Dental and oral health is important to most Americans, which is supported by the fact that Americans spend $1.4 billion on teeth whitening products every single year. About one in five people usually conceal their teeth in photos, so this means that even though oral health is a priority not everyone has access to the service of a general dentist. Even so, finding a dentist is actually not as difficult as some people may think, and certain myths surrounding this profession actually prevent some people from seeking proper dental care.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, half of Americans over 30 have periodontitis, or gum disease, which means that it is important for anyone who can to visit their local walk in dentist. If you want to learn some more about these unfortunate myths and the truths that are behind them, keep reading to learn about some commonly believed falsehoods about dentistry.
Myth #1: The general dentist can’t perform teeth whitening. False!
You don’t have to go to a tooth whitening dentist today to get the best whitening services for your teeth. In fact, almost every single general dentist performs basic services that can brighten your smile and improve your confidence, and teeth whitening is also probably a lot less expensive than you might expect.
Myth #2: I don’t need to see the dentist as long as I brush my teeth once a day. False!
Even if you don’t like going to the dentist or you think it is a hassle, it’s still very important to go every six months. You simply can’t protect your overall dental health simply by brushing your teeth.
Myth #3: People don’t really need to floss, it’s actually excessive and causes tooth loss. False!
Flossing is very important and is often overlooked as one of the key elements of a good dental care routine. Flossing gets the small particles of food that can become stuck in between your teeth — even if you brush regularly and go to the dentist when you should. If you don’t floss, your dentist will know so make sure you don’t skip this important step.
Myth #4: Going to the dentist will be very painful. False!
Unfortunately many people actually avoid going to the dentist because they have long believed that the services that are performed to improve dental health will cause them pain. This may have been true in the past, but modern advances in every single area of dentistry have served to lessen pain and improve the overall experience most people have at the dentist.
Myth #5: I can’t afford to go to the dentist because most office overcharge. False!
Finding an affordable dentist is actually not that hard because many local dentists offer services for people who are low-income or underserved with regards to medical services. If you want to find a dentist who will work with you to set up a payment plan based on your income, search online to learn about some of the best options.
Myth #6: I can fully prevent cavities if I drink enough water. False!
Drinking water is definitely important for your overall health and it is necessary in order to have healthy teeth, but it’s not enough to prevent cavities. Water washes out your mouth but you still need to brush your teeth to completely clean them. Good references here.