These past few years have seen increased use of the internet for the purpose of communication, information access and entertainment. Getting information or answers for your curious minds has become easier. Where getting your questions answered has come at the tip of your finger in the form of Google, Instagram, AI chatbots, people have started using these resources to get first hand opinions for their health and dental issues. Following insta influencers DIY tips and Google searches for dental problems can prove to do more harm than help. However, the rise of dental care myths online especially on Google, Instagram, and influencer pages has led many people to try unsafe home remedies for their teeth and gums.
Why not have Dr. Esha our Smile expert- Plexus Dental Studio help us with getting a clear idea on how these DIY ideas affect our Smile.
Table of Contents
Common Dental Care Myths and the Truth Behind Them
Let’s debunk some of the most common dental care myths with science-backed facts from Dr. Esha.
Whitening your teeth can damage your enamel
Myth
Having a dull/ yellowish smile can decrease your overall confidence. Whitening your teeth can brighten your teeth by 4-8 shades. Thus giving our patients the confidence of a sparkling smile. What many people believe is that the chemicals used in the procedure can lead to enamel damage and therefore increased sensitivity. Use of DIY kits for tooth whitening has also been on rise on recommendation of many Instagram influencers.
Fact
Tooth whitening is a procedure which is to be performed by a dental professional. This technique sensitive procedure when performed by a dentist leads to minimal sensitivity and no enamel damage. It is the materials like DIY tooth whitening kits and using kitchen items like vinegar, salt or lemon that causes damage. Since these DIY ideas are unsupervised by a professional, it can cause increased permanent tooth sensitivity due to enamel erosion. If you’re considering safe whitening options, check out our professional teeth whitening in Mumbai — a safe, clinic-supervised solution for a bright, confident smile.
Flossing can lead to tooth gaps
Myth
You must’ve heard your dentist tell you to floss daily, which you must’ve ignored like a Passing OF floss .A lot of people have the belief that daily passing a floss between your teeth eventually leads to spacing between them.
Fact
Flossing daily removes the food particles in between the teeth that couldn’t be removed by brushing. Flossing between teeth doesn’t allow plaque buildup which in turn keeps the gingival health in top-notch condition. The thickness of a floss is so thin that it can never create spacing between teeth. If your gums bleed when you floss, it might be a sign of early gum inflammation. Learn more about managing this in our guide on bleeding gums treatment at Plexus Dental Studio.
Tooth removal leads to loss of eye sight
Myth
As a fellow dentist, it is not very uncommon for us to hear patients ask, “won’t I lose my eyesight if I get a tooth removal done?” Due to lack of awareness , people tend to avoid undergoing tooth removal even in cases of severe pain and infection.
Fact
There is no anatomical connection between teeth and eyes. No case has been recorded in today’s time where eye sight was lost due to tooth removal. Infact not removing an infected tooth when advised can lead to severe spread of infection. At Plexus Dental Studio tooth removal is done with extreme care and minimal pain. Curious about enamel health? Explore common causes of yellow teeth and safe solutions explained by our experts.
Dental visit is only necessary when there is tooth pain
Myth
Most of the patients only come-in for a dental visit when there is pain/ sensitivity of the tooth. They often tell us that they didn’t visit us before because they didn’t have any pain even though they were aware of the present tooth decay themselves.It is very common for people to think that pain is the only criteria to get their teeth checked
Fact
It is always advised for the patients to get a dental check-up done every 6 months respectively whether they have any pain. This helps the dentist to assess any developing tooth decay or gum disease. Early detection helps in early intervention at less cost and minimal operative pain for the patients. In between visits, remember your daily hygiene routine matters too! See our quick guide on how often you should change your toothbrush to maintain healthy brushing habits.
Scaling makes the teeth week
Myth
Most patients get very apprehensive when they’re advised for scaling (cleanup) by their dentist. People have this common belief that scaling leads to removal of surface enamel which leads to tooth sensitivity and even tooth loosening.
Fact
Scaling is a very routine dental procedure advised for removal of the regular tartar and calculus buildup. This in turn restores the gum health. If scaling is not done regularly, Calculus buildup increases leading to gum and even bone loss. When irreversible bone loss starts taking place due to such build-up, patient experiences loosening of tooth. Scaling can be considered as a professional cleanup for your teeth just like you do it regularly for your skin.
Expert Advice from Dr. Esha on Dental Myths and Facts
A lot of our patients come to us with their own concepts which they must’ve heard from an Instagram influencer or seen on Google searches. Being a dentist, it is my duty to make the patient aware about the actual scientific, research-based facts and teach them to differentiate from the dental care myths. At Plexus Dental Studio, our priority lies not only in delivering the top-notch treatment but also educating the patient regarding the procedures performed. Though the information found on the internet may not be completely wrong but with proper education, rational reasoning and a proper dental consultation all your doubts will be cleared.
FAQs
How can I be sure whether the information available online is correct?
Always check for the source of information. Advice related to your teeth and gums should be from a certified dental practitioner or from a verified clinic web page.
Are home remedies for whitening safe to use?
Using DIY whitening kits or kitchen available foodstuffs like vinegar and lime can make the teeth sensitive. Permanent damage to gums and tooth enamel can also occur in a few cases. Teeth Whitening is a procedure that is advised to be carried out by a dental professional only.
How often should I get my dental check-up done?
It has been advised that a 6-month routine dental check-up irrespective of your tooth pain should be done. Any signs of early tooth decay or gum disease can be diagnosed and treated by your dentist during these checkups.
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