Five (More) Dental Myths Put To Rest

There are many things in life shrouded in mystery.  Urban myths and old wives’ tales always keep our curiosity tickled, and you may be dying to get to the truth of an issue for peace of mind.  Your smile is no different!  There are so many things that people may not know about their smiles; things that they may not know are true or only a myth. 

Your smile is nothing to play around with, and Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD, a dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, would like to clear up a few myths in order to contribute to your peace of mind.

Myth 1:  Traditional Braces are always better than Invisalign

Invisalign has only been around since about 2000, so there isn’t quite as much long term data yet, but unless you have issues with rotating back teeth or descending teeth that aren’t descended enough, Invisalign does an effective job—and they’re nearly invisible. Of course, since you are supposed to wear them 22 hours per day, they only work if you wear them, and if you are the type who will forget to put them in or refuse to wear them as instructed, perhaps non-removable braces are a better choice.  On the other hand, you have no issues with foods getting stuck and no issues with discomfort from eating, as you can remove them during eating.  Also, there is no issue with pain from wires, because there are none.

Myth 2: Teeth Whitening weakens the durability of your teeth

For those who want to brighten their smiles with teeth whitening, you have nothing to worry about, as this myth is completely false.  When you go to have your smile whitened, the gel that the dentist places on your smile only affects the color of your enamel, not the strength.  Though it is normal to experience some sensitivity with your smile after having the procedure done, it does not weaken the internal structure of your teeth.

Myth 3: You shouldn’t brush or floss if your gums are bleeding

This is actually the exact opposite of what you want to do, and there could be many reasons why your gums could be bleeding.  Bleeding gums is usually a sign of plaque and other particles irritating them, and it is important to remove whatever is aggravating your gums as soon as possible.  Brushing and flossing your teeth as well as you can is one avenue you can take in order to stop your gums from bleeding.  Please note, if your gums continue to bleed, schedule an appointment ASAP, because it can be a sign of many underlying conditions.

Myth 4: Dental Implants don’t look like natural teeth

When it comes to appearance and feel, the only difference between dental implants and real teeth is that an implant is not a real tooth.  They are customized in look, feel and fit exactly like all the other teeth in your collection. If done properly it should be a perfect clone of the missing tooth. It gets its natural feel from the fact that it is fused to your bone. Special care is also taken in the design of the crown to ensure that is almost not distinguishable from your other teeth.

Myth 5: Root Canals are painful

Despite rumors to the contrary, due to modern equipment and techniques, most dental work is now relatively pain-free.  Even modern root canals are mostly just boring now, and not painful.  They just take a long time.

Dental myths plague the minds of many people, and by putting some of them to rest, we hope you are able to experience better oral health and better knowledge regarding your smile.

Keep smiling,

Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121