Marion R. Sills, MD, MPH

This week’s NY Times science section debunks several common misconceptions.  All are interesting reads:

• Misconception: Baby teeth don’t matter. I am leading with the one I hear most often at work. Dental caries (cavities) is the most common chronic illness of childhood, and this misconception is one reason why. (Actually: Neglecting baby teeth can set a child up for lifelong dental trouble.)
• Misconception: The universe started someplace. (Actually: The Big Bang didn’t happen at a place; it happened at a time. But you can still think you’re at the center of it if it makes you happy.)
• Misconception: Computers will outstrip human capabilities within many of our lifetimes. (Actually: Most researchers say that you won’t be obsolete for a long time, if ever. At least not if you’re a NY Times reader.)
• Misconception: Exercise builds strong bones. (Actually: exercise has little or no effect on bone strength, although of course it has other benefits that help prevent fractures.)
• Misconception: You Can’t Get an S.T.D. From Oral Sex. (Actually: um, no.)
• Misconception: Climate change is not real because there is snow in my yard. (Actually: Weather does not equal climate. Even lots of weather.)
• Misconception: In an asteroid belt, spaceships have to dodge a fusillade of oncoming rocks. (Actually: really? people worry about this? OK, no.)
• Misconception: Spree killers must be mentally ill. (Actually: As comforting as it would be if we could fit mass killers into an existing category of mental illness, they usually don’t meet criteria for a category and there is little evidence that early treatment would have helped prevent their attacks.)