You can’t believe everything you read or hear … some perfect examples that prove that statement to be true involve your dental health. Your dentist has answers for any dental concerns you may have, and would be more than happy to debunk any myths you may have heard such as:
If I’m not in pain, I don’t need to see the dentist … regular dental visits have several advantages. Plaque that has formed since your previous visit is removed – plaque is a leading cause of dental decay and gum disease. Your dentist will examine your teeth for early signs of decay or disease – correcting something small is a much better solution than waiting until it is a full blown problem. Delay can mean additional treatment like root canal therapy or periodontal treatment. These are more costly and time consuming, and may have been prevented. Catching a problem like oral cancer early can literally save your life.
Daily flossing isn’t really necessary … when you brush your teeth, you are only cleaning two thirds of the surfaces of your teeth. Flossing between teeth removes food debris that your toothbrush can’t reach. Gum tissue is stimulated with daily flossing. And while brushing is extremely important, flossing is just as important to maintain great dental health.
Diet soda is OK because it does not contain sugar … it’s not just the sugar in soda that can do damage to enamel. Phosphoric acid in all soda can result in enamel erosion; this includes diet soft drinks as well as their sugary counterparts. If you do drink a soda, use a straw to help allow much of the caustic beverage to bypass teeth.
My child is going to lose baby teeth, so their care isn’t that important … your child’s primary teeth lay the groundwork for their permanent teeth so their care is essential.
My child doesn’t need to see the dentist until ready to start school … your child should start seeing the dentist at twelve months of age. Early intervention will point out any problems with your child’s oral health as well as provide the perfect opportunity for caregivers to learn how to keep your child’s teeth healthy as they age.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the office of Dr. Daggula at 817-465-0355.
