Saturday, April 19, 2014

Popular tooth myths debunked!

Myth: Extreme Temperature Changes Can Crack Your Teeth

A healthy adult tooth was built to absorb varying temperature changes occurring in the mouth. Tiny hairline cracks on the surface of enamel are actually quite common, and you may even spot a few on your teeth in the right light. Known as craze lines[i] the minor cracks are so shallow that they rarely pose a threat to the tooth itself. 

Regular checkups with
PS Dental are always best to ensure minor imperfections aren't indicative of a larger concern. Should you have a crack, it's best to catch it early.

Myth: A Tooth Will Dissolve In Soda Overnight


Soda's supposed dissolving powers can be traced to the presence of three acids in its formula—phosphoric, citric, and carbonic acid, many of which can be found in other popular drinks. In fact, every morning many Americans begin their day with orange juice, a drink possessing more citric acid (and as much sugar) as soda. Coca-Cola's head chemist, Orville May, testified that the .055 percent level of phosphoric acid in Coke is nowhere near the 1.09 percent acid content found in an orange. 

As for tooth dissolving myth[ii], May also suggested that many ignored the effects of saliva in the mouth—or the simple fact that people don't hold soda in their mouth overnight. In any case, attempts to recreate this experiment have shown that the claim was exaggerated: Leaving your tooth in a glass of Coke isn't good for it, but it won't completely dissolve overnight, or even in a couple of days. PS Dental recommends that you avoid sugary drink in order to protect your teeth!


Myth: Knocked-Out Teeth Are Lost Forever

Many people lose their permanent teeth but it is possible to reimplant a knocked-out adult tooth. A severed root experiences damage to blood vessels and tissue, but the ligaments connecting the tooth to the bone can be re-formed. The key to a successful reimplantation is how the missing tooth is stored and for how long. 

Assuming you can find the tooth, avoid scraping off any dirt particles, as you risk damaging the root further. Instead, rinse it gently with a saline solution while carefully handling it by the crown. If possible, place the tooth back in its original socket, or store it in a small container with saline or milk. Milk—containing proteins, sugar, and antibacterial substances—provides the ideal environment for a lost tooth. As an added bonus, the sugars in milk help feed cells, which need to remain alive and growing in the short term. 

Don't have access to any of the above? Don't panic. Your cheek will work well for storage in the interim; just be careful not to swallow your precious cargo. 

Placing pressure on the gums will also help to reduce the bleeding and pain as you are en route to the dentist. Depending on the damage, a successful reimplanted tooth can heal significantly in three to four weeks, and become fully repaired within two months.
This procedure is an easy feat for the highly qualified doctors at PS Dental, and be sure to be satisfied with the end result!

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