A toothbrush is for life, not just for Christmas

What are you hoping to find underneath your tree this Christmas? The latest piece of technology, a shiny new bike, perfume, something sparkly and expensive; or how about an electric toothbrush?

Unlike a dog or puppy an electric toothbrush makes the perfect present for all members of the family and is the gift that keeps on giving all year round.

While it may not seem the most exciting gift, you can be assured that whoever receives one will be very grateful, as the festive season can be something of a nightmare for our mouths.

One too many at the Christmas party or making your way through that box of chocolates means your teeth come under increased attack from sugar!

But fear not, using an electric toothbrush to brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is a great way to fight back; helping to remove plaque and prevent gum disease. It can also help to keep your teeth white too.

There are even electric toothbrushes specifically for children featuring cartoon characters or linking to mobile apps which help make brushing fun.

In the UK, a quarter of adults admit that they do not brush twice a day; if you only brush once a day you are 33% more likely to develop tooth decay. So there really is no excuse not to. After all, it is only two minutes.

So if you still have that last minute Christmas shopping to do, consider an electric toothbrush to literally bring a smile to a loved one this year.

Eat, drink, be merry and follow these top tips to help keep your mouth healthy this Christmas and all year round:

Brush before breakfast - You've got up at a ridiculous hour to squeeze the turkey into you oven. The children are still asleep so it's the perfect time to brush your teeth without interruption. Brushing before breakfast means that they teeth have not been exposed to any sugar or acid attacks and will help protect you for the day ahead.

Drink through a straw - Many of us are partial to a drink at Christmas, sugary or alcoholic drinks though can be extremely harmful to our teeth; causing tooth decay and erosion. Drinking through a straw can help bypass the teeth and you still get to enjoy your favorite festive tipple.

Chew sugar-free gum - After eating or drinking anything acidic it can take an hour for your mouth to return to its natural state. Chewing sugar-free gum encourages saliva production which helps this happen quicker, reducing acid attack on our teeth. It also means you have fresh breath when you get caught under the mistletoe for that cheeky kiss.

Wait an hour to brush - You have finished your ambitious sized Christmas dinner the Queen has appeared on your TV and you have fallen into a ‘food coma'. This is the perfect time to give your mouth a break. Brushing your teeth within an hour can brush away tiny particles of enamel, leading to eventual dental erosion. So wait until you wake up to give your teeth a brush and then get on with the celebrations.

Don't rinse, spit! - After you have brushed your teeth rinsing your mouth out with water can rinse away the protective fluoride from your toothpaste. Don't rinse, just spit to make sure you get the full benefit and bring a smile to your face this Christmas.

Sterilization

We at Centre for Dental Implants follow all the disinfection and sterilization procedures needed for infection control. These are used for each and every patient to prevent the transmission of each and every kind of infectious diseases. Disposables like needles, syringes, glasses, patient’s drapes are all for one time usage only and are discarded after one use.

All our doctors and staff involved in patient care use appropriate protective garb such as gloves and masks. After each patient visit, the gloves and masks are discarded, hands are washed and new pair of gloves and masks are used for the next patient.

Following add on measures are also taken:

Education and training for infection control for dental health care workers.
Education and training about medical conditions, work-related illnesses and work restrictions.
Engineering and work practice control using safe use of needles and other sharps.
Hand and physical hygiene.
Disinfection and sterilization of patient care items.
Cleaning and disinfecting environmental work surfaces.
Single-use disposable devices.
We Follow Four Tier Sterilization Protocol For Non Disposable Instruments.

Tier 1
All The Instruments Are Scrubbed Thoughroly With Spirit Swabs To Remove Any Attached Debris.

Tier 2
The Instruments Are Then Immersed In using Korsolex Sterlizing Solution For 45 Min For Standard Disinfection

Tier 3
The cold sterile instruments are then packed in individualized sterile packs that contain instruments, gauze, cotton balls and suction devices. Our patients are reassured when a new pack of supplies is opened in front of them prior to treatment.

The standardized sterilization method used in our dental office is: autoclaving (steam under pressure), these measures are carried out rigorously and consistently and demonstrate our commitment to your safety.

Tier 4
Dental instruments in sterilized packages are stored in U.V CHAMBER to maintain the sterilization, which are opened in front of the patient.

32 Pearls Technology

Digital Radiography:

X-ray procedures are an essential part of quality dental treatment. We utilize an advanced non-film dental imaging system known as CDR (computed dental radiography). The already low radiation required for dental radiographs is further reduced by over 80% compared to conventional X-Ray film. Using this system, an electronic sensor produces computerized radiographs which appear instantly on a Chair side computer screen. These images can then be optimized, printed and Archived indefinitely.

Nickel-Titanium Instruments:

Cleaning and shaping of the root canal is aided by the use of metal instruments made of a unique and flexible alloy of nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) which has high resistance to fracture due to its ‘Shape Memory effect’. We use both hand and rotary instruments along with antimicrobial agents in liquid and gel state as irrigants which helps remove infected tissue, bacteria and debris.
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) MTA is a hydrophilic biomaterial derived from a mixture of refined Portland Cement and bismuth oxide and other compounds , which is a new advancement in root canal treatment. We use MTA for a variety of root repairs under the microscope (root furcations and Lateral Perforation repairs). It is used in situations with young patients (pulp capping in apexogenesis, an apical plug in apexification, pulpotomy and pulp regeneration). MTA is also used as a root end filling during microsurgery. Current literature supports its use as a biocompatible material with excellent resistance to microleakage. Recently, MTA is being used as a coronal plug over the induced blood clot in tooth ‘Revascularisation procedures’.

3-D CBCT:

A CBCT scan, also called cone beam computerized tomography, is a 3-D X-ray technique that is similar to medical CT scans. We use CBCT to produce 3-D images of the tooth and/or maxillofacial area in question. These images are in three dimension (unlike the conventional 2-D x-ray techniques) and can be manipulated with the computer to visualize root canal anatomy, root fractures, bone damage or irregularities or any lesion/pathology in the tooth or area in question, all in three dimension. The greater and detailed information obtained with CBCT helps in accurate diagnosis and better treatment results.

Bioceramic Sealer:

This is a flowable root canal sealer that utilizes bioceramic nanotechnology. Nano particle size allows it to flow readily into canal irregularities and even dentinal tubules with absolutely no shrinkage. This hydrophilic sealer uses moisture naturally present in dentin to initiate and complete its setting reaction, and it is antibacterial during setting due to its highly alkaline pH. This significantly decreases the chance of root canal failure.

The Problem of Plaque

Your teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Following a meal or snack, the bacteria release acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks can cause the enamel to break down, eventually resulting in cavities. Plaque that is not removed with through daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus, or tartar. Brushing and cleaning between teeth become more difficult when tartar collects above the gum line.

The gum tissue can become irritated and inflamed. Gums may become swollen or may bleed. This is called gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal (gum) disease. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible with professional teeth cleaning in the dental office and good care at home. If gum disease is left untreated, the gums may pull away from the teeth and form pockets that usually become infected. Without treatment, bone loss can occur and teeth may become loose, fall out or require extraction. Twice-daily brushing and cleaning the teeth daily with floss or other inter dental cleaners help remove food particles and plaque from the mouth and are essential in preventing both tooth decay and gum disease

Healthy Tips

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF ORAL CANCER

A white or red patch in the oral activity A painless oral ulcer which does not heal for over 2 weeks Difficulty in eating drinking and speaking. In case any of the above symptoms are experienced the person should immediately consult a doctor


HOW TO AVOID ORAL CANCER?

Eat a balanced diet rich in fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and dairy products which will provide all the essential nutrients Brush twice every day (in the morning and before bedtime) and maintain proper oral hygiene habits. Have a dental checkup every six months. Avoid bad habits which contribute to oral cancer Follow the above tips and make your life risk-free from oral cancer

Cleaning between your teeth

	Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers.
	Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. This finger will take up the floss as it is used.
	Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, with about an inch of floss between them. Leaving no slack. Gently slide the floss between your teeth. Do not jerk or snap the floss into the gums.
	When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the shape between the gum and tooth until you feel resistance.
	Hold the floss against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum.
	Don't forget to floss the back of the last tooth. This is a critical area where plaque often collects

Make Great Impressions with Healthy Smiles

It is easy to keep your teeth and gums in good health. A simple routine of brushing and cleaning between teeth every day, establishing good eating habits and having regular dental visits can prevent many dental problems - saving you dollars and discomfort! 

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Brushing Basics

	Place the toothbrush at a slight angle toward the gums when brushing along the gum line.
	Use a gentle touch. It doesn't take much pressure to remove the plaque from your teeth, and vigorous scrubbing could irritate your gums.
	Clean all the surfaces of the teeth - the inner (tongue side) tooth surface.
	The chewing surfaces…
	And the inside of the front teeth.
	Gently brush your tongue - including the back - to help remove bacteria that cause bad breath.