6 Cavity Myths Debunked
Posted on November 6, 2017
One thing unique to working in the field of dentistry is that we hear all sorts of different dental and cavity-related myths. Some of them are peculiar, but others of them can be downright harmful. That’s why we wanted to use this blog to address 6 different myths about cavities.
If you’re suffering from any pain in your teeth or gums, make sure that you call Dr. Skoulas today at (415) 757-0110. One of the most common causes of root canals is allowing a small cavity to fester, decay, and start to infect the inside of your tooth. Getting your cavities filled as soon as you suspect you might have one could save you time, money, and the discomfort of having to get a root canal. San Francisco financial district patients will love how conveniently located our offices are, so give us a call today to get started.
The Truth Behind 6 Common Cavity Myths
You get to hear a lot of absurd myths about oral health when you work in a dental office. San Francisco financial district patients often ask us about the latest dental craze that they may have heard about. But here are 6 different dental myths that we want to debunk right now.
- Sugar is the primary cause of cavities – This one is probably the most widely believed myths. It’s not the sugar that causes cavities: it’s the bacteria that eats the sugar. The “bad” bacteria in your mouth feast on sugar and then they expel a harsh acid as a waste product. It’s this acid that dissolves the enamel of your teeth, leaving tiny holes that are
- Acidic foods cause cavities – Again, like the “sugar causes cavities” myth, this one is also very common. In this case, the acid in foods like lemons and soft drinks wear down the protective enamel on your teeth. From there, the bacteria in your mouth can infect your tooth and cause a cavity.
- You have to brush immediately after a meal – Our bodies have adapted some incredible protective measures against cavities. One of them is your saliva. Because brushing actually removes a lot of the saliva in your mouth, you should wait 30 to 60 minutes to brush after a meal.
- Hot or cold temperatures crack teeth – While it’s true that very extreme hot or cold temperatures could crack your teeth, your ice cream or coffee isn’t going to do it.
- You can’t replace knocked out teeth – This is one myth we wish would disappear. If you have a tooth knocked out, it is possible to save it as long as you take the right steps. Only touch it by the crown and try to put it back in its socket. If you can’t, store it in milk or water and immediately call your dentist. San Francisco financial district patients can call Dr. Skoulas 24/7 for emergency dental work.
- Wisdom teeth are useless – This one isn’t necessarily false since, like our appendix, the wisdom teeth are considered “vestigial” organs. However, they did serve a purpose back when humans had to eat different types of food. If your mouth has room for them, most dentists will recommend leaving them in.
Why Use Dr. Skoulas As Your Dentist
San Francisco financial district patients are almost always very busy with crazy work schedules and long hours. They rarely have time to come into their dentist for a cleaning, let alone a cavity filling.
That’s exactly why Dr. Skoulas offers after-hours services. She even comes in on the weekends to make sure that her San Francisco financial district patients get the care that they need. This kind of service is indicative of her passion and dedication to her patient’s health. Call us today at (415) 757-0110 to learn more and get started.
On top of that, Dr. Skoulas is also known for being incredibly kind and gentle during the treatments. Just take a look at our Reviews Page to see what our San Francisco financial district patients have to say about working with Dr. Skoulas. Not only is she a member of some of the most prestigious dental associations, including the e American Dental Association, Academy of Operative Dentistry, and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, but she is also a guest lecturer at the UCLA School of Dentistry.