More and more these days, people often lie during dental visits. That's only natural - a checkup under bright lights can start to feel like a high-pressure interrogation. You also may want to fudge the truth a bit to save face and avoid embarrassment. Still, lying to your dentist is pointless; they can usually tell when you're fibbing. The better option for you and your smile is to be honest about your oral health. If you'd like more details on these points, read on to learn about the lies your dentist knows you're telling.
Wait, Dentists Can Tell You're Lying?
Even if you're a real smooth talker, dentists can see through your smile-related lies. They have ways of knowing whether you're telling the truth about your teeth and gums.
It all comes down to how modern dentists get trained. Due to their time in dental school and residencies, they can assess a patient's mouth and behavior for clues. These subtle points – traces of meals, body language, etc. – let them know if you're responding honestly to their questions. From there, a dentist will easily call you on your lies and force out the truth.
With all that said, fibbing at a checkup isn't a wise move. Doing so wastes everyone's time and energy, leading to moodiness and frustration.
Which Lies Can Dentists Spot?
If you need further proof, below are four common lies dentists can easily spot. They are:
“I Always Brush the Right Way”
Nobody wants to say they don't brush their teeth well, so some patients lie to their dentists about their oral care. However, a routine checkup will expose these fibs for what they are. As dentists closely examine your smile, they'll see if you have plaque below and along your gumline. This buildup will prove that you haven't been brushing properly, revealing you've lied.
“I Don't Drink Alcohol”
Unless alcohol is on your breath, you may think dentists won't know you've lied about your drinking. You'd be wrong to make that assumption, though. A dentist will notice the smile stains left by red wine, as this beverage tends to cling to plaque on your teeth. Similarly, acidic white wine can interact with food debris and cause noticeable staining of its own.
“I Had My Last Checkup Recently”
Instead of admitting you missed appointments, you may tell your dentist you had a checkup pretty recently. Even so, such behavior won't do you any good. Since your regular dentist will have a record of your previous visit, they'll immediately spot your lie. Perhaps more crucially, they'll detect the plaque buildup that shows your last cleaning was quite a while ago.
“I'm Fine”
Some patients falsely claim they're fine during a checkup, wanting to spare their dentist's feelings and avoid awkward exchanges. The problem is that this lie is always exposed very quickly. Your dentist will observe your signs of anxiety, from your clenched fists and jaw to your squinting eyes. They'll then (rightly) conclude that you don't feel fine at all.
The Better, Lie-Free Alternative
Rather than spout endless lies, there's a much better alternative you can take with today's dentists. That option is to tell the truth up front without hiding anything.
Your dentist won't react poorly to your admissions. On the contrary, they'll appreciate that you were honest and shared how your smile is truly doing. They'll do a better and quicker job now that you've confirmed the truth, ensuring your grin gets the help it needs.
Since your dentist knows the lies you're telling, don't spin tall tales at your next dental checkup. Just speak honestly – you'll make your visit smoother and easier that way!
