Let us admit it. There may be times when you feel a bit lax in your oral hygiene habits until you get a text reminding you of your upcoming dental visit. You might spend more time brushing and flossing your teeth before your scheduled appointment to ensure that they are in good condition during the dental checkup.
When asked about your dental health care routine and habits, it might also be tempting to tell your dentist that you have only missed a few times brushing and flossing your teeth. However, you may think that you made the dentist believe your lies, but did you really?
Dentists Know When You Are Lying
Your dentist has a way of telling if you are lying by simply examining the condition of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, and tongue. They also have tools and equipment that allow them to thoroughly check your teeth and tell if you have regular cleanings or neglected your oral health duties.
Some may successfully trick their dentists about your diet—how often you drink sugary beverages and consume candies. However, it can be impossible to undo the damage to your teeth. Neglecting your oral health for a long time, spending extra time brushing and flossing your teeth days before your dental visit cannot erase the telltale signs of poor oral hygiene.
You can tell your dentist that you fervently brush and floss your teeth every morning and night, but the moment they start digging around, they can definitely tell you have been taking your dental health for granted.
However, there is no need to tell a lie. You can always trust your dentist to help you maintain and take care of your dental health. Being honest gives them all the information they need to help you to achieve a healthy smile.
Common Lies Dentists Know You Are Telling
Some patients tend to stretch the truth during their oral checkup—from their oral care hygiene to whether or not they smoke. However, lying during your dental checkup can worsen your oral problems. It is best to tell the truth and avoid telling these common lies.
“I floss daily.”
Brushing your teeth every day only removes the plaque on the surface of your teeth and those above the gumline. It cannot completely remove the plaque in hard-to-reach areas. Large deposits of plaque below your gums or gum inflammation (gingivitis) is a tip-off that you have not been flossing your teeth regularly or you are flossing it the wrong way.
“I do not smoke.”
Smoking is not only bad for your lungs but also for your teeth. It puts you at risk of various types of cancer, including mouth and throat cancer. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause stains on the teeth, decay, premature tooth loss, and gum disease.
The stains on your teeth, the smell of smoke on your clothes, and the nicotine stains on your fingers are dead giveaways that you are being untruthful. Even if you claim otherwise, dentists just know if you are smoking or vaping.
“I don’t drink soda.”
The sugar and acid in soda drinks can easily cause damage to your teeth. Its high acid content can erode your enamel and sugar can feed the harmful bacteria in your mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay. If you enjoy drinking soda, your dentist may recommend healthier alternative beverages.
“I hardly ever drink alcohol.”
Some people like to end a week of hard work with a can of beer or two with friends. While drinking occasionally is not completely harmful, enjoying 1 drink after another can put you at risk of oral health problems. Since alcohol has a distinct smell, your dentist can easily recognize heavy drinkers. Patients who frequently drink alcoholic beverages tend to have drier mouths than those who do not. Alcoholic drinks can affect the production of saliva in your mouth. Dentists often recommend drinking occasionally or avoiding beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages completely.
“My checkup was not long ago.”
Lying about their last dental visit is common. Some tend to forget about their dental appointment due to their busy schedule or because it simply slipped their mind. A survey even showed that 58% of people are not being honest with their dental healthcare provider about appointment-related details, including the date of their last checkup.
However, your dentist keeps a record of your last visit, so they will know about your latest checkup. Even if you switch dentists, the buildup of plaque on your teeth can make your lie far less believable.
“I do not grind my teeth.”
Grinding can eventually wear away your teeth. If you frequently experience headaches, muscle pain around your jaw, it can be caused by nocturnal bruxism (also known as nocturnal teeth grinding). Although this problem is not considered an actual lie (since you may not be aware that you are doing it), nocturnal bruxism should never be ignored.
The dentist will recommend you a mouth guard or another type of dental device designed to protect your teeth from rubbing each other. When left unmanaged, bruxism can lead to the loosening of your tooth. It is best to discuss the possible treatments with your dentist.
It is never a good idea to lie to your dentist during your dental visit. Being truthful can help your dentist keep your dental health on the right track, provide the right treatment, and offer helpful information that will set you up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
If you are looking for a Brampton dentist who genuinely cares for you and your family’s dental health, call Springdale Dental Centre at (905) 458-1212 to book a dental appointment or fill out our contact form to send your message or queries.
