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Facts About Dental Myths
With the magnitude of information available to us these
days, it’s harder than ever to separate facts from myths; especially when it
comes to your health. There are a million dental related myths that might steer
you in the wrong direction when it comes to a healthy smile. It’s important to
be informed and know the facts. Here are a few common dental myths, followed by
the facts.
Oral Hygiene Only Affects Your Teeth
Many people hear the phrase “oral hygiene” and they think of
the simple act of brushing or flossing. While oral hygiene is important for
keeping your teeth healthy, poor oral hygiene can be linked to several other
health problems- including heart disease. Taking care of your mouth actually
means taking care of a lot of things within your body. Untreated periodontaldisease contributes to more low birth weight babies than both drinking and
smoking combined. Having poor oral
hygiene can cause a multitude of problems- not all of them related to your
teeth.
You Shouldn’t Get Your Wisdom Teeth Out Until They Start to Hurt
Typically, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and
your dentist will generally advise you of the same. If you wait for your wisdom
teeth to become painful, they might have already done other damage to your gums
or teeth. Many people believe that as long as they have no pain, there’s no
reason to have an unnecessary surgery. In rare cases, wisdom teeth can stay
intact as long as they are not interfering or causing damage. One of the most
common reasons to remove wisdom teeth is because they are so difficult to keep
clean and rather than incurring costly repairs to those teeth many dentists
will suggest having them removed. Frequent
exams are necessary in this case to monitor and maintain your health. It’s
generally better to have your wisdom teeth removed before any pain, rather than
take the gamble.
White Teeth Are Healthier Teeth
Teeth are actually not meant to be pure white. Tooth color
can vary widely, for example, depending on your race, pigmentation varies
greatly. Also, as you get older, your
teeth will naturally take on a more faded color as things do with time, however
they can still be perfectly healthy. A color
beyond a light yellow could be cause for concern, but generally the pinkness of
your gums is a better indication of oral health as opposed to how white your
teeth are.
If Teeth Look Healthy, and Are Not Hurting, There is No Reason to Visit a Dentist
The most common mistake people make regarding their dental
health is skipping regular preventive visits because they do not see or feel
any problems. Even in the absence of a visible problem or discomfort, regular
visits for x-ray exams, cleaning and necessary restorative care are necessary
to maintain your teeth and gums for life. Discovering diseases in the mouth
earlier rather than later will typically reduce cost,
recovery time and severity of dental treatment that may need to be performed.
It’s important to educate yourself on the facts surrounding whole
body health and well-being. Muddled information and common misperceptions can
leave people confused. The best way to combat myths and augment dental health
is to see and speak with your dentist regularly. Have open dialogue and
productive conversations about what is and is not true. Being informed, savvy
and educated will keep you and your
dentist smiling.
Ye Olde Village Dentist
1664 Village Green
Crofton, MD 21114
Phone: (301) 261-3800
