Myths about teeth and orthodontics

Myths abound when it comes to our teeth. “Use a hard toothbrush to remove plaque” (don’t do it, it can damage the gum line). “If your tooth hurts, put ouzo” (it doesn’t help, visit your dentist and/or take the appropriate painkiller until you get to their office).

Equally numerous are the myths in Orthodontics. Dr. Katerina Douma-Michelaki, DDS, PhD, a specialist in Orthodontics for Children & Adults, clears up the most important ones.

Myth: A child’s first teeth will fall out, so dental care is not necessary for young children.

The truth: Good dental hygiene and regular visits to the pediatric dentist are necessary because baby teeth can decay just like permanent teeth. Moreover, early loss of baby teeth due to undiagnosed cavities can affect the development of permanent teeth, preventing their eruption. The Greek Pediatric Dentistry Society, following international standards, recommends the first visit to the dentist around the child’s first birthday, with an initially advisory nature. From then on, the pediatric dentist will determine the frequency of visits based on the child’s diet, oral hygiene, and habits.

Myth: If a small child doesn’t drink soft drinks and doesn’t eat sweets, their teeth won’t decay.

The truth: Even infants who have not yet reached the age of one but have their first teeth can develop cavities if parents put them to sleep with a bottle in their mouth or continue breastfeeding during the night. Children who drink milk with honey or sugar are at immediate risk of severe decay. The only drink or food that doesn’t damage people’s teeth is plain water. Anything else, even milk and natural fruit juices without added sugar, can contribute to cavities. Don’t forget that every source of carbohydrates (cereal, bread, fruit, fruit juice, potatoes, pasta, rice, sweets, cookies, candies, sugar-containing medicines, etc.) contains sugars that cause cavities, and that every food or drink leaves residues in the mouth.

Myth: The first visit to the orthodontist should be when the child’s permanent teeth erupt.

The truth: If you wait until the child’s permanent teeth have erupted, you may miss the stage of bone development during which many problems can be corrected without the need for interventions, such as the extraction of a tooth. Orthodontic interventions are usually milder the earlier any problem is detected and addressed. For this reason, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends the first visit to the orthodontist at the age of 7, when children still have many baby teeth.

Myth: Orthodontic treatments done in childhood get ruined when the wisdom teeth come in.

The truth: It’s logical to think that the eruption of wisdom teeth, which usually occurs at the end of adolescence and in the early years of adulthood, may lead to orthodontic changes. In reality, however, any shifts or relapses may be due to several factors such as continued growth of the lower jaw, trauma, or an oral disease.

Myth: Many orthodontic problems are solved with a “retainer” worn only at night.

The truth: Retainers are devices designed for the initial stages of orthodontic tooth movement and for maintaining the result after the orthodontic treatment is completed. To safely move a tooth into the correct position, pressure is required for at least 18-20 hours a day for an extended period. This cannot be done with a retainer, which is a removable appliance, but with fixed, specialized mechanisms like braces or with new systems of clear aligners. These new systems provide excellent results without traditional braces but require about 22 hours of use per day.

Myth: Braces must be tight and cause pain to straighten the teeth.

The truth: It’s a big mistake to think that the tighter the braces, the faster they will fix the orthodontic problem. Excessive tightening not only does not speed up the alignment of the teeth, but it can also harm the teeth. Braces should not cause pain. It’s normal to feel some pressure or discomfort during the first few days after their placement, but pain means poor placement or poor adaptation to the patient’s teeth.

Myth: Visits to the orthodontist are not necessary after the placement of the braces.

The truth: The health of the gums, teeth, and jaw should be evaluated at regular intervals to ensure smooth progress of the treatment. The good news is that with modern orthodontic devices and depending on the patient, the intervals between visits may reach 8 or 10 weeks. However, it is essential to keep the appointments. Don’t forget that teeth continue to shift throughout life as the body develops and changes. Even after orthodontic treatment is completed and the teeth are aligned, periodic check-ups are still necessary to verify that the result is maintained and that no relapse has occurred.