We Shed Light On Common Oral Health Myths

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General dentists treat patients who are suffering from all sorts of dental problems. During appointments, their focus is on identifying issues, treating them right away, and preventing them from happening again. One way we do this is through education. General dentists take the time to answer questions and help patients create a plan for lifelong oral health. Very often, this involves debunking common myths so that patients can take steps to make healthy choices. Some of the common myths are actually harmful to oral health. So, here is a compiled list of these common myths.

 Myth – Only sugar causes cavities
General dentists understand how easy it is for patients to think of sugar as the leading cause of cavities. Eating too much sugar certainly is bad for you, but it is not the only thing that isn't good for you. Cavities are formed when the bacteria on your teeth come in contact with sugar and starch, and plaque forms as a result. The plaque secretes an acid that begins to attack the tooth, leading to decay. To prevent cavities, you need to avoid sugar, starch, and foods that are acidic. This, however, is not necessarily practical, so rinse your mouth after eating or drinking any of these things and brush two to three times a day with a fluoride toothpaste. But wait for about 30 minutes after completing a meal before brushing so that the tooth enamel gets time to recover from acidic food.

 Myth – Flossing is optional
This is a particularly dangerous myth because flossing is the most important thing you can do for preventing gum disease. General dentists suggest that you floss on a daily basis, and if you do not enjoy doing so, buy a flossing tool to make it easier.

 Myth – Root canals are only needed if a tooth is infected
Dentists perform root canals to remove the infected portion of the tooth, but also to treat roots that have been damaged. You can damage your root by getting into an accident, grinding your teeth, or having a lot of dental work completed back to back. This makes it important to plan ahead for what dental work you need to have done to avoid damaging your tooth and your roots. Fortunately, if a root canal needs to be performed, it can be done in a way that is entirely comfortable.

 Myth – Only people who smoke or chew tobacco get oral cancer
Naturally, people in this category are at an increased risk of getting oral cancer, lung cancer, heart disease, etc. However, they are not the only ones who can get oral cancer. This type of cancer is also caused by overexposure to the sun, drinking too much alcohol, and having the HPV virus, among other things. Both men and women of all ages can get it, so you are encouraged to have an oral cancer screening completed annually. If you have any of the risk factors, you may want to be screened twice per year since early detection and treatment will give you the best shot at fighting the disease.




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