Myth and Fact

Fact: Acidic foods can break down your teeth's outer shell (enamel), weaken the tooth, and make teeth more prone to decay.

“The bacteria responsible for tooth decay produces acids and eating acidic foods often throughout the day (including juice and soda) can enhance that process,” says Misty Horn-Blake, DDS, a dentist in Johnson City, TN.
So, go light on the acid and practice good oral care.

Fact: Thanks to fluoride in tap water, “we’ve actually cut decay in school-aged children by half in the last 20 years,” Harms says.

On the flip side, she says cavities in senior citizens are on the rise because of medicines that dry out the mouth. They reduce saliva, which protects your teeth.

Fact: You have to swallow the aspirin to ease your pain. Since aspirin is acidic, it could burn your gum tissue and cause a painful abscess if you place it next to a tooth.

Fact: “Fillings do have a life expectancy,” Harms says, but it depends on things like tooth wear and oral hygiene.

If you keep up with your dental routine, you’re less likely to have problems, and your fillings may last longer.

Fact: “Sometimes you will know it, but at that point, it has usually spread to larger proportions than it would have if it had been found at a routine dental screening,” Horn-Blake says.

With timely checkups, your dentist can find a cavity before it causes pain.

Fact: Once you get a cavity filled, the decay spot is removed. And if you take care of your teeth, the decay from the spot that was filled will most likely stay clear.

Fact: “Anywhere bacteria can hide that you can't, or aren't able to, reach with a toothbrush or floss is a likely place for decay,” Harms says.

Use a mouthwash to help reach tough spots.

Fact: Myth, but not far from fact. Cavities come from acid-producing bacteria. But clenching and grinding are among the worst things you can do to your teeth, Harms says.

With normal chewing, teeth touch for a tiny fraction of a millisecond, which causes little stress. But clenching and grinding put a huge amount of pressure on your teeth. The strain can eventually cause cracks and fractures of your teeth, which speeds up tooth decay.

Fact: “Bigger gaps are easier to keep clean,” Harms says. So as long as they are free of bacteria, wide spaces are less prone to decay.

Keep an eye on small gaps, though. Food may get stuck there and lead to cavities if it’s not cleaned out.

Fact:Cracks and chips create a home for bacteria where your toothbrush won’t reach. This can hasten decay. Use a fluoride mouth rinse to get to hidden spots.

Fact: “While cavities can cause some sensitivities to cold and sweets, not all do,” Horn-Blake says. Other things might be making your teeth hurt.

Fact: You need a root canal if the nerve inside a tooth is damaged. An unfilled cavity can lead to a root canal, but so can other things, like clenching and grinding.

Fact: Primary or "baby" teeth can get cavities that spread to other teeth if left untreated

Fact: “Absolutely! Prevention is the key,” Harms says. You need to remove bacteria from teeth.

Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss and rinse daily. If bacteria are removed daily from every area of your tooth, “you won't get cavities,” Harms says.

Fact:Just because your teeth look healthy doesn't mean that it is a good idea to skip going to the dentist. You should visit your dentist twice a year for an exam and dental cleaning to make sure that your teeth stay healthy and that any dental problems are treated before they become serious.

Fact:Bleeding gums are often caused when dental plaque or food debris is not properly removed by regular brushing and flossing. If you notice that your gums become more prone to bleeding, it is a good idea to thoroughly and gently brush and floss them at least twice a day. If the bleeding continues, visit your dentist.

Fact:Not only is it a good idea to start teaching your child about good oral hygiene at an early age, neglecting to take proper care of their baby teeth can cause problems with their bite or permanent teeth if they fall out too early.

Fact:Although certain procedures, such as X-rays or dental surgery, should be avoided during pregnancy, regular dental treatments should continue as usual.