If you’ve ever tried to research something on the internet you’ve quickly found out that there’s a lot of misunderstandings and bad information out there. It can sometimes seem practically impossible to get a straight answer to your questions, especially when it comes to looking for facts about dentistry.

At The Dentist House we consider patient education to just be just as important as the physical dental work we perform. That’s why we like to take a moment from time to time to discuss myths and misunderstandings about dentistry. You can only be healthy if you know how to take care of your mouth properly and identify the early signs of trouble!

Myth: You Don’t Need To See The Dentist If You Aren’t In Pain

Truth: No matter how hard we seem to fight rumors like this they just keep popping up! The truth behind this rumor is twofold: first, problems don’t always cause Pain. Second, You can avoid ever experiencing pain if you make regular visits for cleanings and exams!

While most severe cavities, infections, and abscesses will cause discomfort not all of them will. It’s perfectly normal to have an infected tooth that doesn’t produce any pain, and if you do you may never know severe your health risk is! If you know something is wrong but you aren’t in pain you still need to be treated.

As for only taking time to see the dentist when you’re in pain that’s just a bad idea! Dental health problems start small and slowly get worse. Why not avoid the painful and damaging results of an infection by seeing us twice a year? You’ll be glad you came in when we catch a cavity early and treat it in the least invasive way possible.

Myth: Whiter Teeth Are Healthier Teeth

Truth: While it’s true that a yellow smile makes you look less healthy there’s nothing about the color of your Teeth that indicates their health. Sure, we all want a great-looking white smile, but having a yellow smile is perfectly natural.

As we age we encounter a number of things that stain and discolor our teeth: coffee, tea, wine, and even chocolate and other foods can have a negative impact on the color of your teeth. None of those problems, however, indicate a health concern – they’re purely cosmetic.

Myth: Fluoride Is Dangerous For Your Health

Truth: Your teeth are under constant attack by plaque acids which are produced when oral bacteria metabolizes sugar. Those acids start the formation of cavities, but they don’t get deep right away. Plaque acid erodes your teeth slowly over time, and Fluoride is unique in its ability to rebuild lost enamel, making it essential for good oral health.

If you’re wondering if that protection is outweighed by the harm that fluoride can do don’t be concerned – you would need a lot more fluoride than you get in toothpaste and water to cause any side effects. Studies that show the harm of fluoride aren’t applicable to your situation either – they were performed in parts of the world where fluoride is naturally present in far greater amounts than it is here.

The bottom line: fluoride is safe when consumed in the amounts you’ll get here in Ridgecrest, and it’s also a fundamental part of fighting cavities.

Myth: Flossing Daily Isn’t Essential

Fact: How long have you gone without brushing until you just can’t handle the feeling and taste of your mouth anymore? That’s caused by bacteria building up on your teeth and gums. Bacteria can regenerate over the course of 12 hours, which is why we brush twice a day.

Now think about those spaces between your teeth: if you never floss then that same gross stuff that coats your teeth is still hiding between them! The spaces between your teeth are some of the most vulnerable in your mouth, and when they aren’t kept clean you’re almost guaranteed to end up with gum disease and cavities.

It only takes oral bacteria 24 hours to start irritating your gums – think about that the next time you’re deciding whether you should floss or not!

We Could Go On And On …

… but we don’t want to bore you with dental myth after dental myth. Hopefully you were able to learn something from this bit of mythbusting – knowing the truth about your oral health is important!

If you have more questions you want answered don’t hesitate to contact us right away! You can reach our Ridgecrest office by calling 760-657-4049 or you can request an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon!