your dental health. Busting harmful myths like these is part of that job.
Another part of being a dentist is answering any questions you may have. If you want to know something about dental health, schedule an appointment any time. We’re always here to guide you toward long term dental health. Call us at 704-933-2115 and we look forward to seeing you!
