With day & night advancements in every field of science and technology, dentistry is also touching new heights. Today, it is highly advanced, specialized and modernized branch of medical science. Advanced research in dental science has led to better understanding of various dental problems & a systematic approach to treatment. Although this advancement has proved a number of myths about various dental treatments, dental solutions as wrong in principle, however, they are still alive deep in the minds of common people. This article is a humble approach to wipe out some common myths about various dental problems & dental solutions by presenting scientific basis & facts related to these myths.
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1) MYTH
UPPER TEETH EXTRACTION AFFECTS THE EYES. |
FACT
There are numerous reasons for this perception mainly because pain and the swelling of an upper tooth radiates towards the cheek bones and lower portion of the eyes; therefore the corelation. The teeth are normally extracted in middle/old age when the eye sight is in any case getting weaker. Actually vision is not affected in anyway while undertaking treatment of upper teeth including their extraction. |
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2) MYTH
REGULAR CLEANING/SCALING/REMOVAL OF CALCULUS WEAKENS YOUR TEETH |
FACT
Regular cleaning like bathing is a must. One cannot clean all the surfaces of a tooth effectively; hence professional cleaning is an important adjunct to home aids. Proper cleaning does not damage the teeth enamel which is the hardest substance in the body; on the contrary, scaling strengthens gums by removing hard food deposit -- tartar which is responsible for the loss of bone resulting in tooth loss eventually. Thus professional cleaning is also a part of proper dental care. |
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3) MYTH
DENTAL TREATMENT IS ALWAYS PAINFUL. |
FACT
With advancements in materials, techniques, equipments and instruments, dental treatments have now become very comfortable for the patient. In fact in skilled hands, every dental procedure is virtually a painless procedure leaving aside the anxiety of the patient, which can also be dealt with in a practical fashion. Further, many dental procedures are carried out under local anaesthesia, which renders them totally painless. Dentists have been promising of painless dental treatment since ages, now with the great advancements in the field of dental science; the time has come when they can really fulfill their promises. |
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4) MYTH
PERMANENT TEETH WILL BE SHED WITH AGE. |
FACT
None of our teeth have a specific age to be shed. It is just negligence on our part which hastens this unfortunate condition. Regular visits to the dentist and proper dental care as per dentist’s advice can prolong the life of many a tooth. |
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5) MYTH
WISDOM TEETH SHOULD BE SAVED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. |
FACT
The last molar teeth are called wisdom teeth because they erupt at an age which we relate with maturity. If these teeth are erupting in a straight pattern then we definitely don’t extract them, but if these teeth erupt in wayward places or positions they may start creating a problem for the adjoining bone and teeth. In such a condition, they and are best removed. |
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6) MYTH
ORAL HEALTH DOESN’T AFFECT OVERALL HEALTH. |
FACT
When the gums are infected bacterial by-products can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs causing other problems. Research suggests that this may contribute to a number of undesirable conditions including heart diseases such as rheumatic fever. So, proper dental care is a must for overall health. |
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7) MYTH
AN ARTIFICIAL SET OF TEETH OR COMPLETE DENTURE THAT IS MADE ONCE IS FOREVER. |
FACT
While it is true that well fitting dentures are used by the patient for many years, it is a myth that it can be retained forever. The oral tissues that lie below the dentures change over a period of time. But the dentures are made of stiff materials that do not adapt according to the changing contours of the oral tissues. Thus even a well fitting denture may not fit well after a few years. If an ill-fitting denture is continued to be worn, it can cause damage to the underlying tissues. Thus most dentists advice changing of the dentures once in at least 5 years. |
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8) MYTH
ONCE A DECAYED TOOTH IS TREATED THE DENTAL PROBLEM IS OVER. |
FACT
Dental decay is treated by use of various restorative materials. However the artificial materials usually do not completely match the tooth in strength, smoothness and other qualities. In addition, if the patient does not maintain good hygiene, decay can start again around the restorations. Hence, whenever a tooth is filled or replaced, it requires use of additional cleaning methods like flossing, interdental brushes etc, in addition to regular tooth brushing. In addition, dental check up once in six months becomes all the more important when you have a treated tooth. |
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9) MYTH
DENTAL TREATMENT SHOULD BE AVOIDED DURING PREGNANCY. |
FACT
The above notion is not true. Many a times, dental treatment is provided even during late pregnancy. Routine dental procedures can be carried out without any fear. However, major surgical procedures may require medical opinion before treatment. Dental X-rays are to be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy. |
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10) MYTH
CLEANING THE TEETH WITH FINGER & POWDER IS BETTER THAN WITH TOOTHBRUSH. |
FACT
The use of a tooth brush is a must to clean dental plaque and food debris from almost all the surfaces of the teeth. The finger may not reach all the areas as a brush does. Hence, it is recommended to use a toothbrush with paste to clean the teeth and freshen the mouth after meals. Finger can only be used to massage the gums after brushing is complete. |
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11) MYTH
CHARCOAL, SALT, RICE HUSK AND TOBACCO ETC. IN POWDER FORM ARE BETTER THAN TOOTHPASTE IN CLEANING THE TEETH. |
FACT
The objective of cleaning the teeth is to remove the dental plaque and food debris from and around the teeth by the bristles of a toothbrush along with a toothpaste or powder. A standard tooth paste contains proper sized particles, which are not harmful to the teeth. However, above mentioned powders are coarse and can erode the outer layer of the teeth and thus can damage them permanently. Hence, only standard toothpaste should be used with a toothbrush. Toothpaste is better than tooth powder as it can easily be dispensed on the brush and it may contain fluorides, anti-tartar chemicals, etc. The foaming action of the toothpaste also helps to freshen the mouth. Tobacco should not be used. Users enjoy the euphoric effect of nicotine present in tobacco rather than cleaning of the teeth and slowly become addicted to it. Cleaning the teeth with proper tooth brush and tooth paste is the mainstay of all types of dental care. |
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12) MYTH
THUMB SUCKING BY CHILDREN LEADS TO FORWARD PLACEMENT OF UPPER TEETH. |
FACT
Thumb sucking is a normal infant habit, which makes the child feel secure and happy. It usually decreases after the age of 3 years. However, if the habit persists beyond the age of 4-5 years it can cause problems of the teeth including forward placement of the teeth. In these children, depending upon the frequency and severity of the habit an intervention by a dental surgeon may be required. The child may be given some sort of habit breaking orthodontic appliance. |
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13) MYTH
A CHILD NEVER NEEDS CLEANING OF MILK TEETH. |
FACT
It is a myth that we need not clean a child's teeth. Children are as much prone to dental decay or gum diseases as adults. In fact children tend to have sweet food including sweetened milk and juices which can promote dental caries. So it is advisable to start the habit of cleaning the infant's teeth soon after they appear in the mouth. In fact it is advised to clean baby’s gum pads everyday by a soft piece of cloth along with gentle massage even before the teeth erupt. Proper dental care of milk teeth is as important as that of permanent one. |
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14) MYTH
MILK TEETH NEED NOT BE CARED FOR BECAUSE THEY LAST ONLY FOR A FEW YEARS, AND WILL ANYWAY BE REPLACED BY PERMANENT TEETH. |
FACT
Early loss of milk teeth will interfere with chewing and thus affect the child’s nutrition. It will also lead to drifting of the adjacent teeth and closure of some of the space that is required for the succeeding permanent teeth to erupt. This loss of space will cause the permanent teeth to erupt in irregular positions and result in crowding. Therefore milk teeth need to be cared for as much as permanent teeth. |
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15) MYTH
WHEN THE GUMS BLEED, IT IS BETTER NOT TO BRUSH THE TEETH AT THAT TIME. |
FACT
Bleeding is a sign of inflamed and unhealthy gums. This is due to accumulation of dental plaque and food particles around the teeth. Until this collection is removed, the gums continue to bleed. This is an indication that the individual needs to visit a dentist for proper dental care and treatment. Brushing the teeth with a soft toothbrush by proper technique removes the plaque and helps the gums to recover. Initial bleeding seen during brushing gradually reduces over a period of time. |
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16) MYTH
A PAINKILLER TABLET KEPT BESIDE A PAINFUL TOOTH REDUCES THE TOOTH PAIN. |
FACT
A toothache cannot be relieved by placing a painkiller tablet anywhere in the mouth. In fact this is a dangerous habit as it causes burns of the soft tissues around the area of placement. Hence, painkiller tablets should not be placed in mouth but swallowed after eating some food to relieve the pain and then the dentist should be contacted for proper dental solution to the problem. |
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17) MYTH
WHEN AN ARTIFICIAL SET OF TEETH ARE WORN, THE UPPER DENTURE LOGICALLY HAS TO FALL DOWN IN THE MOUTH AND CREATE PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, THE LOWER DENTURE SHOULD REST IN PLACE, WHICH IT DOES NOT. |
FACT
Although the lower denture rests on the ridge of lower jaw, it does get easily dislodged because of the interference of the muscles of cheek, lower lip, tongue and movements of the lower jaw during function. However, with time the muscles learn to co-ordinate with the lower denture and the patient overcomes this problem. On the other hand, the upper denture stays in its place due to forces of tension and rarely causes any problems. |
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18) MYTH
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT HURTS AND REQUIRES A NUMBER OF VISITS. |
FACT
With great advances in the science of endodontics and anaesthetics, root canal treatment is not painful at all. It can be completed in one or two visits. |
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19) MYTH
EVEN AFTER ROOT CANAL THERAPY, THE TOOTH WILL COME OUT EVENTUALLY. |
FACT
If the root canal treatment is properly done and the tooth is restored with a complete jacket crown, then if will last for years, provided the patient maintains good oral hygiene and regularly visits his/her dentist. |
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20) MYTH
NO PAIN, NO NEED TO VISIT THE DENTIST. |
FACT
Dental decay in initial stages is usually painless. Carious lesions do not hurt until unless they reach the pulp spaces. Caries are best treated when they are still restricted to enamel or dentin layers. Smaller the cavity, smaller will be the restoration and longer will be the life of restoration. Similarly, gum diseases in initial stages can be treated with simple oral prophylaxis. More so, today more stress is given on the preventive aspect of dentistry than the curative one. Therefore, we should visit the dentist every six months for proper dental care. |
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