The world of oral health was not readily available for a lot of people in the old days, and thus it became riddled with myths and folk tales that do not hold up any longer. Unfortunately, there are still quite a few people who believe some of those particular myths, and these myths may be hurting their oral health. Here are two of these myths and what is true and false about them.
Whiter Teeth Mean Healthier Teeth: False
Beautiful white teeth are an attractive feature for a lot of people. The whiteness of movie-star's teeth is something that common people strive for in their day-to-day lives. So much so, that there has been an influx of at-home teeth whitening products. From teeth trays to gels, toothpastes and brushes, there are a lot of products to consider when trying to get white teeth. But, it's not the whiteness which tells us about the health of your teeth, it's the entire mouth. Things like healthy gums or no cavities tell us how healthy your mouth truly is. Also, some of those whitening products are great short term, but they could end up damaging your teeth long term.
Health Problems in the Body and in the Mouth are Separate: False
Your oral health is a window into the rest of your body and your behaviors. Thus, oral health and bodily health are directly connected. For example, if a patient is experiencing sensitivity in their mouth, it could be from a list of reasons. We'll assume that it's from a cracked tooth in this case. How did that cracked tooth occur? Well, maybe from grinding their teeth during sleep—which is often a side effect of intense stress and a sign that there needs to be an adjustment.
There are a lot of other myths out there about oral health, and only some of them have merit, but not all of them do. Be aware of your oral beliefs, and if you need help sorting them out, give us a call.
Location
Northview Family Dental 1121 E. Westview Ct. Spokane, WA 99218-1319