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It’s common knowledge that brushing and flossing twice daily is essential to your at-home dental hygiene routine. However, according to surveys conducted by the American Dental Association, less than 50% of American adults floss as frequently as they should. If you’re not as consistent as you should be and have a dental checkup coming up, you might worry that you’ll be judged for the state of your smile. When your dentist asks about your habits, you may even feel tempted to stretch the truth and tell them what they want to hear.
Many try to convince their providers that they’ve been paying more attention to their oral health than they have been. Continue reading to learn about three lies they know you’re telling!
Falsehood #1: “I floss regularly.”
Although brushing your teeth can remove unwanted plaque, it only removes roughly half of the sticky substance. It’s just as important to floss regularly to prevent large deposits from forming below your gumline. If you skip this step, germs are more likely to penetrate your gums and cause disease.
You can try to convince your dentist that you consistently clean between your teeth, but if they find tartar or another residue, they know you’re probably fibbing. Furthermore, it’s common for people to floss a day or two before their scheduled appointment time, but this often causes tell-tale bleeding that lets your provider know you’re probably not doing so as frequently as you say.
Falsehood #2: “My last dental checkup was relatively recent.”
While they gather information about your medical history, your dental team will likely ask about your last examination. Although it’s recommended to have a routine visit every six months, in 2019, the CDC reported that only about 65.5% of adults aged 18-64 have had a checkup in the past 12 months. You might worry that they’ll think poorly of you if you haven’t, and it’s not unheard of for patients to give a vague timeframe reference or fabricate a false date to avoid being judged.
Your dentist already knows that many people are less likely to schedule appointments when they don’t have immediate issues with their teeth and gums. Rest assured, their primary concern isn’t to admonish you for not visiting but to ensure they have an accurate history. This ensures they can treat any oral issues without interfering with your overall health.
Falsehood #3: “I don’t smoke.”
Granted, nicotine is an addictive substance, and it’s challenging to quit smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco. Unfortunately, this toxic habit is the leading cause of oral cancer. An estimated 54,000 new cases of this dangerous condition are diagnosed each year, and just a little more than half of those will still be living in 5 years.
Because it’s so risky, your dentist screens your mouth for signs of oral cancer as a standard part of your checkup. They will know if you’re a regular smoker because nicotine and tobacco have particles that stick to your enamel’s pores. These contribute to staining in addition to plaque and tartar buildup, as well as bad breath and inflamed salivary glands.
Remember, it’s always best to be as honest as possible when updating your medical history so that your dental team can protect your grin without negatively impacting your general well-being.
About the Practice
At Brush Dental, you and your family benefit from the expertise of two skilled dentists who work together to offer a wide range of services at one convenient location. Dr. Kuan and Dr. Lam are experienced with patients of all ages and can handle everything from basic preventative care to more complex procedures. They take the time to listen to your concerns and goals to create fully individualized treatment plans to address them. Then, they combine their personable approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance your comfort while increasing result accuracy. If you need a checkup, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (469) 723-4000.
