SmilewithMyra

Tag: Dental

Dental Care for Children: Tips and Advice on Establishing Good Oral Hygiene Habits in Kids

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On July 9, 2023

In Dentalhygiene, Dentistry, Oralhealth, Paediatric Dentistry

Image by cottonbro studio

I have had the privilege of working with children and helping them develop healthy oral hygiene habits. It’s crucial to instill these habits at a young age to ensure a lifetime of strong and healthy teeth. In this post, I will provide you with some valuable tips and advice on how to establish good oral hygiene habits in your kids. Let’s get started!

1. Start Early, Start Right:

Oral care should begin even before your child’s first tooth appears. Wipe their gums gently with a clean, damp cloth after each feeding to remove any residual milk or formula. As teeth begin to erupt, switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush specifically designed for infants. For more information on how to get started taking care of your child’s oral health, see my previous post on Start Right: Oral Health Tips For Parents

2. Lead by Example:

Children often learn by observing their parents or older siblings. Make oral care a family affair by brushing and flossing together. Seeing you take care of your teeth will motivate and encourage your child to do the same.

3. Make It Fun:

Oral hygiene doesn’t have to be a chore. Get creative and make it an enjoyable experience for your child. Sing along to two minutes of their favorite tune, use colorful toothbrushes and toothpaste, or let them choose their own toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character. By making it fun, you’ll create positive associations with dental care.

4. Teach Proper Technique:

Show your child the correct way to brush their teeth. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste and demonstrate gentle, circular motions along the gumline and the surface of the teeth. Encourage them to brush for at least two minutes, twice a day. Remember to emphasize the importance of brushing the tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.

5. Introduce Flossing Early:

Flossing is an essential part of oral hygiene that often gets overlooked. Once your child’s teeth start touching, usually around the age of two, introduce flossing. Use child-friendly floss to reach in between their teeth. As they grow older, teach them how to use traditional dental floss.

6. Encourage Healthy Eating Habits:

A nutritious diet plays a significant role in maintaining good oral health. Limit sugary snacks and drinks, as they can lead to tooth decay. Instead, encourage your child to snack on fruits, vegetables, and cheese, which are tooth-friendly choices. Drinking water and diluted beverages instead of concentrated sugary beverages will reduce the risk of cavities and also help wash away food particles.

7. Regular Dental Check-ups:

Schedule your child’s first dental visit around their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth eruption. Regular dental check-ups are crucial for early detection of any potential issues and to ensure proper development of their teeth and jaws. Make these visits positive experiences, and your child will feel comfortable and relaxed during future visits.

8. Emphasize the Importance of Consistency:

Consistency is key when it comes to establishing good oral hygiene habits. Encourage your child to brush and floss every day, even when they don’t feel like it. Help them understand that taking care of their teeth is a lifelong commitment that will benefit them in the long run.

By following these tips and advice, you can lay the foundation for good oral hygiene habits in your children. Remember, dental care is not only about having a bright smile but also about maintaining overall health and well-being. Start early, make it fun, and lead by example. Together, we can ensure your child’s dental health for a lifetime.

Common Dental Myths Debunked: Addressing Misconceptions About Oral Health and Dental Care

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On June 4, 2023

In Dentalhygiene, Dentistry, Oralhealth

Image by Shedrack Salami

Oral health plays a vital role in our overall well-being, yet there are several misconceptions and myths surrounding dental care. As a general dentist, I believe it’s crucial to address these misunderstandings and provide accurate information to promote better oral hygiene practices. In this blog post, we will debunk some common dental myths and shed light on the truth behind them.

Myth 1: “I don’t have any symptoms, so I don’t need to visit the dentist.”

One of the most prevalent dental myths is the belief that regular dental check-ups are unnecessary unless you’re experiencing pain or noticeable problems. The truth is, many dental issues, such as cavities and gum disease, may not exhibit symptoms in their early stages. By the time you notice pain or discomfort, the problem may have already progressed, leading to more extensive and costly treatments. Regular dental visits every six months allow your dentist to detect and treat any issues early, preventing further damage and ensuring optimal oral health.

Myth 2: “Brushing harder and more frequently will yield better results.”

Contrary to popular belief, aggressive brushing and excessive frequency can do more harm than good. Brushing too hard can wear down enamel, lead to tooth sensitivity, irritate and erode your gums. Instead, use a soft-bristle toothbrush with gentle, circular motions to clean your teeth effectively. Aim for brushing at least twice a day, but not immediately, wait at least 30 minutes after consuming acidic foods or beverages, as it can weaken the enamel. Remember, it’s the technique and consistency that matter, not brute force.

Myth 3: “I don’t need to floss if I brush regularly.”

Brushing alone cannot reach all the areas between your teeth and along the gumline, which is why flossing is crucial. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from these hard-to-reach areas, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Incorporate flossing into your daily oral care routine, making sure to gently glide the floss between your teeth and curve it around each tooth. If traditional flossing is challenging, alternatives like interdental brushes or water flossers can be just as effective.

Myth 4: “Sugar is the sole cause of cavities.”

While it’s true that sugar can contribute to tooth decay, it is not the sole culprit. Cavities are caused by a combination of factors, including poor oral hygiene, frequent snacking, acidic foods and drinks, and bacteria in the mouth. Limiting your sugar intake and practicing good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups, are crucial for cavity prevention. Also, be mindful of hidden sugars in processed foods and drinks, as they can also contribute to dental issues.

Myth 5: “Whitening toothpaste can give me a Hollywood smile overnight.”

Whitening toothpaste can help remove surface stains and brighten your smile to some extent, but it cannot drastically change the colour of your teeth overnight. Professional teeth whitening procedures, performed under the supervision of a dentist, are more effective in achieving noticeable and long-lasting results. If you’re considering teeth whitening, consult your dentist to determine the most suitable and safe option for your specific needs.

Remember, regular dental check-ups, proper brushing and flossing techniques, and a well-balanced diet are the keys to maintaining a healthy smile. If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist. Together, we can ensure a lifetime of optimal oral health and a bright, confident smile!

Know your Dentist – Specialities to Consider when Choosing a Dentist

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On May 1, 2023

In Dentalhygiene, Dentistry, Oralhealth

Image by Karolina Grabowska

Dentistry is a field with various specialties that most people are not aware of. A general dentist is an oral health provider who has successfully completed dental school; whereas a dental specialist has received further specialised training in a  preferred specialty after dental school. Dentistry has a variety of specialties that offer a range of services to improve the quality of dental care. Now let’s examine the different specialties. 

General Dentists and Family Dentists
Usually, the first point of call for general dental care includes dental examinations, radiographs (X-rays), diagnosis, treatment and management of overall oral health. They make referral of complex dental cases to appropriate specialists for further management.

Paediatric Dentist or Pedodontics
For all dental treatments related to children from as early as 6 months to adolescent years and includes care of children with special needs. 

Orthodontist
For the majority who do not like the arrangement of their teeth or that of their kids, an Orthodontist is the dental professional to see for full consultation, assessment, treatment and management. They focus on aligning bites and straightening teeth, and use different dental devices such as braces, retainers, and clear aligners to correct dental abnormalities of patients.

Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry
This speciality deals with tooth fillings, replacements and restoration of damaged teeth. Under this specialty we have: 

  1. Endodontist – if you’ve ever seen a dentist about toothache and a root canal was recommended an endodontist is the dental specialty that you are referred to for management.
  2. Periodontist – For dental problems relating to your gum such as bleeding gums, mobile teeth etc collectively known as Periodontal diseases are attended to by a periodontist. Some reasons to see a periodontist are advanced gum problems, bone loss, gum recession, and tooth loss.
  3. Prosthodontist – These dentists specialise in treating complex dental and facial problems, like restoring the smiles of patients by using dentures, crowns (caps) or bridges to replace missing or extracted teeth.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
The surgical specialty of dentistry that deals with patients who have tumours, masses, and cysts within the jaws, as well as the head and neck region.

Oral Medicine and Geriatric dentistry
Patients who are medically compromised and require dental care are attended to by oral medicine specialists whilst dental care of the elderly and aged are managed by geriatric dentists.

Dental Ancillaries
These are dental professionals trained to assist the dentist in the treatment and management of dental cases. This includes: Dental Hygienist, Dental therapist, Dental nurses and Dental surgery assistants. 

In summary, dentistry is a vast field with many specialities that deal with different needs. Each specialty requires extensive training and expertise to deliver the best possible care to patients. Specialising in a specific area helps dentists grow and offer comprehensive services to their patients. It is imperative for dental patients to note that, their first point of call is a general dentist who would make the necessary referal to a specialist.

Innovative technologies and treatments in dentistry that can improve oral health.

By

On March 19, 2023

In Dentalhygiene, Dentistry, Oralhealth

Image by Daniel Frank

The field of Dentistry has come a long way. One of the most common fears is visiting a dentist. From the horror stories of dentists pulling out teeth with pliers, chisels, hammers and the terrifying sounds of the dental drill, stems from enduring lengthy procedures in the dental chair and the nightmares after seeing all those terrifying instruments. 

Very few people like visiting a dental clinic although regular check ups are crucial to their oral health and overall well being. Over the years, the field of dentistry has evolved from simply extracting a tooth, to saving the tooth and currently encouraging preventive dentistry. Innovative technologies have played a significant role in transforming dentistry and improving oral health outcomes for patients. Some of these technologies are discussed below:

Toothbrushes

In a generation where smart technology has taken over phones, homes etc, dentistry has not been left out. These smart toothbrushes perform a wide array of functions, such as detecting plaque deposits, providing feedback on brushing technique and also evaluate the quality of your breath and saliva. These provide added benefits over traditional tooth brushes.

     a modern smart toothbrush 

Early diagnosis of caries

Early detection of cavities avoids spending more money at the dentist than having a larger cavity that has to be filled. Currently, dentists are using diagnostic devices such as DIAGNOdent, a pen-like probe that uses laser beam technology to detect cavities hiding in places regular radiographs can not find. It is an examination tool that allows for early detection of caries.

An image of Diagnodent device used in caries detection

Dental imaging

Digital radiographs (X-Rays)  are one of the most useful technological advancements in dental radiology. They are faster, contain less radiation and the dentist receives the image in a matter of seconds on a monitor. The dentist can then zoom into the image to better assess and educate the patient regarding their oral health. Same theory applies to intraoral cameras and scanners that provide precise and well-defined pictures of a patient’s mouth. These pictures allow dentists to show these images to patients during an assessment and educate the patient. 

An image depicting an intraoral scan of a patient to better appreciate the end result of a dental treatment.

Dental implants 

The most common options available for tooth replacement used to be dentures and bridges. However, these replacement options are gradually fading out as modern dentistry is leaning towards dental implants. Dental implants are medical screw-replacements for the root portion of the tooth, surgically implanted into the jaw to restore a patients’ function such as appearance and ability to chew. They provide support to artificial teeth like implant supported crowns, bridges and dentures. Owing to  their natural look and feel, they are an effective option for tooth replacement.

An example of an implant supported crown

Clear Aligners

The traditional metallic braces were replaced by ceramic ones, these involved spending long hours in the dental chair for reviews and looking like the jewelry shop exploded in your mouth. The introduction of  clear aligners such as Invisalign, a clear and invisible braces to gently straighten teeth is an innovation the dental field needed. They provide an effective and comfortable way to straighten smiles without the inconvenience of wearing heavy, metal braces on the teeth. Invisalign braces get the job done in less time with less hassle.

Invisalign   

Laser Dentistry

Lasers have simplified a number of dental procedures including lesion removal, reshaping of the gum, teeth whitening, removal of bacteria in filling a cavity and root canal treatment, avoiding any complications. Laser dentistry is painless and fast and has improved efficiency and eliminated discomfort of lengthy dental treatments.

In summary, these new technological advancements and tools help dentists improve the oral hygiene and oral health issues of their patients, by allowing a thorough checkup of the mouth and providing better assessment of patient’s oral care and needs.

Dental Causes Of Mouth Odour

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On December 5, 2022

In Dentalhygiene, Dentistry, Oralhealth

Image by Sora Shimazaki

Halitosis (bad breath or mouth odour) is a common oral health problem we all experience; such as the early morning smell we have because we did not brush our teeth the previous night, an unfriendly gesture from a friend or colleague at our breath, the constant need to have a chewing gum to refresh our breath etc. That said, the first step to treating bad breath is finding its cause. This blog will explore the dental causes of bad breath and its treatment.

Plaque, Calculus and Tartar 

When we do not brush and floss our teeth daily, food debris deposited around the teeth is converted to plaque by bacteria. The progression of this process leads to calculus or tartar formation and gum disease with the end result being bad breath. Also, build-up on the tongue produces significant bad breath when not cleaned regularly. 

Periodontitis (Gum Disease)

Periodontal (gum) disease is caused by the release of toxins from bacteria that irritate the gums, resulting in bleeding gums, pocket formation between teeth, tooth mobility and bad breath.

Caries (Tooth decay), oral infection, tumors and cancers

Tiny holes in your tooth become bigger, collecting food particles and bacteria which are fermented to cause bad breath. Dental infections such as recurrent pericoronitis, long standing tooth decay leading to abscess formation and pus discharge. 

Dentures (Dental prostheses)

For denture wearers, poorly cleaned and ill-fitting dentures trap odour-causing bacteria and food particles underneath dentures to produce an unpleasant smell.  

Dry Mouth 

Saliva cleanses and removes bacteria around the teeth.This accounts for the reason why majority of us have “morning breath;” as the production of  saliva is  reduced during sleep.

Smoking

This is known to cause dry mouth and also increase the development of gum disease and bad breath.

Other causes of halitosis

Medical conditions 

Aside from the oral tissues, some medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, liver and kidney disease, asthma, tonsillitis, sinus infection, and many others. Notably, some prescription medications also contribute to bad breath by causing dry mouth or produce chemicals that do.

Certain Foods and Drink

The most common foods known to cause transient halitosis are onions, garlic, and spices. In addition, alcohol and coffee also promote bacteria that cause bad breath.

Treatment Options

The use of sugar free gums and mouthwashes only covers up the problem temporarily. For most reported cases of halitosis, adopting a proper dental hygiene routine such as brushing twice daily and flossing improves bad breath, however if the problem persists, schedule an appointment with  your dentist for a thorough examination. Your dentist is skilled and trained to recognise the various causes of bad breath and he or she will refer to the appropriate medical team for management.

Simple Oral Habits To Future-Proof Your Health

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On August 18, 2022

In Dentalhygiene, Dentistry, Oralhealth

Image by Anna Shvets

Do you remember your last visit to the dentist? Have you ever been to the dentist? Or do you only visit the dentist when you have a complaint such as toothache, halitosis, etc? 

If any of the above questions is relatable, now is  the time to put a dental visit on top of your healthcare needs. 

The oral cavity (mouth) serves as a link to the various body systems (cardiovascular, digestive, reproductive and respiratory) that contribute to general health, yet the importance of our oral health is greatly overlooked and neglected by most of us.

The health of your teeth, gum, tongue and oral mucosa (tissues) play a significant role in the general well-being of an individual. Having good oral hygiene protects not only your teeth and provides you with fresh but other daily functions such as smiling, speaking, chewing and swallowing all benefit. Digestion and absorption of food nutrients begins in the mouth.

The relationship between the mouth and body is of great importance, therefore, having poor oral hygiene increases one’s risk to certain medical conditions. These conditions can also cause significant dental problems.

This post talks about the relation between oral and general health and measures to protect your health (oral and general).

How poor oral health affects general well-being

You may have noticed stains or deposits around your teeth which do not come off even though you brush twice a day without fail. The dental term for this condition is tartar or plaque, and contains bacteria. The presence of plaque or tartar is associated with the occasional bleeding on brushing, mouth odour and toothache. The continuous build-up of plaque and tartar causes severe bacterial infections such as Periodontitis (gum-disease), left untreated, the bacteria could spread to other parts of the body such as the heart causing infective endocarditis  and lungs causing pneumonia.  Poor oral health in pregnant women has been linked to low birth weights and premature births.  In men, poor oral health can cause Erectile dysfunction. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia has been linked to poor oral hygiene.

What is your oral health telling you about your general health

The oral cavity (mouth) gives early indications to what is happening systemically in our body. Conditions such as bleeding gums, recurrent infections, oral sores, tooth mobility and progressing gum disease could indicate an undiagnosed medical condition such as diabetes. Regularly visiting your dentist means these early signs occurring in the mouth can be picked up on examinations and referral to the appropriate medical team for further investigations and management. Screening for early signs of oral cancers are performed by your dentist during your dental appointments.

How to take care of your oral  health

Maintaining good oral health is easy and important for a person’s general health. By practicing simple dental routines one can future-proof their general health. My previous blog post: Are you brushing your teeth right? details the steps that need to be adhered to in keeping a good oral hygiene. In addition to this, the  steps below must be taken for optimum oral and general health.

  • Have fruits, vegetables and nuts for snacks instead of sugary ones.
  • Rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating
  • Avoid acidic drinks such as coke which wears down tooth enamel.
  • Avoid smoking and tobacco use.
  • Have regular and routine medical checks annually 

It is important to check in with your dentist and not self-medicate when you notice any change in your oral habits such as bleeding during brushing or flossing, tooth sensitivity, oral (mouth) sores, any discharges (pus) and pain. With these simple steps, you can maintain a healthy oral environment for a healthy long life.

Are you brushing your teeth right?

By

On June 28, 2022

In Dentalhygiene, Dentistry, Oralhealth

We all brush our teeth twice (in the morning and evening), although many of us are guilty of brushing once. But that being said, are you actually brushing right? 

To help us all get the most out of our daily tooth brushing routine, here are a few points worthy of note: 

  1. Type of toothbrush  

The type of toothbrush to use is based on the type of dentition (teeth) an individual has.  

For ages 1 – 5 years (baby/primary teeth), a soft bristled toothbrush used with a smear of fluoridated toothpaste preferably one for kids. 

For ages 6 and above a medium bristled toothbrush with a pea-size amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Do not buy or use a hard toothbrush 

  1. Technique/method of brushing  

This is the tricky part, how to use your toothbrush effectively and not cause more harm than good. Simply, use the toothbrush on all surfaces of the teeth in small circular motion or an up and down brushing with your toothbrush placed at 45 degrees to the teeth.  No horizontal tooth brushing.  

  1. How long should I brush my teeth?  

The maximum duration for brushing is 2 minutes, 30 seconds in each quadrant if you divide the mouth into 4 equal parts. Never brush for more than 2 minutes. 

  1. Brushing your tongue  

At the end of your brushing, it’s important to brush your tongue well.  

  1. Should I floss? 

The answer is Yes. It’s important to floss in-between your teeth where the bristles of the toothbrush cannot reach. However, it is best if you are taught the proper way to use your floss by a Dentist  

  1. Time for a new toothbrush 

If your current toothbrush is more than 3 months old or you are recovering from a recent illness, it is time for a new toothbrush. Ideally, at the end of every 3 months you must switch out your old toothbrush for a new one. 

  1. Visit your dentist regularly. 

Lastly, a visit to your dentist cannot be replaced with brushing twice daily.  

Book an appointment today. 

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