A visit to the dentist can be daunting for many people. Unfortunately, this causes many people to avoid going to the dentist regularly, which can lead to serious dental problems. To help dispel some of the common myths about going to the dentist, here are 9 myths debunked.
- “I only need to go to the dentist if I have a toothache.” Unfortunately, many people believe that they only need to go to the dentist if they have a toothache. But in fact, going to the dentist should be regular, to prevent dental problems and keep your oral health up to date.
- “Brushing and flossing are enough to keep teeth healthy.” While brushing and flossing are essential for oral health, they are not enough. A professional cleaning by a dentist is necessary to remove tartar and plaque buildup, which cannot be removed by brushing and flossing.
- “Going to the dentist is expensive.” Going to the dentist regularly is much cheaper than letting dental problems get worse. In addition, many health plans include dental coverage, making going to the dentist affordable for many people.
- “Dentists are painful.” Modern dentists use anesthesia to minimize pain during dental procedures. In addition, many dental offices offer conscious sedation to help relax patients during treatment.
- “I don’t need to go to the dentist if I don’t have teeth.” Even if you don’t have natural teeth, you still need to visit the dentist regularly. If you wear dentures or implants, the dentist can make sure they are well-fitting and in good condition.
- “I don’t need to go to the dentist if my teeth look healthy.” Even if your teeth look healthy, it is still important to visit the dentist regularly to check for potential problems that are not visible to the naked eye.
“Professional cleaning is painful.” Although a professional cleaning can be uncomfortable, it is not painful. Sensitivity during cleaning can be minimised with the use of local anaesthetic.
“Dentists only look after their teeth.” Dentists don’t just look after your teeth, but also your general oral health. They can also detect problems in the gums, tongue and mouth, which can be indicators of more serious health problems.
“Children do not need to go to the dentist until their permanent teeth appear.” Children should start visiting the dentist regularly from the age of 6 months or when their first tooth appears. Children should start visiting the dentist regularly from the age of 6 months or when their first tooth appears. This helps ensure that teeth are developing properly and prevents early dental problems.
