Getting older can be less than fun, but it’s something everyone needs to deal with. As we live longer and fuller lives, dental health becomes all the more important. By and large, dental care doesn’t turn inside out when you reach a certain age, but you will have to do more to keep your smile strong. If working out, stretching, or diet changes are already on the table, why not add more vigilant dental care to the list?

Caring For Your Teeth Before You Reach Retirement

The single most important thing you can do to keep your teeth healthy later is to care for them now. If you’ve been procrastinating on brushing more than once a day, or meaning to floss more than once in a blue moon, now is the time to hop to it. Caring for your teeth now will ensure that they are around to serve you well into your twilight years. Be mindful of damaging your enamel, keeping gum disease in check, and keeping receding gums in check.

• Darkened teeth: Expect changes to dentin and a lifetime of stain-causing food and drink to finally show your teeth’s age.
• Diminished taste: Medications, diseases, and other effects of aging can and will make changes in the way things taste.
• Dry mouth: Reduced saliva can be a factor in certain medical conditions including diabetes and cancer treatments. It’s also normal as you age to see a drop in saliva, which can lead to other dental issues.
• Root decay: Tooth decay isn’t exactly a new problem, but it gets more difficult to manage as you get older. Especially if you don’t take care of your teeth when you’re young.
• Gum disease: Plaque buildup can lead to decay and receding gums. Eventually it will lead to loose teeth which means…
• Tooth loss: If you don’t take care of your teeth, you will lose them – guaranteed.

Visiting A Dentist

As you age, it becomes crucial to visit the dentist regularly to ensure that your healthy teeth stay that way. Every 6 months you will want to schedule a regular cleaning and checkup, and to closely follow your dentist’s advice. This is especially crucial if you have already started losing teeth or are using dentures. The dentist will check for loose teeth, and for bumps or lumps that might lead to oral cancer. They should also check with you about changes to your mouth like diminished taste or changes in colour.

Brushing

When choosing a brush, we recommend a soft bristle brush that is easier on your gums. You should brush after each and every meal and this becomes especially important as you age and your enamel wears away. The right brush for you is one that fits comfortably in your hand. If you are suffering from arthritis or find it difficult to hold a brush for the recommended two to three minute cleaning, try wrapping your brush with something to widen the grip or consider an electric brush that is less difficult to use. When brushing, use a forty-five degree angle and try not to scrub too hard. As you age, brushing too hard can actually cause your gums to recede. So if you’re not sure about how much pressure to use, talk to the dentist about the s

Flossing

Flossing should be done daily. Flossing helps you reach the almost one third of your tooth surface area that you’d otherwise miss. It’s never too late to start flossing, and it only takes a few minutes out of your day. To do it well, use a length of floss as long as your arm and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about two inches in between. Use your index fingers to guide the floss into place. As you move the floss along your teeth, remember to scrape the side of each tooth several times to get all the plaque off. It’s a good idea to leave more floss on one finger so you can unravel one end and tighten the other, using a new section of floss for each tooth. If you are having trouble gripping the floss due to shaking or arthritis, consider dental tape or a flossing aid like a flossing pick. Failing those options, consider a WaterPik as a good backup.

Implants

Implants are an excellent, relatively recent advancement in dentistry, and are used to replace missing teeth. The procedure involves surgery and is more expensive than dentures, but the result is permanent. Implants work by attaching a metal post into the jawbone, and then attaching the dental implant by screwing it into place. Once in place, the implant will be shaded to match your natural teeth, and filed to match your bite. Most people forget they have implants at all. Implants are stronger than some options, but they’re not as strong as your original tooth, so you have to be careful when caring for them. Flossing is just as important between artificial implants, for instance. You need to be extra careful flossing where the implant meets the gum.

Dentures

If all else fails and you find yourself in need of partial or complete dentures, rest assured that the look and feel of false teeth has improved over the years. Removable teeth are custom made to fit your mouth and replicate the look of your original teeth. Partial dentures will fill select spaces of missing teeth, improving your overall appearance and making it easier to chew your food. Full dentures become necessary when partial dentures or implants becomes impractical or ineffective. In this case you may need to remove any remaining teeth through dental surgery. Even without your original teeth, caring for your mouth is very important. For instance, if you have partial dentures and don’t brush your remaining teeth, that can cause gum disease and inflammation which can make wearing dentures uncomfortable or even impossible. Regular visits to the dentist are required as your mouth is always changing. Don’t forget to report any discomfort to the dentist between appointments.

Looking After Others

If you have an elderly person in your care and are trying to help them with looking after their teeth, here are some helpful tips to consider:

1. Speak to the dentist about caring for the person based on their specific needs.
2. Go slowly at first and make sure you are communicating clearly.
3. Be sure the person you are caring for is comfortable and seated on a stool or chair.
4. For real teeth, use a soft or electric brush from behind the patient in front of a mirror and sink.
5. Brush slowly and check to make sure your patient is comfortable.
6. With dentures, check for cracks before scrubbing and rinsing the dentures.
7. After dentures are removed, ask permission to check the patient’s mouth for sores. Use a damp cloth to clean around the gums and check for sores and discoloured areas.
8. Dentures can be soaked in a denture cleanser or in warm water overnight.
9. Have your patient rinse with warm water when you’re done.

Caring for someone else’s teeth or mouth is difficult, but it gets easier as a relationship forms between caregiver and patient. If you are having difficulty, turn to the dentist for help.

To book an appointment with us

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133
iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic
Email: smileident@gmail.com
Website: www.smileident.com

Happy Christmas :)

   

                           





iDENT
Idyll Dental
www.smileident.com
smileident@gmail.com
022 40147049

May your Christmas be decorated with cheer and filled with love. Let the spirit of Christmas warm your home with love, joy and peace.

Regards,

iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic

To book an appointment with us:

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133

Email: smileident@gmail.com
Website: www.smileident.com

7 of the most common dental health pitfalls to avoid

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Keeping our oral hygiene high is something few of us actually manage to achieve on a permanent basis. We are all entitled the occasional lapse in our routines but here are the 7 most common dental pitfalls that you absolutely must try to avoid whenever and however possible.

These 7 tips will help you maintain your oral hygiene:

1. Twice a day brushing

Whilst the most obvious of our tips this is undoubtedly the most important. Nearly a quarter of adults don't brush their teeth twice daily. However, regular brushing stops the bacterial build-up of plaque. Studies have shown that even missing one brushing session can start the process of forming cavities. Make sure you brush twice a day for two minutes to keep your teeth plaque free.

2. Incorrect brushing technique

Brushing technique is just as important as brushing. One of the most common mistakes we make is missing areas of the mouth. When brushing you need to ensure that every tooth is cleaned and that we clean the total surface area of the tooth. When you're in a hurry it can be easy to just skim over areas but this often leaves plaque on the teeth and along the gum line - leading to cavities and gingivitis. In addition also be careful not to brush your teeth too hard as you can damage your gums.

3. Not using the right toothbrush

You need to make sure you are using the right tools for the job. Toothbrushes come with different thickness and strength bristles. Small headed brushes are widely regarded as the best as they allow you to reach everywhere in your mouth more easily. In terms of bristles softer tend to be better - ideally with rounded heads to prevent aggravation of the gums.

4. Not replacing your toothbrush enough

We've all used a toothbrush past its best. Once the bristles start to lose their strength and you have a spread it is already past time to replace your brush. Our best tip is to buy multiple brushes and always have one spare in the bathroom cabinet. Using a brush past its sell by date makes it more likely that you will miss areas of your mouth whilst brushing and that plaque will not be removed efficiently.

5. Not Using Floss

No matter how good your brushing is you cannot reach every area between your teeth. Regular flossing helps remove plaque and food that builds up between your teeth. The build-up of plaque along the gum line is one of the leading causes of gum disease. Daily flossing helps remove plaque and prevent gum disease.

6. Too much sugar

Our diets are the leading cause of tooth decay. The big enemy here is fizzy drinks - as many of us now drink these all day. Drink sugary or fizzy drinks irregularly to avoid cavities. Your health and your mouth will thank you.

7. Not visiting the dentist

Even if your oral hygiene is superb you still should visit the dentist twice a year. Visiting the dentist regularly ensures that any problems that do arise can be quickly dealt with. 

To book an appointment with us

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133
iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic
Email: smileident@gmail.com
Website: www.smileident.com

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Dental Facts Every Expectant Mother Needs to Know

For expectant mothers it is quite normal to be concerned about their own general and oral health. Could pregnancy affect my gums? (Yes, gingivitis, inflammation of the gum tissue is common from the second through the eighth month of pregnancy.) Does the calcium for the baby's teeth come from my teeth? (No, this is an old wives' tale!)

You are wise to already be thinking about your baby's dental health because his/her teeth have already started forming in the tiny jaw bones, by the fifth to sixth week after conception. By birth, all twenty primary (baby) teeth are almost completely formed. Here are some facts that you will need to know:

The best thing you can do as an expectant mother is to nurture and maintain your own dental and general health. It's best to eat a balanced diet and avoid starchy and sugary snacks between meals. A healthy and balanced diet will provide you with the calcium, phosphorus and other vitamins and minerals needed for your baby's teeth and bones. Throughout your pregnancy, your physician will evaluate your specific needs and advise you accordingly.

Does the calcium for the baby's teeth come from my teeth?

No! It's important for us to dispel a common myth that the calcium needed for your baby's teeth comes from the mother's teeth. The truth is that it comes from your diet.

What's the best way to care for my teeth?

To help prevent tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day. A fluoridated toothpaste to remove plaque is recommended. Be sure to clean between your teeth daily with floss or inter-dental cleaners, and supplement with an anti-plaque/anti-gingivitis mouth rinse.  To learn how to brush and floss correctly, consult your dentist or hygienist.

Gingivitis, inflammation of the gums, is especially common during the second through the eighth month of pregnancy.

What about fluoride?

For women who take fluoride supplements during pregnancy, the expectation is that the additional fluoride will help their children form strong teeth. This may sound appealing, but the benefits of prenatal fluoride supplementation remains poorly studied and therefore quite controversial. Fluoride supplements will not necessarily aid in the process of enamel formation because fluoride works best when the teeth have fully formed and have erupted in the mouth. Fluoride changes the chemical bonds in the enamel of the erupted teeth to make it more cavity-resistant.

Due to the fact that prenatal fluoride supplementation remains poorly studied, there are many unanswered questions. Therefore, indications for prenatal fluoride supplementation have not been established. More research is needed to determine the advantages, if any, and the dosage levels for prenatal fluoride supplementation.

Does pregnancy affect my gums?

During pregnancy, your body's hormone levels rise considerably. Gingivitis, inflammation of the gums, is especially common during the second through the eighth month of pregnancy. This may cause red, puffy or tender gums that tend to bleed when you brush. This sensitivity is an exaggerated response to bacterial plaque and is caused by an increased level of the hormone progesterone in your system which is normal during pregnancy. Occasionally, over growths of gum tissue, called “pregnancy tumors,” appear on the gums during the second trimester. These non-cancerous localized growths or swellings are usually found between the teeth and are believed to be related to excess plaque. Hence, it's especially important to maintain a high level of oral hygiene during pregnancy. Studies have suggested that pregnant women who have severe periodontal (gum) disease may be at a higher risk for preterm birth and low birth weight. 

To book an appointment with us

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133
iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic
Email: smileident@gmail.com
Website: www.smileident.com

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be Nervous About Implant Surgery

Dental implants have gained a popular reputation for their life-like appearance and longevity. Much of the latter is attributable to the titanium post embedded in the jawbone. Because titanium has a natural affinity with bone, new cells will grow and adhere to the Dental Implant over time, making their connection strong and durable.

Of course, to achieve that requires implant surgery — a prospect that gives many people pause before choosing this replacement option. But implant surgery is a routine undertaking, causes very little discomfort and in trained hands has a very high success rate.

Here are 3 reasons why implant surgery is nothing to be nervous about.

The procedure is precisely planned. Implant surgery is a relatively minor procedure, mainly because all the placement details are often mapped out ahead of time. For complex situations your dentist can use x-ray or CT imaging to determine the exact location for each implant and create a surgical guide to use during the procedure to make incisions and create the small channel that will hold the implant.

Implant surgery can be performed with local anesthesia. Implantation is usually easier than tooth extraction — if you’re healthy enough for that procedure you should have no problem undergoing implant surgery. With a local anesthetic, your dentist will numb only the implant site and surrounding tissues while you remain conscious. If, however, you have any anxiety your dentist can also include a sedative or anti-anxiety medication before proceeding.

There’s minimal discomfort afterward. Thanks to the pre-planned surgical guide and advanced implantation techniques, there’s very little tissue disruption and incised tissues are normally stitched with self-absorbing sutures. While some cases may require stronger pain relievers, most of the time a mild non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin or ibuprofen is sufficient for discomfort afterward.

The implant site heals fairly quickly and predictably with a 95-97% success rate. A few weeks after bone integration the permanent life-like tooth is cemented, and you’ll be ready for many years of full function and a confident smile.

To book an appointment with us

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133
iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic
Email: smileident@gmail.com
Website: www.smileident.com