The reason people visit the dentist is to get the benefit of someone’s clinical expertise, getting advice from someone who has devoted themselves to studying teeth. But funnily enough, when they actually show up at the dentist’s office, they wind up being less than honest about what they actually do for their oral health.
The fact is that if you’re dishonest about your teeth, you probably aren’t fooling anyone. Here are a few things you might be tempted to tell your dentist that they’re unlikely to believe if they aren’t true.
“I Floss Every Single Day!”
This is one of the lies that dentists hear most often, but the reason that dentists usually ask the question is that whether or not you floss has a significant effect on the state of your oral health. If you don’t, you’re likely to have additional signs of gum disease that will be apparent at a checkup.
Even if you say that you floss all the time, if it doesn’t look like you floss, it’s unlikely that your dentist will be fooled.
“That Doesn’t Hurt”
It’s common for some patients to try and be excessively macho at their dental appointment, never wanting to admit when something is a little bit painful. However, dentists are pretty good at detecting when you’re in pain.
Really, there’s no reason to lie—your dentist is only asking about whether you’re in pain because they want to help you be as comfortable as possible. You may be in need of additional anesthetic, and applying it will make the treatment easier for both you and your dentist.
“I’m Not a Smoker”
Tobacco use has lots of very visible effects on the quality of your teeth, from staining your teeth to inflaming your gum tissue. That’s ignoring the smell that tobacco smoke leaves behind on your clothes and the stains on your fingers.
It’s critically important to be honest with your dentist about your medical history so that they can better help you with your oral health. In some cases, your dentist may even be able to help you quit.
About the Author
Dr. Joshua Hong doesn’t believe in giving his patients just “passable” dental care. He accepts nothing less than excellence in everything that he does, and his patients reap the benefits of his dedication to his field. Dr. Hong received his degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, and completed substantial advanced education through the Foundation of Advanced Continuing Education.
If you have any questions about how to handle preventive care, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (623) 925-8822.