A dozen common dental care myths

Here are a few common dental care myths.

• Myth #1: Milk teeth do not need dental care.
  If the milk teeth or primary teeth are not taken care of, the base for the permanent teeth will not be strong.

• Myth #2: Eating chocolates is bad for your teeth.
  The problem is not with the chocolate but its traces that are left behind in your mouth long after you have had the chocolate. Clean your mouth properly to get rid of the chocolate traces in your mouth.

• Myth #3: Brushing too much and too frequently is not good for the teeth.
  Brushing does not erode the teeth enamel. Frequent brushing helps keep the teeth clean. Just make sure you leave a gap of at least an hour after a meal before you brush.

• Myth #4: Salt and charcoal help cleaning the teeth.
  Being abrasive in nature, salt and charcoal are harsh to the teeth enamel. Though salt can be used with baking soda to whiten teeth instantly, this should not be done frequently.

• Myth #5: One set of dentures will last a lifetime.
  While teeth can adjust themselves to changes in the mouth, dentures cannot. You will need to change dentures periodically.

• Myth #6: Spotless teeth implies there are no dental problems.
  White teeth may not indicate a visible dental problem but they do not necessarily indicate the absence of a problem. In fact, white teeth may make it difficult to diagnose a dental problem if there is one.

• Myth #7: Brushing does not have any rules.
  There is one and only one correct way of brushing the teeth. Brushing this way ensures maximum cleaning.

• Myth #8: Teeth should not be brushed when the gums bleed.
  Visit your dentist immediately if your gums bleed. However, do not stop brushing as the bacteria in the mouth will aggravate problems.

• Myth #9: Keeping an aspirin beside your aching teeth relieves you of toothache.
  Pills like aspirin are acidic in nature; they erode the enamel of the teeth. Keeping an aspirin in the mouth should be avoided at all costs.

• Myth #10: Removal of tartar leads to tooth loosening.
  Removal of tartar often leads to the feeling of lightness but that is not because the teeth have become loose. It is a false feeling which is temporary.

• Myth #11: Tooth loss is inevitable with age.
  You lose teeth if you don’t take care of them. Age has nothing to do with teeth loss.

• Myth #12: Dental health is hereditary.
  Dental health comes to those who take care of their teeth, not necessarily to those whose parents or grandparents had sparkling teeth.

Happy smiling!

Tags: Dental care myths