Thursday, August 9, 2012

Dental Health: Fact and Myth

Proper dental care isn’t always black and white.  We know “facts” like brushing and flossing your teeth is the best way to avoid cavities; sweets are the main cause of cavities and tooth decay; and root canals are the result of unattended cavities…right?  How accurate are these “facts”?  They all sound correct, but surprising as it may be they are not all true.  

Naturally, brushing and flossing your teeth to prevent cavities best is 100% true.  This is the best way to sweep away bacteria from the tooth’s surface as well as in between the teeth-where cavities are most prone to be. Besides overall health, brushing and flossing your teeth also helps with fresher breath and a shinier smile.

            Next “fact”: avoid sweets to keep from getting cavities.  Avoiding sweets can definitely keep you healthier in all aspects; however, it does not ensure you will never get a cavity.  Sugar is a cause of cavities. Sugars are also found in carbohydrates.  This is because carbs are what bacteria thrive off.  The more carbs you ingest the more you feed the bacteria in your mouth.  This can cause tooth decay and cavities.  So if you’re avoiding sweets, good for you!  But try as well to cut back on the carbs too as these count as sugar as well!

            Third “fact”: While cavities can lead to a root canals, cavities are not the only cause.  If you have a cracked or otherwise traumatized tooth, this can cause need for a root canal.  The purpose of a root canal is to dig out a damaged nerve within the tooth then sealing the tooth back up.  There are a number of things that can lead to a damaged nerve. Make sure and get any cracked or chipped tooth correctly fixed to avoid the possibility of a root canal.

            Of course we all aren’t perfect, which is why we have experts to call on for help in the dental area.  Simply call Affleck Dental for a free consultation today!  (801) 782-5010