Chocolate Can Actually Be Good For Your Teeth

                       

If you are going for Chocolate, think Dark.

Yes, dark chocolate can prevent tooth decay. The cocoa beans found in dark chocolates is the good stuff. It has tannins, polyphenols and flavonoids, which are antioxidants that all benefit your mouth and teeth. They do this by preventing bacteria from sticking to your teeth, neutralizing the microorganisms that cause bad breath, preventing infections in your gums, and battling tooth decay. 

You cannot just eat any chocolate though, since the sugars added to some will effectively offset all of these great effects.  Dark chocolate is the least processed and is the closest to cocoa beans. This is why it is the healthiest option.

You can find tooth-friendly dark chocolate at most grocery stores, and most show their cocoa percentage clearly on the label (the higher the percentage, the better it is for your teeth). As dark chocolates contain less sugar than other chocolates it is better for your weight too. Just keep a check on portions of dark chocolate you eat.

Visit Nanda Dental to check if your teeth are ready for a chocolate treat. Book An Appointment Now!

Dental Care for Children's Teeth

When should I take my child to the dentist?

It is recommended that children go to the dentist with their parents as soon as possible. This will let them get used to the noises, smells and surroundings and prepare them for future visits. The earlier these visits begin, the more relaxed the child will be.

When will my child's teeth come through?

First or ‘baby' teeth have usually developed before your child is born and will start to come through at around 6 months. All 20 baby teeth should be in the mouth by the age of two-and-a-half. 

The first permanent ‘adult' molars (back teeth) will appear at about 6 years, behind the baby teeth and before the first teeth start to fall out at about 6 to 7. The adult teeth will then replace the baby teeth. It is usually the lower front teeth that are lost first, followed by the upper front teeth shortly after. All adult teeth should be in place by the age of 13, except the wisdom teeth. These may come through at any time between 18 and 25 years of age.

How should I clean my child's teeth?

Cleaning your child's teeth should be part of their daily hygiene routine.

• You may find it easier to stand or sit behind your child, cradling their chin in your hand so you can reach their top and bottom teeth more easily. 
• When the first teeth start to come through, try using a children's toothbrush with a small smear of toothpaste. 
• It is important to supervise your child's brushing until they are at least seven. 
• Once all the teeth have come through, use a small-headed soft toothbrush in small circular movements and try to concentrate on one section at a time. 
• Don't forget to brush gently behind the teeth and onto the gums. 
• If possible make tooth brushing a routine - preferably in the morning, and last thing before your child goes to bed. 
• Remember to encourage your child, as praise will often get results!

What sort of brush should children use?

There are many different types of children's toothbrushes. These include brightly coloured brushes, ones that change colour, ones with favourite characters on the handle, and some with a timer. These all encourage children to brush their teeth. The most important point is to use a small-headed toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles, suitable for the age of your child.

How can I prevent tooth decay in my child?

The main cause of tooth decay is not the amount of sugar and acid in the diet, but how often it is eaten or drunk. The more often your child has sugary or acidic foods or drinks, the more likely they are to have decay. It is therefore important to keep sugary and acidic foods to mealtimes only. If you want to give your child a snack, try to stick to vegetables, fruit and cheese. Try to limit dried fruit as it is high in sugar and can stick to the teeth.

Thorough brushing for two minutes, twice a day, particularly last thing at night, will help to prevent tooth decay. Pit and fissure sealants are another way to prevent decay.

For more information you can reach us at www.NANDADENTAL.com

Dental Care during Pregnancy

Congratulations, you are having a baby! How can you ensure you keep a healthy mouth during your pregnancy and give your child the best start in life?

As you may have noticed, your body is going through a lot of changes. The progesterone and estrogen levels can make your gums very tender and swollen and more likely to bleed. Also you may be suffering from morning sickness and not feel like brushing your teeth. As gum disease can progress much more rapidly while you are pregnant, it is important to be even more vigilant in oral care while you are pregnant.

Dentistry

It is safe to have dental treatment done while you are pregnant. We however try and avoid any treatment during the First and Third trimesters. The Second trimester is the safest time for any dental treatment to be administered. We will also try and avoid Xrays during the entire duration of your pregnancy.

Most of our pregnant ladies come in 1-2 times during their pregnancy for cleaning (scaling) to prevent any gum disease.

Snacking

Often your diet changes when you are pregnant, you may crave sugary snacks and eat more often. Try and rinse your mouth after snacking.

Old Wives tales

• Drinking milk will harden your babies teeth: There is however, no evidence to say the calcium from the milk makes any difference to your baby’s teeth.
• You will lose one tooth while you are pregnant: With good oral care you will not lose any teeth. 

If you are not pregnant yet but are trying to conceive, it is important to get your mouth checked and take Xays while we can. There has been research done by the American Academy of Periodontology connecting low birth weight in infants with gum disease so we would like your mouth to be in perfect condition BEFORE you get pregnant.

If you’d like more information or want to consult us, contact our Practice to schedule an appointment over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.NANDADENTAL.com

Dental Sealants: Keeping your Child's Teeth Healthy

Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often. 

Which teeth are suitable for sealants?
The first and second permanent molars appear to benefit the most from application of pit and fissure sealants. The first permanent molar erupts in the mouth at the age of 6 years and the second molar at the age of 12 years. It is best to apply the sealant as soon as the tooth erupts into the mouth before any decay occurs.

Why should my child get sealants?
The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing, they may however require reapplication at regular intervals. Sealants thus aid in preventing cavities and save you from expensive fillings.

Should adults get sealants too?
The likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are obvious candidates. But adults can benefit from sealants as well.

If you’d like more information or want to consult us, contact our Practice to schedule an appointment over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.nandadental.com

Braces Can Work at Any Age

Are you an adult who is considering getting braces? Perhaps you’ve had them before, but over the years that dental work has been reversed. Or maybe you’ve never had any orthodontic work done, but are considering braces for the first time.

If you are considering getting braces, here is what you need to know about adult orthodontic work:

Can Braces Work For Adults?

Absolutely! Orthodontics has advanced to the point where corrective devices, such as braces and retainers, are less obvious, more comfortable, and can be worn for shorter periods of time. Braces work for just about anyone. However, there are several different types of braces, and not all of them may work for you.

Different types of orthodontic treatments include:

•    Ceramic braces

•    Metal braces

•    Lingual brackets (braces behind the teeth)

•    Invisible braces

By scheduling a consultation, we can determine which treatment or combination of treatments would be best for your specific needs.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting braces can be a little bit daunting. At first glance, the process may appear expensive and time-consuming. However, if you take it step by step, getting braces can be a simple and relatively pain-free experience. Here are the first steps you need to take to get on the road to straight teeth:

First, you need information. If you are nervous about getting braces, or are having trouble getting started, learning more about the process can help ease your mind.

The next step is to complete any prerequisite treatment. During your first meeting, X-rays and molds of your teeth are taken which help us determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to get started! After you’ve chosen a treatment plan and undergone any necessary prerequisite dental work, you’ll be able to get your braces. Just like that, you’re on your way to a better smile!

If you’d like to get started right away, contact our Practice to schedule an appointment over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.nandadental.com

Mouth and Body Connection

To many people, a dental visit is about getting their teeth cleaned, having a tooth pulled or having a filling placed. However, a dental visit is not just about teeth.  It is also about your overall health. 

What goes on in your mouth can affect the rest of your body, and what goes on in the rest of your body can have an effect on your mouth. Recent research indicates a very strong connection between infections in the mouth and chronic infections in other parts of the body.

Diseases of the gums have a proven effect on the following conditions:

Diabetes:

Patients with diabetes have an already compromised immune system. Thus making them more susceptible to gum disease. Further the presence of gum disease increases the number of bacteria in the blood stream, and causes inflammation. All of this makes sugar control more difficult in a diabetic patient.

Heart Disease:

According to research from the American Heart Association, poor oral health could increase your chances of developing heart disease -- more so than the usual suspects of cholesterol and triglyceride levels.  In fact, the American Academy of Periodontology reports that, periodontitis is the strongest predictor of coronary disease.  Periodontitis, is an infection in the gum tissue around a tooth; gums recede and teeth can loosen as their support weakens.

Pregnancy:

A link between pre term and low birth weight babies has now been established. Mothers with gum diseases have a seven times greater risk of pre term babies.

A regular visit to the dentist can help identify these problems at an early stage. Getting your teeth cleaned professionally every 6 months can go a long way in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

For any questions or queries please schedule an appointment with us over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.nandadental.com

Bad Breath

Now, this is something a lot of us are concerned about. Bad breath, also called halitosis, can result from poor oral hygiene habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You may not even be aware of your own bad breath, so if you’re concerned you may be suffering from it, talk to our team. We can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a plan to treat it.

There are many reasons for bad breath:

• What you eat affects the way your breath smells. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, can have a very strong and lasting odor.
• If you don’t brush daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath, not to mention tooth decay and gingivitis.
• Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odour. This is one of the reasons for bad breath when you wake up in the morning.
• Tobacco products cause bad breath.
• Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If this is the case, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause.


For any questions or queries please schedule an appointment with us over the phone on 011 41554777 or online on www.nandadental.com