For quite a number of people, dental health is usually neglected and dismissed until some dental problem involving pain and discomfort occurs. Right from childhood, it almost becomes a mantra that personal hygiene includes brushing the teeth twice daily as well as flossing. However, as most people grow older, brushing at night becomes a mere formality that gets skipped and the recommended bi-annual visit to the dentist is rarely ever abided to. While some of these behaviours are out of fear based on misinformation, others are based on ignorance. Generally, some myths exist that stand in the way of optimum dental health and this may gradually cause bigger problems.
Dr Eweka Olutola, a consultant of Oral Medicine, Preventive Dentistry and Dr Paul Omikunle both of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, dispel some of these myths and shed light on ways to have the best of dental health.
Myth: There is no harm in sharing toothbrushes if it’s among family members
This is a wrong practice that should be strongly discouraged as it can be a mode of transmission of some disease-causing micro-organisms which can be transmitted through saliva and blood carried on the bristles of the toothbrush. Example of such conditions is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human Papilloma virus and this can spread between family members.
Myth: Dental treatment should be avoided during pregnancy. Dental treatment can be carried out during pregnancy. Nevertheless, necessary precautions would need to be taken to prevent risk to the unborn child. Examples of such precautions include:
•Exposing the foetus to radiation while taking x-rays for investigation during the first trimester; this should be avoided. But where necessary, lead apron should be used by the mother to prevent radiation getting to the foetus.
•Certain drugs should be avoided during pregnancy, for instance, Tetracycline which can also cause staining or discolouration of the teeth and Aspirin which can cause feotal bleeding in the foetus.
•Local anaesthetics used in anaesthetising the area for dental procedures. If this contains adrenaline, early labour may occur.
•Dental procedures to be carried out should be short with minimal stress as much as possible because pregnant women in the first trimester are irritable and sickly.
Myth: Dental X-rays are as dangerous as normal x-rays
Dental X-rays are not dangerous compared to the larger X-rays because the amount of radiation emitted is small. However, continuous exposure to them may result in some unpleasant side effects such as sterility, inflammation of the oral mucosa and dry mouth. Therefore, minimal exposure is required and necessary precautions should be taken. We should remember also that we are faced with danger in almost all areas of our lives, even the cosmic rays from the sun can be dangerous if we are excessively exposed to it.
Myth: Children need not be taken to the dentist until they have their second (permanent) teeth
This is a very wrong notion. Ideally, children should start visiting the dentist immediately after weaning or six months. This is done so as to be able to detect any diseases such as early childhood caries. This will go a long way in the prevention of these diseases.
Myth: The more you brush, the healthier your teeth will be. There is nothing like over-brushing
This is not true, as there is something like over-brushing. Each brushing session ideally should last about three to five minutes. It is advocated that we brush twice daily – in the morning after breakfast and last thing at night. Where individuals tend to brush too often, there could be loss of the outer part of the teeth (the enamel) leaving the dentine exposed and causing sensitivity and wearing down of the gums (cervical abrasion).
Myth: Having the wisdom teeth removed will prevent crowding of the teeth
This is false. Where the erupted teeth are too big in relation to the size of the jaws, then we will have crowding. The reverse is where the teeth are small and the jaw is big, then we have spacing in between teeth. Therefore, the presence or absence of the wisdom tooth has nothing to do with the crowding of the jaw. Nevertheless, where the jaw is small, then there may not be enough space for the wisdom tooth to grow into, this can result in swelling and pain of the overlapping gum and caries of the impacted wisdom tooth.
Myth: Bleaching the teeth weakens it
Bleaching doesn’t weaken the teeth. It is a process of artificial whitening of the teeth which involves the use of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide hasn’t beeen proven scientifically to weaken the teeth. However, side effects such as dentine sensitivity and irritation of the oral mucosa have been reported in some patients.
Myth: Brushing is bad for bleeding gums
Brushing is what prevents bleeding gums. When we do not brush properly, plaque and calculus, which are tooth deposits, will accumulate in the area and result in inflammation of the gums causing bleeding during brushing. When this situation occurs the individual is required to visit the dentist who mechanically removes this accumulation in a procedure called scaling and polishing.
Myth: Bad breath means you’re a “bad brusher”
It’s true that not brushing well can be a cause of bad breath. However, bad breath can be caused by different reasons apart from bad brushing techniques, ranging from food such as onions, garlic, spices, and alcohol, smoking, oral ulcers, caries, to some systemic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes. So, in cases of bad breath due to poor oral hygiene, this might be true.
Myth: The more sugar you eat, the worse for your teeth
Yes. Consuming refined sugars often can be very bad for your teeth as this provides a suitable substrate for some of the bacteria in the mouth to act on. They break down the sugars into acids which dissolve the teeth, resulting in dental caries. This is the most common dental disease among children and young adults causing pain and discomfort. So, it’s generally advised to reduce your sugar intake to the barest minimum.
Myth: An Aspirin directly on a tooth will relieve pain
It has been reported that direct application of aspirin reduces pain. Even though it does, it does so with some adverse effects, for instance, it causes death of the pulp tissue over time, and this can lead to more problems later. It could also burn the oral mucosa, especially the inside of the cheeks and gums resulting in soreness and pain. So, it’s advisable never to place it directly on a tooth or any other part of the mouth. When people have toothache, they should visit the dentist for solution.
