Healthier Teeth - Well.....STRINGS ATTACHED

At the end of every scaling ( cleaning appointment) we usually take out time to talk to the patient about oral hygiene. Ask about their technique - correct it - recommend stuff etc.

The one question we invariably get is - DO I NEED TO FLOSS? (We shall not even go into the 'Floss? What's floss?' category of patients)

Contradictory to the answer we give when the patient asks about using mouthwashes (which is it varies patient to patient) - the answer to this question is YES YES and YES.

If you can and are willing - Do IT.

Why you ask?

We lets just take an example to understand this.

You have a bed at home. You clean on top of it. You clean the sides of it. However the bed is rather low and you cannot get under the bed and hence the underside is left as it is. Now being good quality wood and all - maybe it may never really get ruined. But suppose there was a leak - water got into the room and under the bed as well. Now don't you move that bed so that you can dry the floor beneath ? Better still don't you empty it out and take it outside perhaps so that you could dry the underside of the bed itself? 

Of course you would - given that you don't want fungus growing out the bed. 

Now our teeth have 5 sides as well - and though with meticulous brushing we can clean 3 of them - 2 sides are like the underside of the bed. While nothing much accumulates there most days ( if you have really really tight contacts) - there is always the risk. 

It would be lovely to get those teeth out - wash them in the sink and put them back. But since that isn't happening anytime soon ( unless of course you prefer dentures) - we have to make do with what is available to clean out those surfaces.

Food does get stuck between teeth - even if its not a big chunk - it will be a thin almost transparent layer. Moreover when we are young contacts between teeth are tighter. As we age teeth start collecting more and more food particles making flossing all the more essential. 

Yes it is inconvenient ( but you get used to it)

Yes it is time consuming ( But you get faster with regular use)

Yes it involves putting your fingers in the mouth ( But you can always use those floss handles)

But given that it decreases your trips to the dentist - what more motivation could you possibly want?

There are a zillion different types out there - choose any one based on your convenience and budget.

Use it everyday, once a day. Here's How -How to floss your teeth

Or ask your dentist for a demonstration of the correct technique. 

For those of you who find the regular floss too tedious and inconvenient there are now a multitude of water flossers available - these can be hand held portable devices or even table top devices. You can read more about water flossers and the options available here - Top Water Flossers in India

You can check the technique of how to use the water flosser on this link How to use a water flosser

For more information contact Dr Arya aryasdentalclinic.com

Brace yourself - Part II

So now you have decided that you or your child would like to undergo treatment to correct the teeth alignment. Your head must be bursting with questions so let me try to answer a few as simply as possible. 

WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?

The process of straightening teeth with the help of an appliance ( wires etc) is called Orthodontics. 

WHO REQUIRES ORTHODONTICS?

Any child or adult with teeth that are:

1. Crooked
2. Protruding
3. Irregular
4. With gaps in between
5. In the wrong bite

WHAT DOES THE TREATMENT INVOLVE?

It involves putting a wire/brackets on your teeth and regular visits ( once a month mostly) for tightening/changing the wire. After the initial few longish sittings the rest  take only 10-15 minutes.

HOW LONG WILL MY TREATMENT TAKE?

Treatment time depends on 

1. Severity of Problem
2. Age of patient
3. Regularity of visits
4. Type of bone/pace of movement of teeth
5. The inclusion of chin caps/headgear or any myofunctional appliance treatment prior to braces
6. Teeth stuck deep in the jaw.

Therefore treatment time can vary between 1-3 years. On an average it takes about 16-18 MONTHS (1-1.5 years)

IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?

For the most part there is no pain or discomfort. However for a couple of days after the wire is tightened - you may experience mild to moderate discomfort easily borne or corrected with a mild painkiller. 

WHY DO SOME PATIENTS HAVE TO EXTRACT TEETH AND SOME NOT?

Teeth removal is needed in patients where space is required to move the teeth and none is available. In certain cases this is avoided by expanding the jaws but many times this is not possible. The space created by the removal of teeth is closed during treatment by the movement of other teeth into the space. THIS IS NOT A PAINFUL PROCESS. Healing in children in particular is extremely fast compared to adults after tooth removal. Most children don't even need painkillers beyond a day or two. 

IS BRACES THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR ALL CASES?

Sometimes only a single tooth may be the problem and you can choose to forgo orthodontics and consider esthetic dentistry/smile designing with ceramics ( veneers etc).Also certain jaw malformations can only be treated by surgery. However your dentist will inform you if you fall into these categories.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BRACES?

Yes. The very basic kind are metal and ceramic braces. The metal ones are the typical and most common type seen. The ceramic braces are tooth colored. Hence it is less obvious that you are undergoing treatment. Another kind is Lingual braces - The brackets are applied on the teeth from the tongue side - hence cannot be seen at all when you smile. The last kind is the one which is gaining popularity - INVISALIGN or CLEARALIGNER. Your treatment time and expenses will differ from the type of treatment you opt for.

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN DURING FIXED BRACES TREATMENT

1. Regular and proper brushing of teeth TWICE DAILY is a MUST to avoid cavities and gum disease.
2. Very sticky foods like chikki/Eclairs etc are to be avoided.
3. Foods like corn on the cob ( Bhutta), popcorn, hard nuts/fruits, paani puri, non veg on the bone etc are to be avoided. 
4. Regular checkups and scaling if required are a must.

PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE 

The doctor would like for your treatment to be completed as soon as possible. However there is no way to hasten treatment beyond a certain point. The entire point of the treatment is to give you your best possible smile. The whole treatment goal is to make YOU look beautiful at the same time establishing a stable and comfortable bite. Have the patience to get through it.

 DO NOT BEGIN TREATMENT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE PATIENCE TO SEE IT TO COMPLETION.

For more information call on 9011013232 and fix an appointment. 

Brace Yourself - Part I

Right around the age of 8-9 years - the parents of the child start to worry about the alignment of the teeth. 

Too Big?

Too Out?

Too many spaces?

Too much space???

Too toothy?

They ask themselves. Then ask their relatives. Then they ask the children themselves.

At that age - most children are blissfully unaware of how they look ( ahhh now if only we could retain that self confidence all our lives) 

So finally when their children show no interest or self consciousness - and the relatives reassure the parents that the kid is super cute - the parents abandon the entire idea of braces till Boom!! Fast forward a few years...The child is now 16 and suddenly feels he/she has ugly teeth and a super ugly smile ( This may not be the truth but that is what the child feels)

That is when the parents finally decide to see a dentist. 

Now 16 is not late to align your teeth and age certainly is no hindrance nowadays - however the schedule of most kids these days are busier than most Heads of State and Cardiologists. 

6 am - Tuition

8 am - breakfast

9 - 4 - School

5 pm - Basketball class

6 pm - Music class

7 pm - Tuition

9 pm - Collapse into bed

Sound familiar? 

This schedule peaks right around the time the child passes 10th and does not stop then till they are safely ensconced in some medical or engineering college which is usually out of town. 

Therefore it becomes all the more imperative that any treatment begins much earlier. 

Most Ortho cases last 14 months to 24 months. Hence the earlier the child is brought in ( all factors being favorable) the faster treatment can begin and finish. 

It is never too early to show your child to a dentist. Sometimes some corrective treatment is possible at a very early age thus reducing time for final treatment. Jaw growth etc are then able to be manipulated in case needed. 

However if you do fall in the category of the late realizers - never fear. Like we said - braces are possible at any age. You just need to find the time for the treatment. 

Visit your dentist Today. 

Consult. Discuss. And then Finally come to a decision if treatment is needed and when would be the best time to start.

Work towards building your child's confidence today. 

To be Continued…….

For more information check Arya's Dental Clinic or call 9011013232.

Choose a better smile

Have you received the best treatment possible? This is a question every patient must ask themselves.

When we talk about the best treatment possible – we don’t mean whether your dentist did a wonderful RCT or a beautiful crown. What we mean is – Did your dentist see your potential? Did he inform you of everything that COULD be done instead of only what SHOULD be done?

A lot of dental practitioners have blinkers on – just like horses. You tell them you have a tooth hurting and all they see is THAT tooth. There may be stains and tartar all over your mouth which could be easily removed. There may be crooked teeth which could be straightened. There may be big gaps between teeth which could be corrected.

But all they see is THAT ONE TOOTH which they will treat. And you will leave the clinic happy in your ignorance. There could have been so much more done to improve your teeth – health wise and cosmetic value wise.

So in case your dentist is one of those people – YOU take charge. Ask him or her to look at your mouth as a whole. Request him to tell you what is wrong and what is not. What can be improved and what cannot. Then choose. You may choose not to do anything at all or you may like to change a lot of things.

Grasp that power of choice. Make informed decisions.

"We cannot become what we need to be, remaining what we are."

Max Depree

How to Choose your dentist?

I never cease to wonder when I see people talking about their doctors/dentists. Conversations often run like this -






Scenario 1:
Patient 1: hey... I need to see a skin doctor....you know anyone?
P2: yeah... but whats the problem? rashes? why don't you apply so and so cream? Its miraculous....
P1: Oh I tried that...didn't work...
P2: alright then ... there is this doctor practicing at xyz...he's good....
P1: yes...i have heard of him too.... but I want someone closer to my home in abc area... 






Scenario 2:

Patient 1: hey... I need to see a skin doctor....you know anyone?

P2: yeah... but whats the problem? rashes? why don't you apply so and so cream? Its miraculous....

P1: Oh I tried that...didn't work...

P2: alright then ... there is this doctor practising at xyz...he's good....

P1: yes...I have heard good things of him too.... but he's expensive.... Know someone cheaper??..

It is always interesting the factors that people consider - convenience, cost and recommendations. The latter is fine by me - and to an extent maybe even the cost.... but convenience?




Why'd you risk your health/smile with someone just because he/she set up clinic close to where you live/work?




How do you choose a good piece of jewellery? Do you go to the first shop near your home? or do you check up on several outlets? Do you prefer a place with a reputation for selling genuine stuff or do you write out cheques for anything that glitters?

The following guidelines should help you get a good dentist:

1. REPUTATION: People don't acquire reputations overnight. Talk to people -friends and family. Find out their experiences. If someone has something good to say - make a mental note of the name of the dentist. (remember no one likes dentistry - so its difficult to find someone who will rave about a dentist - but even if he/she agrees that the dentist was good - its a truly positive sign)
2. AMBIANCE: Check out the general appearance of the clinic - is it clean/hygienic? Does the ambiance put you off or is it pleasant?If the doctor has gone to the trouble of ensuring that you are seated in clean/neat/pleasant surroundings - it means the dentist is interested that you have a pleasant experience.
3. STERILIZATION AND SAFETY: Inquire about their sterilization protocol. Are all instruments put through the proper cycle of autoclaving and sterilization? Are they stored properly? Are disposables actually disposed of - after every patient? 
4. PERSONAL ATTENTION: Note the way the dentist speaks to you. The general vibe from the dentist should be friendly and confident. Does he allot sufficient time to listen to your queries? Does he/she take note of your requirements or does he thrust his own treatment plan onto you without your proper explanation? A doctor who listens to you fully, then formulates a treatment plan with more than one option - is someone who cares about what you need. The dentist should explain to you your condition, how he diagnosed it(showing you x-rays and photographs ) and possible reasons for its occurrence.
5. PATIENT CASE PHOTOGRAPHS: If you are going in for aesthetic/cosmetic procedures or dental implants - request to see previous cases done by the dentist. Most well established dentists have a patient case gallery. This is well within your rights as a patient. Moreover it will give you a fair idea what to expect, the possibilities available and the skill/experience of the dentist. 
6. DO YOUR HOMEWORK: If you have been referred a dentist's name - check online to see if they have a website. This way you have a basic idea about the doctor, the kind of work they do and also the facilities available. Also most dental procedures/products can be googled up anytime. Ask your dentist for names of procedures and products. If you need to decide about a procedure in a hurry - use the dental office computer to educate yourself immediately. Every good dental office has patient treatment related books/pamphlets/brochures available too for those not too net savvy.
7. COSTS: Do not reject a dentist on the basis of his/her treatment charges being higher than someone else. Ask the dentist politely to justify/explain the charges. Remember - there are a wide variety of materials used. Dental materials come in various qualities - and their prices differ naturally. Also a more experienced dentist will naturally charge you slightly higher than someone with less qualifications and experience. Listen - question - and then choose. ( A little note here for compulsive bargainers - please do not embarrass your doctor by attempting to bargain. Instead - if you cannot afford a certain treatment - explain your budget restrictions and request him for an alternative treatment plan).
8. CONVENIENCE: Nobody likes travelling miles to visit a dentist but forsaking a good doctor for convenience is foolishness. If you have identified a good dentist but he/she practices some distance from your place - ask him/her to reduce the number of appointments required. If you are co-operative and do not mind keeping your mouth open for larger amounts of time- the dentist will be willing to accommodate longer appointments for the sake of your convenience. This way you have achieved your objective of visiting a doctor of repute as well as decreased your travel time. Also identify convenience stores/relatives nearby - this way you can get some shopping/visiting done on the same day - justifying the distance you have traveled. 

Just like your health - your smile is something that enhances your life. It makes you feel good about yourself. It make you confident when you face the world. Entrust your smile to someone qualified, experienced and caring. 

Entrust your smile to someone who cares about your smile as much as you do. 

www.aryasdentalclinic.com 

A Smile Inside You...

There is a smile inside all of us....

Sometimes it is a tentative one... 

Sometimes it is a full blown laugh....

There is a smile for each day...each moment... each occasion... each person....

There is even a Fake smile. 

Usually saved up for a person/event we don't particularly fancy....

A lot of people wonder why is a dentist so important.... 

or why should they be spending on a great set of teeth instead of a fancy set of wheels.....

The reason is simple.... 

A new car may not be noticed by everyone.... 

A new outfit will not lift another person's mood....

A fancy interior decor will not change your colleagues attitude at the office.....

But

A genuine smile - unleashed suddenly and without holding back - can and will.

www.aryasdentalclinic.com