Now we are all, you could say, painfully aware of the importance of oral and dental hygiene. Particularly if we have recently paid a trip to our friendly neighbourhood dentist. Furthermore, recent research has uncovered, Nearly half the population are unhappy with their teeth (48%) with discoloured teeth (64 per cent) the main reason for being unhappy. 50% of people surveyed say that a person’s smile is the first physical trait they notice and • One in four adults admit they don’t brush twice a day, including a third of men !!!!! So we caught up with leading Harley Street dentist Dr Richard Marques, who has provided his top ten misconceptions about dentistry below.
10 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DENTISTRY:
1) Dentistry is expensive – prevention is always better than a cure. Look after your teeth and regularly visit your dentist for check-ups, and you’re far less likely to require costly procedures to fix bigger problems.
2)Kids don’t need to see a dentist until their permanent teeth come in – baby teeth are actually just as vulnerable to issues such as cavities which can become infected. Primary teeth also help with the alignment of permanent teeth, so book them in every six months.
3) Whiter teeth are healthier – dentists gauge oral health on the absence of plaque and decay, along with gum and jaw health. Teeth which are slightly discoloured aren’t necessarily unhealthy, but often just stained from things like coffee and dark foods.
4) I don’t need to floss – by neglecting to clean in-between teeth, you’re missing out around 35% of the teeth’s surfaces. Interdental cleaning removes debris trapped in these spaces and prevents the bacteria from multiplying and creating plaque.
5) Braces are just for children – whilst adolescence is the optimum time to correct teeth alignment, braces are possible at any age. A number of factors can cause teeth to move position throughout your life, and modern dentistry means there are more discreet, timely options available.
6) Babies steal calcium from teeth during pregnancy – if a baby isn’t getting enough calcium in the womb, it will be naturally derived from the bones as opposed to the teeth, which replenishes after the baby is born.
7) You shouldn’t brush bleeding gums – bleeding, inflamed gums are a strong indicator of gum disease and need urgent attention. You should still brush gently over the gums to avoid a build-up of plaque that will worsen the condition.
8) My teeth don’t hurt so I don’t need to see the dentist – don’t skip your six monthly check-ups! Your dentist will be able to detect issues before they become painful or expensive problems.
9) Wisdom teeth have to be removed – many people’s wisdom teeth will come through with no complications. Most dentists will only recommend removal when discomfort and pain is persistent.
10) Teeth whitening is painful – most professional whitening treatments actually cause only minor sensitivity and discomfort, just be sure to consult a professional and avoid at-home kits that can be harsh and damaging to tooth enamel.
