Unfortunately, in our country, not enough attention is still paid to preventive education. In the absence of professional information, myths and rumors about the need for dental care and how to do it keep growing.
Myth 1. Good and bad teeth are genetic, so prevention makes no sense. If you have healthy teeth, you don’t even need to brush, and if you have bad teeth, you’ll get caries no matter what you do.
Of course, heredity plays a big role in the condition of teeth, but its role in the development of oral diseases, and caries in particular, is negligible. So whatever is related to caries prevention is a real way of avoiding it, regardless of heredity. Given that 90% of our population has caries, people with naturally good teeth practically don’t exist.
Myth 2. If your teeth don’t hurt, there’s no need to see a dentist.
The thing is, all dental diseases are almost painless at an early stage. Only a doctor can detect the first signs of disease. It’s worth noting that treatment is most effective and fastest only at an early stage. So if we want to detect and treat problems in time, we should plan visits to the dentist at least twice a year.
Myth 3. If your mouth feels clean, your teeth are well brushed.
This is a mistake. A feeling of cleanliness isn’t a sign of quality. The only proof of good oral hygiene is the absence of plaque, which can be checked with plaque-disclosing tablets.
Myth 4. Foreign toothpastes are heavily fluoridated. Using them may be harmful.
First of all, they are not heavily fluoridated – the fluoride they contain is in scientifically proven doses, and their use is recommended by dental associations worldwide. To my knowledge, water isn’t fluoridated anywhere in Georgia today. And where there is natural fluoride in the water, scientific studies have proven that using fluoride toothpastes poses no danger.
Myth 5. Most toothpastes are just chemicals.
In reality, there are only a few caries-preventing agents – 2-4 fluoride salts. All of these components are synthetic.
Myth 6. The more toothpaste on the brush, the better – good protection and proper cleaning need lots of toothpaste.
Wrong. Toothpaste should be used purposefully – covering the head of the brush is quite enough. The thing is, fluoride is a very active substance and interacts with tooth tissue even in small doses. What matters for preventing dental disease isn’t the amount of toothpaste, but the quality of cleaning. Proper cleaning means both the correct technique and enough time – at least 2-3 minutes.
Myth 7. Fluoride toothpastes are not suitable for children, to avoid them getting too much fluoride.
This is completely wrong. Fluoride toothpastes are advisable for both children and adults. The point is that parents should teach their children to brush their teeth properly and make sure they don’t swallow the toothpaste. Getting fluoride from toothpaste has no harmful effect on the body’s fluoride levels; on the contrary, it is crucial for oral health
