Allergies and your Dental Restorations

I was chatting with a friend a few days back when she mentioned how she recently had to visit a skin doctor due to a severe Nickel allergy. She had put on some artificial jewelry for a performance and it resulted in a severe skin reaction all around her neck.

Many patients are unaware that many artificial caps and crowns made of metal or lined with metal have a nickel component. Since precious alloys are used much less these days - most metal caps/crowns/bridges are made with what is called in local slang - 'white metal'.  White metal would mean combinations of alloys like cobalt -chromium, nickel chromium and/or others.

Nickel is a metal which causes allergies quite frequently. If your wearing artificial jewelry causes skin reactions- there is a likelihood that your gum may react the same way ( though most gum allergies are relatively more subdued than skin reactions). However there is a way to eliminate the use of nickel and those are 'All ceramic crowns'. These basically are crowns which do not have any metal component whatsoever - much less nickel. This means that the surface closest to your gum will be of the same friendly material as the rest of the tooth.

The next time you visit your dentist - ask about metal free crowns. Do remember when a dentist talks about a 'ceramic crown' he most likely means "METAL CERAMIC'. This means the outer layer is ceramic but the part of the crown that touches your tooth and is closest to your gum is METAL. Many patients walk into the clinic and claim that they have ceramic crowns - a simple examination is enough to tell the difference.

Another common mistake or misunderstanding is with the term - "METAL FREE crowns". Again - metal free does not necessarily mean ALL CERMIC. It may mean Acrylic (PLASTIC) which is neither long lasting nor as friendly to your gum as an all ceramic.

Understand the difference. Ask for an ALL CERAMIC crown. Most dentists have samples crowns in their offices. You can see the difference for yourself.


Find out more at www.aryasdentalcare.com or email us at draryasclinic@gmail.com

Myths and Facts about Professional tooth cleaning

On an average every other patient who comes in to see a dentist requires some degree of professional tooth cleaning. But from experience we have seen that most patients baulk at the idea. The reason being all kinds of beliefs right from 'my enamel will wear off to loosening of teeth.'

We have one answer for all the non believers.

"We ensure that we undergo scaling and polishing ourselves twice a year every year. If there were so many side effects of scaling - do you really think we would subject ourselves voluntarily ?"

Before and after scaling

So lets take a look at the myths and lets shatter them.

MYTH I: Scaling makes teeth loose

FACT I : SCALING MAY ACTUALLY HELP YOUR TEETH BE MORE STRONGLY HELD BY THE SURROUNDING GUMS AND BONE

Have you undergone an extraction or watched a tooth being removed? It requires considerable amount of leverage and force to pull out a firm tooth. Even a tooth which is relatively loose requires some degree of pressure. So do you really think that ultrasonic scaling, in which the tip is barely touching your teeth for a few seconds at a time, can cause tooth loosening?

So why do teeth feel a little loose after scaling? When tartar(calculus) accumulates around your teeth over time, it causes gum disease which in turn causes bone loss and tooth weakening. However because the tartar is so tightly stuck around your teeth- they feel firm. When we remove the stuff thats holding them together - naturally they will be loose. The tartar made them loose and then held them together ironically. So a lot of patients say - at least its holding them together so why not leave it in? The reason is - the longer the tartar is in your mouth - the disease is continuing to progress. The gum bleeding, bad breath continues. Therefore to stop the disease it is essential to remove the cause.

In fact after the gum heals a couple of weeks later - the teeth may actually feel firmer.

MYTH II:  Scaling make teeth sensitive

FACT II: SCALING MAY ACTUALLY PREVENT TEETH SENSITIVITY IN THE LONG RUN BY PREVENTING GUM RECESSION AND INFLAMMATION

Imagine you are wearing a jacket/shawl in the winter and suddenly you are asked to remove it. Wouldn't it make you cold for a few minutes at least till you adjust to the temperature? It would, wouldn't it? Now imagine your teeth wearing a jacket of tartar for weeks and months and all of a sudden you remove it. Wouldn't it take your teeth a few days at least to adjust to the new temperatures? It doesn't mean they have become sensitive - they just need time to recover.

Of course scaling done by untrained hands/outdated machinery can cause prolonged sensitivity. So choose your dentist well.

MYTH III: Scaling and polishing is a cosmetic procedure

FACT III: SCALING IS NECESSARY FOR GUM HEALTH - THEREFORE IT IS NOT MERELY COSMETIC BUT THERAPEUTIC

The cosmetic aspect of scaling ( the removal of stains to make teeth look whiter) is a pleasant side effect. Actually scaling is important for its therapeutic uses. Scaling is essential for gum health. The removal of local irritants improves gum health, increases tooth support, decreases bad breath and gum bleeding.

MYTH IV: Scaling increases gaps/spaces between teeth

FACT IV: BY PREVENTING BONE LOSS AND GUM DISEASE SCALING MAY PREVENT OPENING UP OF GAPS (caused by weakened periodontium leading to pathologic migration)

Like we said before it is not possible to physically move teeth with a scaler. Moreover enamel cannot be cut with this machine either. Therefore obviously scaling cannot cause spacing. Then why do spaces appear post scaling sometime?The gaps exist from much before - however the teeth being covered by yellowish tooth colored tartar - it appears as if there are no spaces. The moment the disease causing tartar is removed - the spaces reappear. 

MYTH V: If there is no problem/symptom one does not require scaling

FACT V: ALMOST EVERYONE REQUIRES SCALING - AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR

The unfortunate part about gum disease is that it almost never pains. There are very few symptoms (like bleeding gums/pus discharge) and often they are mild enough to be missed completely by the patient. So why wait till the disease is so severe that your teeth begin to shake? Besides what is the harm in going for a regular cleaning once every year - definitely only something better can come out of it. 

So now what do you want to believe? Rumors spread by people who know only half the story or Facts backed by scientific evidence??

Value your smile. It is worth more than most other possessions. 

Write to us for more information at Smile@aryasdentalclinic.com or visit our website http://www.aryasdentalclinic.com

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

A great many people are of the opinion that nothing needs to be done after they lose(or extract) a tooth.

We all remember Ed Helms from the Hangover with his missing front tooth. Of course most people don't ignore a missing front tooth but if it is a back tooth which does not show in their smile line - they tend to ignore it completely - sometimes for years together.

So Does it really matter if you don't replace a missing tooth?

The answer is yes. It does. You know how you throw a stone in the water and it causes a ripple? That ripple propagates and causes another one and another one - till the water all around is disturbed. Removing a tooth and then not replacing it is like setting off a similar chain reaction.


The human body hates empty space. If there is one - it will most times try to fill it up with something. In the case of a space caused by a missing tooth - the remaining teeth will move to fill it up.

So what can be the sequelae to an unreplaced missing tooth? 

1. Change in teeth position: Teeth drift, tilt and extrude. Upper teeth come down, lower teeth come up, back teeth tilt/move forward. This causes a significant change in the bite.

       (Image credit: http://www.wqgebeaudental.com/bridges/)

2. Food lodgment: Also due to uneven contacts, open spaces and tilted teeth - food lodgment increases which leads to secondary conditions like cavities and gum disease.

3. Loss of chewing ability: When you lose one tooth and don't replace it - you effectively lose TWO teeth. Because the tooth opposing the space has no tooth to bite down on - therefore it too is now rendered useless.

4. Unfair loading: Imagine a well built man carrying a sack of potatoes and all of a sudden he dumps the sack on a five year old. Aren't his knees going to buckle under the load? (thats a different matter that school children these days carry the equivalent of a sack of potatoes - but we will leave that for a separate discussion:)) Many patients lose several back teeth and for years manage with their front teeth. However front teeth are not meant for chewing. They cannot handle that kind of load. This leads to loosening or wear of these teeth and their ultimate loss.


5. Uneven loading: Think about a Horse carriage that is supposed to be drawn by two horses. If one horse is removed - all the load falls on the other in a very awkward way. If this same horse is positioned in the centre it might be able to draw the carriage better. But it is not. It is to the side and the forces on it - are off centre. It is bound to be fatigued earlier.With loss of teeth on one side - patients tend to be partial to the other leading to undue load on those teeth due to unilateral chewing.

All of the above sequelae occur over a few months to years. Most patients are not even aware that any change is occurring. And every passing year makes the situation a wee bit more difficult to correct.


With so many predictable techniques of tooth replacement available like dental implants or bridges - there is no reason why anyone should be without teeth.

Invest in your smile. Invest a little money and a little time. Like L'oreal says - "Because you are worth it" :)

Mail us at draryasclinic@gmail.com
or Log on to www.aryasdentalclinic.com

Facebook Smiles

Facebook, Orkut and other social networking sites have ensured our presence everywhere. You can be seen in an instant by relatives in Canada, potential suitors in Gurgaon or even your old student now posted in New Zealand.


The fallout of the above is a heightened awareness of how we look. Every time the camera click is heard - the first thought in a lot of people's mind is - " Can this be my next facebook profile pic?" :)


Of course not everyone necessarily is that eager to keep changing profile pictures - but if you are honest with yourself - whenever you do post a picture - you do try to find your most flattering picture, don't you? We all hate having our unflattering pictures plastered all over.


So what makes for a flattering beautiful picture? Is it flawless skin and a perfect set of teeth? Is is an outfit or makeup? Is it the camera man's talent or the lighting?


There is no doubt that all of the above contribute, but they are NOT a foolproof technique of ensuring a good picture. 


Pick up a magazine, take a look at the television - what is it about a person that makes you look twice at them? What makes you turn around and take a second glance at a person? What makes a person stand out in a crowd?


It is their CONFIDENCE. Not arrogance, not pompousness. Just Confidence. A feeling which comes when you are comfortable in your own body. When you know your strengths, you are aware of your weaknesses and you know they are not the end of the world.


Confident people know what is wrong with their bodies, faces, smiles and correct them if they are can. If something cannot be corrected - they accept those flaws and love themselves.


Confident people get jobs and keep them.
Confident people do not worry about how to begin conversations.
Confident people are liked and admired.


Sparkling eyes, a healthy energy and a great smile go a long way in ensuring you are filled with confidence.


You shouldn't need to leave your visiting/calling card anywhere. Your face is your calling card. People should remember you as the smiling, confident man/woman they met a year ago. 


Work on your confidence. And it will work for you!


www.aryasdentalcare.com


mail us at draryasclinic@gmail.com

Impractical Budgeting

It never fails to surprise us the lengths people go to save a couple of bucks at the wrong time and over the wrong things. Now don't get us wrong - we are all for sensible living and budgeting. We understand that in today's world saving and budgeting is the only way to ensure a comfortable retirement. But sensible budgeting. Budgeting that doesn't involve what we term as being impractical.

So what is impractical budgeting ?

Silly budgeting is buying your kids expensive jeans that they will grow out of in 6 months and cribbing about a filling in a tooth that is going to help them chew food for a lifetime. Show your love for your kid by ensuring his health first.

Being impractical is paying a 25000/- EMI on a car loan for a second car when you are wearing removable dentures which can be easily converted into fully fixed teeth by implants for less than what you spent on that car you don't really need. 

Crazy budgeting is buying that 1 carat diamond to adorn your ears but having no smile to go with that look because you have huge gaps in your front teeth which you are hesitating to fix because of the cost involved.

If you can't afford certain treatments because you need to spend on household necessities - it is understandable that you ask for cheaper options. But if you have money to spend on the luxuries of life - you must put your health first.

The problem is that when we think of our teeth, we do not think long term. We choose short term solutions because they cost less and then grumble that dentistry doesn't have the answers.We choose dentists based on location/cost and then set ourselves up for a disappointment.

Do you tell your cardiologist that I will not do that angioplasty because it is so expensive and then go across the road and book the latest luxury car? Do you tell your skin specialist that I won't apply these creams because they cost so much and then jump into the first shop and buy a month's salary worth of clothes? Do you ask your general surgeon to use cheaper materials so you can afford that new sofa set?

No. You don't. Because you value your life and health don't you?Then why the step motherly treatment with your teeth? Your teeth are part of your body. The health of your mouth determines health in many parts of your body including important processes like your digestion.

Dentistry costs. Quality dentistry costs more ( not all but most of the time). Save for it.

Buy one less stuffed soft toy for your kiddo. Get that filling for him instead.He will forget that soft toy in a jiffy. He will remember that toothache and subsequent loss of that tooth for a lifetime.

Post pone buying that car by a year. Get those dental implants.Your stomach and digestive processes will thank you.

See only one movie in a multiplex this month. Use the rest of the money to get your teeth cleaned. Fresher breath and a brilliant smile will ensure that you get asked out to many more movie dates in the future. ;)

You don't need to buy that handbag today. You do need that root canal treatment today though.your handbag will not deteriorate sitting in that showroom - your tooth will.

Label each of your teeth. Call one a Mercedes, the next a Fendi handbag, another a platinum ring, the next  Roberto Cavalli sunglasses, Promod jeans....and so on and so forth.

So the next time you have to spend at the dentist - it will be easier. You can just tell yourself - " I am getting my Merc serviced... buying a Fendi handbag....polishing my platimun ring etc etc"

It will be just as hard on the pocket but much easier on the mind :)

Smile more at www.aryasdentalcare.com 

Tell us about your Merc and Cavalli sunglasses at draryasclinic@gmail.com

Injections??? Ha....piece of cake!

Most of us remember those days when we were particularly mischievous. Our harassed mothers would use one of three threats -

1. You are getting too much - we are going to send you to a boarding school.

2. For acting so rude and naughty - no more chocolates/TV/Friends

3. If you don't behave - we are going to take you to Dr. XYZ and ask him to give you an INJECTION!!

Now I don't know about the first two threats but the fear of the last one sticks with us for years. We always interpret injections as horrible experiences - always painful - always traumatic. Always a punishment.

And a couple of visits to an old style dentist sets that ideology in stone. 

The good news is that injections aren't that bad anymore. First and foremost - a lot of things have changed. 

According to us - a good injection is Half the battle won. A painless injection relaxes the patient and makes him/her more co-operative during the rest of the procedure. Moreover it ensures happy memories of the dentist which is what we particularly love. 

So here's what we say helps:

1. The size of needle diameters have dropped drastically. So we now use 27-30 G needles as opposed to the thicker 25 gauge used previously. This makes the needle penetration almost painless. Ask your dentist what is the gauge of needles he/she uses and request for a finer one if they are using a thicker gauge.

2. Better still - a gel or a spray is generally applied in the area of the injection before the injection. This makes the mucosa numb. The subsequent prick of the needle may be hardly felt if at all. Request a numbing gel/spray to be applied before the injection. A dentist who cares about your comfort will not refuse you.

3. Most good dentists do not use those plastic syringes anymore. The plastic syringes though disposable have to be loaded from a bottle. So you see the dentist tear out a new syringe and stick it to a bottle of anesthetic which has been previously opened. Now for anesthetic to remain in bottles opened and stored - it must contain a preservative called methyl Paraben. This preservative is what causes the rare allergies people experience with local anesthetic. However with sealed glass cartridges which are use and throw - the local anesthetic does not have to be stored open at all. Therefore the need for a preservative is eliminated thereby virtually eliminating all chances of an allergic reaction. Most dentists today prefer metal syringes used in combination with sealed glass cartridges with fine gauge needles. 

The future is needle free anesthetic options and laughing gas - patients will have be able to rid themselves of the fear of needles forever. The time when this will be available at most leading clinics is not far.

But till then - you don't have to suffer barbaric injections. A good dentist with a combination of excellent technique and a good armamentarium can ensure a comfortable injection. 

So in the future when you threaten your kids by saying "we will ask Dr Arya to give you an injection" - they might actually stick out their tongue and say - " We know - it doesn't pain. And we get to eat ice cream later. And they give us a sticker too". It is time  you find other ways to get your kids in line!!!!

Mail us at draryasclinic@gmail.com or visit www.aryasdentalcare.com for more information.

( Part III) aaah...What I wouldn't do to chew nuts again!!!

 Statistics show that 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or tooth decay.

A lot of people do not replace these missing teeth leading to further dental and joint complications. Some replace them with removable prostheses and hate them.  Others get fixed bridges done - which are great but they involve grinding away two adjacent teeth for support. 

                   A dental BRIDGE ( Two teeth have been ground to fix the bridge)

So how are fixed teeth possible ?

Dental Implants. They have revolutionized dental treatment. 

Well - What are they?

Your natural tooth has a root ( which lies hidden in the gum) and a crown which is what you see in the mouth. When you remove a tooth - the entire crown and root is removed, leaving nothing in the bone. 

Naturally to fix a tooth we need something to support it on - we can't expect to sit pretty on the gum alone. Feviquick does have it limitations :)

So how do we recreate the tooth root? We place in a titanium insert into the bone. Let it heal and then fix a crown to that insert which acts as a root. 

 (A dental implant in the bone. On either side you can see untouched natural teeth with their roots. )

Is this a new untested technique? No - its been around for more than 60 years - tried - tested and working successfully. 

Is it safe? Absolutely. It is just the reverse of getting a tooth removed. Instead of removing - we are putting in.So if you are healthy enough to get a tooth removed - you are in all probability healthy enough to get it replaced with a dental implant.

Is it not a foreign body being put in? How will my body react? Titanium is a biocompatible material. Moreover when huge titanium implants are being inserted into knees everyday around the world with no issues - how will a tiny little screw 10 mm long cause any trouble?

How many teeth can I replace? as many as you need or want. Right from 1 tooth to 28 teeth can be replaced.

What is the success rate of implants? Depending on bone quality, and other factors different articles claim success rates of 90-97%. 

What if my implants fail? Nothing. That is the best part. Failed implants don't mean any trouble. They can simply be removed and replaced at a later date. Not many treatments in dentistry are so reversible.

A few more of your questions can be addressed at http://www.perio.org/consumer/2m.htm

Don't struggle with removable dentures. Don't sit around with missing teeth and big gaps. Don't give up on your favorite foods for the lack of chewing efficiency. 

Find a qualified dentist. Ask for dental implants. 

Once you are done with the treatment you will kick yourself that you didn't get it done earlier.

Visit http://www.aryasdentalclinic.com

( Part II) aaah...What I wouldn't do to chew nuts again!!!

Hats off to those people who survived and managed with removable dentures - either partial or total. The whole idea of having to remove your teeth every night, wash them and clean them like they are dinner plates and then store them at your bedside is a concept that few are able to come to terms with in today's day and age. 

Removable dentures make you feel old. Period. 

You may be 16 or 60 years old. If you have lost one or all teeth and have been wearing a removable partial/complete denture (RPD/CD) for any length of time - you will understand what we are talking about.

We are not saying that removable prostheses are bad or an incorrect treatment modality. They are not. They still have value in certain situations. But there are better and more convenient options. 

Imagine having your upper front teeth missing and having to remove your RPD in the night. Imagine your husband waking up in the middle of the night and finding his beautiful wife with a big huge window in the front of her mouth? 

For people who wear these prostheses - sudden guests late in the evening means a scramble for their bowls of water at the bedside and fumbling with the denture before rapidly pushing it in their mouth to smilingly face their late night visitors. 

For others it means talking a little less in weddings for fear that their lower denture may jump out of its place and expose to all their gossiping relatives what they imagine to be their weakness. 

For some it means covering their face with mortification when suddenly in front of strangers - their kids are found playing on the floor with what suspiciously looks like mamma's teeth :)

It may sound funny but all this takes a toll on you mentally. It makes you feel old, broken and ancient.  It makes you feel defective. It makes you feel past your expiry date.

A confident smile with all your teeth present and FIXED makes you feel confident. It makes you feel young and vital. And a confident smile is a couple of dental sittings away.

Teeth should be in the mouth not out of it. Not floating around in a glass of water.  

 

The next time you wake up in the morning and reach to your bedside table - let it not be for teeth - instead let it be for a cup of steaming hot tea made by an appreciative husband or wife.

aaah...What I wouldn't do to chew nuts again!!! ( Part I)

If we had a penny for every time a patient said something like that - We could close down the clinic and retire early :)

We wax eloquent about aesthetics and smiles and cosmetic dentistry but the fact of the matter is - that - most patients just want to be able to eat. Eat their favorite foods comfortably. Without worry and without pain.

For the majority of our lifetimes we take our dental health( or the lack of it) for granted. We avoid dentists like the plague and treat dental clinics like abattoirs. You enter only if there is absolutely no way out of the so called torture.

All of this works out quite well for a reasonable amount of time - but sooner or later you start paying the price. Losing teeth - sometimes at an alarming rate. A period of time goes by and your diet switches to softer and softer foods till a time arrives where you may be surviving on little more than bread and milk.

You may have one tooth missing or all.

You may or may not be having removable dentures.

The dentures don't really help. You still can't enjoy your favorite foods.



This is when the craving starts. 'Ah to sink my teeth into an apple again' or 'those nuts look ever so tempting' or 'chicken.....hmmmmm'.

We understand.

And the good news is - YOU CAN. If at least now you take the trouble to visit a dentist.

Dental Implants  have changed the lives of several patients with missing or no teeth.

Fixed teeth are possible. At almost all ages. In almost all patients ( unless you have a severe systemic disease). For almost all teeth. You may need just one fixed tooth or you may need 28 - YOU CAN HAVE THEM.

If you were brave enough to have undergone the procedure of a tooth removal ( extraction) then you are brave enough to undergo a dental implant surgery. The anesthesia is the same. The length of the procedure is just a little bit more. The post operative precautions are almost the same. You walk in - get the procedure done - walk out. No hospital admission. No scary stuff.



www.aryasdentalclinic.com

Bad breath - the worst PR manager!!

Have you tried in vain to keep a straight face while your Boss is 'killing you softly' with his breath which smells of rotten eggs?

Or you have decided to go without kissing your spouse rather than rock the marital boat by telling him/her that they smell like a chemical experiment gone terribly wrong ?

Have you been at the receiving end or worse still - are you the perpetrator of the crime ?



Frankly - it may not be your fault at all.  You probably haven't had the opportunity to be educated about the possibilities of treatment. Bad breath is a condition just like any other disease - its cause requires to be diagnosed properly and treated accordingly.

People's perception of bad breath have made mouthwash and chewing gum companies - multi multi billionaires!!!  Even toothpaste companies advertisements focus on propagating the 'fresh breath' aspect rather than the clean teeth bit! Unfortunately - most mouthwashes and mints are only cosmetic and not therapeutic. Simply put - they will only mask your bad odor and not eliminate the cause. Since they are only masking the odor - they act much like the foundation and cosmetics on skin - it only masks the blemishes underneath and does not get rid of them.

So what really causes bad mouth odor???

The causes are divided between those to be found in the mouth and those that are extra oral.

The intra Oral causes are:

1. poor oral hygiene
2. Deposits on the teeth
3. Deep cavities in your teeth which act as a food trap
4. Coated tongues ( when you do not clean your tongue everyday)
5. Gum disease
6. Dry mouth 
7. Dentures

The causes of bad odor that is extra oral ( rest of the body) are:

1. Throat infections and colds
2. Sinusitis/tonsillitis
3. Lung diseases
4. Some liver and kidney diseases
5. diabetes
6. A few other systemic conditions


The above are just some of the causes. There are more. Almost all of the causes within the mouth can be treated and most of those outside the mouth too.

Sometimes all you will require is a professional tooth cleaning ( scaling), correct toothbrushing technique demonstration and a nudge to take better care of your dental health. Do you think it makes sense to suffer a lifetime of self consciousness just because you are scared/ashamed or hesitant to get professional help from a dentist ?

And even if you need more treatment than the above because the cause is more complicated - wouldn't you want to know?

Bad breath is a deal breaker. Why keep it so close to you at the cost of you losing potential relationships, being made fun of by friends,  or maybe even be passed up for a promotion?

Bad Breath is much like body odor - it is an instant turn off. So instead - you can turn bad breath off. 

Find the cause and eliminate it. And maybe then - like those ads on TV - you could make a heart on the fresh breath that you blow onto a glass window when you see the love of your life :) 


www.aryasdentalclinic.com

Mouth Ulcers - the recurrent pain in the.....well...mouth ;)

Mouth ulcers are known by many names including apthous ulcers and canker sores.

Mouth ulcers can be uncomfortable at best and excruciatingly painful when they really decide to work up.

Clinically aphthous ulcers can be divided into two general categories:

• Minor aphthae, which comprise over 80% of reported cases, are small (<1.0 cm), usually solitary, exquisitely painful, shallow ulcers and heal without scarring in 7-10 days.
• Major aphthae, which account for less than 10% of reported cases, are bigger, deeper, and heal with scar formation over a period of 2-3 weeks.

They are the result of several factors including - stress, nutritional deficiencies, acidity and genetic predispositions.

Other Common factors include:

• Injuries from any food, cheek biting, sharp- edged teeth, dentures, etc. 
• Burns: either from certain foodstuff or chemicals
• Drugs - Pain killers/antibiotics 
• Inadvertent lip/cheek biting

For recurrent sufferers - they are a kill joy. You can't enjoy spicy food - sometimes it is so bad you cannot enjoy ANY food. Huge painful ulcers interfere with speech. 
If you try to wait it out - it will take approx 7-10 days (if not more)to heal. 

So what is the cure for a mouth ulcer? and is there one? 

The bad news is that for those with a predisposition to recurrent ulcers - there is no cure. They will keep coming back no matter what you do. 
The good news is - that you don't have to suffer the full 7-10 days that it normally takes for an ulcer to heal.
Previously all we could offer patients was a oral gel that could be applied to anesthetize the area, thereby causing relief from the pain. The initial application stings but then numbs the area for a while allowing you to eat and drink. However the relief lasted for very short periods, necessitating frequent applications. Moreover the gels were only symptomatic treatment with no effect on the actual duration of healing. 
LASERS have revolutionized the treatment of ulcers. With a good soft tissue LASER - a couple of 5 min sittings is all that is needed to substantially reduce pain AND shorten the healing period. 

The procedure is simple: 
1. A topical gel is applied on the ulcer ( No need of an injection at all) - 10 sec
2. The LASER light is moved over the ulcer at a specific wattage for biostimulation ( to activate the healing cells) - ( 2min)
3. The last step involves light banding of the edges of the ulcers ( 30 sec)
In approx 3 min - you will experience reduction of pain and will be ready to go home. 
The same three steps are repeated on the next day.
For a small ulcer - you may not even require the second sitting. 

Those who have experienced a truly painful mouth ulcer can understand the value of reducing the healing period from 7-10 days to a mere 2 -3 days. And all it involves is five min of a very simple and pain free procedure!
Do not let a simple mouth ulcer get in the way of you enjoying good food and great company. 
Zap it and rid yourself of it. :)
www.aryasdentalclinic.com

Live a stress free life for healthy teeth and gums

Life is stressful. Period.

At least the one we currently live in. All of us have some degree of stress or the other. Maybe not yoga gurus and infants but the rest of us most definitely. Even children today - with their increasing work loads and burgeoning school bags are candidates for stress. 

Don't think you are under any kind of stress?  well...lets see.....Have you driven your car in rush hour traffic, late for work and an idiotic cyclist comes straight into the path of your vehicle seemingly on a suicide mission, leaving you braking dramatically and exploring your vocabulary of choicest abuses? Have you taken out a big loan for the new house and the EMIs are cruelly astronomical? Are you the parents of teenage children? Are you working on a project whose deadline is already upon you or maybe even past you? 

If you answered yes to any of the above or have faced similar situations - you are under stress. Of some degree or the other.

In dentistry stress translates to a number of dental problems. Bruxism being the foremost among them. Our previous post on Bruxism - " Do you grind you teeth?" should be able to tell you all you need to know. 

But that is one among many problems - mouth ulcers (recurrent and painful), changes in your cheek mucosa ( the lining of your cheek inside your mouth), joint pain, necrotizing gingivitis and various other conditions can also occur.

Minimizing a stressful life goes a long way in averting more than one problem. It surely will not be easy but letting go of some things instead of trying to do it all is one step in the right direction. Taking time to smell the flowers seems like such a cliche but it was a wise person indeed who first suggested it. 

Take time to unwind, delegate work and forget about things which are not in your control.

Finally get regular health and dental check ups - why add the additional stress of finding out late that you had a problem which could have been easily corrected had you discovered it earlier? 

www.aryasdentalclinic.com

Do you Grind your teeth?

A lot of people grind their teeth...not just in anger or frustration....but a pathological continous grinding that occurs mostly during the night while they are asleep....This is a condition known as Bruxism...and people who suffer from bruxism are called bruxers.


Most bruxers dont even know that they are bruxers. When asked if they grind their teeth they will in all probability answer in the negative. The only people who would know ( if at all) would be the person who sleeps next to them...the spouse perhaps... and that too only if they are light sleepers. If the spouse is easily awakened then many a time they are aware that a funny irritating clicking grinding sound is coming from the wife/husband at night. 


Most people ignore this and even if told that they probably are bruxers they feel ' " Big deal...so I grind my teeth. What's that got to do with anything?" 


Actually - a lot. 


The signs of trouble may take a while in coming but come they will. Almost certainly. Unless your teeth and jaws are made of iron which they aren't. Maybe if you were a terminator but not otherwise. 


Given a sufficient period of time without correct intervention you could end up with:

• worn down teeth
• chipped teeth
• fractured teeth
• sensitivity with your teeth
• pain in the jaws/joints
• muscular pain in your cheeks 

Case 1: Your teeth may end up looking like this if the condition is severe...

What's more even if you get restorations done and do not attempt to correct the original problem - the bruxism will even wear down restorations/crowns/bridges as can be seen in the next case. 

Case 2: The Patient has worn down all the restorations in his mouth

Lots of factors are responsible for the beginning of bruxism:

• High stress levels
• sleep disorders
• any kind of teeth maloccusion where teeth do not meet in harmony
• use of certain drugs

These and many other factors may be causing or aggravating the condition. 

Bruxism is not completely understood. Neither is its treatment totally straightforward. What is definite though that the teeth and the jaws need to be protected from further trauma. It is not enough to just restore the broken, chipped teeth.

All patients of bruxism must wear nightguards/mouthguards. These are basically acrylic forms that are specific to each patient's dentition. The patient simple has to slip it on while sleeping at night. There is no pain involved and no complicated wearing procedure. This simple treatment protects the teeth from wear and tear throughout the night. 

Mouthguard 

Besides the mouthguard, the doctor will recommend some restorations if necessary. But a change in lifestyle and decreasing stress levels will certainly help.

Above all things, I must not get angry. If I do get angry I knock all the teeth out of the mouth of the poor wretch who has angered me. 

Franz Schubert 

Find out what is causing your stress and get rid of it. Of course not all reasons for stress can be gotten rid of. Your wife and her latest credit card bill is one of them :)

Do not ignore your dental problems. They don't go away. They get worse.