Teeth-Whitening-after-care-e1742900705434

Important Tips for Teeth Whitening Aftercare

by Child Dental Care

Teeth whitening is a common trend nowadays, primarily because we are more socially involved and we smile a lot. So we are all concerned about our tooth colour. In the previous blog we had mentioned in detail about the process of teeth whitening.

For a detailed look at all the benefits, please refer to our blog: “Everything You Should Know About Teeth Whitening: Benefits and Risks“

In this blog, I will highlight the after care of teeth whitening. What is the need for teeth whitening after care? If that is the doubt, it is mainly because Teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment, it is temporary and depending on your teeth texture, your teeth can get stained easily because of artificial colours in the foods and drinks we have nowadays. 

The First 24 Hours after teeth whitening

The first 24 hours are very crucial in aftercare for teeth whitening because the tooth is very sensitive to temperature and stains.

  • Immediately after the procedure, do not eat or drink anything for the next 3 hours. So always remember to feed yourself before the procedure.
  • Avoid too hot or too cold foods or drinks for 24 hours after the procedure.

Dos After the Teeth Whitening Treatment

Drink lots of water and always keep wetting your teeth with your tongue so that your teeth remain hydrated. Remember, tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening is mainly due to tooth dehydration. You can minimize tooth sensitivity by following these steps. If tooth sensitivity is still bothering you, the usage of anti-sensitive toothpaste is recommended. Teeth whitening along with Laser can help reduce sensitivity.

While brushing your teeth, you can use normal white Toothpaste (not coloured tooth gel). 

Electric toothbrushes can be used. Having teeth whitening treatment doesn’t prevent you from using electric brushes. After 6 months, you can do home teeth bleaching with a tooth whitening booster kit (which you can avail of from your dentist).

Products to Avoid

  • Avoid tobacco usage completely for a few weeks to avoid staining teeth
  • Coloured mouthwash must be avoided. Try using clear coloured mouthwashes (like Freshclor)
  • Tooth powder must be completely avoided as it damages enamel.
  • Items to avoid for 1 week are carbonated beverages, alcohol, tea or coffee without milk, any food with artificial colours, red chilly, turmeric, and red sauces.

Teeth Whitening Treatment can be of full effect if the aftercare is done with utmost care. Or there is a change for uneven results. Usually, the effects of teeth whitening can last for 6 months but without proper aftercare, this period can be reduced. 

Common Questions Regarding After care of Teeth Whitening

  • Will my teeth be sensitive after whitening treatment?

Yes, sometimes teeth can be sensitive but the reason is mainly due to tooth dehydration. Always keep wetting your teeth with your tongue so that your teeth remain hydrated and drink lots of water. If tooth sensitivity is still bothering you, the usage of anti-sensitive toothpaste is recommended.

  • How long after teeth whitening can I eat normally?

After 3 hours of the treatment, you can eat and drink avoiding stained food items and drinks. So always remember to feed yourself before the procedure.

  • Is oil pulling safe after whitening?

Yes, Oil pulling is safe after the teeth whitening treatment, But after the treatment should wait and resume it after 1 week. Also, You can use clear-coloured oil.

  • What to do if I notice uneven whitening?

After the treatment Uneven whitening does not occur. So it is unlikely you might notice an uneven colour. Before teeth whitening, a proper diagnosis and treatment plan must be done with the best dental clinic in Kochi, for proper and effective teeth whitening.

  • How much would it cost for teeth whitening treatment?

It is purely depending on the materials used and expertise, teeth whitening can cost around INR 10,000 onwards and upwards. Need to keep in mind the cost can also be affected depending on the patient’s teeth situation and colour gradient.

Teeth whitening benefits and risks

Everything You Should Know About Teeth Whitening: Benefits and Risks

by Clear Aligners

Teeth whitening or teeth bleaching is a dental treatment to whiten the human teeth. It is an aesthetic procedure. Many patients ask me 2 doubts

1) Whether dental cleaning or scaling is same as dental bleaching?
 Absolutely NO. Dental scaling is a procedure to remove teeth stains, plaque and calculus. It is done  to improve oral hygeine.

2) Can yellow teeth become white again?
Absolutely YES. Dental bleaching is the process to whiten your teeth. You can read on to know more about the teeth whitening benefits and risks.

The normal human teeth colour is yellowish white. But some patients feel that their teeth are extremely yellow. Such patients will find dental bleaching a very worthy and fruitful treatment. Extremely yellow teeth are mainly due to the inherent shade of one’s tooth just like skin colour. A point to note is that skin colour (mainly fair skinned) can cause your teeth to look relatively more yellowish. 

This blog’s purpose is to provide expert-backed information on teeth whitening benefits and risks empowering patients to make informed decisions.

How does Teeth Whitening work?

Dental bleaching can be classified by three factors

I) Type of bleaching:

  • Chemical 
  • Laser 

II) Type of teeth 

  • Vital teeth 
  • Non-vital teeth 

III) Area of procedure 

  • In-office 
  • Home bleach 

Let’s look in to each of the above in simple words.

  • Chemical bleach: Just as in hair bleach, a chemical is used for the bleaching process The basic chemical used is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (varying in concentration used). It is applied on the teeth 2-3 times in one session and the entire procedure can take approximately 45 minutes.
  • Laser bleach: As the name suggests, Laser is used. But it also involves using the above said chemicals. Lasers are used to get faster and better results, The cost is also higher.
  • Vital bleach: The procedure is done in live or normal teeth.
  • Non Vital Bleach: In certain conditions, due to history of trauma to the teeth, the teeth can become grey in colour over the years which is indicating the tooth is becoming dead. Such teeth can also be whitened.
  • In-office bleach: The procedure is done at the dental clinic and is more effective.
  • Home bleach: The procedure can be done by self at home. The concentration of the bleaching agent is comparatively less when compared to in-office bleach. So it is less effective. Home bleach is usually used as touch ups after a few months of in-office bleach treatment inorder to maintain the whiteness obtained. 

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is commonly recommended to people who are

  • Not confident to smile because of their tooth colour
  • Dissatisfied with his/her own teeth colour.
  • Media personnel: Professional who host TV shows, concerts
  • Models: For ads, TV commercials
  • Candidates attending an interview
  • To enhance cosmetic treatment.

Teeth whitening risks

There are no risks as such. Proper treatment planning is a must for dental bleaching. The patient must convey their expectations (the shade of white they are expecting) from the treatment. Such communications can help the dentist to plan and advise a proper bleaching procedure. 

Do you have doubts on what the patient should do after a teeth whitening session? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

After the procedure, the patient can expect teeth sensitivity (which is absolutely temporary). Such sensitivity can be reduced or avoided by continuously wetting your teeth with saliva by running one’s tongue over the treated teeth. Moreover, your dentist will advise an anti-sensitive paste. Avoiding hot or cold foods for 24 hours after the procedure can help too.

For a week, food items or drinks which must be avoided are carbonated beverages, alcohol, tea or coffee without milk, any food with artificial colours, turmeric.

How long does teeth whitening last?

Teeth whitening is a temporary process which  lasts for 4-6 months. But dental bleaching touch ups can be done at home itself to maintain the whiteness.

Importance of a Professional Approach in the Teeth Whitening Process

It is always advisable to go for a professional approach in the teeth whitening process. It is similar to colouring one’s own hair. Without a professional approach, colour can get uneven and also there are teeth conditions (broken teeth, abraded teeth, crowns) wherein teeth whitening is contraindicated and/or is ineffective. So always get dental bleaching done under supervision of a dentist. 

Home bleaching is useful for touch ups to maintain the whiteness after a 6 month period of professional bleaching.

To conclude, proper planning by the dentist can be done after a consultation, where the dentist can help clear your doubts regarding the procedure and its effectiveness.When executed properly, teeth whitening can definitely help boost your confidence and help you smile better.

So if you are a person who always wanted to whiten your teeth, I hope this blog helped solve your basic doubts. To know more, kindly do a dental consultation to get your teeth whitened and smile confidently.

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How to choose between a Clear aligner and Braces?

by Clear Aligners

Do you want to get your teeth straightened without having the wires on your teeth? Before I go into the details, I want to tell you about a patient named AB. AB wanted to get her teeth straightened and after providing different treatment options, the patient went ahead with normal braces. After she had it put on, the patient reported back after a week saying she wanted to remove it and go for a more comfortable alternative. She just could not bear the poking wire and irritation caused due to the braces. She then opted for clear aligners, which is a more comfortable and aesthetic alternative.

 I am not trying to say that normal braces are harmful or irritating but I am just highlighting the fact that there are patients who cannot tolerate the initial discomfort of normal braces and there are others who want a more transparent (aesthetic) option. For these reasons, Clear Aligners are the best option.

Orthodontic therapy is the type of dental therapy done to straighten teeth.  Normal braces are the conventional type braces with brackets (attachments)  bonded to each tooth and wires are placed. At the same time Clear Aligners are removable plastic trays that are customized for each patient.

Many patients or friends regularly ask me which type of orthodontic therapy they should go for. This blog will help my readers compare the two options and decide what is right for them. 

What Are Clear Aligners? 

Clear Aligners are removable thermoplastic customized trays to correct your teeth alignment.  They come under different lab names like Invisalign, Flash Aligners, Clear Correct, etc.

The treatment process includes

  • Diagnosis: A proper diagnosis of the tooth problem is the most important factor before going ahead with your treatment. An orthodontist is the specialist who can help you with which appliance best works for you. Radiographs and photographs will have to be taken to confirm your treatment plan.
  • Impressions or 3D scans: Teeth impression or 3D scan is taken to record your teeth condition.
  • Treatment planning: Different treatment plans are made to discuss with the patient.
  • Manufacturing and delivery of Aligners: The concerned lab will start manufacturing your aligners once the treatment plan is finalised. 
  • Aligner fitting: When the aligners have arrived, it is tried on the patient to check its fitting.
  • Treatment: Then the treatment starts under the guidance of your Orthodontist.

During the treatment, each set of aligners ( upper and lower ) are worn for approximately 10 days and 22 hours per day. 

If you ask me “Can you eat with the aligners on?”, it is a NO. 

There are 2 reasons :

  1. you cannot chew with your aligners and it can fracture or crack if you bite on something hard.
  2. Food can get stuck on the aligner, you will find it difficult to clean it. So it is ideal to remove them before every meal and wear them immediately after your meals. Moreover, it will never affect your wear timings as you have to wear them 22 hours only.

Are aligners painful? While wearing your aligners, each new set will tend to cause tooth soreness as your teeth are moving but it will be only for a day or two.

What are the benefits of clear aligners?

  • Aesthetics: Virtually invisible.
  • Comfort: Generally more comfortable and less painful than traditional braces
  • Removability: Eat and drink whatever you want, easier to clean your teeth.
  • Convenience: Fewer in-office visits. It is always good to visit your orthodontist every month to know if the treatment is on track. But due to location limitations or work-related travel, you can do a check-up in 2-3 months as long as you wear them properly as advised. I want to highlight this because many times patients (especially those who cannot consult the doctor on a regular basis) feel that wearing it will help in achieving the perfect result. This is not entirely true because there are occasions where the aligners fitting may not be proper and the patient will not be aware of the same and they keep progressing to the next aligners but the tooth will not move as planned. So it is imperative to do regular check ups with your orthodontist or an orthodontist assigned at a different location under the advice of your orthodontist.

What Are Traditional Braces? 

Traditional braces known as Dental braces in general have been in practice for a long time now. As time advanced, there were many advances in orthodontic materials. It basically has brackets bonded to your teeth and wires are placed for the tooth movement. The treatment process includes: 

  • Diagnosis  & Treatment Planning: Similar to clear aligner therapy, the Orthodontist must examine and may have to take models, radiographs, and photographs to confirm your treatment plan.
  •  Treatment: The treatment starts when the Orthodontist places your fixed braces on your teeth
  •  Appointment and follow ups: Monthly appointments are a must for traditional braces. If the patient does not properly follow the appointment, there will be a delay in treatment and it can get prolonged.   

Benefits of traditional braces:

  • Effectiveness: Traditional braces are still more effective in treating complex orthodontic cases as of date. When compared with normal braces, Clear Aligner are not so effective but can treat certain complex cases due to advances in research and development.
  • Cost: It is more affordable than Clear Aligners.
  • Treatment time: Treatment duration usually depends on many factors such as teeth condition, severity of the teeth malalignment, age, etc. Depending on the said factors, treatment duration ranges from 6 months to 2 years. 

How to decide between Clear Aligners or Traditional Braces?

Always remember Clear aligners or traditional braces are just means to achieve the treatment aim or they are just tools for orthodontic therapy. Given below are the criteria to decide between the two.

  • Comfort: Aligners are far more comfortable compared to traditional braces.
  •  Food diet: Traditional braces have limitations in diet. You cannot eat a hard diet as it can lead to breakages of the components of the braces. Even sticky food can be difficult to clean. Such issues will not occur with clear aligners as they are to be removed before meals.
  • Aesthetics: Clear Aligners are the most Aesthetic or Transparent orthodontic appliance till date.
  • Time bound: If you are time bound in completing your treatment, Clear aligner will be a better option as the treatment plan can exactly predict the treatment duration.
  •  Non Resident patient: Clear aligners only require checkup in 2-3 months. So if you are a non resident, clear aligner is the right choice.
  • Non compliance: If you feel you will not wear the aligners as per schedule or cannot be compliant with the treatment protocol, it is better to go ahead with normal fixed braces.
  • Age: As you age, patients tend to seek aesthetic appliances. So Clear aligners or Ceramic braces are good options.  

Dental problems that Clear aligners can treat

Aligners can treat the following cases

  1. Teeth spacing
  2. Crossbite
  3. Open bite
  4. Crowding
  5. Deep bite.
  6. Proclined teeth with the extraction of teeth.

Certain complex cases can also be treated by Clear aligner but always Normal braces stand in the forefront for such cases. It would be better to consult your Orthodontist to know if your teeth can be corrected by Clear Aligner.

Clear Aligners vs Traditional Braces 

 

Braces

Clear Aligners

Treatment Length

6 months to 2 years ( depending case to case)

When compared to normal braces, Clear aligners are more time bound making treatment duration shorter for the same treatment.

Estimated Price Range

Rs 30,000 – 1,50,000/-

Rs 60,000 – 3,50,000/-

Removable

Fixed 

Removable

Maintenance

Difficult to clean and maintain

Easy to clean and maintain

Gum irritation

Chances of gum irritation is higher if oral hygiene is not maintained

Chances of gum irritation are almost nil

Food restrictions

Hard and sticky foods are restricted

No food restrictions

 

After a thorough examination and diagnosis, the Orthodontist and patient must sit together and discuss the patient’s intent of treatment, doubts regarding treatment, aims and objectives of the treatment, and budget so that a tailor-made treatment plan and appliance can be planned for the patient.  Whether it is Clear Aligner or Normal Braces, obtaining a positive and encouraging smile with ability for optimal teeth functioning must be the utmost aim.

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Tips for Children’s Oral Health

by Uncategorized

Oral Health like any other part of our body has to be taken care of with utmost care and from an early age. Children at an early age should be educated on the importance of oral health and ways to keep it clean. Neglecting oral health can lead to effects like tooth decay , teeth pain, bad mouth odour, inability to eat food properly and gum infections. So it is very important that children start taking care of their teeth and teaching kids to brush teeth from a very early age and dental check ups every 6 months at the best dental clinic for preventing cavities in children. Let’s have an idea about best practices for kids dental hygiene.

Establishing a Good Oral Hygiene Routine

How to take care of kids’ teeth?

For a baby without teeth , cleaning the gums with a sterile cotton cloth or gauze dipped in normal water in the morning and night will suffice. But as soon as teeth erupt, it is very important to teach a child how to brush. A parent can start off with finger cap brushes as the bristles are softer and if a child bites, the parent’s finger does not get injured. It is advisable to guide your child until the age of 6 to clean every tooth (back and front) and inform them to look into the mirror while brushing otherwise certain areas of the mouth will be neglected. 

After the age of 6, children should be able to clean their teeth independently with constant reminders about the importance of keeping their teeth healthy. Then as the child ages the length of the brush can be modified as per the child’s convenience and dexterity. 

If a parent’s question or doubt is “How to get my toddler to brush their teeth” , the key factor is to start at an early age with details as mentioned above because the earlier the brushing habit is taught to the child , they will develop it as a routine daily procedure rather than a forced procedure.

Kids dental care tips

  • Brushing Techniques

Considering the method of brushing , circular motion works best for children as it is very effective in cleaning. Always remember it is the method of brushing and NOT the type of brush or paste that matters to keep your teeth healthy. 

Soft or medium brush is better and fluoridated paste can help in giving a tooth an extra protection for your tooth. But many food items or drinking water can help with regards to fluoride nourishment. Get in touch with a nutritionist for more details.
So the best toothbrush for kids will be a soft or medium bristles brush and a handle which the child can hold properly. Never cover the head of the brush during storage unless it is properly dry.

  • Flossing

Flossing is a very important habit and method to remove plaque and food particles especially in between teeth. If spaces are present between teeth , interdental brushes are available and are useful for children’s oral health.

  • Mouthwash

I would never recommend mouthwash for children unless prescribed by a dentist, since proper brushing and rinsing of mouth after every meal can prevent usage of mouthwash.

Healthy Dietary Habits for Strong Teeth

When considering healthy dietary habits for children for maintaining strong teeth , always give priority to fresh fruits and vegetables. Also milk, diary products like cheese, paneer and fish are useful supplements. A Balanced Diet is very important for keeping healthy teeth. Vitamin D and calcium are very good for bones and also for your teeth. Avoiding sugary / fizzy drinks is advised as these have acidic content and regular use of such drinks can compromise the strength of children’ s as well as adult teeth.

The Importance of Regular Dental Visits:

Prevention is better than Cure is apt for every aspect of health care. Likewise it applies for dental health as well. Regular dental check up every year from the age of 3 is recommended . Before the age of 3, parents can themselves monitor the child’s teeth on a regular basis and can do a checkup if they suspect any abnormality. From the age of 3, dental check ups every 6 months can prevent many future dental ailments like tooth cavities, unerupting teeth.

So ideally First dental visit for kids should be at least when the child turns 3

Common Oral Health Issues in Children

Tooth Decay:

  • Signs of tooth decay in children are usually black or brown lines or dots during early stages and in advanced stages it usually presents as a cavity. It may get confused with bacterial stains( commonly found in children). Cause of tooth decay or caries are usually as explained before improper brushing habits, having sugary snacks ( like chocolates, candy ,etc) just before bed. 
  • Treatment options for such tooth caries are teeth fillings.

Gum Disease:

  • Good oral hygiene is very important in preventing gum disease as well. But gum diseases are very rare in children considering age and better healing capacity of children compared to adults unless and until the child has a very poor oral hygiene. Major gum problems in children are directly related to tooth infections like pus 
  • Other gum related symptoms are bleeding gums, red or swollen gums

Tooth Injuries:

  • Tooth injuries and fractures are a common occurrence amongst children as they are always involved in some physical activities. The children who are majorly affected are those who have proclined upper front teeth. 
  • Such children can be treated at an early age by seeking treatment from an orthodontist or pedodontist to prevent further teeth trauma or injuries.
  •  

How to prepare your Kid for a Dental Check-up?

Before the dental visit, explain to your child the reason for your dental visit. Never scare the child with details like “ doctor will inject if you do not listen” ,etc which will cause unwanted fear in the child’s mind. But otherwise if a child is already scared, the dentist can well handle the situation. During the initial visit, only a check up is done to check the dental condition of the child. Procedures are usually not undertaken until an emergency arises.

Conclusion

So always remember taking care of oral health is equally important like any other body part. Brushing is equally important like bathing your body. From an early age,  proper and effective brushing is the key to good oral health. Parents must consider it their responsibility for initial care of their children’s teeth. Proper education about the importance and value of good oral health plays a crucial role in the child’s overall growth and development.

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What is the Right Age and Stage to Opt for Braces?

by Uncategorized

A great smile can boost your confidence to the next level, and don’t worry – you can create it easily! Orthodontic treatments including braces are a great way to straighten your teeth and improve your smile. However, the right time to opt for braces can be confusing.  When is the right time to start thinking about getting braces? Let’s discuss the ideal time to get braces, when it’s best to have them, and how important timing is to the outcome of your treatment.

Importance of Early Orthodontic Evaluation

The Benefits of Early Evaluation: An orthodontic evaluation at an early age might have a significant impact. What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment? It helps detect possible issues with the jaw and teeth early on, enabling you to avoid concerns later on that may call for complex treatments. Additionally, early orthodontic treatment directs the growth of the jaw and guarantees that teeth emerge in the proper alignment.

The Ideal Age for Initial Consultation: According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should see an orthodontist for the first time by the age of 7. Why is it so? Identifying any potential problems early is important, even though children at this age typically do not require braces, doing so, treatment can be offered when it is most effective.

Factors to Consider When Timing Braces Treatment

Age and Development: One of the most important questions raised to orthodontists is What age is best to get braces? Although there is no “one size fits all solution,” the best time to get braces is mostly determined by how your jaw and teeth develop. The ideal orthodontic treatment age is usually between 11 and 14 when the most permanent teeth have erupted. In certain situations, particularly when major alignment problems exist, earlier interventions such as palate expanders or Phase 1 treatment may be necessary.

Severity of the Dental Issue: Early treatment is very important if the dental problem is serious. Early braces may be necessary for severe malocclusions (misalignments) to avoid further problems. However, less serious problems can frequently be observed until the child is older and then ready to begin treatment.

Child’s Cooperation and Maturity: As kids get older, they usually cooperate better and take more responsibility for keeping their braces in good condition. Making sure that younger kids strictly adhere to the care guidelines might be hard. But by the time they reach their teens, they are usually more responsible and able to manage their braces.

Common Orthodontic Treatments and Their Timing

Early Orthodontic Treatment: Early medical treatment, commonly referred to as interceptive orthodontics, is mostly advised by orthodontists to help regulate the jaw and teeth development. Early-phase treatment or palate expanders may be used in this situation, which helps address issues before they worsen.

Traditional Braces: The majority of permanent teeth develop between the ages of 11 and 14, making this the ideal age range for traditional metal or ceramic braces. Since the jaw and teeth are still developing during this period, treatment is highly effective. Although metal braces remain the most popular option, ceramic braces are becoming increasingly popular among those seeking a less noticeable alternative. Choosing braces for teenagers can be difficult because most of them prefer Invisalign to avoid the discomfort in looks.

Invisalign: Invisalign clear aligners are an excellent option for adults and teenagers. They fit persons with fully grown teeth the best and are invisible and detachable. Teenagers may benefit from Invisalign, but regular use of these braces requires a certain amount of maturity. For this reason, those who are at least 16 years old are only advised to use them. The right Invisalign age therefore can only be determined with the maturity of the person. So, is it too late to get braces at 30? Since invisalign is most suitable to term as adult braces, you can get it at any age according to your oral health and alignment. And the answer to this question is definitely a no!

In conclusion, the child’s age, the severity of the tooth problem, and their level of cooperation during treatment influence in having braces. Early orthodontic evaluation is essential to address any possible issues before they create more involved care.

Scheduling an initial visit with an orthodontist around the age of 7 is the best option to know when braces are needed. Based on your child’s unique needs, orthodontists can recommend the best solutions.
 Are you prepared to start down the path to a more confident, healthy smile? To find out when treatment for you or your child is most proper, get in touch with an orthodontist right now!