Dentistry has evolved a lot over the years, but it’s an industry that still seems to carry quite a few misconceptions and myths. Well, we’re here to demystify a few of those for you. Here are some common myths about dentists, debunked!
Dentists Don’t Eat Sugar Or Sweets
Although as dentists, we’d all love to play along with this myth, we are after all still human. Sometimes saying no to chocolate cake, sweet pastries, warm apple pie and ice cream and so many other sweet temptations is just too hard to do! Resisting the temptation isn’t always easy to do as much as we’d like it to be. Most of us are just like you! We love sweets and have those sugar cravings also! We just make sure to take extra care of our teeth and gums afterward.
Dentists Can’t Tell Whether You’ve Really Been Brushing
Even when you take along your toothbrush and paste with you to give them a thorough cleaning right before your appointment, if you’ve been neglecting your teeth for the majority of the time since your last visit, you can bet that the dentist will know. Your dentist can easily recognize poor oral health and hygiene, even when you’ve given your teeth that extra brushing beforehand. It’s the build-up of tartar that gives your secret away since it takes time to accumulate. Dentists can also tell what spots have been missing out on the brushing and flossing action. They can advise you on your brushing technique and recommend ways of improving your oral hygiene to avoid tooth decay and gum disease.
Dentist Have Perfectly Straight, Gleaming Teeth
Dentists will have a mouth that is very clean and well cared for, but this doesn’t mean that they won’t have a Hollywood perfect smile. Being a dentist doesn’t make us immune to experiencing dental issues as well, even with diligent care. Many of us can have misaligned teeth, or even suffer from some aspects of tooth decay that require diligent care each day.
Dentists Aren’t Scared Of Dental Procedures
Another common myth about dentists is that we aren’t afraid of dental procedures. This one that can definitely be debunked! We can feel anxious and nervous too when we need procedures performed on our teeth, especially when it comes to certain procedures such as extractions, which really aren’t an enjoyable experience for anyone. So the next time you think you’re alone when it comes to feeling nervous, remember that you’re not!
Despite what patients may believe, Dentists are human too! And underneath the lab coat is just an average person who enjoys sweet treats, feels nervous about dental procedures and doesn’t always have a perfect smile, like most people.
