The Perfect Wedding Smile

Are you imagining gleaming snowy-white teeth? Everyone thinks of going to the dentist to have their teeth whitened in pursuit of the perfect wedding smile. Dental lasers, whitening strips, whitening gels, whitening toothpastes... there is no dearth of wonderful products for whitening your teeth. Whether or not you decide to whiten, there are other factors that contribute to the Perfect Wedding Smile. Here are the other essentials:

Plan in advance! Pay attention to the shape of your teeth. Are they chipped? Do they have crooked edges? Do you have several fillings of varying shades and tone? Consider dental fillings to re-shape your teeth and achieve smooth defined edges and a uniform colour. Are there gaps between your teeth? Braces can help align your teeth and give you an attractive smile. 

Eat fibrous foods and drink a lot of water. Fiber loosens debris and dislodges stains. Water cleans and hydrates, making your teeth look whiter and preventing bad breath. Before the wedding, limit your intake of coffee, tea and colas to reduce stains on your teeth.

Ask your dentist for a professional dental cleaning a week or two before the big day. Have calculus and stains removed and your teeth will look cleaner, brighter and whiter!

Frame your smile. Your lips are as much a part of your smile as your teeth. Moisturize your lips regularly; cracked or chapped lips are not attractive. Do you use lipstick? Contrast is the key. Dark lipsticks make white teeth look whiter. Yellow undertones in lipsticks make teeth look yellow. Use bright lipsticks that compliment your skin tone. And remember, a single lipstick stain on your teeth will bring the glam quotient down to zero!

The Art of Smiling. There are many people who just do not know how to smile. The most common reason I encounter in my clinic is a lack of self-confidence and a conviction that one’s teeth look ugly. A self-conscious hesitant smile is just not as appealing as a confident happy smile. You can whiten, straighten and veneer teeth but you need to showcase them properly! Look into the mirror and smile. Smile with your teeth and practice various degrees of lip parting. 




Remember, if you decide to whiten your teeth opt for a natural shade of white. A naturally white smile is one which usually is no whiter than the whites of your eyes. Avoid a “painted white” effect. 

Groom your teeth...and smile like a bride!

Bone up on Osteoporosis of the Jaw: Are your teeth at risk?

  
What is Osteoporosis?

Well, to outline the bare bones…Osteoporosis means "porous bones". It is a disorder in which the bones become brittle and fragile. Weakness of the bones leads to an increase in the chance for fractures. In severe cases, simple actions like bumping into furniture can cause a break. This loss in bone density is typically a result of hormonal changes, or loss of Calcium or Vitamin D.

 Osteoporosis and the Jawbone

Decreased bone density of the jaw and loss of its bone tissue leads to thinning of the jawbone. This weakens the support system of the teeth. Osteoporosis may cause teeth to become “loose” or mobile and may eventually lead to tooth loss, especially in older people. A study demonstrated that women with osteoporosis are approximately three times more likely to experience tooth loss than those who do not have the disease. Similarly, this can compromise placement and retention of dental bridges or implants.

Exercise!

  Effect of Treatment on the Jaw

It is unclear whether treatments for osteoporosis are of any benefit to the jawbone. Infact, biphosphonates, used in the treatment of osteoporosis, remain a bone of contention (no pun intended) with some believing they may cause osteonecrosis or “bone death” of the jawbone. To make no bones about it, prevention is the only way out!

  Prevention of Osteoporosis

The best way to prevent osteoporosis is to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Make sure your body gets its daily requirement of calcium and Vitamin D through a balanced diet.
• Keep your bones strong by exercising regularly. Weight-bearing exercises like walking, running or dancing prevent osteoporosis.
• Do not smoke!
• Regular visits to your dentist can help detect early warning signs of osteoporosis such as poorly-fitting dentures, loose teeth or severe gum disease. Research shows that detection of changes in the jawbone in dental x-rays could help your dentist diagnose osteoporosis early on.

Dental Care Tips For Travelers

You can go on vacation, but you can’t take a vacation from caring for your teeth! A sudden toothache can quickly undermine all the time and money you spent planning that perfect holiday.

Are your teeth fit to travel? Schedule an appointment with your dentist before you travel. This does not mean that you breeze into the clinic the day before you leave with complaints of chronic pain. Allow enough time to complete any necessary work. Inform your dentist about your travel plans so potential teeth problems can be addressed.

Pack your Dental Hygiene Kit! Your toothbrush should be carried in a clean case which allows air circulation. Clean the case before and after your trip. Unpack your brush once you reach your destination and place it upright to dry in a container. The same should be done on your return home. Prolonged storage in a travel case lets bacteria flourish. Floss and folding brushes are compact and can be carried everywhere. Are you packing for the wilderness? In such cases, even rinsing with water and brushing without tooth-paste will help maintain oral hygiene.

Food for thought… Eating habits are often changed during vacation. Increased snacking on sugary goodies can take their toll on your teeth. In this case, regular oral hygiene becomes even more important. Sugarless gum stimulates saliva flow, which helps to cleanse your teeth. Research suggests that drinking white tea (commonly known as Chinese tea) may help to destroy cavity-forming bacteria.

Emergency Management. Loss of a dental filling or prosthesis is one of the most common dental emergencies. A cap or bridge should be retained, because it is likely your dentist can re-attach it. Sometimes even a fractured piece of tooth can be re-bonded. In some countries, over the counter dental cements are available which can be used as a temporary fix. Dental First-Aid Kits also contain quick remedies to simple dental emergencies.

Travel Insurance I’m often asked advice on whether to buy travel dental insurance. Yes, this is always a good idea! The best insurance, however, is to have your teeth in tip-top shape before you depart :)