You will not lose your teeth if you choose to start a family and there’s no need to be throwing away that toothbrush after every sniffle either…unless it got splashed by the toilet water.
In the lead up to World Oral Health Day this Sunday (20 March) Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) is busting through some long held myths about things you thought you knew when it comes to your teeth and mouth.DHSV CEO Dr Deborah Cole helps explain some of the most commonly held beliefs about oral health.
1. A woman will lose teeth during pregnancy - MYTH
“Perhaps you’ve heard of the saying “Gain a Child, Lose a Tooth” or something similar? The Myth is that a woman will inevitably lose a tooth during pregnancy (or at least should expect dental problems as a result of it),” explains Dr Cole. “It’s simply not true.”
Although your body and mouth change during pregnancy, your dentist, or General Practitioner will let you know if there is anything to be concerned about and it is safe to visit the dentist during pregnancy.”
2. You have to throw out your toothbrush after a cold - MYTH
“Generally, you can’t give yourself the same thing twice,” says Dr Cole. “Once you have it, your body builds up antibodies so you can’t re-infect yourself. Just be careful where your toothbrush sits as water splashing from the toilet can contain airborne bacteria which can make you sick if it reaches your toothbrush.”
3. You need to visit your dentist every 6 months - MYTH
“Some people may not need to go so often and others may need more frequent checks. Your dentist will suggest when you should have your next check-up based on your risk level,’’ advises Dr Cole.
4. My parents have bad teeth, that means I will too - MYTH
“Although genetics do play a small role in determining how healthy your teeth will be, the influence is minimal,” says Dr Cole. “The main key to having a healthy mouth is to take care of them yourself with regular brushing, swapping sugary drinks for water eating lots of fruit and vegetables. Prevention is the key – most tooth decay is totally preventable.”
5. Taking care of my child’s baby teeth isn’t really necessary - MYTH
“Yes, your child will lose his or her baby teeth as time passes, but those baby teeth are paving the way for the permanent teeth to come,” according to Dr Cole. “Neglecting to take proper care of your child’s baby teeth can cause problems with their bite and the health of the permanent teeth.”
6. It’s ok it’s DIET - MYTH
“While it is true that diet soft drink doesn’t have the potentially damaging sugar that regular soft drink does, it is just as acidic, and in some cases more acidic than soft drinks that contain sugar, “advises Dr Cole. “Acid can weaken tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay.”
For more information or interviews with Dr Cole please contact DHSV Media and Community Relations Manager Suzana Talevski on 0407 961 413