Since dentists ask embarrassing questions, patients often feel tempted to lie to them. The idea is that a small and (seemingly) harmless fib is better than a shameful dental truth. With that said, there’s no real point in hiding anything; most dentists know when you’re lying. You’d do better to talk with them honestly than to spin tall tales at a checkup. If you need proof, just keep reading to learn four lies dentists know you’re telling.
Lie #1: I Floss Every Day
Admitting you don’t floss is hard, so you may want to lie about your lack of flossing habit. However, telling this fib won’t do you much good; dentists will know whether you floss every day regardless.
A dental checkup often reveals whether you floss every day. As the dentist looks at your mouth, they’ll see if you have plaque below the gumlines, if your gums are swollen and red, etc. These signs clearly indicate that you don’t floss very often, meaning a lie would be quickly exposed.
Lie #2: I Don’t Drink Soda
You shouldn’t pretend you don’t drink soda to a dentist. In most cases, they’ll quickly know if you’re lying.
Like lack of flossing, soda drinking has telltale signs a dentist can easily find. The most notable of these is tooth decay, as soft drinks wear down enamel with their sugars and acids. It doesn’t take much for a dentist to see such decay and realize you drink soda often.
Lie #3: I’m Not in Pain
To spare their feelings, you may fib to your dentist and say their poking doesn’t hurt your mouth. Still, your dental provider will see your lie for what it is.
The truth is that dentists can “read” your body for signs of pain. In particular, they may notice your body flinch or tense up as they work on your smile. It’d also be easy for a dentist to see your eyes clench shut from aches and pains.
Lie #4: I Don’t Grind My Teeth
If you unknowingly grind your teeth at night, you may lie to your dentist by accident and claim you don’t. Even so, they’ll likely know you aren’t being truthful.
People who grind their teeth a lot have certain symptoms. For example, they have worn-looking pearly whites, frequent headaches, muscle pain around their jaws, and so on. It’s only natural that a trained dentist can spot those factors and diagnose a patient’s grinding, even if the patient lied.
There are many lies dentists know you’re telling, so try not to fib at your next checkup. Consult your dental provider honestly so they can help you smile!
About the Practice
Dental Essentials of Rocky Hill is based in Rocky Hill, CT. Led by the fantastic Dr. Julia Karpman, our practice always goes the extra mile for a patient’s smile. That means we tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services to your needs, ensuring the best care possible. Whether you see us for dental checkups or dental implants, our team will help your grin thrive! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (860)-563-3766.