Unusual But Important Questions That Dentists Often Get
Posted on: 29 October 2021
Share
Do you remember back in school when you wanted to ask your teacher a question but were afraid of how the question sounded? Well, experienced dentists have come across many surprising questions from patients, so you should always feel comfortable discussing these questions with a medical professional. In fact, dentists encourage patients to ask questions, no matter how strange they might sound. Although you can use the internet to research answers to some of the questions, a dentist's answers are easier to understand and internalise. This article highlights some of the weirdest and equally critical questions dentists encounter.
Are there Foods that Act like Toothbrushes? -- When dentists hear this question, their answer is always a resounding no simply because there is no substitute for daily brushing and flossing. That said, there is no doubt that certain foods are excellent for your teeth, and these are the kinds of foods that dentists encourage patients to eat. For instance, fibre-rich foods like carrots and raw vegetables as well as crispy fruits such as apples and pears promote the production of saliva. The constant saliva production helps rinse bacteria from the mouth, ensuring you have fresh breath throughout the day. Crunchy foods and fruits are also excellent at dislodging food debris on and between your teeth. However, you should not substitute daily brushing and flossing with such foods.
Is There Such a Thing as Over-Flossing? -- Besides brushing, flossing is an integral part of daily oral hygiene since it helps dislodge debris stuck between teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. However, most people wonder if there is such a thing as over-flossing. The reason is that some people experience bleeding gums when they floss and opt to do it only once a day. Dentists encounter such cases frequently, but their stand is that there is nothing like over-flossing. The problem people have is a lack of knowledge on how to floss their teeth correctly. Applying too much pressure or being vigorous with floss is counterproductive and might injure or damage your gums. The rule of thumb is to rub a floss against the sides of your teeth, not glide it on your gums.
Can Baking Soda Substitute Teeth Whitening Paste? -- Experienced dentists unanimously agree that teeth whitening or bleaching is among the industry's most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. However, the increased pervasiveness of holistic oral health has most patients looking for natural teeth whitening products. Notably, baking soda is touted as a natural whitener thanks to its bleaching properties, and while you can use it on your teeth, you should be very careful. The reason is baking soda is highly abrasive and can erode teeth enamel and irritate the gums. Furthermore, baking soda does not contain antibacterial ingredients. Therefore, while you can use baking soda as a natural teeth whitener, it cannot replace the teeth whitener that a dentist offers.
To learn more, contact a dentist near you.