False myths about oral health

The insurance company Sanitas has set out to banish the main false myths that can put oral health at risk.which is why he has stressed that variations in the shade of teeth are normal and are not directly related to the presence or absence of disease.

Tooth color depends on the thickness of the enamel and underlying dentin.. In this sense, he has pointed out that this depends largely on daily habits, but also on knowledge about how to care for teeth and gums, and that some widespread beliefs lead to interpreting as normal signs that are not normal or to replacing effective routines with less appropriate ones.

“One of the main problems we have in consultation is that many patients arrive when the disease is already advanced“, indicated the dentist from the Sanitas Dental Innovation and Clinical Quality team, Antonio Longo, since these myths can favor, among other things, the accumulation of bacterial plaque, a factor involved in the development of cavities and periodontal diseases.

Furthermore, he has pointed out that there are processes that “are reversible in initial phases.” However, “if they are not identified in time, they can evolve into loss of tooth support or deeper lesions, as is, for example, in the case of incipient cavities that are not detected and treated in time.”

“One of the most common examples is interdental cavities. that, if we do not go for check-ups, they cannot be seen with the naked eye and reach the nerve, requiring more complex treatments, such as a root canal or even the placement of a crown,” continued Longo. In any case, this evolution is not solely due to a lack of hygiene.

Bleeding during brushing is not normal

Another of the myths that Sanitas has rescued in this context is the mistaken belief that bleeding during brushing is normal, something that has been rejected because it indicates gingival inflammation. The accumulation of plaque at the gum margin promotes bacterial proliferation and triggers gingivitis. and, without treatment, it can affect the supporting tissues of the tooth, leading to serious periodontitis that can even lead to tooth loss.

Along with this, he explained that Bacterial plaque is removed with good technique, not by rubbing excessively or forcefully.; while it has been reported that, in the initial stages, both caries and periodontal disease do not usually cause pain, but the destruction of dental tissue or supporting bone can progress progressively without obvious discomfort.

Also, it has specified that, in the majority of cases, The main cause of halitosis is bacterial activity in the oral cavity; At the same time, he clarified that mouthwashes, although they have some chemical benefit, do not mechanically eliminate the plaque adhered to the tooth surface.

“Oral health does not depend only on the frequency of brushing, but on how what happens in the mouth is interpreted”expressed Longo, who added that “normalizing certain signs or relying on partial solutions can generate a false sense of control.” “Periodic review, whether in person or through video consultation, continues to be a key tool to prevent complications,” he concluded.