Common Dental Misconceptions

Common Dental Misconceptions

In the 16th century of France a story traced back according to Georgian calendar lead to the change in dates of celebration, since proposed date was unaccepted by all, although officially declared. Old Julian calendar was followed by many people, known as fools. The per-Christian group was celebrating in april1^st, instead of May was also considered as fools. On this particular day, people played pranks and jokes, that resulted in misconceptions. These misconceptions related to dental tale lead to anxiety, doubts and suffer from dental disease. In the era of modern and advance dentistry, the misconceptions of dental treatment procedure are still prevailing in common public. The misconception is sometimes baseless, may be from someone else beliefs, or experiences, at times perception and interpretation by analytical thinking of experiences undergone, so various factors involve in forming a belief of individual. Here are some of the common misconception and facts of dental and its treatment procedures.

1. Oral cleaning by scaling of teeth loosens, abrades the teeth and widens between the teeth

Fact: Scaling is a procedure of removal of calculus (tartar) and plaque surrounded around the teeth and gum line, and it relieves from eating bone around the tooth gums by bacterial flora. During scaling, when calculus is removed from the attachment of calculus to the teeth, in case if the tooth is already shaky then as soon as it is removed feels loosened and also feels the gap between the teeth, after some days it heals to certain extent based on severity. The other aspect of false belief is abrading the teeth because everything within limit sounds always good, since the scaling procedure has to be done 6 months once rather than at regular intervals. Incase of severe gum disease scaling has to be undergone 3 to 4 months interval.

1. Extraction of teeth affects the eyes

Fact: The eyes are not affected by extraction of teeth since there is no direct connection between the eyes and tooth.If the upper teeth are decayed and infected, only if it is spreads beyond the space of sinus cavity, then the swelling of eyes is seen since there is connection between infection and eye, but not to extracted teeth.

1. I, always brush my teeth 2- 3 times a day still cavities has occurred

Fact: The teeth brushing 2-3 times day doesn't prevent caries since caries occurrence in the tooth depends on many factors like genetics, diet like sugary candies, pastries, cookies, saliva, medications(antidepressants, antipsychotics, Bp control drugs). Genes play as a primary determinant role for development of tooth, the structure of Enamel varies among individuals, the softer the enamel causes the tooth to decay. Sugary diet like pastries, candy, cookies etc causes acids and attack the teeth results into tooth decay. Saliva play a role in causation of caries, when the pH of saliva in the oral cavity becomes neutral at 6.5 to 7.5, and caries formation occurs when the pH becomes at 5.5 and the root at 6.0. The medications of antidepressants, anti-psychotics, and BP controller drugs causes tooth decay due to dryness of mouth called as xerostomia where the saliva is reduced henceforth bacterial count is increased results to decay of tooth

1. Hard method of brushing teeth whitens in colour.

Fact: The tooth is generally white in colour, as the age progresses, certain medications, eating, drinking like tea ,coffee,beverages etc causes the tooth yellow in colour .Brushing hard , wears of the enamel and causes tiny cracks and crevices by that debris and plaque gets deposited and the dentin is exposed so hard brushing never causes the tooth to be whitened in colour.

1. As soon as cavitated tooth is treated, thereafter no decay occurs for life time.

Fact: The restored tooth after some years forms a secondary caries due to microleakage and cracks in the restoration, poor oral hygiene also results into secondary caries so restored tooth has to be again consulted during regular visits by dentist.

1. Bad odour occurs even after brushing teeth properly.

Fact: Bad odour in the mouth is known as halitosis. The causes of halitosis is due to diabetes,lung disease, respiratory tract infection, Kidney disease, cancer etc, diet like onion ,garlic,poor oral hygiene due to gum diseases causes tartar and debris deposition, Beverages like tea, coffee, etc causes stains . Dry mouth due to reduced saliva, snoring, long period of time, speaking etc. So, consulting dentist would definitely diagnose the cause and treats the underlying cause and henceforth relieves from bad odour.

1. Eating chocolates and sugary sweets decays the teeth

Fact: The decays of tooth occurs when the sugar turns into acid, on the surface of enamel becomes weak and results into cavities Chocolates and sweets contain high amount of sugar so after eating swishing the mouth would be of great help

1. Drinking hot tea or coffee harms the teeth.