Smile Quote!

Who can Whiten!

Despite the gleaming smile it gives you, there are a few negative side effects to the tooth whitening process, especially if you're a youth. The biggest complaint! Tooth sensitivity and irritation along the gum line, lasting anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks post-bleaching.

More than half of people who whiten their teeth complain of mild teeth sensitivity Individuals with gum recession or gingivitis are most susceptible to sensitive teeth and gums during and after the bleaching process.

While more than 30 percent of kids and teens wish they had whiter teeth, dentists recommend that anyone younger than 16 years old wait to bleach until at least later adolescence  That's because kids and teens have more than a sensitivity side effect to worry about. Other than the complications that could happen at any age such as overuse or misalignment of the bleaching strips or trays, the most common problem kids and teens may run into when whitening is their dental maturity.

First, let's talk aesthetics. Teens who have mixed teeth (a combination of some primary and some permanent teeth) may find that the color of their pearly whites becomes uneven as more permanent teeth grow into place. It can be difficult to color correct the varying shades of white between those new adult teeth and the ones previously whitened.

Another reason to wait for a full set of permanent teeth: immature enamel, cautions Dr. Cherukuri.

On average that last baby tooth doesn't fall out until about the age of 12, and even once all our permanent teeth have grown in, it takes two more years for the enamel to mature, a process called enamel calcification. During this stage of development, not only is the enamel immature, which makes the tooth more permeable, but the pulp (the nerve) of the tooth is enlarged. Permeability decreases as we age, which means bleaching products may work faster on kids and teens that it does on adults. And bleaching before our permanent teeth are fully mature could expose the pulp to more peroxide than intended and irritate the tooth pulp or cause nerve sensitivity. The verdict! Shelve the bleach until at least age 16.

When Whitening Makes Sense for Teens

Tooth bleaching under a dentist's supervision may be okay if a child or young teen's teeth have been affected by conditions such as discoloration from too much fluoride, post-traumatic injury discoloration or post-orthodontic tooth discoloration says Dr. Cherukuri, from her Chino, California practice.

SMILE

Top Teeth Staining Foods

Determined to keep those pearly whites their whitest?

You already know how important it is to brush and floss daily, to see a dentist periodically and to avoid smoking or chewing tobacco. You should also be mindful of certain foods and beverages that stain teeth.

As you might imagine, intensely colored foods and beverages tend to be the biggest offenders. If you’re worried about spilling on your white tablecloth, you can be sure it’s got the potential to stain teeth.  The more intense the color, the more potential there is for staining.

The color in these foods and beverages comes from chromogens, intensely pigmented molecules with an unfortunate penchant for latching on to dental enamel. But the presence of chromogens isn’t the only thing that determines the staining potential of foods and beverages.

Acidity is another factor. Acidic foods and beverages -- including some that are not brightly colored -- promote staining by eroding the dental enamel, temporarily softening teeth and making it easier for chromogens to latch on. And finally, a family of food compounds known as tannins promotes staining by further boosting chromogens’ ability to attach to enamel.

 

The Top Teeth-Staining Foods and Beverages

Wine

Tea

Cola

Sports drinks

Berries

Sauces

Sweets

Ironically, many of the foods and beverages that stain teeth are loaded with antioxidants, which, of course, have key health benefits.

 “Moderation and a balanced diet are key,” saysDr Cherukuri from her Chino, California dental practice.

In addition, consider taking steps to minimize the contact between your teeth and stain-promoting substances.  Using a straw, swallowing promptly and rinsing immediately after eating are effective, adds Dr. Cherukuri.

Dental Nail Art

Your Child's First Visit to the Dentist

It is generally recommended that a child be seen by a dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months after his or her first tooth comes in.

What Happens at the First Dental Visit?

The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. This visit gives your child an opportunity to meet the dentist in a non-threatening and friendly way. Some dentists may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the examination. The parent may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and your dentist.

During the exam, your dentist will check all of your child's existing teeth for decay, examine your child's bite, and look for any potential problems with the gums, jaw, and oral tissues. If indicated, the dentist or hygienist will clean any teeth and assess the need for fluoride. He or she will also educate parents about oral health care basics for children and discuss dental developmental issues and answer any questions.

Topics your dentist may discuss with you might include:

1. Good oral hygiene practices for your child's teeth and gums and cavity prevention
2. Fluoride needs
3. Oral habits (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking)
4. Developmental milestones
5. Teething
6. Proper nutrition
7. Schedule of dental checkups. Many dentists like to see children every 6 months to build up the child's comfort and confidence level in visiting the dentist, to monitor the development of the teeth, and promptly treat any developing problems.

Early dentist visits enhance oral and general health and boost confidence in children says Dr Cherukuri from her dental practice in Chino, California.

Shark teeth VS Human Teeth

 

Shark teeth are made of floride while human teeth are hydroxyapatite  Floride is a much harder material than hydroxyapatite.
Sharks have no cavities and we humans do!!  Hmm... Floride anyone!