This week You! talks to Dr. Maham Muneeb Lone regarding dental health...
dental health
This week You! talks to Dr. Maham Muneeb Lone regarding dental health...
Dr. Maham Muneeb lone did her O’levels and A’levels from Lahore Grammar School. She then did her Bachelors of Dental Surgery (BDS) from Fatima Memorial Hospital College of Medicine in Dentistry in 2008. She then did her post-graduation training in the speciality of Operative Dentistry from Aga Khan University Hospital and cleared her fellowship exam (FCPS - Operative Dentistry) in 2016. She is currently teaching at Sindh Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi. This week You! talks to Dr. Maham Muneeb regarding dental health...
You! What are some signs to see a dentist?
Dr. Maham Muneeb: Bleeding gums, sensitivity to hot, cold or sweets and food packing are some of the early signs of dental disease. Bad breath, difficulty in chewing food, ulcers/sore spots in the mouth that aren’t going away are also signs that you should go see a dentist. Dental disease is generally painless in the beginning, so it is recommended that you see a dentist every 6 months to diagnose and treat dental problems.
You! What causes bad breath?
Dr. M. M: Also called halitosis, bad breath is mainly caused due to bacteria in the mouth. Food collected between teeth, on the tongue and around gums can rot, leaving a bad odor. Some foods (garlic/ onions) and tobacco also causes bad breath. Certain respiratory and gastric disorders can also be a cause.
You! What is tooth sensitivity and why do we have it?
Dr. M.M: When the enamel (outer layer of tooth) is worn off, by overzealous tooth brushing, consuming excessive amount of acidic foods or drinks, it exposes the inner layer of tooth (dentine). This causes the teeth to be hyper responsive to cold, hot, sweet and even air in extreme cases, resulting in tooth sensitivity.
You! Why do gums bleed?
Dr. M.M: Poor oral hygiene causes plaque and tartar to deposit on your teeth. This causes constant gum irritation which is manifested as sore, swollen, red gums that bleed when brushing (or even without it in extreme cases). Bleeding from gums may also be a sign of some underlying medical disorder or nutritional deficiency.
You! What causes cavities?
Dr. M.M: Cavities are caused by a combination of lack of oral hygiene and a diet that is high in sugar. Frequent snacking in between meals is even more detrimental. The bacteria in the mouth act on the sugars in the food and cause release of acid. This dissolves the outer layer of the tooth (enamel) and results in holes (cavities). As the acid attack continues, the inner layers of the teeth also get eroded, causes even larger and deeper cavities.
You! What are the signs of tooth decay?
Dr. M.M: The initial sign of tooth decay is just some food packing in ‘holes’ in the tooth. You also might see some ‘black’ spots on the tooth where the decay has started. This may be accompanied by sensitivity to hot or cold in only the tooth with the cavity. Persistent sensitivity to thermal stimulus or pain are signs that the decay has progressed closer to the nerve of the tooth.
You! How does one can prevent tooth decay, gingivitis and other Problems?
Dr. M. M: Maintaining a good oral hygiene and cutting down on foods that cause cavities is the cornerstone to a healthy mouth. Avoid snacking, especially junk food, in between meals. A regular visit to your dentist every 6 months to screen the oral cavity and get a scaling and polishing done can prevent most of the dental diseases.
You! How safe are dental X-rays? Are X-rays safe during pregnancy?
Dr. M.M: The radiation from a single dental x-ray is considerably less than the natural background radiation that you are exposed to every day. Recent advancement of digital films use 90% less radiation than the conventional dental x-ray films used. Dental x-rays are safe during pregnancy as these radiations are not directed towards the fetus. Lead aprons and thyroid collars can be used just to be doubly sure.
You! What is a root canal?
Dr.M.M: When the nerve of the tooth is involved either because of tooth decay, cracks or trauma (or other reasons), it causes pain and infection. To treat this, the nerves and vessels (pulp) of the tooth are removed, the space is then cleaned, filled and sealed. This helps preserve your natural tooth so you can retain its functionality.
You! What is the difference between dental implants and root canal?
Dr.M.M: While a root canal treatment saves your natural tooth by removing the infected tooth tissues and restores it back to function, an implant is an artificial tooth made of titanium that is placed after your natural tooth is removed (extracted). Placement of an implant is a surgical procedure and is more costly than a root canal treatment.
You! What are the best ways to practice good oral hygiene at home?
Dr.M.M: Practicing good oral hygiene doesn’t take much time. All it takes is making a routine and keeping up to it. Brush, with fluoride toothpaste, twice a day, for two minutes, after breakfast and the last thing before going to bed. Floss your teeth each time before you brush.
You! Which is better, a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush?
Dr.M.M: You should brush your teeth twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste, for two minutes, after breakfast and the last thing before going to bed at night. Manual tooth brushes are as good as the electric ones as long as you brush properly. Electric toothbrushes however, are a good alternate for patients who have arthritis or other manual dexterity problems that makes brushing difficult for them.
You! There are so many toothpastes to choose from; how do we know which one to use?
Dr. M.M: Yes, we’re spoilt for choice when we go to the supermarket to buy a toothpaste. Just remember that whichever tooth paste you use at a regular basis, should have fluoride as a constituent. Some toothpastes have other medicinal ingredients; like the ones advocated for patients who have sensitive teeth or bleeding gums. All toothpastes with medicinal effects should only be used with the dentist’s prescription after the root cause/ disease has been taken care of by your dentist.
You! What is the best way to get one’s teeth whiter?
Dr. M.M: Bleaching teeth is the best way to get the teeth whiter. This can be done in the dentist’s office or at home by trays that the dentist gets made for you. Keep in mind that whitening procedures increase tooth sensitivity, and they are not life long- the teeth gradually revert back to the original shade. Whitening toothpastes only slightly change the shade and remove the stains on the outer most layer of the teeth.
You! Should we use mouthwash regularly?
Dr. M.M: Mouthwash are not to be used regularly as they kill the normal flora of oral cavity as well as the disease causing flora, causing imbalance in the oral environment. Some mouthwash also cause tooth staining if used in a continuous regimen. Alcohol in mouthwash can also cause dryness of the oral mucosa. That said, mouthwash is an effective adjunct with other oral hygiene measures but should be used after you’ve consulted with your dentist, and only for the prescribed time period.
