Our Lower Creek General Dentist Busts the 4 Most Common Dental Myths
When it comes to oral hygiene, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions floating around that simply aren’t true. In today’s blog post, our Lower Creek general dentist debunks some of the worst beliefs people have when it comes to their oral health care.
Myth: Diet sodas are better for your teeth than regular soda
Since diet sodas are low-calorie and low-sugar, many people assume they are better for their teeth. However, it’s not just sugar which harms your teeth—carbonation can cause damage, too. Since diet sodas are usually higher in phosphoric acid than regular sodas, they can often wear down tooth enamel more quickly. If you want to keep your teeth as healthy as possible, you’re better off minimizing your carbonated drink intake altogether.
Myth: Having damaged teeth won’t affect the rest of my body.
Many people do not know that poor dental care can be a gateway to stomach diseases, heart diseases, and other serious complications throughout the entire body. This is why general dentists are often the first medical professionals to identify problems such as cancer or heart disease. It’s also why patients often need dental clearance before major surgeries, to reduce the infection hazard. If your body is sick, your mouth will be the first place to show it. (On the positive side, if you take good care of your teeth, your body will be healthier, too!)
Myth: Fluoride is a chemical, and herbal or natural toothpaste is better for me.
Fluoride is a naturally-occurring element which combines with the calcium and phosphates in your saliva to help re-mineralize your enamel. Fluoride is the most important component in toothpaste, and any brand labeled as “herbal” or “natural” toothpaste that does not contain fluoride is likely not as beneficial as a fluoride-based alternative. If you want to make your own toothpaste from baking soda or benzonite clay, be sure to include sodium fluoride powder in the mix to get the maximum oral health benefits.
Myth: My teeth don’t hurt, so there’s probably nothing wrong with them.
When dentists hear that a patient’s tooth hurts, we are already wondering whether a root canal or extraction will be necessary. This is because cavities often exist for a long time before they start to cause pain. Furthermore, having pain go completely away can be a sign of the nerve dying, so it’s important to schedule preventative dental exams twice a year, even if you don’t feel any discomfort.
Get a Professional Dental Cleaning in Lower Creek!
If you need a tooth cleaning, dental exam, or other dental service in Lower Creek, contact our office today. Our experienced Lower Creek general dentist will help you determine which procedure is right for you. We accept most forms of insurance, and also offer flexible repayment options. To request an appointment, click here.