Sometimes our pre-conceived ideas don’t do us any favours and we confuse fiction with facts. This is certainly true when people think of dental treatments. Here are six dental myths for you to consider:
Sugar Is Public Enemy Number One of Tooth Decay
Too much sugar will rot your teeth. Your parents probably told you something like this when you were a child and if you’re a parent, you probably tell your child this now when they ask for something sweet.
While there’s certainly no denying that sugar leads to formation of cavities, it’s not the number one culprit of tooth decay. Sugar puts more fuel on the fire, but it doesn’t light the match.
Injections in the Mouth always Hurt
There are people who don’t go to the dentist because they think it’s going to be a painful experience. It’s time to put this myth to rest. New dental technology, developments in anesthetics and analgesics, and more conservative dental procedures have made visits to our Burnaby Heights Dental Centre office a much more comfortable experience. Dr. Katy has her own “secret” for painless anesthetic injections and her many patients know and trust her because of this experience.
Bad Breath is due to Not Brushing
Not brushing and flossing can cause bad breath, but poor dental hygiene is not the only cause of bad breath. Other factors, including stomach or other illness, acid reflux, taking certain medications, and dehydration can also result in bad breath. Also, sometimes what you consume gives you bad breath no matter how much brushing and flossing you do. Onions and garlic are obvious examples.
Bleaching Products Weaken the Teeth
Whitening strips, pastes, gels — there are a variety of products in the market to make our teeth whiter. When used as directed, these bleaching products will not harm; they don’t affect the health or strength of teeth, only their colour. If over-used, bleaching can cause temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation; the tooth enamel, however, is not weakened.
You Will Know When You Have Tooth Decay
This most dangerous type of false information will give time for a minor problem to develop into a major one. Tooth decay has no early symptoms. By the time you experience pain, tooth decay has led to nerve damage, which means the decay is advanced and extensive. The only way to know if you have tooth decay —and to prevent it — is to visit Dr. Katy Anagnostou twice a year for a checkup and cleaning.
I Don’t Need Regular Cleanings
Some people watch their inner lower teeth fill up with tartar so they know that have to go for a cleaning. Every time this happens, some of your gum tissue resides and more dental plaque and then tartar will be able to hold onto your teeth, so more recession of your gums will occur. Gum inflammation and bad breath or gum bleeding shouldn’t be the reason to go for a cleaning. It is too late by this point.
