As a Huntsville Dentist, We Shed Light on Common Oral Health Myths

At our Huntsville dentist office, we focus on treating our patients now and keeping them healthy in the future. We do so by identifying any issues that our patients have, treating them, and educating them on how to prevent the issue from reoccurring. Education is a key component of what we do on a daily basis, and listening to our patients' questions is part of that. Regularly, we hear questions that are based on popular myths, some of which are bad for your oral health. For example, decades of parents have sent their children to bed with a cup of milk because they thought it was good for them. While milk does contain calcium, it also contains sugar. When sugar is left on your teeth at night, it can increase the risk of getting cavities. In fact, this myth has led to baby bottle tooth decay in many toddlers. With that in mind, we have created a list of a few common myths we hear and our response to them.

Myth – Diet soda is okay for the teeth.

It is not. Just because diet soda is sugar-free does not mean that it is good for you. Soda is highly acidic, and the acid in it can lead to enamel erosion. If you drink too much soda, your teeth could eventually become sensitive. To avoid this, limit how much soda you drink, and rinse your mouth with water after drinking a glass.

Myth – Only older people get oral cancer.

Oral cancer can impact anyone. While this is not a condition that many people discuss, it kills one person every day. This makes it important to have an oral cancer screening at least once per year. As a dentist, we recommend that anyone who smokes uses chewing tobacco, or has been diagnosed with HPV be tested even more frequently.

Myth – Children get cavities, but adults do not.

Anyone can get a cavity, it does not matter how old you are. In fact, babies can experience baby bottle tooth decay, and many seniors get cavities because their medication causes dry mouth. Regardless of how old you are, you should brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste two to three times per day and floss daily. You should also visit our dentist office for bi-annual teeth cleanings to prevent cavities and infections.

Myth – Root canals are only for infected teeth.

In our office, we perform root canals to remove the infected portion of the tooth and to treat roots that have become damaged. It is possible to damage a tooth by grinding your teeth at night, being in an accident, or having too much dental work completed in quick succession. We can help prevent nerve damage by carefully timing any dental work you have completed, and can also work to keep your teeth strong and healthy during normal teeth cleaning appointments. If, however, you do need a root canal, we can perform one in a way that is comfortable.