We all have faced dental issues or have dealt with the pain of decayed teeth at least once or twice in our lifespan. While getting proper treatment is the solution to such problems, there exist people who still prefer home remedies. But before opting for any treatment, there are multiple things one can do in terms of prevention- and by prevention we mean following a proper oral health routine.
But it is sad to see how little or no preference is given to oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. Despite knowing the importance of maintaining good oral health, we are abounded by myths and illogical stories that stop us from taking proper and timely actions.
According to a review, various dental myths and practices are prevalent among the rural Indian population, with 66.67% of studies focusing on rural areas.
The sole purpose of this blog is to break the myths. Not just the myths, we will also provide you the facts so that by the end of this blog, you will realize how important it is to take care of your teeth.
Myth 1: Avoid sweets to stop the cavities from building up.
Fact: Sweets are surely a culprit, but you should also understand that it is the bacteria that are the main cause of cavities. The bacteria feed on sugar and produce acids that erode tooth enamel. And why just sweets? Nowadays, sugar is found in almost all packaged products, from bread to tomato ketchup, sugar is literally everywhere.
Myth 2: I only need to see a dentist when the toothache becomes unbearable.
Fact: Why bear the pain when you can save yourself from the pain in the first place? The reason your toothache has reached this point is that you chose to ignore the pain during its onset. Regular dental checkups are crucial for preventing problems before they become painful and costly to treat.
Myth 3: Brushing harder means better cleaning.
Fact: Brushing of course is a great way to remove the hidden food or plaque, but that doesn’t imply that you brush hard. Brushing should be gentle, or it can damage your gums and tooth enamel. Follow what dentists say, practice brushing in circular motions instead of rigorously moving the brush back and forth.
Myth 4: White teeth equals healthy teeth.
Fact: Teeth that look white and bright on the outside doesn't mean that it is perfectly healthy on the inside. Those pearly white teeth can still have underlying decay or gum disease. Only a dentist can check and tell if your teeth are free of cavities.
Myth 5: Flossing isn't necessary if I brush well.
Fact: Floss reaches where a brush can’t. Brushing does 70% of the job, but for the rest, you need a floss. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and along the gumline.
Myth 6: Mouthwash can be replaced with brushing & flossing.
Fact: The job of brushing and flossing is irreplaceable. Mouthwash is a great add-on to your oral hygiene routine, but it cannot be swapped with brushing and flossing. Mouthwash freshens breath and can also help in reducing bacteria to some extent.
Myth 7: It’s okay if you don’t take care of baby teeth, they will fall out anyway.
Fact: Baby teeth or deciduous teeth may not be permanent, but they are essential for speech development, chewing, and guiding permanent teeth into place. Therefore it is crucial to take care of baby teeth right from the start.
Myth 8: Younger people cannot be affected by gum disease.
Fact: Gum diseases are not bound to any certain age. Various factors lead to gum diseases, for example, your lifestyle choices, how much importance you give to your oral health, etc. Therefore, don’t go by the age, gum diseases are prevalent nowadays and can happen to people of any age.
Myth 9: If my gums bleed, I should stop flossing.
Fact: There’s no direct correlation between flossing and bleeding. If your gums are bleeding, then it is often a sign of gum disease. We suggest flossing gently instead.
Myth 10: Don’t visit a dentist during pregnancy.
Fact: Pregnancy leads to major hormonal imbalance, due to which there is a risk of an increase in oral health problems. It is highly recommended that pregnant ladies prioritize their oral health during this period of time.
Conclusion:
There are a plethora of myths about teeth, oral health practices, and the new standards followed by dentists. The sad part is that people are still blindly following such myths even today, in the 21st century.
We hope that the blog helped you understand the importance of oral hygiene and why you should overlook the myths that make no sense. If you feel your teeth need proper care and treatment, then we suggest you go for a consultation. If you have concerns, then feel free to talk to Dr. Aditi Agarwal; she will help you out with all your minor and major queries. Just a trivia to mention, we are glad to share that we have been tagged as one of the best dental clinic in Kandivali East. If you are looking for the best, then stop by at Smile.in Dentistry.