I’ve been practicing dentistry long enough to see many changes in the field. It’s amazing to see how far dentistry has come over the last few decades. Our Bloomington MN dental office has stayed up to date on the latest changes, and we believe in offering great preventive care so you don’t struggle with major dental problems down the road.

That means offering state-of-the-art cleanings and exams while providing thorough restorative dentistry options. You can find out more about our services when you call us at 952-679-1365. Today I want to share a few dental myths you need to avoid if you want to have great oral health. Even though we have access to more information than ever before because of the Internet, it’s possible to still fall for bad dental myths.

1. Snoring isn’t dangerous. Myth

This is something that most people don’t think about, unfortunately. Many people suffering from snoring blow it off as a common nuisance. That might be the case, but snoring is also a sign of something much more serious: sleep apnea.

Unlike simple snoring, sleep apnea occurs when you experience pauses in breathing at night. People with serious sleep apnea have up to 30 pauses in breathing in an hour. Not only that, but untreated sleep apnea can be deadly. It’s true. People have died in their sleep from sleep apnea. Just Google NFL legend Reggie White. He died from sleep apnea complications just a few years after his playing career ended.    

There are two kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common of the two, occurs when soft tissue blocks the airway during sleep. Both are dangerous if left untreated. Sleep apnea can increase the risk of problems like:

  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke
  • Weight gain
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Moodiness
  • Depression
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Headaches

Another misconception about sleep apnea is that it’s only treated with a CPAP. The CPAP constantly pushes air into the lungs to make sure you keep breathing during sleep. The problem with the CPAP is that many patients find it intolerable. The compliance rate is only about 50 percent. That’s not a treatment rate we like to see.

So, we have introduced a sleep apnea treatment people can tolerate: an oral appliance. The appliance treats obstructive sleep apnea in that it pushes the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. Overnight, patients see their sleep apnea symptoms reduced, and they find themselves enjoying a more restful sleep.  

2. Bleeding or swollen gums aren’t serious. Myth

Your teeth and gums shouldn’t hurt. If you’re having sensitivity in your mouth, something is wrong. Bleeding or swollen gums are the first sign of gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and can quickly spread throughout the mouth if left untreated. It can start in the gums and then work its way to the bone, causing the tooth to fail.

The good news is that we can treat you problem with noninvasive treatments. Our office can remove the harmful plaque and bacteria that are causing the gum infection. We’ll also place antibiotics in the gums to deter the infection from spreading throughout the mouth.

3. Removable dentures are as good as natural good. Myth

Removable dentures are no substitute for your natural teeth. Some people assume that dentures can replace your natural teeth when it comes to function, but that’s far from the case. In fact, studies show that removable dentures only provide about 25 to 50 percent of the biting force of your natural teeth. As such, wearing removable dentures eliminates a host of your favorite foods. While we can craft dentures that look great, there is a better way to restore function to your mouth.

Dental implants are the strongest tooth replacement option out there. Implants are strong and can last a lifetime with proper care. Our implants can be restored with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. We can even offer immediate implants which are placed directly after a tooth is extracted! If you want to eat the food you love again and never worry about slippery teeth again, you need to consider dental implants. They allow you to eat whatever you want WHILE giving you a more youthful smile.

Find Your Next Dental Home

At Weddell Dental, we have answers to all of your dental complications. Whether we’re replacing teeth or offering the latest prevention method, you can find it here. Give Weddell Dental a call today at 952-373-4906.