7 Popular Myths About Dentistry Which You Shouldn’t Believe In

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions related to dentistry, and people believe them! It could lead to negative impacts that may ruin your dental health. Let’s talk about some popular myths about dentistry that you need to stop believing

Myth #1: One apple may replace teeth brushing before going to bed.

Eating an apple before going to sleep can’t replace you brushing your teeth. The sugar contained in an apple changes the pH balance of saliva and creates an ideal condition for multiplication of bacterias. Even neutral bacterias, finding a breeding ground, are able to damage the strongest tissue of the organism - tooth enamel. In addition, the production of saliva is reduced when we sleep. And saliva is the main thing that protects us from tooth decay.

Myth #2: X-Ray machines used in dentistry are bad for health.   

Today dentists use the safest methods for diagnosing and treating teeth. For example, an X-ray that doesn’t use the X-ray film provides a correct picture of 1-4 teeth in just a few seconds. And radiated doses are so low that they don’t negatively affect health.

Myth #3: Teeth whitening is painful and bad for teeth.

Teeth whitening is a chemical oxidation process, in which organic material breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. After teeth whitening the dentist performs tooth remineralization (a process which provides strength and function within the tooth structure). If your teeth whitening will be performed by a highly qualified dentist, it will not damage your teeth.

What about pain during teeth whitening? There are a lot of methods of teeth whitening which are completely painless. One of them is teeth whitening with LED light sources. The procedure is good even for people with sensitive teeth.

Myth #4: If you need a metal-ceramic crown, the nerve of your tooth must be removed.  

It’s not necessary. A live tooth under the crown is more stable to chewing forces and lasts longer. Depulpation is a measure of the last resort.

Indications for pulp removal before prosthetics are:

• Wrong position of the tooth


• Pulpitis, periodontitis


• Low height of the crown


• Some individual peculiarities of the structure of teeth

Myth #5: If your teeth don’t hurt, you don’t need to visit the dentist.

You should remember that the early stages of dental diseases are painless and don’t show any symptoms. So only the dentist may discover the first signs of disease. Moreover, dental diseases at an early stage can be treated easily and quickly.

All dental diseases progress over time. This means, that tooth decay will not go away by itself but will only get worse. That’s why everybody should visit the dentist at least two times a year.

Myth #6: If you’re feeling fresh after cleaning your teeth, it means your teeth are clean enough.

That’s a misconception. The sign of good oral hygiene is the absence of plaque. Your teeth must be with no soft plaque, and your gums shouldn’t bleed.

Myth #7: Bleeding gums during teeth brushing is normal.

Bleeding gums is a symptom of dental diseases or poor oral hygiene. You should consult with your dentist, he or she will choose the appropriate products for dental care, which will be optimal for your teeth. That way you’ll prevent such dangerous and common disease as periodontitis.