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!).