My Top 10 New Year Resolutions for a having a healthy Teeth in 2016

1. Brush twice daily for at least 2 mins.
2. Use a fluoride containing toothpaste.
3. Floss regularly.
4. Change my toothbrush every three months.
5. Eat less of sweets and chocolates. I will eat more fruits instead.
6. Say no to toothpicks.
7. Never open bottle tops with my teeth.
8. Relax on my bone chewing habit.
9. Go for professional cleaning every six months.
10. Visit my dentist every six months.

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Caution! Avoid opening bottle tops with your Teeth

I often cringe at the sight of anyone trying to open bottle tops with their teeth because I imagine the tooth giving way instantly. Though the teeth is very hard, it sometimes fractures when subjected to force in appropriately applied to it. When a bottle opener can not be readily found, some resort to using their teeth.

Opening bottle tops with your teeth is a bad habit that should not be encouraged as it could lead to tooth fracture with subsequent tooth loss which will cost you some money to restore.

5 Reasons you should never open Bottle tops with your teeth

1. Opening bottle tops is not part of the functions of the teeth.
2. Your tooth could chip off and become sensitive.
3. A weak part of the bottle(glass) may break off causing injury to your lip/cheek.
4. The tooth might break off requiring you to do a treatment on the tooth before placing a crown.
5. You could lose the tooth if broken beyond repair.

When next you are tempted to show off your bottle opening skills remember it's not worth it; get an opener.

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5 Reasons you need Professional Cleaning/Scaling and Polishing

Professional cleaning of the teeth otherwise known as Scaling and Polishing involves the removal of dirts that have accumulated on the teeth overtime. The accumulation may be in form of brown stains or yellowish/greenish colored tartar(calculus). The following are the reasons why you need to have your teeth cleaned professionally:

1. Regular Toothbrushing does not guarantee having a mouth free of tartar. Plaque and tartar build up in areas not easily accessible for cleaning. 
2. Prevents bad breath.
3. Removes unsightly stains caused by tobacco, tea, coffee, chlorhexidine mouthwash etc
4. Prevents gum diseases: if tartar is left to accumulate on the teeth, it irritates the gums causing gum disease. 
5. Professional cleaning improves the overall appearance of the teeth. 

Scaling and Polishing is not a painful procedure. Dentists make use of special instruments which take off these hardened particles with ease. After the removal of dirts, the teeth is polished to give a fresh breath and a clean feel. Though the gums may bleed during the cleaning, the procedure itself is not painful(bleeding is noticed in unhealthy gums).

It is recommended you have Professional cleaning twice a year(at 6 months interval).

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Tips for relieving your baby's Teething symptoms

Doing the following will help calm your baby's teething symptoms.

1. Place your clean finger in your baby's mouth and gently rub the gums. This produces a soothing relief. 
2. Placing a clean wet cloth in the mouth may also be of help. 
3. If your baby wants to chew, soft healthy unsweetened biscuits can be given. Once your baby sleeps off, remember to remove any left over from his/her mouth.  
4. Cold yoghurt might help soothe the gums too.
5. A cool teething ring: this can be soothing to your child's sore gums. Put the teething ring in a clean bowl and place in the refrigerator(not freezer) to make it cool. If kept in the freezer, it might get frozen and injure your baby's gums. If your baby doesn't want to chew anything cold, chewing a teething ring will still be of help.
6. Over the counter pain relieving medications such as paracetamol can be given to relieve pain. (Never give aspirin to your child). 
7. There are topical teething gels over the counter. However, do not use any without prescription as some contain 'benzocaine' which shouldn't be used without guidance as swallowing them are not healthy for your baby. 
8. You could also give your child a warm shower to help calm his/her nerves. 

See also: Misconceptions about Teething

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Misconceptions about Teething

Your child is said to be teething when he/she is bringing out his first set of teeth. This takes place about the age of 6months.

Some of the teething symptoms include drooling saliva, being irritable and loss of appetite. A teething child may have a slight increase in temperature. You might also notice your child biting or pulling at objects.

If your child is running a high fever or has diarrhea, it is important you consult your physician as soon as possible as these are not teething symptoms.

At 6 months, the baby in addition to teething also starts to develop his/her own immunity having survived on the mothers immunity for the first six months. This is also the stage when the baby begins to crawl and explore. A child that has fever and is running a stool might have an infection which might have resulted from the child putting dirty hands into the mouth during crawling.

To prevent this, always keep your child's toys, feeding bottles, bowls and spoons clean. Also keep the area where your child crawls clean.

See also: Tips for Relieving your Baby's Teething Symptoms

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What age should my Child visit the Dentist

Some parents ignore their children's dental health because they feel they will lose their baby teeth anyway. This is a wrong belief as the baby teeth play an important role in feeding which ensures the child has the required nutrients to help him/her grow and stay healthy. The baby teeth is also vital for the alignment of the permanent teeth. 

It is recommended that your child visits the dentist by his or her first birthday(1 year old). This is about 6 months after the first tooth comes out.

Your child's first dental visit is to get him or her familiar with the dental clinic. Children who are familiar with the dental clinic are often cooperative and express less fear when being treated at a much later stage.

Benefits

• Parents can learn how to better care for their child's teeth such as learning how to brush and the type and amount of toothpaste to use.
• Healthy eating habits can be encouraged such as allowing the child get used to taking fruits instead of sweets.
• Unhealthy habits can be discouraged: habits such as leaving feeding bottles/sweets in the baby's mouth while sleeping could result in tooth decay(baby bottle decay).

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Merry Christmas

Flexidentist wishes all her readers a Cavity free Christmas.

Remember watch those sweets, brush your teeth, use the dental floss and have fun. 

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Stay healthy, stay Cavity free this holiday

Christmas season is a conducive time for holes to develop. It's a season where we have so many sweet things at our disposal. From the hampers full of chocolates and sweets to the sweet drinks, Ice cream and cakes we stock the house with.

Children are mostly affected because the holiday excitment increases their appetite for sweets coupled with the fact that there is little supervision as the parents are busy attending to guests.

Tips for staying cavity free

• Don't take sweets throughout the day: The longer you have sweet things in your mouth, the 'happier' the bacteria causing holes are. This is because the conditions are right for them to start causing holes. You could give a time frame for finishing all sweet things say between 30mins to 1 hour after which, you'll brush your teeth.
• Eat healthy meals and avoid skipping meals: the holiday excitement may make you skip meals. However, if you are full, you'll crave sweet things less. 
• Watch out for sticky sweets and chocolates, they stay on the teeth for longer time.
• Brush before going to bed: after visiting and entertaining guests, you might be so tired that you are tempted to skip brushing and just go to bed. 
• Floss regularly to remove food residue in between the teeth. People who brush regularly but do not floss may still develop holes between the teeth. This is because the toothbrush is not designed to clean in between. 

Happy holidays! Stay healthy, stay cavity free. 

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What Tongue Scrapers do

Tongue scrapers/tongue cleaners are tools which help get rid of bacteria, food debris and dead cells from the tongue. The presence of these debris may cause bad breath. Toothbrushes can be used to clean the tongue but tongue scrappers are more effective. Those who have coated tongues will benefit from its use.

Benefits
Prevents mouth odour
In addition to preventing bad breath, tongue scrapers allow better tasting of food, this is because the taste buds are free of any debris.

How to use
Tongue scrapers come in various shapes and sizes. Care has to be taken not to scrape too hard. In some people, touching sensitive areas on the tongue may initiate retching/vomiting(Gag reflex).

Stick out your tongue and put the tongue scrapper as far back as you can tolerate, then apply gentle strokes from the back forward to remove the debris. Rinse the tongue scraper under running water to clean out debris during and after use. Also rinse your mouth with water. You can use the tongue scraper before brushing or after brushing depending on what works best for you.

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Relieving Mouth Sores in Children

If your child is irritable, has fever and refuses to eat, you might need to check the mouth for the presence of sores. Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis is a viral infection of the mouth which is characterized by mouth sores, fever and irritability. Many parents have wrongly attributed their child's refusal to eat and irritability to 'teething'.

Symptoms include: 

• Fever
• Refusal to eat because of pain
• They may be irritable
• Drooling saliva
• Painful sores on the gum, tongue, roof of the mouth and inside the cheek. The infected sores may bleed. 

Mode of transmission
The virus may be contacted through Infected parents kissing their babies, sharing contaminated toys, spoons, feeding bottles or thumb sucking.

Secondary presentation
After the sores heal, the virus that caused the infection stays in the body without causing harm until the individual's immunity is low. The low immunity encourages the virus to be active and cause sores. The secondary presentation is known as cold sores/fever blisters.

Treatment

• The condition is self limiting(heals spontaneously within 7 to 14 days) so treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms. 
• Rinse with warm water and salt.
• Encourage child to drink fluids to prevent dehydration. 
• Try soft diets such as mashed potato and cereal. 
• Ensure good oral hygiene care: brush gently. Poor oral hygiene may worsen condition.
• Pain relieving medication to ease pain from sores.
• Visit your physician if you notice high fevers or no sign of healing.

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Benefits of using Mouthwash

Mouthwashes/mouthrinses are liquids that reduce the action of bacteria in the mouth. They do not replace regular oral hygiene practices(Toothbrushing, tongue cleaning and flossing), rather, they compliment it. The American Dental Association says that brushing and flossing is enough in most cases. 

Mouthwashes are usually available without a prescription(over the counter). Alcohol free mouthwashes are recommended for people who have a history of alcohol abuse or who have gum irritation. 

Benefits

1. Helps freshen breath: those with mouth odour will benefit from using mouthwash.
2. It slows down the formation of plaque(the whitish substance which forms on the teeth).
3. Prevents gum disease.
4. Helps prevent cavities/tooth decay. 
5. Slows down the formation of calculus/tartar(hardened plaque)

Uses

• In the dental clinic before dental procedures to reduce the bacterial load in the mouth.
• At home: check with your dentist to see if you will benefit from the use of mouthwash.

For effective results, use the prescribed amount and keep the mouthwash in your mouth for at least 30sec, moving it around to make sure it comes in contact with every surface of your teeth before spitting out.

Mouthwash use in children
The use of mouthwash is not recommended for children below the age of 6 years because of the risk of swallowing. Mouthwash contains fluoride which if taken in excess may lead to a dental condition known as fluorosis(whitish stains on the teeth).

Side effects

• Irritation: Stop the use of mouthwash and visit your dentist immediately you notice any irritation to your gums.
• Teeth staining: long term use of mouthwash which contains chlorhexidine stains the teeth. 

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Warm water and Salt Rinse Benefits

Warm water and Salt mouth rinse is a simple yet effective relief for many dental conditions. Many under-rate it's effectiveness and miss out on the benefits. Salt is an antibacterial agent that helps prevent bacteria from multiplying, it also eliminates swelling. The warm water encourages the flow of blood to the area of injury/infection which aids healing.

Conditions you can use Warm water and salt mouth rinse for:

1. After a tooth is removed or after surgery: your dentist will recommend a salt and warm water rinse 24hours after the procedure(at 2-3 hours interval).This is to aid rapid healing of the site of the surgery. Salt water has the same concentration as body cells and blood and does not irritate the tissues.
2. Gum swelling: warm water and salt rinse, helps eliminate swelling of the gums.
3. Wounds/sores: either bite wounds or ulcers.
4. Toothache.
5. Dental injuries sustained during accidents.
6. Sore throat.

How to make the Mouth rinse
Add a leveled teaspoon of salt in a glass cup of warm water(not hot) and stir. Many think the hotter the water is the better, this is not true; the hot water will burn your gums and cause more harm. When rinsing with warm water and salt, make sure you tilt your head towards the area affected to allow the warm water and salt flow adequately.

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Artificial Gap tooth: What’s the big deal?

A ‘gap tooth’ is the name given to the space between two teeth. It is also known as diastema. A ‘gap tooth’ occurring between the upper front teeth gives a unique look which many crave for.

 

Africans associate ‘gap tooth’ with beauty and it is mostly appreciated in women. Some who do not have it envy those who do and in their quest to have the ‘gap tooth’, many end up at quacks who agree to create it for them artificially. These quacks file the teeth to create the gap tooth. Some are lucky to have their teeth filed minimally while the not so lucky ones have their teeth filed extensively and permanently damaged.

Implications of creating an artificial gap tooth:

In rare cases, the ‘gap tooth’ can look natural but the following are the negative effects of creating one artificially:

• Poor aesthetics: the filing of the teeth changes its normal shape and size thereby giving it an unsightly look.
• Sensitivity: this is felt when hot or cold drinks are taken; it results from the filing/removal of the enamel(the outer layer of the tooth).
• Pulp necrosis(death of the tooth) with the tooth changing its colour due to mechanical/thermal injury to the tooth during the artificial ‘gap tooth’ creation.
• Periapical abscess as a result of 'death of the tooth' is seen as occasional swelling of the gum with or without pus discharge. If not treated, this could result in tooth mobility with eventual tooth loss.

To restore the shape and size of a tooth destroyed from creation of artificial gap tooth, a tooth colored filling material can be placed. A crown can also be placed. A root canal treatment might be needed for more complex cases of dentinal exposure.

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Problems associated with the Wisdom tooth

The wisdom tooth also known as the third molar usually comes into the mouth between the ages of 17 and 25 years. It is the 8th and last tooth on each quadrant(the average adult has a complete set of teeth which is 32 in number. The 32 teeth can be divided into 4 quadrants: the upper right, upper left, lower left and the lower right quadrant). 

When there is inadequate space for the wisdom tooth to come into, it often gets stuck(impacted). It does not fully come into position due to an obstruction in its path. This is commoner with the lower wisdom tooth.

Effects of having an impacted(stuck)lower wisdom tooth:
- Mouth Odour: This is because food particles get stuck between the wisdom tooth and the second molar which gives an offensive odor. Many people find this disturbing as they have to pick this area regularly to remove food particles.

- Tooth decay: the end result of having food particles packing between the wisdom tooth and the adjacent molar is tooth decay. This happens because it is often difficult to clean the area effectively. Your dentist will often advice you to have the impacted wisdom tooth removed so as to prevent the second molar from having a hole.

- Pain and swelling of the gum surrounding the tooth(pericoronitis ): This is the most common reason people with stuck wisdom tooth seek dental help. It could be so painful that it results into pain and difficulty in opening the mouth with or without fever. This is because the gum covering the tooth gets infected from particles trapping beneath it.

Treatment
Visit your dentist as soon as symptoms begin. 

Antibiotics and pain relieving drugs are prescribed to stop infection and relieve pain.
Extraction of the impacted wisdom tooth

When the lower wisdom tooth is taken out, the upper wisdom tooth is taken out as well to prevent the upper tooth from biting on the gum.

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7 Tips for effective Toothbrushing

1. Use 'medium' textured toothbrush.
2. Use a fluoride containing toothpaste.
3. Brush all surfaces of your teeth. Many people tend to concentrate only on the outer surfaces of the teeth(the part that shows when they smile or talk) ignoring the inner surfaces(where the tongue rests) and chewing surfaces. Don't forget to brush your tongue.
4. When brushing, concentrate on the particular area and apply repeated strokes say two or three strokes before moving on to the next area.
5. Brush for at least 2 mins. Dentists recommend 2 mins as the appropriate brushing time as any time less than that means brushing hasn't been thorough. 
6. For effective result, brush twice daily.
7. Change your toothbrush every 3 months.

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Help! Another tooth is growing behind my Child's Baby tooth

The sight of another tooth growing behind the baby tooth can be quite alarming for most parents. This funny look is known as 'shark teeth'. First time parents who do not know that their child's baby teeth will fall off and be replaced by permanent ones are usually more alarmed.

When a child is about the age of 6 years, the baby teeth become loose and are replaced by permanent ones; this is known as the 'mixed dentition' stage. The lower front teeth are the first to become loose and eventually fall off. This happens because the permanent teeth puts pressure on the baby teeth making it loose till it falls off. In some cases, the baby teeth do not fall off, rather, the permanent ones grow behind it giving the child a funny look. This should not be a cause for alarm because as soon as the baby tooth gets out of the way, the tongue will push the permanent tooth forward into its rightful place.

What to do

• If the baby tooth is loose, observe it for a few weeks to see if it falls out on its own as the tooth can be knocked out by your child when chewing.
• If the baby tooth is firm, it means it will probably not fall out on its own. Therefore, your child will need to visit the dentist who will help take the baby tooth out so the permanent one can grow properly. 

Effect of the baby tooth not falling out: 

This could result in your child not having properly arranged teeth and needing braces later on which will cost you the parent more money.

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Tips for Getting relief from Toothache

Having toothache during the day is no big deal as you can easily stop by at the dentists office to get relief. However if you develop toothache during the night/weekends when the office is closed, you will need the following tips to give you relief:

1. Warm water and salt rinse: get a small cup of warm water(not hot because hot water will trigger pain) add a leveled tea spoon of salt and stir. Then rinse your mouth with it making sure the warm solution gets to the painful tooth. You could tilt your head sideways to achieve that. The warm water gives soothing relief while the salt is antibacterial. For fast relief, you will need to rinse frequently.
2. Do not chew with the side of the mouth that is painful as chewing could trigger pain
3. Avoid hot or cold drinks as they may initiate pain.
4. Avoid sweet drinks or food.
5. You could take pain relieving drugs sold over the counter. Pills that work for pain in other parts of the body will work for toothache too. The drug should be swallowed and NOT placed on the tooth/gum because it could burn the gum/cheek causing more damage. 
6. Oil of clove: studies have shown that this essential oil has antibacterial and analgesic(pain relieving) properties. To use, Put 2 to 3 drops in a bowl and add little olive oil. Then Place a few drops of the mixture on cotton wool and apply on the painful tooth. 

Please note that the tips mentioned above are to give you temporary relief, visit your dentist as soon as possible to have him/her check out the cause of the pain and give you a permanent solution.

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Tongue Tie

Tongue tie/Ankyloglossia is a condition in which the tongue experiences restrictions in movement; it is a birth anomaly. A person with tongue tie has a short lingual frenum/frenulum(the string of tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth) which restricts tongue movements, they usually can't stick out their tongue.

A tongue tie can be anterior or posterior. The posterior tie is usually hidden and requires someone with experience to find unlike the anterior tie which is seen easily.

Tongue tie is commonly diagnosed in babies who experience difficulty in breast feeding; because their tongue can't latch onto the mother's breast, they find it difficult to suck. Tongue tie could be mild, moderate or severe. When it is mild, it may go unnoticed.

Some effects of Tongue tie include:

• Difficulty in feeding: this can be seen in babies with tongue tie during breast feeding or in those who can't form a good seal on the teat of their feeding bottle. Older children may have difficulty with licking ice cream and eating as the tongue plays an important role in moving food around the mouth for chewing and swallowing.
• Speech problems: people with Tongue tie find it difficult to pronounce some sounds thereby making them sound differently. Some of these people have low self esteem as a result of the way they sound. 
• Poor Oral hygiene: the tongue plays an important role in removing food particles from the teeth. Those with tongue tie are not able to sweep their teeth with their tongue and this increases the risk of developing tooth decay.

Treatment

Mild cases usually do not need treatment. Tongue ties can be treated by relieving the attachment(frenulotomy) to help improve feeding and speech.
Speech therapy might be needed after treatment in children and adults to correct speech defects.

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Choosing your toothbrush

Buying a good toothbrush can sometimes be a huge task as there are numerous brands to choose from.

The following tips will help you get a good toothbrush that will clean effectively and cause no harm to your gums or teeth.

• Get a well known Brand: It is advisable to go for brands that are well known. There are some brands that are not so common yet cheap and of low quality which damage the gums and teeth and do not clean effectively.
• Check to make sure it is of medium Texture: the toothbrush is classified based on the texture of the bristles; the soft, medium and hard textures. When buying your toothbrush, look out for the word 'medium' written on the pack. This ensures you are buying a medium textured toothbrush.

Children's toothbrushes are generally soft bristles while adults use medium texture for effective cleaning.

The hard toothbrush also known as ‘Smokers brush’ is used by smokers to remove tobacco stains on the teeth. The regular use of hard bristled toothbrushes will lead to the wearing down of the gum with eventual wearing down of the teeth- 'Cervical abrasion'.

Dentists advise you to change your toothbrush after three months. This is because the bristles of the brush flare out thereby making it less effective for cleaning the teeth. The soft textured toothbrushes tend to have their bristles bend easily compared to the medium texture. The hard texture toothbrush will not flare easily though it is harsh on the gums and teeth.

If you apply much force when brushing, your toothbrush bristles may flare out earlier than three months. In this case, you will need to change your toothbrush earlier than three months.


See also: How to know the best Toothpaste to use

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Ideal Toothpaste for children less than 6 years

Children love the taste of toothpaste and will not hesitate to lick and swallow large portions if within their reach. Sometimes these children lick the paste on their brush and come back asking for more. When children swallow large amounts of toothpaste, they might come down with a dental condition known as Dental fluorosis/enamel mottling. This is not a disease, rather is the appearance of whitish patches on the teeth which happens as a result of swallowing excess fluoride.

Fluoride is a constituent of toothpaste that helps prevent tooth decay. However, if children consume a large portion during the tooth formation process, it results in dental fluorosis.

Children are advised not to use adult toothpaste if they can't spit out yet. Toothpaste manufacturers have been able to reduce the amount of fluoride in children's toothpaste thereby reducing the incidence of fluorosis. Using Children's toothpaste has the following advantages:

• It comes in appealing flavours which makes brushing fun.
• It contains lesser amount of fluoride. While providing fluoride to prevent tooth decay, it also reduces the occurrence of dental fluorosis. 

The American Dental Association's new recommendation for the use of toothpaste states that Children under 3 years should brush with a smear of fluoride containing toothpaste(size of a grain of rice) while children three years and above should brush with a pea-sized amount(size of a grain of groundnut) twice daily. 

Your children will benefit from supervision during brushing to prevent them from swallowing too much and also making sure they brush their teeth.


See also: How to know the best a Toothpaste to use

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How to know the Best Toothpaste to use

Toothpastes are accessories for cleaning the teeth. They come in gels/pastes and are put on toothbrushes to clean the teeth. Toothpastes help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. There are different types of toothpastes and consumers often want the best available option.

Major content of Toothpastes include:

• Water
• Fluoride: helps in preventing holes/cavities. It helps strengthen the outer layer of the tooth(enamel). In most toothpastes, it is found in the form of sodium fluoride. Any toothpaste that doesn't contain fluoride is not approved by the FDI and the Nigerian Dental Association. A good toothpaste should contain fluoride. Dentists recommend you to brush with a fluoride containing toothpaste.
• Detergents: this confers on the toothpaste its foaming ability enabling uniform distribution of the toothpaste while brushing.
• Abrasives: remove stains and food debris.
• Flavours such as mint gives the toothpaste a pleasant taste. 
• Others are humectants which helps prevent water loss and thickening agents.

When it comes to the choice of toothpaste, we all have different preferences. What tastes nice to me might be irritating to the other person. The best toothpaste therefore is your favorite toothpaste provided it contains fluoride. If it doesn't, please look for one that contains fluoride.

See also: Ideal Toothpaste for Children less than 6 years

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How to prevent or stop Bad breath/Mouth Odour

People who have persistent mouth odour are often shy to talk about it. If you have bad breath, don't feel bad; rather, seek help from your dentist as a single visit could be all you need to stop the psychological trauma.

Since we know the causes(previous post), how then can one Prevent Mouth Odour?

• Adopt good oral hygiene practices such as brushing the teeth and tongue at least twice daily. You could either use your toothbrush or a tongue scrapper to clean the tongue.
• Change your tooth brush every 3 months or when the bristles are flared.
• Floss regularly at least once a day. This will help remove food particles and plaque in between the teeth. Food particles such as meat, fish, chicken or turkey when stuck between the teeth gives off an unpleasant odour if left in place.
• Chewing sugarless gum to increase the flow of saliva can help a great deal as saliva acts as a cleansing agent.
• Drink water regularly.
• The use of Mouth Sprays can also be of help. They can be used to freshen breath before board meetings/meetings with clients to boost ones confidence.

Having regular dental check-up saves one unnecessary embarrassment. The following are some professional dental interventions for bad breath:

• Professional cleaning(scaling & polishing) is done to remove plaque and calculus.
• Filling of Holes/cavities.
• Treatment of gum diseases. 
• Correction and arrangement of crowded teeth by an orthodontist(a specialist) to allow easy access for cleaning.
• Extraction of impacted wisdom tooth.
• Treatment of dental infections.

If the cause of your bad breath is respiratory, you will need to visit your physician.


See also: Causes of Bad breath/Mouth odour

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Causes of Bad Breath/Mouth Odour

We all experience bad breath at one point or the other. When a person wakes up after long hours of sleep, there is usually an accompanying odour on opening his mouth. This happens because the mouth has been shut for long and we produce less saliva while sleeping.

The following are the causes of bad breath:

1. Food such as garlic and onions: when you eat onion or garlic, it gets absorbed into the blood stream and transferred to the lungs. When you breathe, the odour comes out from the lungs and can sometimes linger in the breath for days. Those who eat 'Suya' garnished with onions can relate with this.
2. Respiratory infections such as common cold, tonsillitis, sinusitis, lung abscess etc cause bad breath.
3. Poor oral hygiene practices: not brushing your teeth and tongue regularly will surely give you bad breath. 
4. Some dental conditions such as:

• Tooth decay: food particles often accumulate in teeth with holes thereby giving a bad odour.
• Chronic gum diseases: people who use tooth picks indiscriminately (the wooden ones commonly sold) are prone to having gum diseases. They have spaces/pockets between the teeth which allows food particles pack there leading to bad breath.
• Dry mouth (xerostomia): this is seen in people who breathe through the mouth. It can also be a side effect of some medications.
• Overlapping teeth: it is usually tasking to clean teeth tightly packed together. Sometimes, plaque and food particles lodge around the teeth resulting in bad breath.
• Impacted wisdom tooth: food particles get trapped in the gum flap surrounding the impacted wisdom tooth/between the wisdom tooth and the tooth in front. It is often difficult to clean this area thereby giving rise to mouth odour.
• Dental infections: pus discharge from dental infections also cause mouth odour.

See also: How to Prevent Bad Breath/Mouth odour

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Regular use of Toothpicks can damage your gums and teeth

Toothpicks are found in nearly every home, restaurant and event. They are rounded wooden sticks with sharp tips; the frequent use of which is damaging to the health of the gums and teeth.

The average Nigerian loves eating meat so he has toothpicks handy. The urge to use toothpicks arise when there are strands of meat stuck between the teeth which can be very annoying until gotten rid of. Regular use causes widening of the space between the teeth and allows more food particles pack between the teeth causing further irritation and damage. This happens because the toothpick is wider than the space it occupies i.e. the inter-dental space(space between the teeth). 

Aside from the widening of the inter-dental space, the toothpick could also break while in use and may get stuck between the teeth causing pain and discomfort.

People who have gum irritation usually have a strong urge to poke the area continuously which they enjoy. They also find themselves sucking between the teeth; a habit which is harmful to the health of their teeth.

The key to preventing this is stopping the use of toothpicks and imbibing the healthy habit of flossing. Dentists recommend using dental floss at least once daily to get rid of food particles stuck between the teeth. The dental floss is a thread-like material which slips in and out of the spaces between the teeth with ease.

It is designed to go between the teeth without causing damage to the surrounding tissues; it also gets food particles out completely and faster than the toothpicks.

Visit your dentist if you notice food packing between your teeth regularly as this may be an indication your tooth has a pocket or a hole(Tooth decay).

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Stop your Child's Thumb Sucking/Tongue Thrusting Habit before it is late

I was at a Christmas concert yesterday enjoying the songs rendered by the choir when suddenly my attention was drawn to two little girls sitting a few rows away. I guess they were sisters. The older one who was about 6 years old was sleeping and thrusting her tongue while the younger one who was about 3 years old was sucking her thumb and playing with her belly button. I wished I could do something to make them stop. Maybe a chat with their mum to educate her on the effect this habit could have on her daughters appearance would have helped but I didn't have that opportunity.

Children engage in a number of habits while growing up; the most common of which is thumb sucking.
Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting are seemingly harmless habits that babies and young children engage in to get some form of emotional succour. These habits are picked up at very early stages of life and are sometimes difficult to get rid of. Parents who encourage the habits often do so to escape giving the babies constant attention as the habits tend to keep them busy and calm.

As the children grow up, some stop the habit while others continue. Children who do not stop sucking their thumb or thrusting their tongue before their permanent teeth comes out (i.e before 5/6 years) usually have issues with the way their teeth are arranged.

Some of the end results of the Habits include:

• AOB- Anterior Open Bite: This is a case in which both upper and lower front teeth do not come together when the teeth are closed. 

Any habit that causes the finger or tongue to stay between the upper and lower teeth for long periods often serve as a hindrance to the normal occlusion (the way the upper teeth and lower teeth should touch when the teeth are closed).

• Protrusion of the upper front teeth: Prolonged thumb sucking or tongue thrusting habit puts pressure on the upper teeth causing it to stick out of proportion.

Treatment:
All these conditions can be treated by an orthodontist; a dentist who sees to the proper arrangement of the teeth.

Prevention
Encouraging the child to stop the habit before the permanent teeth erupts will help prevent the occurrence of these conditions. Stopping the habit can be a big challenge as most times the habits are done subconsciously.

The parent can set a goal for the child and reward him each time he does well. It could be as simple as getting a gift for not sucking for a whole day. The idea is to celebrate little victories so he can strive to do more. Sometimes it could require putting something bitter or a tape on the finger as a reminder not to suck.
When the child cannot stop the habit on his own, he will need the dentist to give him an habit breaker which restricts him from engaging in his thumb sucking or tongue thrusting habit.

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Why Chewing Bone is bad for your Teeth

Bone chewing is a very common practice here in Nigeria. In fact, it is widely believed that one needs to chew bone to get calcium for strong bones and teeth. This is not true as there are richer sources of calcium which includes dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt. Dark leafy vegetables are also rich sources of calcium.

The human tooth is known to be the hardest structure in the human body and it plays an important role in chewing food for easy swallowing and digestion. Although the human tooth is very strong, it could fracture if made to do more than its capacity.

When one is chewing food and accidentally bites on a piece of bone, the tooth undergoes a form of injury which could range from mild, moderate to severe. In very severe cases, the tooth splits into 2 instantly exposing the pulp; in other cases, it has a thin fracture which is not readily visible but is often very painful.

Cow leg(bokoto), Goat pepper soup(isi ewu), turkey, chicken etc are common culprits and one needs to exercise some caution while enjoying these delicacies. People who chew bone often boast about how strong their teeth are until they experience a tooth fracture. Sometimes the fracture is minimal and can be restored back to function.

The following are Risk factors for fracture:

• Age- as one gets older, the teeth wears down and is prone to fracture when excessive force is applied.
• Tooth decay- people with holes on their teeth are also predisposed to fracture as the hole on the tooth weakens the tooth structure thereby making it brittle.
• Dental restorations- People who have had a form of dental filling or the other are prone to having a tooth fracture; the force applied during bone chewing separates the tooth from the filling leading to fracture.

Treatment:
It is important you visit your dentist as soon as possible because early presentation increases the chances of saving the tooth. The treatment depends on the severity of fracture and may include: Fillings, Crown placements, Root canal treatment or Extraction.

How to Prevent tooth fracture
Wash your meat thoroughly and rid them of any loose bone which could cause fracture. This mostly applies to those who buy frozen chicken or turkey from vendors who cut with machete. This is because the vendor hacks on the meat repeatedly breaking the bone into tiny pieces; these tiny pieces if not removed totally could be dislodged in stew which then causes accidental biting with eventual tooth fracture.

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Using Hard Toothbrushes can damage your Teeth.

Do you know that using hard toothbrushes or brushing very hard wears off your teeth?

Hard toothbrushes are used for various reasons. Some use it because it is cheap and easily available while some others prefer it because they feel the harder their brush is, the better it cleans.

The hazard of using hard toothbrushes far outweigh the benefits. Their frequent use leads to the gradual wearing down of the gum and eventually the tooth which then results in tooth sensitivity.
Usually, the affected tooth looks longer than normal.

For brushing, Dentists recommend the use of medium textured toothbrush for adults and soft bristles for children. Hard toothbrushes are essentially for smokers who use them to prevent the unsightly stains of tobacco; if used regularly, it could lead to tooth wear.

The specific type of tooth wear hard toothbrushes cause is known as cervical abrasion. This occurs at the neck of the tooth as a result of excessive force applied during tooth brushing. When one rubs two hard surfaces together, there is friction. Friction between the teeth- a hard substance and the hard toothbrush leads to tooth wear. The effect of this is teeth sensitivity which is observed when in an air conditioned room or when taking acidic fruits or hot/cold drinks.

It is not how hard you brush that makes your mouth clean, rather, it is how well you brush. Dentists often recommend you to spend at least 2 mins while brushing. Many often fall short of the 2mins because they rush while brushing so they won't be late for work or school.

Treating a damaged tooth depends on the severity.

• Stop the use of hard toothbrush. The use of a good quality medium texture toothbrush will do justice to the cleaning of your teeth. 
• You could use a de-sensitizing tooth paste for mild to moderate cases of sensitivity.
• For moderate to severe cases, your dentist will need to cover them with restorations usually composite resin. 
• A root canal may be required for very severe cases in order to save the tooth.

Visit your dentist regularly as most cases of toothwear due to the use of hard toothbrushes are discovered during routine dental checkup.

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Why you have bleeding gums

Do your gums bleed or do you know someone whose gums bleed? Don't panic, its a common occurence. Bleeding gums are indicators that the gums are unhealthy. It could be quite alarming to notice blood in your saliva when brushing. Healthy gums do not bleed spontanously however, people with unhealthy gums may notice bleeding without any provocation. The gums bleed when they are inflammed(swollen, sometimes painful).

The following are causes of bleeding gums:

1. Poor Oral Hygiene: the presence of plaque(the whitish slough on the teeth) and calculus/tar tar(hardened plaque) irritates the gums and causes it to bleed. 
2. Foreign bodies: sometimes, we have things stuck in the gums which can cause pain and bleeding gums.These foreign bodies include fish/chicken/turkey bone, fragments of tooth pick, strands of bristle from tooth brush or popcorn fragments.
3. Pregnancy: Hormonal changes in pregnancy sometimes causes the gums to swell and bleed.

Treatment:
The treatment for bleeding gums is 'scaling and polishing' (the professional cleaning) done by a dentist or hygienist. The professional cleaning gets rid of the gum irritants, the plaque and calculus.
In cases where the bleeding gum is due to the lodgment of foreign bodies, the pain and bleeding resolves after foreign bodies are removed. It is always better to have your dentist check this out as attempts to force out these particles could lead to further damage.

Rinsing the mouth with warm saline (water and salt) after scaling and polishing will help the gums recover. Taking fruits rich in vitamin C is also good for healthy gums.

Prevention
Brushing the teeth at least twice daily and having regular dental visits will help prevent bleeding gums.

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How Tetracycline Causes Permanent Teeth Stains

Tetracycline, an antibiotic which can be easily identified by its colour, red and yellow is used for treating a variety of infections. However, it has been implicated in the permanent staining of the teeth. When Tetracycline is taken by a pregnant woman or given to a child below the age of 8 years, it can cause the grayish to yellowish staining of the child’s teeth. This stain could range from mild, moderate to severe but is usually permanent.

The teeth discolouration often affects the individual’s psychological and social well-being as people who have tetracycline stains are often withdrawn and have a very low self esteem; this is because they do not want to reveal their unsightly teeth. Such people often find it difficult to laugh or smile in public.

Tetracycline stains are a common occurrence in this environment as the drug is mostly abused by people who have diarrhoea (running a stool). The drug is usually gotten over the counter without a doctor’s prescription.
Tetracycline capsule is not a harmful drug on its own; however, it has to be used appropriately.

Treatment
Unlike extrinsic stains caused by tea, coffee, tobacco that can be removed by professional cleaning, tetracycline stains cannot be removed. Although the teeth can be bleached professionally by a dentist, the best form of treatment is the use of veneers(thin shells of dental material) to cover the outer surfaces of the teeth or full crowns to cover the whole tooth.

Prevention
Preventing tetracycline stains is mainly by educating the pregnant/breastfeeding mothers on the consequences of taking tetracycline and also avoiding its use in children until the child is above 8 years. It is also important that the pregnant woman informs the doctor of her condition to avoid being given the drug while pregnant.

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A hole in the tooth: A major cause of Toothache.

Seeking Dental care in the absence of pain is not a common practice in this part of the world. Majority of people who visit the dentist do so mainly as a result of pain due to tooth decay.

Someone with a hole in his tooth will complain of shock/pain when food particles get in/get stuck in the hole or when he takes, cold or hot drinks. Sweets and chocolates sometimes triggers the pain too.

A hole in the tooth is also known as Tooth decay/Dental cavity/Dental caries. It results from frequently eating sugar containing food & drinks and not brushing the teeth regularly. Although the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is the hardest structure of the human body, it can be softened by the action of bacteria (which is present on the tooth surfaces). When we eat sweet things, these bacteria act on the sugar to produce acid which softens the enamel and leads to tooth decay.

Having a hole doesn't mean you have to remove the tooth. A tooth with holes can be restored to function and aesthetics by visiting the dentist who will place fillings on them. If the tooth is so painful or has extensive/deep holes, it might require a type of treatment(Root canal treatment) before it is filled and crowned.

The key to preventing holes is to reduce ones intake of sugar in the form of sweets, chewing gum, chocolates, ice cream, cakes etc. Sugar free gum which contains xylitol can be chewed instead of those with sucrose. Also, there is the need to practice good dental hygiene culture by brushing the teeth with a fluoride containing tooth paste twice daily.

Saliva is a good cleansing agent which helps clean the teeth; however, little quantities are produced when we sleep, therefore it is important we brush last thing before bed as brushing helps rid the teeth of any food particle thereby preventing tooth decay. It is also important to pay the dentist regular visits at least twice a year.

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Tips to Overcoming fear of dentists (Dental Phobia)

Many often associate the dental clinic with pain or discomfort. It could be due to a past experience which was unpleasant or as a result of a wrong impression gotten from friends or colleagues who have had dental treatments.

Dental phobia is defined as the fear of dentists and/or dental procedures. People with dental phobia often miss dental appointment on purpose.

The first encounter a patient has with the dentist is very crucial as good or bad impressions are formed at this stage. The dental chair as relaxing as it can be has some accessories such as the air jet, hand pieces and suction tips which could be the source of the patient’s apprehension. Because of this, the patient who is

seeing the dentist for the first time needs to go through some form of orientation as to what to expect. Preventing dental phobia is paramount to having a patient return for subsequent treatments.

The common causes of fear include:

• Dental instruments: some instrument trigger fear. When some patients sight the dental syringe, they become apprehensive.
• Some patients have very low pain threshold; they interpret little pain as much and do not want to undergo any procedure.
• A patient who has had an unpleasant experience at a particular clinic will be fearful. 
• Some people got their fear from listening to colleagues or friends recount their experience at the dentist. 

Treating a patient with a history of dental phobia could be quite challenging. The dentists goal is to look for the best way to tackle the phobia and win the patient to his side. Treating someone with dental phobia needs a lot of patience and understanding; they sometimes need to be pampered. As soon as the patient gains the dentist’s confidence, he relaxes and allows the treatment. 

Tips for patients:
1. Inform your Dentist of any fears you have; this will help your dentist think of the best way to treat you.
2. Relax. You could listen to music making use of head phones. Listening to music helps calm the nerves and serves as a distraction.
3. Ask your Dentist to explain the procedure if he hasn't done so. This is to prepare your mind on what to expect.
4. Establish a signal such as raising your left hand when you feel uncomfortable or when you need to catch your breath.

Tips for Dentists:

Regardless of a patients apprehension, meeting an understanding dentist will help the patient overcome fear and receive treatments successfully. The secret to having a patient relax is to aim towards having a painless procedure and reassuring him that he is safe on the dental chair. Taking the dental syringe and extraction forceps out of the patients view and using words like 'I will make your tooth numb' instead of 'I will give you injection' also helps the patient relax. 

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