20 oral health myths that are FALSE
1. Maintenance and cleaning treatments at the dentist wear down my teeth.
The tooth is the most resistant and hardest part of the body. Professional cleaning and treatment of gum disease does not harm or damage its structure.
Maintenance (at least that which we carry out at Clinicas Udemax) has no repercussions, nor does it cause tooth wear; on the other hand there are some practices or habits that have implications for the health of teeth in the long term such as: brushing your teeth with a lot of force or with a hard bristle brush, biting your pencils or nails, drinking soft drinks, using your teeth as a tool.
2. Titanium implants can be rejected.
They are made of titanium, a material that is absolutely biocompatible.
Titanium is a metal that has not shown any toxic or irritating reaction on living tissues, that is to say, if an implant fails once removed and the healing period of the tissues has elapsed, it can be replaced and have a successful osseointegration.
3. It is not pyorrhoea, it is periodontitis.
The term pyorrhoea is colloquially used to refer to diseases that affect the supporting tissue of the teeth. It is a term commonly used among the population, but it is more correct and advisable to replace it with the term periodontitis, which is the one used by the dentists of the Clinicas Udemax and which refers to a deep infection/inflammation of the gum and the rest of the tissues that support the tooth.
4. The more the toothpaste foams, the cleaner it is.
The function of these substances is to provide a pleasant sensation in the mouth during use, but does not influence the result.
5. Periodontal treatment is useless because I will lose my teeth just like my parents.
The treatment of periodontitis is highly effective, keeping teeth in most cases. Bone loss can be avoided and in some cases, even part of the lost bone can be regenerated with regenerative techniques.
6. Mouthwash… the more it stings, the more it heals.
Rinses with a high alcohol content are not necessarily more effective and can cause dryness of the oral tissues by modifying the quantity and quality of saliva. At Clinicas Udemax we do not recommend mouthwashes with alcohols or essential oils.
7. Halitosis is caused by digestive problems.
In reality, halitosis, or bad breath, originates 85/90% of the time in the oral cavity. It comes from the effect of anaerobic bacteria in the mouth, which are able to break down food products.
So if you are worried about your halitosis, before thinking about visiting different medical specialists, we recommend an evaluation of your periodontal condition by Clinicas Udemax.
8. Periodic mouth cleanings are a substitute for periodontal treatment.
Periodic cleanings are not a substitute for periodontal treatment, which provides another series of additional benefits. A dental cleaning only cleans the tooth. Periodontal maintenance serves not only to clean the tooth, but also to clean under the gum. In patients with periodontal problems, there is no point in cleaning the outside if the problem is inside.
9. I’ll brush in the morning…
When you sleep, less saliva is produced, which favours the growth of bacteria that cause caries and gum disease. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today!
10. Chewing gum can replace oral hygiene.
What chewing actually does is that it produces a pulling effect and increased salivation, both of which are very beneficial for oral health. However, it will never replace toothbrushing.
11. It is normal for my gums to bleed… and it doesn’t even hurt.
Bleeding is one of the few signs that a gum is diseased. Healthy gums should not bleed. At Clinicas Udemax we emphasise the need to keep gums in good condition. It is the basis for maintaining strong teeth in the mouth that will not cause problems in the future.
12. Periodontal diseases are not contagious.
Published studies show the presence of the same bacterial profile in both members of the same couple, as long as they have been living together for more than 10 years. It is highly recommended that the periodontist evaluate the spouse of a patient with periodontal disease and their children from adolescence onwards.
13. Orthodontic treatment is only for children.
Orthodontic treatment can be performed at any age. At Clinicas Udemax we have experience in treating patients up to 70 years of age. It is never too late to put your teeth back in place and enjoy the best of smiles.
14. Receding gums are the result of age.
Gum recession is not related to age. They can also occur in young patients and their causes are varied, from aggressive brushing of the gums, to the ingestion of foods with high acidity or the presence of a lingual or labial frenulum… it is advisable to come when these recessions are detected as many of them have an easy and affordable solution.
15. My saliva causes me to form a lot of tartar.
Although it is true that due to the pH there are people with greater and faster tartar formation, this can be avoided if hygiene is carried out with correct, exhaustive and meticulous brushing during the first 24 hours of plaque formation, preventing it from calcifying. This will prevent tartar blocks from appearing.
16. Tobacco only stains my teeth.
Not only that, but it can also promote bad breath or halitosis and above all it is the cause of a wide variety of diseases and a risk factor for suffering from periodontitis.
17. My gum problems stay in my mouth.
There is now strong evidence linking periodontitis and other very common and important conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, adverse effects on pregnancy and respiratory problems. If you suffer from periodontitis or pyorrhoea, be sure to visit the Clinicas Udemax centres where you will find the solution to pyorrhoea.
18. I brush three times a day, my gums are healthy.
The effectiveness of brushing your teeth does not only depend on the number of times you do it, it also depends on the degree of motivation, access to difficult areas and the time spent. If you find that after brushing you still see or feel dirty areas, at Clinicas Udemax we can give you classes to improve your tooth brushing.
19. The electric toothbrush damages the gums and my teeth.
A correct position of the toothbrush for a sufficient time on each tooth optimises the result. An electric toothbrush can be much more effective for people who find it difficult to reach some teeth or spaces. Even so, do not be careless and use it in the right way for the right amount of time.
20. I’m old, I can’t and it’s not worth it to get implants.
Old age is not a condition for the placement of implants; the only limitation is the patient’s state of health. The only limitation is the patient’s state of health. It is important to remember that thanks to having all the teeth, the digestive function will be carried out correctly, avoiding digestion problems.
