With over 20 years of practice in all fields of dentistry, Dr Nick Kulkarni has heard it all. Often being greeted by “I hate being here!” and “Don’t take it personally Doc, but I don’t like you,” dental fear is very real and crippling for the person experiencing it. This fear and anxiety stems from believing in dental myths. So we’d like to ease your fears and make you comfortable by busting some of the more common dental myths that we hear from patients.

Dental treatment hurts
This is one of the most common things we hear, especially from patients who have had previous unpleasant dental experiences. Dental treatments today have advanced and if patients are regular with their dental visits, these visits are uneventful and relatively pain-free. Most procedures in the dentist’s chair are painless. Even those procedures that do cause pain can be numbed down to where all you are feeling is movement and tugging. Communication is key, so if you are uncomfortable or experiencing pain, let us know. We will do everything to keep you pain-free. We also offer sedation if you are anxious about the treatment.

I don’t need to see a dentist if there is no visible dental problem or pain
Dental disease can be silent, painless and progressive. It is severe before it is painful. We recommend regular yearly biannual checkups and cleaning to ensure sound oral health.

My dentist and his team will judge me
Remember we see it every day! Our team isn’t here to judge you or your oral health, we simply want to help you improve and maintain the health of your teeth. If there is any dental situation you are embarrassed about, we will be glad to give you advice and help you through it.

All dental treatment is permanent
All dental work will eventually break down, and the tooth around the dental work can still decay. The dental work itself is a repair and can break down. Regular dental check-ups help us maintain breakdowns and ensure good oral health for you.

Dental treatment is expensive
Costs only begin to add up if you are not taking good care of your teeth and not visiting your dentist as recommended.

Teeth whitening will damage my teeth
There is no evidence to support the theory that teeth whitening or bleaching will damage your teeth. Whitening may cause temporary teeth sensitivity in some patients and that may be the reason for this misconception. But professional teeth whitening that is performed under the supervision of your dentist is safe and effective and will not damage your teeth.

Teeth cleaning weakens the tooth & destroys enamel
Teeth cleaning does not lead to enamel damage. It removes the hard calcified plaque called “calculus” from the tooth and root surface. This may cause a patient to feel like they have more gaps in between their teeth. One might also feel extra sensitivity as the calculus-covered surfaces get exposed by cleaning. In fact, regular clean-ups are recommended to improve your oral health.

Stop brushing if gums bleed
The opposite is true. Bleeding is a sign that the gums are inflamed due to irritants like plaque and calculus. Regular brushing and flossing are needed to remove plaque build-up. Professional dental cleaning may be required if the bleeding persists, to remove the hard calcified build-up called calculus.

Dental problems stay in the mouth
Essentially, your mouth is a window to your body. The condition of your oral health can have far-reaching consequences for other parts of your body. Bacteria from gum disease caused by poor oral hygiene can enter the bloodstream and lead to strokes, diabetes, dementia, heart disease, respiratory disease, pregnancy complications and more. Thus it is essential to take care of your oral health.

Saving milk teeth is not important
Milk teeth are necessary for confidence, proper speech development and eating and act as space maintainers for permanent teeth. Tooth decay can cause pain and infections, which is especially hard for children to deal with. So it is recommended that you take your child to visit the dentist once their first tooth has appeared and then on, visit the dentist regularly. Just like permanent teeth, milk teeth are also prone to cavities, so maintaining good oral hygiene and moderating the amount of sugar intake is imperative.

Braces / Teeth straightening is only for kids
It’s never too late to get braces! Braces are an option to correct overcrowding and spaces in between the teeth for not only children but adults too. Misalignment of teeth is the cause of gum disease, difficulty in chewing, headaches, jaw pain and speech problems. So if you think you need braces reach out to us as we have many options to help straighten out your teeth.

Avoid dental treatment during pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause inflammation of the gums which can lead to gum disease. So routine dental appointments are highly recommended during pregnancy for a check-up and cleaning. Emergencies and certain restorative dental work like fillings are safe, however cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening should be delayed until after the baby is born. It is important that you inform your dentist about the pregnancy while making the appointment.

Dental X-Rays are dangerous
Dental X-Rays are low in radiation and are very safe. We use the latest digital X-Ray technology at Leichhardt Dental, which further reduces your radiation exposure. The benefits of dental X-Rays far outweigh their risk. Dental X-Rays help your dentist diagnose many conditions like gum disease, cavities, deep infections in the bone and even tumours.

Brushing harder means cleaner teeth
While it is important to brush your teeth thoroughly, brushing harder doesn’t necessarily mean cleaner. In fact, brushing too hard can wear down the enamel and cause sensitivity. It can also damage your gums and cause them to bleed and recede further, increasing the sensitivity. That is why it is recommended that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid applying too much pressure when you brush.