Dental treatments and oral health care are two of the most commonly misunderstood healthcare industry segments. As a result of these misconceptions, you may not have the opportunity to receive beneficial dental treatment or engage in practices that will keep your mouth healthy by avoiding necessary dental treatments. For this reason, you need to understand the differences between dental myths and facts to optimize oral health and overall well-being. Listed below are a few myths that Dental Implants San Diego perpetuates:
1. Myth: Losing teeth is genetic.
Most tooth loss is preventable, as opposed to the popular belief that tooth loss is a genetic condition. You can prevent tooth loss by keeping your mouth healthy, which is the most common cause of cavities. Maintaining a healthy mouth for a lifetime is possible by brushing and flossing thoroughly daily, visiting your dentist regularly, and practicing preventative care.
2. Myth: Oral health is unrelated to general health.
When poor oral hygiene is maintained, bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and have serious consequences, such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, respiratory infections, and pregnancy complications. Several diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower your body’s resistance to infection, thereby contributing to oral health issues. You invest in your well-being by maintaining your oral health
3. Myth: Harder brushing results in cleaner teeth.
You must brush your teeth to ensure they are clean thoroughly, but brushing too hard can cause discoloration and sensitivity and wear down the enamel. Furthermore, brushing too hard may cause your gums to become inflamed, bleed, and even recede if you push the brush too hard. As a result, applying only a little pressure to your teeth when you brush them and using a toothbrush with a soft bristle is best.
4. Myth: Brushing your teeth at any time is fine.
To keep your teeth healthy, the American Dental Association recommends brushing them twice daily for two minutes each. Additionally, consider timing or when you should brush your teeth in addition to the twice-a-day rule. Because saliva production slows during sleep, your teeth are particularly vulnerable to cavity-causing agents and gum disease. Therefore, brushing your teeth before bedtime and right after waking up is highly recommended.
5. Myth: Using gum as a toothbrush is also good.
While chewing gum benefits oral health, it is never a substitute for brushing teeth. It is never a substitute for talking on the phone or checking your e-mail. In addition to helping to displace bacteria in the mouth, sugar-free gum can also help produce more saliva and freshen the breath, but it will not be able to remove the sticky plaque that builds up on your teeth over time.
6. Myth: Carefully brushing will hide previous poor dental care.
You need to know that your dentist can still determine your regular habits, such as whether you brush and floss regularly, smoke, or drink soda regularly, regardless of how thoroughly you brush and floss your teeth before you visit. For example, if you do not brush your teeth regularly, hard tartar will form on your teeth because of not brushing them enough, making it impossible to get rid of them with just brushing. It is very likely that your gums will appear swollen, red, and even bleed during your dental hygiene visit if you do not floss. Bleeding gums and a large amount of tartar on the teeth characterize poor oral hygiene.
7. Myth: Fillings and crowns prevent decay.
There is no way to prevent your teeth from decaying with a dental crown or filling, but they can protect them. It is important to note that a tooth that has had a dental restoration done is just as susceptible to decay as a tooth that didn’t have a restoration. In addition, if another cavity develops in the same area in the future, the treatment will be more expensive if it needs to be done again. Consequently, it is essential to regularly brush and floss your teeth thoroughly, regardless of whether they have been previously restored.
8. Myth: X-rays in the dental office are dangerous.
X-rays taken for dental purposes are safe and very low in radiation; a full mouth x-ray contains about the same amount. Radiation is a risk associated with dental x-rays, but the benefits outweigh it. A dental x-ray allows your dentist to detect changes in your hard and soft tissues and diagnose conditions like gum disease, cavities, and tumors.
9. Myth: Pregnant women should avoid dentists.
Pregnancy hormones may increase gum disease. The majority of pregnant women develop gingivitis (early gum disease) during their pregnancy, so it’s essential for them to avoid skipping routine dental checkups and cleanings and to take extra care of their oral health. During pregnancy, you can undergo emergency dental work and some restorative procedures. Cosmetic procedures, including veneers and teeth whitening, must be delayed until your baby is born.
10. Myth: Visiting the dentist is only necessary if you have a problem.
Cavities and gum disease often remain undetected in the early stages until they progress. Additionally, if you consume alcohol, smoke, or eat an unhealthy diet, you are more likely to suffer from dental problems. As a preventative measure to avoid discomfort and costly dental treatment in the future, it is advisable to have routine dental checkups every six months.
11. Myth: Aligners are the same as Invisalign.
There are essential differences between the San Diego Smile Center aligners and those offered by other dentists. Essentially, the difference between Invisalign and conventional aligners is that Invisalign aligners have attachments that are placed on your teeth by your dentist before you begin your orthodontic treatment. It is the attachments that assist with moving the teeth in the direction in which they should go. In the absence of attachments, there is a possibility that your teeth will move unpredictably and in an unfavorable direction.
12. Myth: Tooth whitening will damage your teeth.
A professional teeth whitening procedure is safe, effective, and won’t cause you to damage your teeth, provided that it is performed under the supervision of your dentist. The critical thing to remember is that some over-the-counter options have been known to cause damage to the teeth and gums, so it is best to choose a professional solution instead of an over-the-counter one.
13. Myth: Children’s primary teeth are not permanent.
As adult teeth grow into the jaw, adult teeth need space to grow between the primary teeth. As soon as a primary tooth falls out too soon, the other teeth in the mouth will try to move into the space and prevent the permanent tooth from coming in correctly. The result of this can be crowding and misaligned bites as a result. As a result, establishing dental habits at an early age can help prevent the development of dental issues as an adult.
Our San Diego Smile Center team can assist you with oral health, from regular dental checkups to teeth whitening and dental crowns and implants. We can help you schedule a dental appointment by calling (858) 566-0842 or requesting one online.