Back in day, people were content with chewing leaves and scrubbing their teeth with twigs for dental hygiene, dismissing any other forms of oral care as vanity. No wonder, people grow old toothless!
Here are some frequently asked questions about proper dental care:
1. How can I improve the whiteness of my teeth?
There are two kinds of teeth discoloration. One discoloration is associated with eating and social habits. Adult teeth are generally on the yellowish hue compared to baby teeth. Overtime, adult teeth become yellower or darker depending on the patient’s habits. Drinking coffee and tea as well as smoking are just a few reasons. Scaling and Polishing with Vital Teeth Bleaching are recommended to bring back the whiteness of one’s teeth. Scaling and Polishing in layman’s terms is Teeth Cleaning. Calcular deposits and stains on the teeth are removed. Vital Teeth Bleaching on the other hand is the application of a bleaching solution to a tooth surface in order to achieve a whitening effect.
The other discoloration is associated with a dead tooth. It is usually associated with trauma to the face that the patient had in the previous years. The bacteria inside the dead tooth cause the discoloration. In this case, root canal therapy and internal bleaching are done to bring back the original color of the tooth. Root canal therapy is the removal of dead nerves and blood vessels through cleaning, shaping and sealing of the root canal/s. Internal bleaching on the other hand is basically bleaching from inside of the tooth.
2. How often should I get a dental check-up?
Dentists advise patients to have regular visits at a six-month interval. Other patients may be advised to have more frequent visits depending on their dental needs.
3. What are the best ways to practice good oral hygiene at home?
Plaque is a sticky substance loaded with bacteria that adheres to your teeth. The best way to clean your teeth is through mechanical disruption of plaque. This is achieved through proper brushing and flossing done three times a day. Patients who may have gingival problems may be prescribed with antimicrobial mouthwashes. These oral rinses are best used after brushing and flossing.
4. Why should I have dental X-rays?
Dental x-rays are 2-dimensional images of your teeth. These are diagnostic aids that help the dentist evaluate one’s oral health in order to come up with the proper treatment plan.
5. How do I prevent tooth decay, gingivitis and other problems?
Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits will prevent dental problems.
6. What is tooth sensitivity and why do I have it?
Tooth sensitivity is the movement of water within dentinal tubes, causing a short, sharp pain when the area is exposed to hot or cold temperatures through food and beverages or even by the air. Cavities, cracked teeth, gum recession, enamel and root erosion result in dentin exposure thereby causing tooth sensitivity.
7. What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening or Vital Teeth Bleaching is the application of a bleaching agent at the surfaces of the teeth to lighten the color of your teeth.
(By Dr. Catherine B. Baňas)
About the author
Dr. Catherine B. Baňas graduated from the University of the Philippines – College of Dentistry. Dr. Bañas had post-graduate Hospital Dentistry training at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital. For six years, Dr. Bañas worked as a Dental Hospitalist at St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City. A former Associate Dentist in Metro Manila and Sta. Rosa, Dr. Bañas had also been an On-call Dental Surgeon to several clinics across Metro Manila.
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