Many people are not only afraid of visiting the dentist, but also believe in many dental myths that prevent them from getting timely treatment. — Vecteezy
There is a worrying rise in dental disease in the country, especially among those living in rural areas.
Lack of awareness, dental negligence and refusal to get treatment are all factors in this surge in dental diseases.
Another reason is the belief of patients in various dental myths.
In my daily practice, I have come across many patients with different dental concerns, who avoid preventive and early- stage dental treatment due to such myths.
Most end up coming for treatment only upon experiencing signs and symptoms that are affecting them so badly that they can no longer be ignored.
For instance, patients with severe periodontitis, which could have been treated at an early stage, come in when their condition can only be managed by extraction.
When asked why they did not visit the dentist earlier, the reason is because of certain myths they believed in.
This is a worrying trend, and one that poses great risk to both the oral and overall health of the affected person.
It is also a challenge for healthcare providers as belief in these dental myths seem to be quite prevalent.
Hence, it’s crucial to tackle these dental myths, which are very misleading and contributing to various side effects.
Here are some of the common misconceptions about dental conditions, and the actual facts behind them:
Myth: Scaling causes tooth-thinning
It is not uncommon to hear patients claiming that scaling causes thinning and mobility of teeth.
The fact here is that scaling is not the culprit, heavy calculus is.
Scaling is a treatment that is required for the removal of calculus deposition.
If the patient is experiencing mobile or loose teeth, it is because it is already present due calculus deposition under the gum.
To make it clear, tissues and bone hold the teeth.
Once there is heavy accumulation of calculus under it, the gums swells up.
As the condition worsens, the bone starts to erode.
If left untreated, this will eventually lead to mobile or wobbly teeth.
Myth: Sugar causes cavities
I commonly encounter this complaint from patients: “I don’t take sugar often, so why am I getting cavities?”
Well, the cause of cavities is actually acid, not sugar, although sugar does contribute to cavities indirectly.
The acid that is released by the bacteria in the mouth as a by-product is responsible for creating cavities.
These acidic substances harm the tooth structure, causing a cavity to form in stages.
If the cavity is not treated at an early stage, it can progress and develop deeper into the tooth until it reaches the pulp.
By this stage, treatment will be both more complex and costlier, and if it is bad enough, the tooth might need to be extracted.
Here’s an interesting fact to consider: Frequent snacking is ten times worse than consuming something sweet all at once when it comes to cavity development.
This has to do with the pH balance in the mouth and how long the acidic environment is maintained within it.
For example, sipping on a sweet drink throughout the day is way worse than gulping it all at once.
This is as sipping the drink throughout the day maintains an acidic environment within the mouth the entire time, while gulping it down only creates that acidic environment for that short period of time.
This is a classic example of untreated thick calculus build-up leading to periodontal abscess. — Dr NIDTHIYAA A. RAVICHANDRAN
Myth: Flossing causes bleeding
Patients also always claim that flossing causes gum bleeding and increased spacing between teeth.
However, the fact is that bleeding gums are an early warning sign of inflammation of the gums.
They bleed due to plaque and bacteria accumulation.
Do not ignore those warning signs.
Avoiding flossing can lead to cavities forming in the surfaces between teeth as toothbrush bristles cannot reach these areas to brush them thoroughly.
Thus, once food accumulates between the teeth, cavities will be more likely to form in these areas.
Hence, flossing and brushing contribute equally to healthier teeth.
Myth: Frequent brushing will prevent dental problems
Some patients claim that they brush their teeth multiple times a day, but still have cavities and gum issues.
Most people tend to think that brushing harder cleans the teeth better.
However, brushing isn’t just about quantity, it is also about quality.
Proper toothbrushing technique is crucial.
For the best cleaning action, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle – this does not need to be precise as you simply need to hold the toothbrush head at an angle to the gum line.
Use gentle circular motions to brush the outsides, insides and chewing surfaces of every tooth.
And don’t forget to brush or scrape your tongue before you are done!
Like daily flossing, tongue-scraping is another crucial step for getting rid of harmful bacteria and keeping your breath fresh.
Using hard toothbrush bristles on the basis that it can “scrape away the plaque much more easily” is not justified.
In fact, it can actually damage your gums if you are in the habit of brushing your teeth too hard.
In addition, it can cause your enamel, which is the outermost surface of a tooth, to wear away over time.
You might also experience abrasion cavities, which is where the neck of the tooth is scraped off, resulting in hypersensitivity.
Myth: White teeth are healthy teeth
Another widely-believed dental myth is that white teeth are healthy.
This has resulted in some people very religiously brushing their teeth with whitening toothpaste.
Of course, a white and bright smile is also desired for aesthetic purposes.
However, white teeth does not mean healthier teeth.
Each individual’s teeth could be different shades of colour.
These differences in colour can be caused by stains that are a result of external or internal factors.
ALSO READ: Teeth no longer white? It may be your habits or just age
Whitening toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients, which serve the purpose of removing these stains.
However, these abrasive ingredients can also cause the teeth’s enamel to wear off.
Enamel will never grow back; hence, its thinning will lead to sensitivity.
Therefore, it is best to seek professional dental advice to determine the causes of any stains on the teeth and get treatment accordingly.
ALSO READ: Be wary of teeth-whitening products touted on social media
Myth: No pain, no need to see the dentist
Unfortunately, this is not true.
The fact is cavities in the beginning stages will not cause pain most of time, and most of them are not even visible, even more so if they are in hidden areas of the tooth.
Thus, it is crucial to see the dentist every six months so that any problems can be detected and treated earlier.
Dental consultation and treatment is not expensive, neglect is.
Hence, get your basics right by practising proper oral care and seeing your dentist regularly.
Dr Nidthiyaa A. Ravichandran is a general dental practitioner. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
