Top 5 Misleading Myths of Dentistry

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, states that around 17.5 percent of children ages 5 to 19, had untreated tooth decay from 2011 to 2012. Within the same year, the CDC states that 27 percent of adults between 20 to 44 years of age had the same problem. Most people do not like the dentist for various reasons. However, a dental checkup will allow the dentist to spot any early signs of infection before it spreads.

The dentist visit is always painful

Due to the media, people believe that a dental visit is always painful. In reality, the pain is from an individual’s teeth and not the dentist. More often than not, an individual will not clean the hard-to-reach areas of the tooth, resulting in pain when the dentist cleans those areas. The pain is usually due to an infection or teeth that a patient does not properly clean. The important factor is that the dentist only wants to help the patient heal and not cause pain.

The dentist will pull out all my teeth

In actuality, a dentist will prefer to keep as many of the natural teeth as possible. People may not realize that a procedure, such as a root canal, only “removes the diseased pulp,” the American Dental Association explains and continues that “The pulp chamber and root canal(s) of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed.” If the tooth can remain in the mouth and stay healthy, then the dentist will do everything in his or her power to keep it that way. A dentist will only pull a tooth if absolutely necessary.

The appointment will take forever

A dental checkup will only take as long as needed. The longer a patient waits between visits, the longer the appointment can take. If the appointment involves a dental procedure or surgery, then naturally, the patient will be notified of how long it will take. For the basic cleaning or checkup, patients can bring their iPod and play music through their headphones while the dentist works.

The dentist only wants my money

While some dental procedures and treatments can seem costly, they are completely worth it. In the statistic from the CDC, those patients with untreated tooth decay most likely had to have the tooth completely removed, which cost more than a simple cleaning every six months. If a dentist can catch the signs of infection early, treatment will be minimal and less costly.

As long as I brush twice a day, I don’t need to go to the dentist

Brushing twice a day and flossing once per day is important, but may not always be enough. A professional dentist can clean the hard-to-reach places and make sure that the teeth are completely free of infection. A dentist can also check for various oral diseases and offer the effective treatment options. For a low price, patients can receive the basic cleaning to ensure a healthy smile.

If you have not been to the dentist in a long time or are experiencing pain in your teeth, then these pages may have the information you need.

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Austin Primary Dental

At Austin Primary Dental in Austin, we will customize your treatment to match your needs and schedule. Our professional staff creates a calm atmosphere for you during the appointment and treatment process. We will identify any dental issues you are struggling with and find the best solution.

Our staff will create a calm and comforting atmosphere at the office to ease patients into the procedure. We can help prevent damage to your teeth and set you on track for a lifetime of pristine oral health. At Austin Primary Dental, your dental health is our prime concern.