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A lot of people are predisposed to bending the truth when they call on their dentists. They assume it is not possible for dentists near me to discover the truth about their dental lifestyle, but they are wrong. Your mouth does not only reflect the state of your oral health, but also your overall health. Hiding the truth from your emergency dentist can be detrimental to your dental health (general dentistry Houston TX).
For example, if you lie that you floss regularly when you actually don’t, you will not be helping yourself. If you tell the truth about your flossing habit, your dentist will be better positioned to help you. A close rapport is very vital between you and your dentist. So that the most favorable treatment can be achieved. You should stop telling these 7 lies when next you go to your dentist’s office near me. Because he may discover that you are being economical with the truth.
Lie #1: “That doesn’t hurt.”
How they know: Your eyes will usually reveal if you are in pain or not. Usually, your eyes will constrict or flinch when you are in pain. This is because your body will enter a protective mode at this period and the signs will be glaring. Also, your leg and tongue may tighten which may be an indication that you are in pain.
What you need to do: If the procedure is carried out by your dentist is hurting you, it is very important for you to speak up, particularly if it is a sharp pain. This will give your dentist the opportunity to apply a topical anesthetic in order to reduce the pain. In addition, if you will be visiting for more than routine cleaning, you can call your dentist in advance to know if there is any pain medication you can take before the appointment (general dentistry Houston TX).
Lie #2: “I hardly ever drink soda.”
How they know: Soda contains acid that can corrode the protective coating of your enamel which covers up the exterior part of your teeth. Citrus fruits and lemonade can also do this damage. Hence, they should be taken with caution.
What you need to do: You will be doing a whole lot of good to yourself if you can stay away from soda. Soda has been linked to many health issues and that is why it is advisable to avoid it. Acidic juices should not be sipped for a long time and you can rinse your mouth properly with water after every sip. Rinsing will help in getting rid of sugar as well as an acid that may remain on the teeth which can erode your enamel (general dentistry Houston TX).
Lie #3: “I don’t smoke.”
How they know: Tobacco is a notorious teeth stainer and it is very easy for your dentist to know that you are a smoker. Tobacco stain on the teeth is very easy to detect. Hence, you don’t need to lie about this.
What you need to do: You should stop smoking as soon as possible. Smoking can lead to so many health issues including lung cancer, oral cancer, tooth staining, and so on. Smokeless tobacco is not a better option because it can bring about issues like tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease. You can speak with your dentist if you need help in quitting smoking (general dentistry Houston TX).
Lie #4: “I floss regularly.”
How they know: Brushing helps in eliminating plaque over the gum line while flossing gets rid of plaque beneath the gum line. If you don’t floss regularly or you don’t do it properly, you may develop gum inflammation which is generally referred to as gum disease or gingivitis.
What you need to do: Flossing is very essential and should be carried out at least once daily. The approach you use is also very vital. You should guide the string into the spaces between your teeth instead of rushing it to the gums. You should also make use of up-and-down motion in order to remove any food debris (general dentistry Houston TX).
Lie #5: “I got lost on the way to your office.”
How they know: It is possible for you to take a wrong turn when going to the office of your dentist. However, many dentists generally suspect that most patients come late for appointments because of dental anxiety. Dental anxiety has made a lot of people avoid dental appointments. And this can lead to more dental issues in time to come.
What you need to do: You can let your dentist know that you are nervous. And it is not a big deal. In fact, it will help your dental practitioner to handle your case with utmost caution. You may be given nitrous oxide so that your level of anxiety will be lowered. While other options are also available. If you are suffering from severe dental anxiety. You may need advanced treatment with the assistance of a psychologist.
Lie #6: “I don’t drink alcohol very often.”
How they know: Alcohol has a clear-cut odor and heavy drinkers are more likely to experience dry mouth. This is because alcohol hampers the production of saliva in your salivary gland.
What you need to do: If you are a heavy drinker, you should try to reduce your consumption or stop drinking. The American Cancer Society has linked oral cancer to excessive alcohol consumption. In one of its reports, it was revealed that 7 out of 10 cases of oral cancer are connected to heavy drinking.
Lie #7: “I don’t grind my teeth at night.”
How they know: Your teeth can be eroded through grinding. Muscle pain or headache all over your jaw may also be an indication that you are suffering from nocturnal bruxism also known as nocturnal tooth grinding. This may not be counted as a lie since you are likely not aware. However, tooth grinding should not be ignored due to its adverse effect on your dental health.
What you need to do: A bite guard can help you to prevent injury from tooth grinding. There are other dental devices that can protect your enamel. So that your tooth doesn’t get loose. It is very important for you to speak with your dentist so that various options will be discussed with you (general dentistry Houston TX).