Think a swish of mouthwash before a dentist check-up will wash away the evidence of your oral hygiene sins? Think again.
Although the eyes may be the window to the soul, your mouth offers a wealth of information about your habits – including what you’ve been up to in the bedroom.
But many of us still feel the need to lie to our dentist, with a 2020 study finding that 73% of people tell porkies when they’re in the chair.
Over a quarter of those who admitted to doing so said it was because they were ashamed of their poor oral hygiene, while 17% blamed dental fear for not telling the truth.
However, dentists need a clear picture of your lifestyle to ensure you get the right treatment. And since they can find all the the proof they need once you open wide, it’s better to be honest.
Here, Dr Minoo Ghamari, a Melbourne-based dentist from Gorgeous Smiles, shares the biggest fibs patients tell, and what gives them away.
‘I don’t smoke or vape’
‘Dentists can typically tell if you are a smoker and it’s important to let your dentist know so they can keep an eye on your oral health,’ Dr Ghamari tells Metro.co.uk.
Nicotine stains on the teeth are the first giveaway, but ‘smoking can also leave a distinct smell in your mouth which can be harder to mask than typical foods.’
Additionally, both smoking and vaping can lead to a dry mouth, and in some cases even gum disease.
Dr Ghamari adds: ‘Redness, inflammation or swelling of the gums can be telltale signs of gum disease which have been brought on by smoking.’
‘I avoid fizzy drinks and coffee’
One in five participants in the above survey admitted to lying about the consumption of carbonated drinks, but sodas contain acids which break down your tooth enamel, so there’s really no point pretending you abstain.
‘Similarly, coffee can stain teeth, leading to yellowing or discolouration over time,’ says Dr Ghamari.
‘Letting your dentist know your frequent drink preferences will allow them to advise you better on your routine and help manage symptoms – although they will advise you to cut back on teeth damaging drinks.’
‘I floss regularly’
Another 20% of survey respondents have been dishonest about flossing in the past. However, Dr Ghamari says it’s ‘very apparent’ if you actually do it or not.
‘Plaque can build up between your teeth so if you had flossed, this would be obvious,’ she explains. ‘Patients who floss less are also more prone to bleeding when they do.’
Other signs you’re a floss-dodger include red or swollen gums, tooth discolouration, and in rarer cases even teeth moving.
‘I brush twice a day’
‘This lie may seem easier to get away with, as if you were brushing once a day you may think it makes little difference, however, there are several ways to tell if a patient isn’t brushing twice a day,’ says Dr Ghamari.
‘Tartar and plaque build up is one easy way to spot someone not brushing enough, as this builds up when teeth are neglected from being cleaned regularly. Cavities can also form if you aren’t regularly cleaning teeth.’
In some cases, patients even turn up to their appointment with food still stuck between their gnashers because they brush so sporadically.
‘I don’t bite my nails’
Did you know that biting your nails frequently can lead to tiny chips or marks in your teeth? Yup, even this vice isn’t safe from the dentist’s beady eye.
Dr Ghamari says that sometimes, ‘bacteria can form in these chips, leading to decay,’ adding: ‘Regular biting of your nails can also put stress on your teeth and cause more wear and tear.’
It’s worth letting your dentist know if you’re struggling to break this habit, as they can often advise on treatments to help.
‘I steer clear of sugar’
The odd sweet treat is fine, but lying about it isn’t, as a high sugar diet ‘can cause imbalances in your gums and changes to your saliva.’
‘When sugar is consumed it interacts with the bacteria within the plaque to produce acid, which can cause tooth decay over time,’ says Dr Ghamari.
‘A lot of sugar strips your natural enamel and weakens teeth long term, which is why your dentist will advise you to lower your intake and look out for symptoms if you are honest with them.’
‘I rarely drink alcohol’
According to Dr Ghamari, ‘dentists can see symptoms that are common in frequent alcohol drinkers, such as dry mouth, caused by reduced saliva production linked to alcohol consumption.’
You may think there’s no harm in a little fib here – after all, what does booze have to do with teeth? Yet heavy alcohol use is linked to oral cancers, so being upfront means your dentist is equipped to keep an eye on concerning symptoms.
‘I haven’t had oral sex recently’
This one isn’t a common lie, as it’s not exactly standard conversation during a check-up. That said, if it does crop up, your dentist can usually spot signs you’ve given a blowjob whether you deny it or not.
‘If it leaves a bruise any practitioner can tell,’ says Dr Ghamari.
This mark on the soft palate is called petechiae, and these circle-shaped bruises tend to show if you’ve been a little – ahem – enthusiastic during your endeavours, lasting around a week or so.
Try not to worry too much though, as dentists on TikTok confirmed that they won’t judge you, with one saying: ‘Unless the patient’s really young or shows signs of abuse, we don’t care.’
Overall, Dr Ghamari says that ‘lying to your dentist is doing a disservice to yourself, as if any signs of more serious health conditions are missed as a result, your health can suffer.’
Urging people to let go of shame and realise you’ll only benefit from telling the truth, she adds: ‘As dentists we understand it can be hard for patients to follow all advice, and the more we know the more we can manage lifestyle factors and offer guidance to help you keep teeth in the best condition.’
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