The condition of the oral cavity of Poles is not optimistic. We postpone the visit to the dentist until we have no other choice due to infections or cavities. Improper care and hygiene as well as the lack of effective prevention are the main sins of Poles. It turns out that many of us keep repeating myths about teeth and visits to the dentist.
In order to enjoy the health of the teeth and oral cavity, it is essential to have proper prophylaxis and regular visits to the dentist. It is thanks to them that it is possible to detect caries or gum problems in time. Dental doctors sound the alarm – Poles disregard the health of the oral cavity and wait until the last minute to visit the dentist. There is still a misconception that certain treatments may harm or may not be performed, e.g. during pregnancy. It’s time to deal with the most popular dental myths.
Popular myths about teeth:
MYTH # 1: Toothpaste with charcoal whitens teeth
Black toothpastes are becoming more and more popular, but they are not an effective way to whiten your teeth. As it turns out, the trend for pastes with carbon is dictated by market needs and a tempting price, not real effectiveness. According to a popular dentist, the use of such a toothpaste may also have negative effects on our smile. The toothpaste not only does not whiten our teeth, but it can scratch the enamel and discolor the gums.
- You can sign up for whitening in the clinic using the Medonet Market offer
MYTH # 2: Tooth x-rays are harmful
This myth, despite enormous technological advances, has remained deeply rooted in the minds of patients. It comes from the times when the X-ray actually involved the ingestion of a large dose of radiation. Today it is completely out of date.
When taking one pantomographic image (i.e. an X-ray of the entire dentition), the patient receives a dose of radiation, as during an hour-long flight in an airplane. Thanks to science and technology, radiation exposure is minimal and should not be a reason to forgo the necessary diagnostics.
Further part under the video.
MYTH # 3: Pregnant patients must not be anesthetized
This belief is also no longer valid and is directly related to the drugs used to administer local anesthesia. In the past, when lidocaine was the only available agent, pregnant and breastfeeding women were advised not to use anesthesia. The drug could cross the placenta and lower the fetal heart rate. Today there are many more methods of anesthesia. During the visit, you should inform your dentist about your pregnancy so that he can choose the appropriate and safe measures.
MYTH 4: If your gums are bleeding, you shouldn’t floss them
The belief that bleeding gums are best avoided when brushing your teeth causes more harm than good. Giving up flossing due to bleeding gums makes the situation much worse. One of the most common causes of bleeding gums (apart from scrubbing too hard with a hard brush) is inflammation. Neglecting hygiene will only worsen the situation. Flushing should not be stopped because of bleeding in the course of inflammation of the gums. According to the expert, it is only after two weeks of hygienization and cleaning of the gingival area that the improvement will appear and the bleeding will stop. In addition to regular thread cleaning, it is worth making an appointment with a dental hygienist.
- See also: Gums – a measure of the health of the whole organism
MYTH 5: Teeth cannot be extracted during menstruation
This myth probably dates back to a time when treating teeth had more to do with visiting a blacksmith than visiting a doctor. All indications are that it is based on situations in which tooth extraction was carried out in a rather brutal manner and increased the risk of infection or hemorrhage. Not so long ago, there was concern about increased bleeding during menstruation caused by hormones. Nowadays, the phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle has no effect on planned dental procedures, not even surgical tooth extraction. It is not necessary to postpone tooth extraction for menstruation. Treatments are precise and carried out to the highest standards, following all the rules of asepsis.
MYTH 6: Root canal treatment causes cancer
The myth was created on the basis of a documentary available on a popular streaming channel. The whole thesis is based on the connection of cancer patients with root canal treatment. It was checked how many cancer patients had undergone such dental procedures. The answer seems simple and obvious – most because it is a very common and effective form of dental treatment. Importantly, there is no scientific basis or research to prove this theory. According to the expert, the people speaking in the film are not medics or have lost the right to practice. After the fact, the Netflix platform removed the film and apologized for its broadcast.
This may interest you:
- The dentist suggests. This is not worth doing at the National Health Fund
- How were teeth once pulled out? We have known anesthesia for a short time
- Which method of teeth whitening should I choose?