Not all the information you hear is correct, which is true about the following dental facts. Below, we debunk some common dental myths you may have heard.
“Cavities in baby teeth don’t matter. They fall out anyway.”
If your child has a cavity affecting a baby tooth, addressing it as soon as possible before the cavity gets larger is essential. Cavities on baby teeth can affect your child in multiple ways by causing pain, leading to infection and premature loss of the baby tooth. If a baby tooth is lost early, it can affect the way the adult tooth erupts from underneath because the adult tooth uses the root of the baby tooth to guide it into the correct spot. This can lead to crowded adult teeth. Premature loss of baby teeth can also lead to problems with speaking, biting, chewing and smiling for your child.
“Scraping during a cleaning damages my teeth.”
Your enamel is highly durable; it’s the most robust material in your body, even stronger than your bones! Therefore, the scraping and polishing that are done at the dentist do not damage your teeth. Professional dental cleanings are vital to keeping your teeth and gums healthy for your lifetime.
“White teeth are healthy teeth.”
You can’t make your teeth healthier by whitening them. They may appear nicer while smiling and speaking, but the true health of your mouth can be found at the gum line. The most important thing is to be cavity and gum-disease-free before beginning any whitening treatment.
“Cavities are only caused by sugar.”
Unfortunately, there are many factors involved in the formation of cavities. Some people may be more cavity-prone due to factors such as salivary production, mouth pH, genetics, medical conditions, medications and hormones. Of course, sugar consumption is a leading cause of cavities, but it isn’t the only cause. Doing what you can to reduce your cavity risk is essential, so reducing sugar consumption is a great way.
“Even though my dentist recommended it, I don’t need a dental crown.”
Your dentist is trying to help you prevent a broken tooth or infection. There is a reason your dentist recommended a dental crown! Crowns are used to strengthen a vulnerable or weak tooth to avoid breaking and to cavities. Crowns are often recommended for teeth with large existing fillings, root canal treatments, and large decay or internal defects.
“Electric toothbrushes don’t work better.”
An electric toothbrush can be a game changer for your oral hygiene routine. If used properly, electric toothbrushes can remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes, reducing cavity and gum disease risk. Be sure to change the head of your electric toothbrush every three months or after an illness.
“Gum recession is genetic.”
Just because a parent has gum recession doesn’t mean you will automatically have it too. Gum recession is caused by trauma to the gum line, aggressive brushing, clenching or grinding and even orthodontic work. To prevent gum recession, use a soft toothbrush and brush with mild to moderate pressure.
If you have any questions about these dental myths, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.