As with most health care fields, there are many misunderstandings and fallacies revolving around dentistry. Typically driven by lack of education and dread, these perceptions frequently start with misunderstanding and then expand to take on a life of their own. Subsequently it's likely you've come across many rumors revolving around about the maintenance and care of our teeth. The more you brush the healthier your mouth will be and halitosis signifies that you're a bad brusher are just two misconceptions that are totally incorrect. Let's look beyond the misconceptions and rumors to debunk some of the most common dental myths.
Bad Dental Health Only Impacts the Teeth
While it may be reasonable that a concentration on brushing, flossing and scheduled oral checkups may make most assume that only our teeth are impacted by inadequate oral health, nothing could be further from the truth. Appropriate oral health can have a significant influence on not only physical but also mental health. From a physical standpoint, minor problems can rapidly transform into gum disease resulting in the loss of teeth and a heightened likelihood of more serious diseases, including cardiovascular disease and stroke. Aside from the physical effects, low oral health can often lead to a poor physical appearance which can easily lead to a lack of confidence and poor self esteem. Not surprisingly, inadequate oral health affects much more than just the mouth.
More Sweets Leads to More Tooth Decay
Everyone has heard the misconception that eating more sugar contributes to tooth decay. A myth probably distributed by mothers around the globe, this is simply not the case. First, sugar by itself does not boost dental decay, but is an essential part of the process that can bring about tooth decay. In a nutshell, sugar is consumed by bacteria found in the mouth that produce acids that damage teeth. Second, this action is not sped up because of the amount of sugar eaten. Even so the possibility of tooth decay can be lowered by minimizing the amount of time that sugar has contact with the teeth. Therefore, eating sugar is not the problem, but the length of time it is in contact with your teeth is.
Losing Baby Teeth to Tooth Decay Isn't a Problem
As youngsters develop their primary (baby) set of teeth, some people assume that given that these teeth will be replaced loosing teeth due to cavities isn't a serious problem. Sad to say this is a myth that may affect a child's development and health for many years. Although baby teeth will eventually be replaced, they carry out a number of crucial functions including facilitating in enunciation when learning to talk, encouraging the correct chewing of food and maintaining the correct spacing for the development of permanent teeth. Moreover, the existence of tooth decay at such an young age could also suggest a dietary problem that should be addressed to maintain good general health. Hence, losing baby teeth is a concern that must be addressed.
Oral Hygiene Can't Conquer Genetics
One of the many myths that are among the most distressing is one that suggests that good dental hygiene cannot overcome a genetic predisposition to tooth decay. Certainly this is not based in fact. Of course genetics play a major role in everyone's life and that also includes our oral health. The positioning and durability of teeth are two aspects that can be substantially impacted by heredity; tooth decay is too. However, a genetic predisposition to cavities can be drastically moderated with a regular routine of oral health which includes daily brushing, flossing and regular examinations. Therefore, oral hygiene can prevail over genetics.
Misconceptions about dental health are everywhere, but a good look into each will uncover the true story behind each of these falsehoods.
Bad Dental Health Only Impacts the Teeth
While it may be reasonable that a concentration on brushing, flossing and scheduled oral checkups may make most assume that only our teeth are impacted by inadequate oral health, nothing could be further from the truth. Appropriate oral health can have a significant influence on not only physical but also mental health. From a physical standpoint, minor problems can rapidly transform into gum disease resulting in the loss of teeth and a heightened likelihood of more serious diseases, including cardiovascular disease and stroke. Aside from the physical effects, low oral health can often lead to a poor physical appearance which can easily lead to a lack of confidence and poor self esteem. Not surprisingly, inadequate oral health affects much more than just the mouth.
More Sweets Leads to More Tooth Decay
Everyone has heard the misconception that eating more sugar contributes to tooth decay. A myth probably distributed by mothers around the globe, this is simply not the case. First, sugar by itself does not boost dental decay, but is an essential part of the process that can bring about tooth decay. In a nutshell, sugar is consumed by bacteria found in the mouth that produce acids that damage teeth. Second, this action is not sped up because of the amount of sugar eaten. Even so the possibility of tooth decay can be lowered by minimizing the amount of time that sugar has contact with the teeth. Therefore, eating sugar is not the problem, but the length of time it is in contact with your teeth is.
Losing Baby Teeth to Tooth Decay Isn't a Problem
As youngsters develop their primary (baby) set of teeth, some people assume that given that these teeth will be replaced loosing teeth due to cavities isn't a serious problem. Sad to say this is a myth that may affect a child's development and health for many years. Although baby teeth will eventually be replaced, they carry out a number of crucial functions including facilitating in enunciation when learning to talk, encouraging the correct chewing of food and maintaining the correct spacing for the development of permanent teeth. Moreover, the existence of tooth decay at such an young age could also suggest a dietary problem that should be addressed to maintain good general health. Hence, losing baby teeth is a concern that must be addressed.
Oral Hygiene Can't Conquer Genetics
One of the many myths that are among the most distressing is one that suggests that good dental hygiene cannot overcome a genetic predisposition to tooth decay. Certainly this is not based in fact. Of course genetics play a major role in everyone's life and that also includes our oral health. The positioning and durability of teeth are two aspects that can be substantially impacted by heredity; tooth decay is too. However, a genetic predisposition to cavities can be drastically moderated with a regular routine of oral health which includes daily brushing, flossing and regular examinations. Therefore, oral hygiene can prevail over genetics.
Misconceptions about dental health are everywhere, but a good look into each will uncover the true story behind each of these falsehoods.
About the Author:
Larry Rowland helps in providing root canal in Cherry Hill, NJ and works for one of the leading Cherry Hill cosmetic dentists.
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten