Month: March 2022

Call Smile Perfection at (520) 293-2166 for all your dental needs.

Over the years, more and more myths have arisen regarding dental health. At Smile Perfection, we aim to help every patient achieve optimum oral health with professional dental services and oral health education.

No one knows more about oral health than your local Tucson dentist. Below are some of the most common dental myths to be aware of so you can protect your teeth and gums.

1. Cavities Come from Eating Sugar

One of the most common dental myths out there is that eating sugar causes cavities. However, sugar does not directly cause cavities; bacteria do.

Oral bacteria eat away your enamel by producing harmful acid. Since bacteria thrive with sugar, it can lead to tooth decay if you don’t brush your teeth.

While sugar is not the primary culprit of cavities, it is still not great for your teeth. Instead, think of sugar as the food that oral bacteria consume to grow and spread.

2. Brushing Your Teeth Harder Makes Them Cleaner

Many patients believe that brushing their teeth harder promotes better oral hygiene. However, this will cause more harm than good.

Brushing too aggressively can erode the enamel on your teeth, making them more susceptible to decay or cavities. Gently brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush is ideal for protecting your teeth and maintaining optimum oral health.

3. Charcoal Toothpaste Is Great for Your Teeth

Many patients are turning to charcoal toothpaste for better teeth whitening. Like baking soda, charcoal can remove surface-level stains.

However, it is an absorbent chemical, meaning that it can absorb different nutrients in your mouth. In addition, most charcoal toothpaste doesn’t have fluoride, which is essential to protect tooth enamel.

4. Baby Teeth Don’t Need Professional Check-Ups

Although baby teeth will eventually fall out, it is still crucial to take care of them. Baby teeth are just as susceptible to decay as adult teeth. Not only is this painful, but it can deteriorate your child’s overall oral health.

Routine check-ups are essential for preventing tooth decay, toothaches, and other common and painful problems. In addition, professional dental cleanings and exams help ensure proper dental growth and establish healthy oral hygiene habits.

5. Sugar-Free Gum Can Clean Your Teeth Just as Well as Brushing

While chewing sugar-free gum can be beneficial, it does not clean your teeth as well as a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Chewing gum produces saliva, which is crucial for removing food debris and harmful acids from food. However, gum alone can’t remove plaque from your teeth. Brushing at least twice a day is vital for proper clean and healthy teeth.

Schedule Your Next Dental Appointment Today

The dental professionals at Smile Perfection know all about the most common dental myths. We can help you learn more about preparing for a dental appointment and what to do if you have a cavity.

Our goal is to help you avoid potentially harmful habits and help you achieve your best and brightest smile. Call Smile Perfection at (520) 293-2166 to schedule an appointment in Tucson, AZ.

A trip to the dentist is stressful for some people. Anxiety on the day of the appointment can make preparation harder than it should be and may cause you to forget critical prep-related details. It’s best to make a checklist of what you need to do and bring with you.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for a dentist appointment that we at Smile Perfection have put together from our years of experience as Tucson’s go-to dentist.

Preparing for a Dentist Appointment

Here are some important things you need to do:

Confirm Your Appointment

It’s a good idea to call the office 24 hours ahead of time to confirm your appointment. Take note of the address to ensure you know how to get to the office and seek clarifications if necessary. You don’t want to drive in the wrong direction on the day of the appointment.

Understand the Procedure

Are you visiting the dentist for regular cleaning, or do you want to get braces? It’s important to know the procedure and prepare for it. If you know what to expect, you’ll feel less anxious on the day. Also, some procedures may require special preparation, such as avoiding meals for a specified number of hours before the appointment. You’ll get the info you need during the initial consultations.

Clean Your Teeth

When thinking about how to prepare for a dentist appointment, you need to think about your doctor. An appointment with the dentist doesn’t mean you can be lax with your oral hygiene; it’s respectful behavior to brush, floss, and use mouthwash. No dentist wants to spend time cleaning out food particles before getting down to the job.

Watch What You Eat

Similarly, be mindful of what you eat before an appointment. There are meal restrictions on some appointments, but if you’re allowed to eat, it’s best to avoid strong-smelling foods such as fish, garlic, or onion.

Be Punctual

Dentists are very busy. Therefore, it’s best to arrive early for your dental appointment. If you’re late, the dentist might cancel your slot or push it forward to avoid causing inconveniences to other people. You should aim to arrive 10-15 minutes before your appointment time.

What Should You Bring?

Here are the essential items to bring along to your appointment:

Medical History Documents

These documents will give your doctor a quick summary of your medical situation, including existing conditions, your current medications, allergies, procedures you’ve undergone in the past, and more. This will help them determine the dental care approach for you.

You’ll also need to present any recent dental X-rays (not older than six months) and a referral letter from your previous doctor where necessary.

Insurance and Payment Information

If you’re on any dental insurance plan, it’s essential to bring it along to your appointment. The card will be helpful to determine your level of coverage if you need treatment. If you’re not on an insurance plan or want to pay out of pocket, don’t forget to bring cash or a card.

Dental Treatment at Home

The tips above cover how to prepare for a dentist appointment. However, if you can’t leave your home for dental visits or simply prefer to receive treatment at home, you can discuss your options with your dentist. At Smile Perfection, we offer home treatment to our clients. You can learn more about our mobile dentistry solutions or call us at (520) 293-2166 to book a session.