In many societies, some concepts about dentistry are nurtured like their religion-backed-beliefs and many blindly trust them without their own research and perspective. Although modern dentistry has come a long way, there are still many dental myths that are passed on by word of mouth. 

With so many rumours, myths, and unknown facts circling around, I have dedicated an article to compiling a list of the best myths about dentistry we have heard.

  1. Removal of tooth causes loss of vision/decreases the eye sight power/head ache
  2. Removal of one tooth causes damage to other  teeth
  3. Dental treatment should be avoided in pregnancy
  4. Sugar is only responsible for dental problems.
  5. Sugarless chewing gum is the awesome substitute of brushing after meal.
  6. Don’t opt for cleaning, they are bad for teeth.
  7. Dental x-rays are unnecessary.
  8. Applying aspirin paste on the teeth, it will give relief to tooth pain. 
  9. Using a hard brush and brushing harder will make teeth cleaner and whiter.
  10. Teeth whitening is harmful damages enamel of the tooth.
  11. White teeth are healthy teeth.
  12. If gums are bleeding, don’t go for brushing and flossing.
  13. Teeth polishing and teeth cleaning are same.
  14. Milk /baby teeth are not to be given importance
  15. Women lose a tooth for each child they have given birth to.
  16. Weight loss can affect the fit of your dentures.
  17. Visit the dentist only when there is a teeth problem:
  18. My parents had good dental health so, I don't really have to worry about mine. 
  19. Brushing before the dental appointment will make the dentist not notice that regular brushing is not done since the last dental visit.
  20. Bad breathe is not equal to no brushing.
  21. It is better to keep my wisdom teeth that are not causing any problems.

And many

We need to be very precise and clear with the medical/dental concepts before we speak and spread things to the society. The mouth serves as a window into a person's health, but there tends to be a lot of confusion about how mouth care affects our well-being. Let's bust some myths about your oral heal

Myth 1: Removal of tooth causes loss of vision/decreases the eyesight power/headache 

Fact: Absolutely wrong because your teeth, jaws and facial skeleton are supplied by 5th, 7th, and 9th cranial nerves which don’t innervate your eyes. Eyes are supplied by 3rd cranial nerve mean optic nerve. If eyes and teeth are supplied by same nerve then you should get eye pain when tooth pain is there and vice versa.

Nerve supply to your teeth where there is no optic nerve

Myth 2: Removal of one tooth causes damage to other teeth.

Fact: These instances are very uncommon since there will be no damage to the adjacent tooth or the opposing tooth when the tooth was removed properly.

Myth 3: Dental treatment should be avoided in pregnancy.

Fact: Partly correct, Second trimester is the safest period during which dental treatments can be performed. Major surgical operations and some treatments which will increase the stress of patients should be avoided. 

Myth 4: Sugar is only responsible for dental problems. 

Fact: Sugar certainly plays a role in tooth decay but it isn't the main perpetrator. Acids from naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth combine with saliva, resulting in plaque buildup on teeth. Often this happens during the consumption of carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits and sugar).

Myth 5: Sugarless chewing gum is the awesome substitute of brushing after a meal.

Fact: using a xylitol sugar-free gum after a meal is just as good as brushing. 

Myth 6: Don’t opt for cleaning, they are bad for teeth.

Fact: It’s the reversal of it if you don’t go for cleaning you will end up in getting gum problem and periodontal related diseases.

Myth 7: Dental x-rays are unnecessary.

Fact: Never say no for x-rays if dentist asks it is required for diagnosis; it is one of the major tools for diagnosing the lesion and planning treatment according to it.

Myth 8: Applying aspirin paste on the teeth will give relief to the tooth the pain: source.

Fact: This will produce a chemical burn in your mouth instead of relieving pain, better to use clove or clove oil if it is really required when other options are not reachable.

Myth 9: Using a hard brush and brushing harder will make teeth cleaner and whiter.

Fact: This will lead to abrasion of teeth creating sensitivity than whitening the teeth. 

Toothbrush abrasion and Gingival recession

Myth 10: Teeth whitening is harmful, damages the enamel of the tooth.

Fact: Several teeth whitening techniques are used for enhancing the natural colour of your teeth like zoom whitening which works by removing the tartar flakes of your teeth and enlighten their natural colour, make sure that your dentist is not using any bleaching agents or chemicals that may cause harm to your teeth.

Myth 11: White teeth are healthy teeth.

Fact: If your teeth are white it doesn’t necessarily mean they are healthy teeth, there could be a cavity in the tooth or a gum infection around white-looking teeth. 

Myth 12: If gums are bleeding, don’t go for brushing and flossing.

Fact: The opposite is true, regular brushing and flossing are needed to remove plaque build-up which causes gum bleeding. Bleeding is a sign of gum infection,  more care must be taken in this case, professional dental cleaning may be required if the bleeding persists. 

Myth 13: Teeth polishing and teeth cleaning are same:

Fact: Actually, both these terminologies are not same; teeth’s polishing is the procedure in which the tooth surface becomes smooth but the teeth’s cleaning is referred to the process in which the tartar, plaque and stains are removed from the teeth.

Irregularly placed teeth due to retained milk teeth  

Myth 14: Milk /baby teeth are not to be given importance.

Fact: Yes baby teeth are not permanent but it should have cared about the permanent ones. Due to the non-maintenance of the baby teeth, the permanent teeth can be exposed to many problems. Permanent teeth’s malposition, misalignment problems, and early orthodontic problems are the common issues occurred due to the loss of the baby teeth because of the cavities. 

Myth 15: Women lose a tooth for each child they have given birth to.

Fact: More of an ‘old wives tale’than a myth, this is untrue. Hormonal changes while pregnant can exaggerate bacteria in the mouth that can cause bleeding gums or gingivitis. Tooth loss is unlikely with a thorough and regular cleaning regimen. 

Myth 16: Weight loss can affect the fit of your dentures.

Fact- The shape of the bone under the tissue determines the fit of the denture and weight loss has nothing to do with the denture. 

Myth 17: visit the dentist only when there is a teeth problem:

Fact- Obviously, you’re not going to consult your dentist when you have a back problem but if you’re not consulting with your dentist even if you’re feeling a deep pain in your tooth once in awhile, then it is absolutely wrong. 

Myth 18: My parents had good dental health so I don't really have to worry about mine. 

Fact- Though genetics may play a small role in determining your dental health; it is mostly up to you to take good care of your teeth and gums to keep them healthy in the long term. 

Myth 19: Brushing before the dental appointment will make the dentist not notice that regular brushing is not done since the last dental visit. 

Fact- If proper brushing is not done gums become red, swollen and bleed easily, making it obvious to the dentist. There’s no way the dentist will not know that the patient is not brushing regularly.

Myth 20: Bad breathe is not equal to no brushing. 

Fact- not brushing your teeth is not only the core culprit of the bad breaths, there are many other culprits of the bad breaths including, the most frequently eaten food (garlic and onion smell), pneumonia and poor dental hygiene.

Myth 21:  It is better to keep my wisdom teeth that are not causing any problems. 

Fact- Recent studies show it is better to remove the asymptomatic wisdom teeth at an early age to avoid gum disease in these areas later in life.

Tumour developed in a third molar region

You have probably heard the phrase, "at least you have your health.  It is usually said in an effort to make the best out of a less-desirable situation, though there's some truth behind it. Serious conditions such as heart disease, cancer, ALS, Type II diabetes and mental illness usually grab headlines in the healthcare field. But many people don't realize the connection between oral health and overall health. The best way to avoid any oral health issues is to make mouth health a priority. That means regular brushing, flossing and trips to your dentist for checkups and professional cleanings every six months. Recognizing the importance of oral health and overall health will keep your body working just right.