Dental Caries: The Role of Food We Eat In Their Development

As long as we have teeth inside our mouth, we can't escape the vicious caries that. Dental caries is caused by a multitude and diverse ecosystem of bacteria inside our mouth. These bacteria eat up the sugar we eat. They thrive into our oral cavity and are able to survive because of these foods that are considered trophic for them. By trophic, this means that the food we eat is just as important for them just as it is important for our survival.

The acid these bacteria produce as a result of the metabolism (conversion) of sugar is responsible for causing the cavities on our teeth. These may either lead to re-construction of the weakened, cavitated tooth, or may progress into caries. Once caries is initiated, the tooth is even more susceptible to even more serious scenario.

It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene if we want to prevent destruction of our teeth by caries. The food we eat, particularly the sugar we eat contributes greatly to the progression of caries.

You might hear people tell you, "Don't eat chocolates as these will DEFINITELY give you dental caries." This is however only partly true. Dental caries per se is not solely dependent on the sweetness of the food or the amount of sugar that is contained in that food stuff.

Whether it is a loaf of bread, a piece of chocolate or a slice of chocolate, it does not really matter as long as you brush your teeth immediately after eating those cariogenic food. Note that cariogenic is different from carcinogenic food. Cariogenic foods are foods which are likely to cause caries and carcinogenic foods are those which predisposes a person to cancer when that person eats that certain food.

These bacteria would like it much more if its host eats more frequent without brushing after. That is why it is very advisable to brush your teeth after a eating cariogenic foods as this is very critical for the prevention of progression of dental caries.

The Pros and Cons of Invisible Braces

Invisible braces are becoming a hit today!
First there were the metal braces that are complete with a full head gear.
Then there were the much simpler metal braces.
Next are the porcelain brackets.

And finally invisible braces. Invisible braces can fix misaligned teeth for as quick as one month. Because it's the latest hip in the orthodontic world, I doubt this will cost less here in the Philippines.

The Pros

Unlike conventional metal braces, these are actually plastic trays which are custom-made to allow perfect fit. These "aligners" replace metals and wires. The plastic tray is responsible for the tension and compression which is necessary to move and align your teeth.

This is very advantageous for the wearer since this is fully removable and it sort of eliminates the pain (but not completely) in contrast with the conventional braces.

Well, it is undetectable by others since the tray is really thin. The term "invisible" is actually a misnomer since it functions as the conventional. So, if you don't want the unwanted "Betty" look, then this is your option.

The Cons

The concept of invisible braces is actually present since the 1940s but it was only now when it attracted ortho patients. So, new means that it would cost a lot. We are not paying for the materials per se, but the concept itself. So if you are thinking of getting yourself one of these, make sure you are financially-able!

Invisible braces are designed only for misaligned teeth or slightly crooked teeth. If your problem is your jaws or anything related to the bone, this wouldn't do you good. Try the conventional one instead.

The tray, since it is removable, is very easy to lose. So be really vigilant with these.

If you want the braces worn by Miley Cyrus (yeap She has one!), you can try lingual braces

Regular Dental Check-Up: A Way To Get Ahead Of Dental Caries

For most of us, we seldom visit our dentists for regular check up or even for a dental treatment. We only do so if we experience something different, maybe something painful, with our teeth. That is the only time when we consult the professional for dental treatment. But for mild sensitivities, we would rather prescribe ourselves with a pain-reliever than pay huge amounts when we go to the dentist.

Oftentimes, we compromise our teeth. Without the regular dental check up and dental treatment, our teeth are more prone to cavitations and bacterial infections. We will only realize our mistake when there is no choice but to extract it. In other words, we realize that we chose the wrong decisions in the end when it is already too late.

Thankfully, dentistry has evolved from a mere pain-relieving practice to a preventive one. Most of the dental treatment today deals with preventing the root cause of these dental diseases. Preventive dentistry is thus responsible for managing the disease before it progresses into a more serious condition.

For example, that chalky appearance on your tooth may not be that serious but if you underestimate that it could lead to demineralization! This means that your tooth's mineral components will be more susceptible to acid attacks and therefore rendering them weaker. The result? Dental caries!

If you think a preventive dental treatment is painful, think again. For example, fissure sealant treatment usually seals off your tooth making it less susceptible to acid attacks, hence attack by dental caries. This treatment involves grinding a little of enamel on your tooth and applying sealant on it and that's it!

From here, you'll see that we cannot just neglect the small changes in our oral cavity. It is very important for us to be vigilant with taking care of our teeth. Our teeth provide us a lot of functions. That is why it is very important to get ahead of dental caries by seeking professional help and receiving the proper dental treatment that you need.

Dental Instruments: They're Not Getting Any Cheaper

For those who are planning to take Dentistry as a course in college, please prepare yourself for a financial torture.

Yes! Dentistry is a really expensive course. Unlike other medical courses, Dentists and student dentists are required to buy the not-so-cheap instruments. Dental instruments are like dentists' "bestfriend" and students are trained to familiarize themselves with these instruments. This is the very reason why they are expected to buy these.

Most of the instruments, both manual and automatic, really cost a fortune. If you are not careful with your dental instruments, you will end up losing them. This is true especially for dental students. Dental students, because they have to juggle between education and clinical practice, would always fight over lost instruments. This kind of situation would not only lose you money but may also cause emotional trauma. A sample scenario: Student A lost a very expensive instrument and he accused Student B of stealing it. Student B would be really agitated especially if the accusation is not true. So, the result? A friendship broken and wasted money because of a lost instrument.

Parents should be fully aware of the expenses that are associated with the dentistry course. Parents should help their future dentists in making the right decisions when choosing the right dental instruments. I know parents would not want to settle for anything less so you always choose the one with excellent quality. However, you have to keep in mind that not all instruments need to be expensive for it to function excellently. The key here is the proper knowledge of the uses of the instrument and the skill to handle it well.

In spite of all these, dental students can really benefit from the durability of these instruments. Some of these really last a lifetime - and I mean this literally! All it takes is your tender-loving care.

My Visit To The Dentist For Bracket Adjustment

I just had my brackets adjusted a while ago. The usual regimen happened which included waiting for one and a half hour under the heat of the sun. Oh yes, my dentist has to share clinic space with another dentist in spite of being very rich and well-off. I think this is because the rate my dentist charges is very, very affordable compared to other dental fees (The affordable was in large text because this is the number one factor people consider nowadays. Let's be practical people.). So the result? People, including myself, come all the way to this place and they we try to endure the long wait that comes with it. Again the usual mass of people were there standing beside me and beside each other. Despite this set-up, I really find it hard to talk to them and start small talk. I am just not very good with this.

Anyway, my house is not very far away, actually it was just a few street away so I decided to wait here in my house. When I came back there after one and a half hour, it still wasn't my turn. So I waited another 45 minutes until my name was called. My dentist and her assistant dentist analyzed my case and told me stuffs. They told me that I only have to wear these brackets for five months (which I am very glad about, I have been waiting for this time to come). Told me that I had a Class II malocclusion (being a dental student, they assumed that I already know this one which yeah I did know these concepts) and that It will be corrected within that five months (mind you, there are a lot of anomalies when it comes to teeth alignment). By the way, I've had these brackets for almost two years now.

It gave me so much relief that I will be free of these in just five months. I mean, having brackets isn't easy. You have to regularly look in the mirror every after eating to check if some food gets stuck in between your teeth. And the fact that I can't eat foods I love to eat (mostly sticky foods) really bothers me.

Anyhow, I am still very fortunate that I was given the chance to have my teeth corrected. I love teeth and I'll be dealing with them soon, so I think I have to have the right set of teeth (or at least a nicely aligned one!).

The New Brushing Technique: No RINSING

Did you know that there has been a new toothbrush regimen that is being accepted by most people? Many of us are used to rinsing or gargling after we brush our teeth but dentists nowadays have recommended to not rinse at all. I tried this a while ago and really it didn't feel fresh unlike brushing with rinsing. The toothpaste just didn't taste fine.

The explanation to this is that the fluoride in the toothpaste stays on our teeth in the mouth for a much longer time. When we rinse, of course, the fluoride along with residual toothpaste and saliva will be flushed away.

What is the purpose of fluoride in our toothpaste anyway? The fluoride is responsible for making our teeth stronger to resist cavities. By the way, our teeth are composed of minerals that get easily destroyed (or de- mineralized) by acids.

Where do these acids come from? These come from the bacteria, which are normally present in our mouth, that use sugars (sweet foods, chocolates, breads) as their food. These sugars are metabolized to form acids which are very good de-mineralizers of the acid component in our teeth. The result? Cavities! To put this simply, just remember the toothpaste advertisement which features a shell rendered weak after being immersed in vinegar.

The idea of not rinsing after brushing may not taste good at all but if we think of it and try to evaluate the mechanism of fluoride in a cellular level, it really is very convenient in maintaining our teeth cavity-free.

Dental Laminates: Sure and Effective Way To Brighten Up Your Smile!

Do you ever wonder how people get instant white teeth that are really sparkly clear? How do artists turn their smile into a winning smile?

There are a lot of ways where you can have that smile you have been dreaming of. There are those laser treatments, external and internal bleaching, and the most popular ones today - dental laminates.

Laminates or veneers also come by the names porcelain veneer, porcelain laminate veneer. When you veneer something, you also glue something (usually any thin layer) onto a surface. Similarly, when you veneer a tooth, this means that you glue a very thin layer (measured in millimeters!) of porcelain on the front surface of the teeth to give you that dreamy white shade of your teeth. Of course, you have to sort of remove a little tooth structure (wafer-thin) to be able to create a natural look. Just imagine how fake it would be if you added an extra layer on your tooth! It will be just like wearing those fake dentures that artists wear when they do comedy.

What is unique about these veneers is that, unlike jackets or crowns, you do not need to sacrifice a lot of the surface of your teeth. For your information, when you lessen the structure of your teeth, it will also lessen its inherent strength. To put this simply, the likelihood of your tooth fracturing is increased if it is restored with a jacket. Laminates are therefore conservative because it requires less destruction of tooth structure.

No what about bonding to your teeth? Are laminates strong enough to resist forces when we regularly chew our food?

Absolutely. Yes! With today's technology, this is very much possible. With the use of resin adhesives (yes, the resin on plastic materials), the bond strength is enough to resist these forces. And because it is a very thin layer, almost all of the forces are absorbed by the tooth itself. So you don't have to worry about possibilities of de- bonding! Plus it is very easy to repair it if ever this does happen!


With laminates, you are sure to have that shade of white that will best suit your taste with little effort on your part (dental clinics only require 2 visits for this).

Braces: A Woman's Bestfriend?

People, most especially the teens, really dislike the idea of braces? Well for one, braces make you look weird, nerdy, and what have you. We seldom watch movies that feature teen girls who are being discriminated because of the shiny, metallic thingies on their teeth.

Okay. So it is a fact that braces can be irritating. For the first few weeks (or even months), you will find it hard to eat or even talk properly. What a hassle?! What is more is that with braces, you have to regularly go to your dentist for a regular check-up and try to fit your hectic schedule for this. And it doesn't stop here. Your teeth are more susceptible to retaining plaques if you don't maintain a good oral hygiene!

But did you know that braces can be a fashion trend? In a country where braces can be a form of luxury and fashion, having them installed in your mouth wouldn't mean all the negative things. What I have noticed here in the Philippines (where having braces means a lot!) is that many people are now wearing braces even those who do not need one. I believe that Filipinos have really nice teeth and having to put an appliance on your teeth isn't a must. But what can we do? Braces are definitely a growing fashion trend! It is no longer associated with glasses and books!

Here in the Philippines, women with braces look more attractive (in contrast to movie films where they are branded as geeks). What is more is that braces are really effective in putting your teeth in proper alignment. What braces does is that it pulls teeth together (or apart) in order to close up spaces (or open spaces so that there will be more room for proper adjustments) and TADA! You end up with a very pleasing, aligned teeth.

Now, why a woman's bestfriend? Because women are now fond of braces, they tend to over-wear this and what will result? A loose and weak teeth!

So for women who are really fond of wearing their braces for years, remember that overdoing things are actually not good (everyone knows this of course!).