Dental myths : Separating facts from fictions

Dr Kh Eremba *

Oral health is a critical but an overlooked component of overall health and well-being among children and adults. Oral health problems such as dental caries, periodontitis and oral cancer are global health problems.

Despite remarkable worldwide progress in the field of diagnostics, curative and preventive health, there are people with their traditional values, customs, beliefs and myths intact. All people, whether rural or urban, have their own beliefs and practices concerning to oral diseases and treatments. The underlying cultural beliefs and practices influence the conditions of the teeth and mouth, through diet, care-seeking behavior, or use of home remedies.

Myths related to oral diseases and oral health-related practices are very common. Myths are imaginary, generally false beliefs. However, they are considered truthful and often shared by the societies that told them earlier. In scientific terms, myth is referred to as extensive and unquestioned false perspective. These negative traditions and behaviors are harmful to social welfare.

Lack of education along with traditional beliefs and sociocultural factors lead to development of false perceptions and myths. Gradually with the development of education, these myths and beliefs are disappearing, but still they persist and are commonly encountered.

Some of the dental myths prevalent in Manipur are:

Myths : Scaling/removal of tartar loosen the teeth.
Fact : This misconception is inherited due to false exaggerated information spread by those people who had past negative dental experiences. They tend to visit the dentist at advanced stages of dental diseases and after removal of calculus it may be likely that the tooth will become more mobile. This might be attributed to lack of awareness, low educational levels, anxiety, apprehension and myths about dental treatment entrenched in their minds.

Teeth are held in position by the bone. Tartar (calculus) can sometimes bind the teeth together and causes inflammation of the gums leading to periodontal problems and loosening of teeth. So after removal of these tartar there may be slight mobility, however this is necessary to ensure recovery of the health of the teeth supporting structures.

Myths : Extraction of teeth leads to uncontrolled bleeding and death.
Fact : These stories were of the past where extractions were done without proper medication and other necessary investigations of systemic disease. For instance, if an extraction has been done on patient with high BP, there are high chances of profuse bleeding and complications. Proper diagnosis and investigation ensures no such complications.

Myths : Extraction of teeth leads to blindness.
Fact : Extraction performed on older patients, leading to weakening of eyesight because of its vicinity in maxilla were mere coincidental, but still remain a myths, consequently people relate to this. Vision is not affected in any way by undertaking treatment of the upper teeth including its extraction.

Myths : Scaling leads to loss of tooth structure
Fact : The amount of tooth surface that is lost to scaling /oral prophylaxis is almost negligible. There is no tooth structure lost from enamel but when scaling done in Dentin portion mean changes in the dentin of 254.4 microns-352.0 microns, 6.3 microns-12.1 microns and 22.5 cubic microns-56.4 cubic microns for width, depth and volume respectively were found. This loss of tooth structure is not accountable when we look on the beneficial and positive aspect of tooth care. Removal of plaque and calculus is required to eliminate these periodontal pathogens to achieve good periodontal health. Isn’t it worth enough to lose some microns of tooth structure while removing plaque and calculus rather than having dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and ultimate lost of teeth?.

Myths : When the gums bleed, better not to brush the teeth.
Fact : Bleeding is a sign of inflammation of the gums. Bleeding gums are often caused when dental plaque or food debris aren’t properly removed. They usually have plaque and tartar and require scaling (cleaning of teeth) to treat the underlying inflammation. Stopping brushing will accumulate more tartar thereby aggravating the problem. Hence cleaning followed by regular brushing with a soft toothbrush is recommended. If the bleeding continues, dentist should be consulted.

Myths : The use of phijigri, tobacco (kheini), kerosene, aspirin along the side of painful tooth will ease the pain and will cure it.
Fact : At home toothache remedies won’t correct dental problems. The use of pjijigri, kerosene, kheini to cure dental pain may inversely lead to more severe complications like abscess, swellings and ulcers, so such kind of toothache home remedies should not be considered.

Putting an aspirin tablet in direct contact with the soft tissues of mouth will not help relieve a toothache, instead can lead to painful chemical burns However if the tablet is swallowed can provide some relief but the cause of the toothache should be investigated and treated.

Myths : Using Sagolhidak (mad apple), (daturasuaveolenswilld) for remedial aspects of toothaches by removing worms causing tooth decays. This is inimitable taboo in Manipur. First a bowl with oil is heated along with the seeds of the fruit, then smoke arising from it are inhaled. The seeds of the fruit burst inside the heated oil popping out like white worms. There is transient relive of pain and the person believes the tooth decay problem been solved along with the organisms.
Fact : Firstly the organisms causing tooth decay are microscopic (not visible by naked eyes) so there’s no chances of worms coming out from decayed teeth and secondly the transient relieve of pain is due to its sedative property of the plant.

Myths : Brushing the teeth more than once a day can harm the enamel.
Fact : Enamel is the hardest structure of the body. They need to be cleaned properly to avoid accumulation of plaque and calculus which leads to dental caries and periodontal diseases. Brushing once daily cannot ensure proper removal of plaque and calculus. So brushing teeth with proper brushing technique with suitable toothbrush, toothpaste and brushing twice a day or if possible after each meal will provide healthy teeth.

Myths : Brushing with hard tooth brush will clean the teeth more effectively and makes it whiter.
Fact : Brushing with hard tooth brush not only will lead to abrasion of teeth, but also injury to the surrounding gums. Brushing with hard tooth brush will lead to thinning of enamel and instead of becoming whiter, the teeth will become more yellowish (dentine exposure) with tooth sensitivity as consequences.

Myths : It isn’t really important to take care of child’s baby teeth because they are going to fall out in a few years anyway.
Fact : Milk teeth need to be cared as much. They could cause pain if decayed and also lead to difficulty in chewing food. Hence they should be treated. Also if there is an early loss of a milk tooth it could cause drifting and mal-alignment of the erupting permanent teeth. Parents should keep in mind milk teeth also helps in phonetics and normal facial appearance/ Esthetics.

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

Myths : Good/bad dental health are inherited from parents or run in family.
Fact : Inheritance plays a minor role. Tooth size, shape and some form of quality of teeth may be inherited. But the main causes of oral diseases like dental caries, periodontal disease aren’t inherited. They are self acquired due to lack of proper oral hygiene procedure.