Common Myths About Your Dentist

A trip to the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience for some people. Sometimes, that stress produces enough motivation for a person to take extra care of their teeth, and while we love it when people take care of their teeth, we don’t want your good oral hygiene to be fear-induced. 

Unfortunately, the internet has opened up a world of misinformation and rumors. So much so that even dentistry isn’t safe from toxic trolling. That’s why we want to lay to rest some myths that go along with dentistry and oral hygiene. 

Myth: Those Pointy Things are Going to Hurt

Seeing a tray full of silver pointy objects sitting next to a dental chair might be unnerving. Of course, there are plenty of horror scenes that you can call to mind that start off the same way, but the truth is that those pointy objects are made to aid, not to maim you. 

Working with teeth is a delicate process that requires a lot of finesse. A painter might use a large brush with broad strokes to cover the canvas but a small brush to get in the intricate details. The same is true for dentistry. Your brush at home is the big brush that covers the entire surface of your mouth, and when you come to the dentist, we use smaller, more precise instruments to take care of the tricky details. Many of the tools we use have fine points because the spaces we clean are those small areas between, on, and around your teeth. 

While the tools we use might seem intimidating, that’s not their intended purpose. At Grimes Dentistry, we aim to make you feel comfortable and secure when you visit us. However, if the sight of sharp objects frightens you, let one of our staff members know, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. 

Myth: Okay, but It’s Still Going to Hurt

It’s true; sometimes, our procedures might leave you with soreness. However, no one has ever said, “Oh! My root canal feels great!” Anytime you work within living tissue, you are bound to be sore afterward. You may not feel a splinter when it first enters your skin, but you will notice it after a day or two. Many of our procedures work the same way. 

Anytime we have to work inside of your mouth, there’s a possibility of it being uncomfortable for you. To help this, we apply a local anesthetic to numb the affected area. Of course, the most annoying part for you will be to keep your mouth open while we work, but even then, we have tools to help with that. A trip to your dentist should be a pain-free experience, and thanks to modern technology and practices, it can be. 

If you’re still nervous about the experience, you can tell a staff member, and they’ll work with you to find a solution to ensure that the dentist can do your dental work with minimal stress. 

Myth: Your Dentist is Evil

We’ve all seen that movie where someone goes in for a checkup, and the only person in the room is the doctor and the patient. So the doctor puts the patient to sleep, and suddenly the patient wakes up in another country. 

Ummm… That’s illegal and, honestly, too much work for us.

On a serious note, your dentist is an incredible person who has a family and likes cats. Their job is to ensure your teeth stay healthy so that when you smile, it makes other people happy. Dentists are just trying to make the world a more comfortable place. 

Modern dental offices have multiple seats in a large room, where screens or intentionally placed walls give you privacy while you sit with your mouth wide open. You’re never alone in a closed room with the person working on your teeth, and if you are scared that your dentist is some nefarious evil-doer, you can always bring a friend or relative to sit with you during your visit. 

Hollywood has given the world some incredible gifts but portraying dentists as villains is probably not one of them. At Grimes Dentistry, you’re in good hands. Our team of dental experts will do everything we can to make your visit feel comfortable. 

Call for a Dental Exam Today! 

Don’t let the myths keep you from having a clean, perfect smile. Grimes Dentistry ensures your teeth are at their prettiest and strongest. If any issues need to be addressed, your dentist can help you fix them before they get out of control. Call Grimes Dentistry today to schedule your check-up.