Dental myths & misconceptions usually holds you back from going to the dentists on a regular basis, which will only lead to bigger problems in near future. But if you can try to understand the real facts, you'll be able to approach your dentist without fear.

Taking care of your teeth as much as you take care of your body reflects on your total physical well-being.

1. Professional cleaning abrades Enamel surface and causes sensitivity.

Cleaning or also known as scaling only removes the tartar/calculus, plaque and stains stuck onto your teeth without damaging the teeth underneath. Did you know enamel, the outer surface of your teeth, is infact the hardest material in your body?

Scaling is done using ultrasonic vibrations which helps to dismantle anything stuck on the surface which ofcourse doesn't get rid with your daily brushing.

If you are feeling a void in between your teeth, now thats because there was huge amount of tartar in place of which your gums should have been. And if you experience sensitivity, its because the long-standing acidic tartar had already eroded your enamel surface which is now exposed when the tartar is removed. All you need to do is use sensitivity toothpaste for 2-3 days until you are free of the sensitivity.

2. Tooth extractions can damage eyes.

There is no direct co-relation of teeth to your eyes. This was just superstitions of earlier century. There are millions of extractions done in this century and not one person has lost eyesight in any way.

3.Braces is only for children and adolescents.

Teeth mal-alignment can be corrected at any age, provided that your teeth and gums are in healthy state. Most adults are concerned about their appearances while on braces.

Well to your information, there are various new treatment modalities like ceramic brcaes or lingual braces or even invisible aligners that make braces virtually invisible and yet have the treatment happening.

4. A little bleeding while brushing is normal.

Gums bleed only when there is an issue. It may be inflammation, infection or injury. Bleeding gums are usually caused due to inflammation owing to the tartar deposits that irritate your gums to inflame. This is something that need attention and most often is a call for professional cleaning.

5. Dental visit is required only when you have a pain.

This thought is basicaly the root cause of all your dental problems & trust me, you will regret this in your early 50s. Unlike any other organ in your body, you can maintain the health of your teeth and also prevent the obvious dental problems, that is sure to occur in your early 50's, to a great extend.

A regular dental check-up and cleaning once in a year helps to retain your teeth in good state even upto 70s.

It is said that you are prone to caries all your life, whereas you will be prone to gum disease especially after 50s, which strictly requires yearly cleaning to keep your gums in healthy state. and if your dentist is good one, then he/she will inform you of present conditions and also point out the teeth that are more prone to develop caries in next 6 months or so.

When it comes to teeth, your natural teeth is way much better than replacing with an artificial one.

6. Any dental treatment done once, is for lifetime.

The answer is a big NO! No treatment lasts forever. We dentists often recommend to change any filling or brigde every 5 years which is the maximum life span we can proudly quote. The science is that the composition looses it essence in 5 years and also a lot changes take place in your mouth in this time-span which accordingly demands for a change of the treatment provided prior to these changes. Yes it might last for a few more years if taken good care of. So just make sure you get those yearly service for the treatments provided in your mouth.

7. Milk teeth doesn't require any treatment as they fall off eventually.

It is right milk teeth fall off and permanent teeth takes its place. But you are forgetting one thing, your kids grow at this age, where they use their milk teeth to get their nutrients that will help them grow healthy.

Also a pain in their mouth can cause them to be lethargic and unable to concentrate on anything or as a matter of fact eat anything at all.

Many a times children do not know to explain pain and so they do not often complain of pain. But it is our duty to look after their teeth and immediately consult your dentist if you find any black spots on your kid's teeth. Besides, decay to milk teeth can also cause damage the permanent teeth that is coming right below it.