Common Myths in Dentistry
In dentistry, there are some common misconceptions and myths that deter people from regular visits to their dental professional. Here's a list of a few commonly heard by us and our colleagues.
1) X-rays are harmful to me, and dentists take them unnecessarily with no benefit.
As mentioned in a previous blog post, the benefits of appropriately prescribed dental x-rays are critical to provide comprehensive dental care.
In modern dentistry, the treatment paradigm is "minimally invasive dentistry", where we try to keep things as conservative as possible for the best long-term prognosis. X-rays are needed for that, as small cavities that are forming in between teeth are not visible with a clinical exam. Only when the cavity gets larger and larger will there be clinical changes in appearance.
For some procedures such as root canals and dental implants, x-rays are an absolute necessity to provide proper care.
Many people worry about radiation, but the radiation is minimal for dental x-rays and decades of use have shown that they are safe.
2) If I brush my teeth twice a day and floss regularly, I do not need to come see a dentist.
Even though most dental problems are preventable with good oral hygiene, some people are at higher risk of developing problems in their mouth. This may be a result of individual genetic makeup, medications being taken, and/or dietary habits.
As such, it is recommended for people to visit their dental professional for a comprehensive examination, which includes evaluation of the jaw joints, an oral cancer screening, a soft tissue exam, along with an exam of our bite, gum health, and any other conditions.
Depending on what is discovered, more or less frequent checkup intervals will be recommended as opposed to the often mentioned 6 month checkups.
3) There is no point in fixing cavities on baby teeth, as the baby teeth will fall out anyway.
Baby teeth do indeed get replaced as the adult teeth develop and erupt. But if cavities are left unchecked on baby teeth, they can grow very large very fast. This can cause pain for the child, which would disrupt learning and sleep schedules.
If left untreated, an infection could form by the gum area, which could result in a facial swelling. These infectious bacteria can also affect the developing permanent tooth right below.
At worst, there could be a systemic infection and the child will develop fever and needs hospitalization.
If the baby tooth is pulled prematurely instead of restored and a gap is left, then there will be a reduction of space in the jaw for the permanent teeth to come out. This will result in crowding and teeth that erupt in a non-ideal manner.
As such, children should be visiting their dentist regularly to ensure that problems do not become overly complex.
4) Fluoride is harmful to my body, and I refuse to have anything to do with fluoride.
Fluoride in toothpaste has been shown throughout the previous decades of scientific research to have a drastic effect on reducing the amount of cavities in our mouth compared to non-fluoridated toothpaste.
For children, because of their smaller size and weight, and they use less toothpaste, correspondingly.
Because toothpaste is not normally ingested during brushing, there is minimal risk of fluoride toxicity. The topical effect it has through 3 to 4 minutes of daily brushing is extremely beneficial in remineralizing our teeth from plaque.
5) If I do not have any pain, then that means there are no problems with my teeth and gums.
Dental problems are not symptomatic when they begin, similar to other illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Whether it is the initial stages of gum disease or the beginning of tooth decay, none of these cause pain at the onset. If left undetected and untreated, they will progress to a point where symptoms happen.
For gum disease, this includes receding and swollen gums, bigger black triangles, and eventually loose teeth and possibly an infection.
Tooth decay also never stops growing, but the rate at which it grows is unpredictable. Once the decay gets very large and closer to the nerve of the tooth, a toothache will likely occur. Root canal treatment may be needed, and oftentimes a crown will be required after root canal treatment.
With medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, we all know that the earlier they are detected and managed, the more predictable and successful the outcome is. The same is true for conditions in our mouth.
6) If my gums bleed when I brush, I should avoid brushing them to avoid irritating them.
Bleeding gums are a sign of active inflammation in our gums, commonly known as gingivitis (-itis means inflammation of any body part, gingi- is the short form of gingiva, the scientific word for gums). The primary cause of inflammation is due to bacterial plaque, but for some people they may be a secondary result of hormonal changes (such as in pregnant women or teenagers through puberty), or as a side effect of some medications.
If the bacterial plaque is removed via thorough brushing and flossing, the inflammation in our gums will decrease and the bleeding will minimize or stop, since the area is now clean.
So, contrary to what you may believe, bleeding gums means we should brush and floss them more diligently, but properly. Light pressure with soft or extra soft toothbrushes is all that is required. Flossing should also be done correctly to prevent gouging our gums.
These misconceptions may have popped up amongst conversation with your friends and family, and this post may have helped you to clarify any questions or doubts.