Myths & Facts
Some Interesting Myths & Facts to help you understand better.
MYTH: A child never needs cleaning of milk teeth.
TRUTH: It is a myth that we need not clean a child's teeth. Children are as much prone for dental decay or gum diseases as adults. In fact children tend to have sweet food including sweetened milk and juices which can promote dental caries. So it is advisable to start the habit of cleaning the infant's teeth soon after they appear in the mouth. In fact it is advised to clean baby’s gum pads everyday by gentle massage even before the teeth erupt.
MYTH: A chipped tooth can only be fixed with dental bonding.
TRUTH: While dental bonding (tooth coloured fillings) can certainly fix a chipped tooth, porcelain veneers are another cosmetic dentistry option that look and feel natural but last longer than regular dental bonding. Veneers are thin shells of ceramic placed over the front of the teeth to fix imperfections, such as chipping, gaps, and alignment of crooked teeth.
MYTH: After a decayed tooth is treated, there will be no more decaying there.
TRUTH: There is no guarantee for this.Tooth decay can start on another surface of the same tooth if bacteria have a chance to grow on food remains. After the treatment, every tooth must be properly cared about: regularly brushed, flossed and so on.
MYTH: After any bleaching procedure teeth do not remain shining white for long time.
TRUTH: In average, the effect can last for about a year or so, but after every following bleaching procedure due to irregular brushing and flossing, consumption of staining foods or drinks, and smoking, the effects usually decreases. However the shade will not be darker than your initial natural tooth colour.
MYTH: After having a root canal treatment, my tooth is completely restored
TRUTH: After completing a root canal treatment, it is extremely important to make a follow-up appointment with your dentist to have the tooth permanently restored. After the pulp (nerve tissue) of the tooth has been removed, the tooth can become very dry and brittle. Having a permanent restoration will help protect your tooth from fracturing.
MYTH: An artificial set of teeth or complete denture that is made once is forever.
TRUTH: While it is true that well fitting dentures are used by the patient for many years, it is a myth that it can be retained forever. The oral tissues that lie below the dentures change over a period of time. But the dentures are made of stiff materials that do not adapt according to the changing contours of the oral tissues. Thus even a well fitting denture may not fit well after a few years. If an ill-fitting denture is continued to be worn, it can cause damage to the underlying tissues. Thus most dentists advice changing of the dentures once in at least 5 years.
MYTH: As long as my teeth seem okay, and I’m not experiencing any problems, I don’t need to visit the dentist.
TRUTH: Regular check ups at the dentist are extremely important. You may think that your teeth are fine, but a visit to the dentist to make sure is always advisable. If you do find that you need treatment, it is much easier, less painful to treat early. Leaving it could result in having much more lengthy and expensive procedure.
MYTH: Braces aren't for adults.
TRUTH: More and more adults are receiving orthodontic treatment that they didn't receive when they were children. Today, there are more options to straighten teeth with braces that are aesthetically pleasing, so they won't interfere with your personal or professional life.
MYTH: Brushing my teeth several times a day harms the enamel
TRUTH: Generally, it is enough to brush your teeth two times a day, but if you have an opportunity to brush your teeth more frequently (for example, after every meal), use a soft or extra soft toothbrush. Mechanical removal of food debris discourages growth of bacteria and lessens susceptibility to tooth decay.
MYTH: Charcoal, salt, rice husk, tobacco, etc, in powder form is better than toothpaste in cleaning teeth.
TRUTH: The objective of cleaning the teeth is to remove the plaque and food particles on and around the teeth by the bristles of a toothbrush with the help of a toothpaste or powder. A standard paste contains proper sized abrasive particles, which are not harmful to the teeth. However, other powders are coarse and can erode the outer layer of the teeth and permanently damage them. Hence, only standard toothpaste or powder should be used with a toothbrush. Toothpaste is better than powder as it can easily be dispensed on the brush and it may contain fluorides, anti-tartar chemicals, etc. The foaming action of the toothpaste also helps to freshen the mouth. Tobacco should not be used. Users enjoy the euphoric effect of nicotine present in tobacco rather than cleaning of the teeth and slowly become addicted to it. Hence, it should never be used.
MYTH: Cleaning the teeth with finger & powder is better than with toothbrush.
TRUTH: A tooth brush with bristles cleans plaque and food particles from almost all the surfaces of the teeth. The finger may not reach all the areas as well as a brush does. Hence, it is recommended to use a toothbrush with paste to clean the teeth and freshen the mouth. Finger can only be used to massage the gums after brushing is complete.
MYTH: Crowns cause teeth to need root canal treatment eventually
TRUTH: Many people believe that having a crown on a tooth means that the tooth will eventually need a root canal. Crowns do not cause the need for root canal therapy. If a crowned tooth does require a root canal, it could be that the tooth has abscessed or that secondary decay has developed underneath the crown and reached the pulp of the tooth.
MYTH: Dental problems go away without any visiting the dentist
TRUTH: This is simply not the case. If you experience a problem with your oral health, leaving it alone and taking pain killers will not help. You should visit your dentist and get to the bottom of the problem. Leaving it alone will mean that it only gets worse, and you may be forced to undergo much more lengthy, painful and expensive treatment than you would have if you had seen your dentist earlier.
MYTH: Dental procedures are always painful.
TRUTH: Not anymore.Most dental procedures are carried out under local anesthesia, which makes the procedures totally painless. In addition the modern day high-speed drills cause less vibrations and are more comfortable for the patients.
MYTH: Dentures are the only way to replace missing teeth.
TRUTH: With the technology in cosmetic dentistry always on the rise, there are several options now available for those who are missing teeth. For example, dental implants have gained in popularity over the years. During the dental implants procedure, a metal post with an artificial restoration is fused into the jaw bone. This option provides stronger and more natural-looking results than dentures or dental bridges.
MYTH: Eating a lot of chocolate causes tooth decay.
TRUTH: No, it does not, but if you do not brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth every time after eating chocolate, you are at much higher risk to get tooth decay. This holds true for all soft, sticky and sugary foods.
MYTH: Even with a root canal, the tooth will come out eventually
TRUTH: After root canal treatment, if you have your tooth properly restored, maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dentist for regular checkups, there is no reason why your natural tooth can not last for the rest of your life.
MYTH: Expensive toothpastes are always better than cheap ones.
TRUTH: It is not always true, and some moderately expensive toothpaste can be very effective. Ask your dentist about the toothpastes that can be good for your particular dental situation. Following the right technique of brushing is extremely important.
MYTH: Extracting the tooth is better than getting a root canal treatment done
TRUTH: Keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is very important for proper eating and chewing functions. There are several options available for missing teeth, such as dentures, partial dentures, dental implants and fixed dental bridges, however, these alternatives can be much more expensive than saving your tooth with a root canal treatment.
MYTH: Going for regular check ups at the dentist is not important.
TRUTH: Going to the dentist for regular check ups & cleanings is absolutely crucial in making sure that you have good oral health. Regularly visiting the dentist helps to prevent cavities, root canals, gum disease, oral cancer, and other dental conditions. If you do find that you need treatment, it is much easier, less painful to treat early. Leaving it could result in having much more lengthy and expensive procedure.
MYTH: Good dental health can be inherited
TRUTH: Inheritance plays minor role for good dental health of people. The main rules are to maintain proper oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly.
MYTH: If the tooth doesn't hurt, there is no need for a root canal treatment
TRUTH: While a throbbing toothache usually results in the need for root canal treatment, many times a tooth can require root canal treatment when there is no pain present. Dentists and endodontists are specially trained to test a tooth to see if the pulp (nerve tissue) has been infected or damaged. If this is the case, a root canal would be necessary to save the tooth.
MYTH: If tooth enamel is white, the tooth must be considered healthy.
TRUTH: This is absolutely untrue! A tooth can look healthy and white, but, at the same time, it can have cavities, problems with the root or support apparatus and other abnormalities that require treatment.
MYTH: It is better not to remove wisdom teeth till they cause pain
TRUTH: Wisdom teeth need to be extracted for various reasons. They can create premature bite contacts and can lead to deviation of bite or can cause areas of food lodgment and cause decay of self and adjacent tooth or can cause cheek bite etc Do not wait for decay and pain to set in for extraction of these teeth.
MYTH: It is better to treat a decaying tooth rather then opt for removing it.
TRUTH: Whether to continue treatment or remove an aching tooth should be decided by a qualified dental professional. Sometimes, even totally decayed tooth can be restored, and, at the same time, there are situations when even a healthy looking tooth must be extracted because of gum disease.
MYTH: It is necessary to avoid dental procedures during pregnancy.
TRUTH: The above notion is not true. Regular dental treatment must not be avoided by pregnant women, but there are a number of procedures, such as X-rays or surgical dental procedures, which must be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy. Routine dental procedures can be carried out without any fear. However, major surgical procedure may require medical opinion before treatment.
MYTH: It is not harmful to whiten your teeth with usual sodium bicarbonate.
TRUTH: It is, actually, very harmful, because sodium bicarbonate we use for baking has very strong abrasive effects. Whitening can be done at home or in the dental clinic but always under the guidance of a qualified professional.
MYTH: Maintaining good dental health is difficult
TRUTH: Maintaining good oral health is not at all difficult, but you do have to be pro active about it, and not just assume that everything is fine. Simple things such as brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, seeing your dentist regularly and having a good balanced diet all help to keep your oral health in top condition.
MYTH: Milk teeth are not very important because in some years they are going to fall out.
TRUTH: This is absolutely wrong from a variety of perspectives. First of all, if you do not take care about milk teeth, they may fall out before the time and cause problems with bite or improper development of your child’s permanent teeth. Early loss of milk teeth leads to drifting of the adjacent teeth and closure of some of the space that is required for the succeeding permanent teeth to erupt into. Such a loss of space will cause the permanent teeth to erupt in irregular position and result in crowding.Early loss of milk teeth will interfere with chewing and affect the child’s nutrition. Besides, it is necessary to start educating your children to maintain good dental and oral hygiene since early childhood.
MYTH: Once a decayed tooth is treated the dental problem is over.
TRUTH: Dental decay is treated by use of various restorative materials. If the patient does not maintain good hygiene, decay can start again around restorations. Hence, whenever a tooth is filled or replaced it requires use of additional cleaning methods like flossing, interdental brushes, etc, in addition to regular tooth brushing. In addition dental check up once a year becomes all the more important when you have a treated tooth.
MYTH: Placing a tablet of aspirin beside my aching tooth can ease the pain.
TRUTH: Aspirin does not work effectively for relieving toothache. Besides, it damages soft tissues in your mouth. Tooth pain is an indication of a tooth disease and you need to see your dentist.
MYTH: Pregnant women can not undergo root canal treatment
TRUTH: Pregnant women can and do undergo root canal treatment. Having a root canal does require a small x-ray, but the radiation exposure is very minimal and the x-ray is aimed at the mouth, not the abdomen area. If you are pregnant and your dentist needs to give you an x-ray, he will use a lead apron for protection. The anesthetics that dentists use are also safe for pregnant women.
Be sure to let your dentist know beforehand if you are pregnant.
MYTH: Professional cleaning/scaling/removal of tartar loosens the teeth.
TRUTH: Teeth are held firmly by the supporting tissues including bone. Bad oral hygiene results in the deposition of tartar /calculus on the tooth surface. These deposits irritate the gums and can cause inflammation and bleeding of the gums. If the tartar is not removed, the gums may recede and the supporting bone around the teeth gets destroyed. The tartar on the teeth thus causes great harm to the supporting tissues of the teeth. However, patients may experience slight mobility of the teeth after tartar is removed as it kind of binds the teeth together. Professional cleaning removes this tartar and arrests further destruction of supporting bone. Removal of tartar deposits only helps to recover the health of supporting structures. This chain of events does not take place in people who have dental checkup regularly.
MYTH: Removal of upper teeth affects vision.
TRUTH: This is a misconception. Vision is not affected in any way by undertaking treatment of the upper teeth including its extraction.
MYTH: Root canal treatment hurts
TRUTH: The perception of root canal treatment being painful began decades ago when root canal treatments were painful. Today, with modern technology and better anesthetics, root canal treatments are no more painful. Knowing what to expect while having a root canal treatment can help ease a lot of anxiety.
MYTH: Root canal treatment involves removing the roots of the tooth
TRUTH: When the dentist or endodontist performs a root canal treatment, he or she removes the pulp (nerve tissue) from inside of the tooth. The roots of the tooth are not removed.
MYTH: Root canal treatment requires a lot of visits to the dentist
TRUTH: With today’s cutting edge technology, most root canals can be performed in one or two office visits.
MYTH: Some dental conditions such as gum disease are completely natural, and visiting the dentist regularly will not stop it.
TRUTH: Gum disease is certainly not completely natural and unable to be avoided. It is the most common disease prevalent in oral environment. Gum disease is caused by a build up of dental plaque and by not brushing properly. This and other oral health problems can be avoided by visiting the dentist regularly.
MYTH: Teeth whitening is harmful as it can damage the enamel.
TRUTH: Modern methods of teeth whitening have minimal harmful effects. Nevertheless, one must remember that teeth whitening can not be recommended for many people, especially for those who have sensitive teeth, problematic enamel, underdeveloped tooth tissues, as well as for pregnant and nursing women.
MYTH: Teeth whitening will leave my smile bright forever.
Fact: While your smile will always be whiter after the teeth whitening process, it's up to you to maintain the results. Teeth whitening results can last for up to a year but may fade due to irregular brushing and flossing, consumption of staining foods or drinks, and smoking. Touch-ups with a whitening kit are often necessary after several months to keep your teeth bright and white!
MYTH: The dentist does not have time for people who are nervous like me and who need a lot of encouragement and support whist having treatment.
TRUTH: Dentists at Smile Care are specially trained to support and work with patients who are obviously nervous about undergoing treatment, and will have done so on numerous occasions. There is no need to think that you are making you dentist’s job harder than it needs to be as this is in fact part of their job, and they are there to make sure you feel comfortable and happy with your treatment.
MYTH: The dentist will be completely shocked and appalled by the state of my mouth.
TRUTH: Dentists at Smile Care are trained medical professionals who have seen a lot of people with extremely poor oral health. You will be absolutely nowhere near the worst that they have seen. Even if your mouth is in a bad condition, your dentist is trained to help you and will go about your treatment in a professional manner. If you feel that your mouth is this bad, then this is a great reason to visit your dentist!
MYTH: There is no need in seeing dentist if there is no visible problem with my teeth.
TRUTH: One should visit the dentist every six months no matter in what condition your teeth are at the moment. Sometimes, only a dentist can see a possible problem, and it is always better to start treatment at the earliest.
MYTH: Thumb sucking by children leads to forward placement of upper teeth.
TRUTH: Thumb sucking is a normal infant habit, which makes the child feel secure and happy. It usually decreases after the age of 3 years. However, if the habit persists beyond the age of 5-6 years it can cause problems of the teeth including forward placement of the teeth. In these children, depending upon the frequency and severity of the habit an intervention of the habit by a dental surgeon may be required.
MYTH: Using a sugarless chewing gum with xylitol after meal can replace brushing and have the same effect.
TRUTH: Not really, mechanical cleansing with a tooth brush can not be substituted by chewing gum. But if you can not brush your teeth after every meal, you can use a sugarless chewing gum to clean your teeth and refresh your breath. Do not chew it for more than 10 minutes.
MYTH: Using toothpicks after meals can widen the gaps between my teeth.
TRUTH: Usually toothpicks can not have such effects, but you must be very careful when using toothpicks because they can damage the gums and other soft tissues in your mouth.
MYTH: When I go to the dentist I have no way of knowing what is going on, and have no control whatsoever.
TRUTH: This is a common source of fear for people who are nervous about visiting the dentist. Before you undergo any dental treatment dentists at Smile Care chalk out a customized treatment plan for you and explain in detail about the procedure that you are going to undertake. They will be more than happy to help, and they can even explain what they are doing whilst carrying out the procedure itself. After all, it is you that is having the treatment, and you have the right to know!
MYTH: When the gums bleed, it is better not to brush the teeth.
TRUTH: Bleeding of gums is a sign that they are inflamed and are not healthy. This usually is a result of plaque and food particles accumulating around the teeth. Until this collection is removed, the gums continue to bleed. Bleeding gums is a sign of gum disease and you need to see your dentist.