Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives & polishing ingredients which lighten the surface stains to some extent. Some toothpastes might also contain chemicals, such as mild bleaching substances. These can lighten your teeth by about 1 shade. In contrast, the lightening achieved by professional whitening is from 3 to 8 shades. Whitening toothpastes can be used following professional whitening to sustain its effect.
One can get a dental-implant at any age. More important are factors such as one’s general health and the condition of the jaw-bone.
Cavities break through the surface enamel of teeth, and they’ll probably get bigger unless you close them off with fillings. A combination of strong materials or a white mix called a composite goes into the cavity soft and then hardens as it dries. You may feel pain or pressure when getting the numbing shot and during the drilling. Once set, fillings can last a long time but need replacing if they break or wear down.
A Dental-Implant is an artificial ‘tooth’ directly placed into the jaw-bone to replace a lost tooth. Unlike a bridge or a denture, it does not need any support from either teeth or gums. Implants can be used to provide support for bridges and dentures, even when the jaw-bone has deteriorated a lot. It is interesting that the history of implants dates back to 3000BC! The current concept originated in the 1950s. Hence, the use of dental-implants is not new.
A dental sealant is a resin material applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth – the premolars and molars. The sealant bonds to the pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of those teeth, and helps protect them from getting cavities. It is recommended for both adults and children, and only takes a few minutes to apply.
Your visit to your dentist, in absence of any of dental problem, would depend on factors such as the tendency of your teeth getting cavities, the health of your gums and other tooth surrounding regions of your mouth, the efficacy of your cleaning methods. Typically, this means a six monthly visit. However, your dentist might feel the need for a check-up sooner (e.g., three monthly), if your mouth health is unpredictable. It is important that rather than getting apprehensive about such visits, you should have a feeling of being cared for. The purpose of a regular check-up is
1. To check for the integrity of your old fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, etc.
2. To carefully check your teeth for any new or developing cavities.
3. To assess your oral hygiene methods and the condition of your gums, tongue, lips, cheek-lining and palate.
- Toothpastes with Fluoride have been shown to protect against decay to an extent. The toothpastes meant for children (younger than 6 years of age) have lower fluoride content. This is so that if they were to accidentally swallow a bit of it, it would not harm them.
- Different toothpastes come with different purposes – Gum-protection, Whitening, Relieving sensitivity, Caries-Protection etc. We routinely suggest specific toothpastes for you as per your requirement.
- You might have a personal preference for a particular flavor or type (gel or paste). These also have a role in helping you choose the toothpaste of your choice.
- Lastly, what matters more is not the type of your toothpaste, but the manner of your tooth-brushing.
Decay starts in the outer layer of the tooth known as the enamel. This tooth layer has no nerves, so when decay is present there is no pain associated with it. It is only once the decay grows to moderate in size that most people experience pain. That is because now the decay is very close to the inside nerve of the tooth or already into the nerve of the tooth.
Playing an instrument or a contact sport may require some adjustment when you first get your braces, but wearing braces will not stop you from participating in any of your school activities. If you play a contact sport, it is recommended that you wear a mouth-guard to protect your braces or appliance.
Definitely YES. After RCT, the tooth should be CAPPED in order to avoid fracture and to function normally.
Studies have found that the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with gum diseases. Periodontal disease may increase your risk for a variety of health concerns including: Diabetes, Stroke, Weakened Immune system, Lung Disease, Preterm low birth weight babies, Respiratory Disease, Osteoporosis, and Stomach ulcers. By keeping regular maintenance appointments with your dental team, you will help increase your chances for a long and healthy life.
Fluoride helps make teeth strong and prevents decay. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association (ADA), and the CDC all agree that kids should use fluoride toothpaste for brushing, taking care not to swallow it. Adults benefit from using fluoride to protect their teeth, too.