At A Plus Dental, we are serious about your dental and overall health. But that doesn’t mean we don’t like to enjoy ourselves now and then, even laugh a little about dentistry.
And looking back over time, to see what people have believed, and still do believe about teeth, mouths, and dental health, can be pretty funny, and sometimes a little weird.
So today we’re going to take a look at the wild and wacky world of dental beliefs.
Sometimes the line separating fiction from fact gets just a little bit blurred. This is certainly the case with dentistry, in which myths and misconceptions have abounded. Not sure what we’re talking about? Take a look at our 9 hoaxes, myths, and misconceptions about dentistry!
White Teeth Are Healthy Teeth. The old saying about judging books by their covers completely applies here. Just because your teeth shine doesn’t mean they are healthy.
Many things can go wrong with your teeth and gums that simply can’t be seen. This is why dentists use checkups, X-rays, intraoral cameras, and other diagnostic tools to examine your teeth. If an unseen dental problem is detected, it can quickly be addressed.
“Toothworms” cause toothaches. In the old days, many cultures believed that toothworms were the cause of toothaches. Depending on the culture and time, there were various ways to remove a toothworm.
Honey was sometimes used to “draw out” the toothworm. The Aztecs, going for strong and not sweet, believed that chewing on chili peppers could sweat the toothworm out.
You can’t see a dentist while pregnant. Complete myth! It is actually important to the health of a mother and child to continue regular dental care while pregnant, partly because pregnant women are more prone to gum disease.
Gum disease can lead to complications, making prompt treatment very important. Just be sure to mention your pregnancy to your dentist when you visit and he or she will take any necessary precautions.
Roman mouthwash. This one is kind of gross! Roman mouthwash seems kind of icky when you consider the main ingredient was urine. The Romans believed swishing it in your mouth would stop toothaches and freshen breath!
After dental work is done a tooth is stronger than ever. This depends on what the dental work was. Dental crowns and fillings are awesome but not perfect, while veneers are more easily damaged. If you have dental work of any kind, it is important to sit down with your dentist and discuss how strong the treatment is, and proper care and precautions for taking care of the treatment.
Dentists have always been around. Sort of – there were dentist in Egypt in 5000 BC, but in English speaking countries proper dentists didn’t exist until the 1800s. Before that dental care was performed by barbers and blacksmiths. As you might imagine, their methods could be rough.
They used pliers for pulling teeth or devices similar to bottle openers, which used the patient’s jawbone for leverage.
Children are more likely to get cavities. Not true, though it is true that children are not as skilled at brushing and/or flossing. Parents should help their children brush and floss until they become coordinated enough to do it themselves.
If your gums bleed, you should stop flossing. Not at all. Bleeding gums actually mean you should floss more, as they can be a sign of gum disease. You should floss and brush at least twice daily and mention any bleeding to your dentist. But the last thing you want to do is reduce your oral hygiene program.
The Tooth Fairy. The idea of the tooth fairy probably came from Europe, though in many cases the ‘fairy’ was actually a rat or mouse. Today, however, most English speakers know who the tooth fairy is, and sociologists say that growth of the idea of the tooth fairy is related to fairy-based movies like “Cinderella”.
And versions of the tooth fairy exist in many countries, although the fairy is slightly different from place to place. Children in South Africa put their lost teeth inside of a slipper, in hopes that a mouse will come take the teeth and replace them with money or a gift. In Pakistan, kids wrap their lost teeth in cloth and toss them in a river for good luck.
At A Plus Dental our goal is to give our Campbelltown area patients, from infants to seniors, with caring, relaxed treatments in a calm and welcoming environment. When you choose A Plus Dental, you take the next step towards a beautiful, healthy smile with teeth that feel great in your mouth!!
$99 new patient deal which includes check up, cleaning, fluoride treatment and 2x X-rays.