There are things about dentistry that are drilled into our brains early in life. Brush your teeth. Floss. Visit the dentist for cleanings and exams once every sixth months. Most of our Aberdeen SD dental patients know these facts.

You can always trust your friends at Aberdeen Smiles to steer you in the right direction when it comes to dental tips. We are always accepting new patients. Give us a call today at (605) 277-9049 or use the online form to set up a visit for you or your family.

We hope to see you in our office, but we also want to make sure you are practicing great dental care at home. Today we have a special message for you. Here are 5 dental myths that we want to dispel.

1. Bleeding or swollen gums are no big deal. MYTH

Bleeding or swollen gums are the first sign of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. It’s more likely to cause your teeth to fail than dental trauma or even tooth decay. So, yes, bleeding or swollen gums are a big deal. Gum disease also has been linked to overall health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

If caught early, we can manage and even reverse gum disease. On the other hand, serious gum disease will need constant care forever. Those patients are recommended to visit a dentist every three to four months.

2. Root canals are dangerous. MYTH

There have been countless studies on the dangers of root canals, and there is no evidence that root canals are dangerous to your health. That myth is over 100 years old, but it still comes up. The truth is that root canals save the tooth from extraction. A patient will need a root canal when too much decay is present or when an abscess is present. You need to remove any infection in the mouth because that infection can spread throughout the mouth and affect your healthy teeth.

3. You don’t have cavities if your teeth don’t hurt. MYTH

Everyone has their own pain tolerance. But more importantly, you can have cavities without experience any pain or discomfort. In fact, I have met people with abscesses and serious root infections who felt no discomfort. Diagnosing your problems based on pain level is not ideal. The only way to know if you’re cavity-free is to visit the office for your regular cleanings and exams. If you are in pain, however, visit the office immediately. Your teeth and gums should never hurt!

4. Dentures are as good as natural teeth. MYTH

We are constantly encouraging our patients to practice great oral health to keep their teeth forever. But people still don’t know much about alternative tooth replacement options, especially when it comes to dentures. They assume dentures will allow them to eat whatever they want. This is wrong. Dentures only provide about 50 percent of the biting force of natural teeth, and that’s on a good day. The only tooth replacement option available that nearly matches the power of natural teeth: dental implants.

5. You don’t need to visit a dentist every six months. MYTH

If you’ve had a view cavity-free visits to the dentist, you might start wondering if you really need to visit the dentist every six months for your cleanings and exams. You still need to visit the dentist. We don’t just check you for cavities. We provide services to prevent them. We use a polishing tool to make it more difficult for plaque and harmful bacteria to attach to the teeth. We also check your mouth for abscesses or signs of gum disease.

Don’t follow bad dental advice

At Aberdeen Smile, we pride ourselves on setting up dental treatments that will give our patents healthy, beautiful smiles. You can easily become part of our dental family. Give us a call today at 605-277-9049 or online form to schedule a treatment.