Dental health is a vast subject. As is to be expected, this also means many lies and myths are in circulation. Reading different versions of what should be done can confuse you, and you’ll end up not knowing what to do with your family’s oral health. According to AAPD, kids and teens should visit a pediatric dentist every six months for regular checkups. This includes examinations, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatment, and x-rays. Here are some of the most common dental myths busted.
Debunking Common Dental Myths
If Your Teeth Are White, They Are Healthy
The color of your teeth is not an indicator of health. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular services taken by people to brighten their smiles. Many people, up to half of the population, are probably not happy with the color of their teeth. It’s important to understand that the color of teeth varies from person to person. Instead of trying to use the color of your teeth to determine oral health, you must visit the pediatric dentist so they can check other things like breath, cavities, and gum health. These are true indicators of oral health.
Braces Are for Kids
This is another common dental myth. Most people associate braces with children. While it’s true that most orthodontic issues are discovered in childhood, it doesn’t mean you have to live your life with a crooked smile just because you didn’t get braces early on in life. Braces work for adults too. In fact, nowadays, there are lots of options for braces. If you are worried about aesthetics, you can go for Invisalign. It’s virtually invisible. Therefore, the trays won’t draw any attention to you.
Oral Health Is Not Connected to the Rest of Your Body
Your mouth houses lots of bacteria. Some of them are quite harmless. However, some can cause serious problems. For instance, if you have a tooth infection, your mouth will be populated by harmful bacteria. This will make your body vulnerable to various types of bacteria that can cause problems like endocarditis, pneumonia, and cardiovascular disease. By taking good care of your dental health, you reduce the risk of developing dangerous bacteria in your mouth.
It’s always important to fact-check all the claims you come across on the internet. The web is an unregulated space, so anyone can create content for you to read. This is why you need to stick to the advice given to you by a pediatric dentist. If there’s something you are not sure of, get in touch with us today. We would love to hear from you.