Cosmetic Dentistry in Costa Rica

Teeth Whitening

2007-11-13T12:50:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, while switching from channels of television, I saw a brilliantly-conceived advertisement of a ‘whitening’ laser treatment where models spend just 45 minutes in a chair and have the most whitest smile.

Now, that may be an exaggeration, but my point I’m trying to make here is that more and more Americans are having a perfect, sparkling smile, thanks to the growing popularity of cosmetic dentistry. Self-indulgence and self-importance aren’t frowned upon any more and health consciousness and improvement in appearance are considered an investment today.

You do agree that one of the greatest assets a person can have is a beautiful, healthy smile and there’s a noticeable effort among the people with discolored, crooked, malformed or missing teeth to cover up their smile. In fact, dentists say, such problems can affect people of all age groups and teenagers are the most sensitive about how they look and smile. This frequently results in loss of self-confidence and affects social life.

This explains why teeth whitening procedures relating to restoration and enhancement of smile are gaining popularity across the country. Incidentally, the trend is no longer the exclusive domain of the rich and famous. The upper middle class segment is fast catching up and more youngsters, corporate executives and people in the fashion and entertainment industries are opting for smile enhancement and cosmetic dental procedures to make a lasting impression in the first look.

Much of the action seen in this fledgling industry is because of the advancements in aesthetic dental procedures and a whole new range of materials being used to bring about a dramatic change in appearance. Procedures such as laser bleaching, adhesive dentistry, implant dentistry and digital X-ray have greatly aided diagnosis and treatment of disorders. What’s more, since dentistry is time-consuming, modern methods help reduce pain, number of sittings and costs — bringing great relief to the people opting for them.

Another reason why these procedures are getting popular is because of the growing awareness levels. In fact, many dentists I spoke with claim that people now ask for specific treatments and insist on conservation of a tooth rather than extraction. New technologies and materials today have made it possible to conserve a badly decayed tooth with root canal treatment and bad gums can be corrected with flap surgery and bone grafts. Even dental implants for missing teeth are becoming quite popular.

Interestingly, with Costa Rica now offering world-class cosmetic dentistry at affordable rates, there’s a steady stream of patients from overseas, especially non-resident.

Nowadays in Costa Rica, most dental clinics have first-class equipment, modern facilities and hygienic practices and provide quality procedures and treatments at a fraction of the cost charged. Given the growing awareness among the clients and cosmetic dentists to use newer products, the market for cosmetic dentistry is expected to grow by more than 53% in Costa Rica. The science of aesthetic dentistry now holds hands with aesthetics, beauty and harmony. Dental Solutions now exist which can make your smile look stunning.

About Dental Implants

2007-11-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

Modern dentistry offers a wide variety of treatment options for people seeking to enhance their smile. The options range from porcelain veneers to braces. In many cases, a combination of these techniques is required to deliver the best results.

Natural Remedies for Bad Breath

2007-08-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

Bad breath , or halitosis , can be a major problem, especially when you're about to snuggle with your sweetie or whisper a joke to your friend. The good news is that bad breath can often be prevented with natural remediess .

As the tongue's surface is the main breeding ground for harmful bacteria that attack teeth, tongue cleaning is necessary, in addition to brushing as natural cure for halitosis, for a thorough dislodging of the plaque and mucus.

A myth widely believed is that the stomach is the root cause of bad breath. Bad breath from the stomach is so rare that of a thousand people treated for bad breath not a single case was caused by stomach problems.

A diet for a healthy body is also a good diet for bad breath cure . It's not hard to get dietary advice these days - we hear about what makes up a healthy diet almost daily . You may want to take a vitamin supplement - vitamins B and C, and the mineral zinc are all important for good oral health.

Avoid foods that are high in fat, sugar, and additives. Acidic foods can be a problem, including tea and coffee. For some individuals, food allergies and intolerances can contribute to bad breath - dairy products and meat are particularly known for this. If you suspect certain foods are causing problems for you, try eliminating them to see if it makes a difference. A healthy diet that's right for you may be the only natural cure for bad breath that you need.

How to Cure Bad Breath

Conventional cures for bad breath are antiseptic mouthwashes and medications. However, some of the best remedies for bad breath can be found in nature or in your home.

Cure For Bad Breath №1: Mint oil is in

You see mint in almost every breath-freshening product but the most effective and potent of all to use is arguably the peppermint oil – yes, that essential oil usually used for aromatherapy. A drop of that pure essential oil on the tongue can freshen your breath quickly and naturally.

Also helpful is tea tree oil, a powerful antiseptic normally recommended for skin problems. As this oil is quite strong, just drop a very small amount on your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it.

Cure For Bad Breath №2: Spice

While some spices like pepper can make your mouth hot (and for some, smell unpleasant), a few like cloves actually have an antiseptic effect on the mouth and are a good remedy for bad breath. You can chew on cloves or grind them and prepare them as tea.

The seeds normally used as condiments like fennel and anise seeds are good breath sweeteners. Anise, in particular, has curative properties and kills odor-causing bacteria. Since these seeds are dry and can keep for quite some time, they are convenient to carry around with you. Simply chew on them after a meal.

Cure For Bad Breath №3: With a lemon.

Not only is lemon good for lemonade and as a household cleaning agent, it is great natural cure for bad breath as well! Suck on a slice of lemon and feel your breath cleansed and freshened instantly.

Cure For Bad Breath №4: Go green with herbs.

The chlorophyll in those green herbs are the main bad breath fighters. Aside from the usual mint leaves, other herbs with breath-freshening properties are rosemary, sage, thyme, and that ever-present garnishing in your dish - the parsley. Parsley is especially high in chlorophyll.

Keep these herbs a regular part of your diet. Or you can boil them to make tea. As a convenient substitute, you can try chlorophyll tablets available over the counter.

Cure For Bad Breath №5: Keep your saliva flowing.

As dryness of the mouth is one of the culprits for bad breath, just letting your saliva flow freely helps. Drinking lots of water enables your mouth to produce more saliva. It can also loosen food particles that may cause bad breath. As the saliva gets stuck during sleeping, letting it flow again by munching on a hearty breakfast helps.

Cure For Bad Breath №6: Try homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy, a type of medicine that makes use of minerals, herbs and other substances that help a person naturally heal, can also offer a good cure for bad breath. For severe bad breath, Mercurius and Calendula are good options. A 30X dose of Mercurius three or four times a day for 3-4 days should do the trick. This should be accompanied with daily gargling of Calendula.

Cure For Bad Breath №7: Load up on fiber.

This is particularly recommended for bad breath related to stomach and intestinal problems. For the digestive organs to work normally, the bowels should be cleaned, and fiber works as the best natural broom for the bowels. So eat your fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

Cure For Bad Breath №8: Eat healthy!

Cut down on high-fat, sugar-rich foods and dairy products. Again, this is true for those with stomach problems, like flatulence. Some people especially have low milk tolerance or have a hard time digesting dairy products, thus causing bad breath. Sugar, meanwhile, also poses a problem as mouth bacteria feed on sugar.

These foods are generally not good for the body, anyway, especially when consumed in large amounts. It is best to replace these with fruits and vegetables which cleanse the body and in turn, affects how your breath smells.

Minerals To Cure Bad Breath

Kalium Phosphate, an important mineral that should be part of any natural cure for bad breath, is a natural salt that can be found in all body fluids. It fights germs and can prevent the decay of body tissue. Kalium Phosphate is recognized as a preventitive for more than just bad breath. It also prevents unusually bad-smelling gas and stools. If you simply do not want to smell bad for any reason whatsoever, Kalium Phosphate is the mineral for you.

An important herb which should be part of a natural cure for bad breath is Sweet Fennel. For centuries, Sweet Fennel, has been used as a diuretic, anti-spasmodic and calmative herb. It contains an aniseed-flavored essential oil containing mostly anethole, as well as fenchone; both of which are thought to account for its anti-spasmodic and diuretic properties. Fennel is an excellent digestive tonic. It also helps to relieve gas. Fennel seed has a long history of being used to sweeten the breath.

Green Tea is a Natural Cure for Bad Breath

As “polyphenols” in green tea as the compounds that can prevent the growth of microbes responsible for bad breath. Even rinsing the mouth with black tea is natural cure for bad breath as this can reduce plaque formation and the acids that cause tooth decay.

Remember, however, that many of these ways of treating bad breath only provide temporary relief. Many of them have strong pleasant odors and can mask bad breath odor for a time, but few have any really effective antibacterial action.

A true natural cure for bad breath will get rid of some of the odor producing bacteria that thrive in the mouth, and hopefully help to establish a more normal population of bacteria in the mouth. While it's hard to find a commercial product that is both natural and effective, a few do come close. Look for products that don't contain chlorhexidine or other antibacterial chemicals, but attack the bacteria by some other mechanism, such as physically removing them or exposing them to oxygen.

Source: http://dent.info.md/dental-care/natural-cure-for-bad-breath/

Tooth Extraction Care

2007-07-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

The reason you may get a tooth pulled is because either: there is not enough room for it and tooth will become impacted, it must be removed to assure that the rest of your teeth grow properly, or tooth so severely decayed that it is beyond repair. But as beneficial as tooth extraction can be, it is also a very painful and tedious recovery process.

The tooth extraction cost varies with the difficulty of the procedure and fortunately, there are usually very few tooth extraction complications. A tooth extraction complication is rare but when it does occur it includes tooth extraction dry socket, tooth extraction pain, tooth extraction infection and tooth extraction bleeding.

Many problems can be avoided with good tooth extraction care so it is very important to know what to do after a tooth extraction. Pain after tooth extraction is the most common tooth extraction problem and is most common after a surgical tooth extraction. Good care after tooth extraction greatly assists tooth extraction healing and often helps avoid an infected tooth extraction socket.

Tooth Extraction Care, What Is It?

Good tooth extraction care helps reduce the follow up complications related to oral surgery. The most important thing is to take excellent care of yourself after your surgery. Part of excellent tooth extraction care is to rest and keep comfortable.

It is almost always best to stay home and not work for a few days after tooth extraction procedure. Eating well is an important part of tooth extraction care. The body will use the food you eat to heal the area that you had tooth extraction in. Taking medications to prevent problems is another important step in tooth extraction care. Antibiotics are absolutely necessary to avoid an infection after tooth extraction.

What To Do After Tooth Extraction

Control Bleeding

First and foremost, you must prevent excessive bleeding by promoting the formation of a blood clot. What that means is for several hours after your surgery, you should softly bite down on a piece of gauze. And for a whole day do not rinse, drink with a straw, or smoke.

Bite firmly the gauze pack over the surgical area for, at least, 1/2 hour; then discard it gently. Some blood will ooze from the area of surgery for several hours and it is normal. Do not spit, or suck through a straw, since this will promote bleeding. When bleeding persists at home, place a gauze pad or cold wet teabag over the area and bite firmly for 30 minutes. Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue. Keep your head elevated on several pillows or sit in a lounge chair for 12 hours. Do not smoke for 24 hours after surgery because this will cause bleeding, pain and interfere with healing.

Rinsing

Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth for the first 12 hours after the surgical appointment. Then use warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup [4 ounces] of warm water) after tooth-brushing and every 2 hours.

Rest

Exercise is a no-no for at least a week. Proper tooth extraction care requires that you rest. But don't worry, you won't need to burn any calories as you will only be able to drink liquids (not from a straw though) and eat soft foods for a couple of days after your surgery.

Get plenty of rest; at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Avoid strenuous exercise during the first 24 hours, and keep the mouth from excessive movement. Physical activity may increase bleeding.

Diet

Use a liquid or soft diet high in protein. Drink a large volume of water and fruit juices. Do not drink through a straw because this may promote bleeding. Avoid hot food for the first 24 hours after surgery because this may promote bleeding. Eat a soft diet for the first 24 hours after tooth extraction. Avoid foods that require excessive chewing. You can resume a normal diet the day after tooth removal.

Don't chew foods on the side of your mouth where your tooth was pulled! Leave that area alone, even when brushing your teeth.

Pain and Discomfort after Tooth Extraction

Some discomfort is normal after surgery. It can be controlled by taking the pain medication your dentist has prescribed or recommended. Start taking your pain pills before the numbing medication has worn off. Take your pain pill with an 8 oz. glass of water and/or a small amount of food to prevent nausea. Over-the-counter pain medications or Painkillers may be used for temporary pain relief. Do not overdosing on these generic drugs: Aspirin, or Ibuprofen, or Ketoprofen, or Naproxen Sodium, or Acataminophen.

Tooth extraction care may not seem like very fun and you might be rethinking all the benefits of getting a tooth pulled now, but your dentist will prescribe medications to relieve the pain and swelling so just take it easy and use tooth extraction care as an excuse to eat some ice cream.

Handling Dental Emergencies: What to Do

2007-07-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

Any injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should not be ignored. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment down the road.

Here's a quick summary of what to do for some common dental problems.

Toothachest. First, thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Chipped or broken teeth. Save any pieces. Rinse the mouth using warm water; rinse any broken pieces. If there's bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken/chipped tooth to keep any swelling down and relieve pain. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Knocked-out tooth. Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that is usually exposed in the mouth), and rinse off the tooth root with water if it's dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to put the tooth back in place. Make sure it's facing the right way. Never force it into the socket. If it's not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt, if milk is not available) or a product containing cell growth medium, such as Save-a-Tooth. In all cases, see your dentist as quickly as possible. Knocked out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour of being knocked out.
Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth. See your dentist right away. Until you reach your dentist's office, to relieve pain, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as Tylenol or Advil) if needed.
Objects caught between teeth. First, try using dental floss to very gently and carefully remove the object. If you can't get the object out, see your dentist. Never use a pin or other sharp object to poke at the stuck object. These instruments can cut your gums or scratch your tooth surface.
Lost filling. As a temporary measure, stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity (sugar-filled gum will cause pain) or use an over-the-counter dental cement. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Lost crown. If the crown falls off, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible and bring the crown with you. If you can't get to the dentist right away and the tooth is causing pain, use a cotton swab to apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area (clove oil can be purchased at your local drug store or in the spice aisle of your grocery store). If possible, slip the crown back over the tooth. Before doing so, coat the inner surface with an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive, to help hold the crown in place. Do not use super glue!
Broken braces wires. If a wire breaks or sticks out of a bracket or band and is poking your cheek, tongue or gum, try using the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire into a more comfortable position. If you can't reposition the wire, cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or piece of gauze until you can get to your orthodontist's office. Never cut the wire, as you could end up swallowing it or breathing it into your lungs.
Loose brackets and bands. Temporarily reattach loose braces with a small piece of orthodontic wax. Alternatively, place the wax over the braces to provide a cushion. See your orthodontist as soon as possible. If the problem is a loose band, save it and call your orthodontist for an appointment to have it recemented or replaced (and to have missing spacers replaced).
Abscess . Abscesses are infections that occur around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. Abscesses are a serious condition that can damage tissue and surrounding teeth, with the infection possibly spreading to other parts of the body if left untreated.

Because of the serious oral health and general health problems that can result from an abscess, see your dentist as soon as possible if you discover a pimple-like swelling on your gum that usually is painful. In the meantime, to ease the pain and draw the pus toward the surface, try rinsing your mouth with a mild salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water) several times a day.
Soft-tissue injuries . Injuries to the soft tissues, which include the tongue, cheeks, gums and lips, can result in bleeding. To control the bleeding, here's what to do:
1. Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution.
2. Use a moistened piece of gauze or tea bag to apply pressure to the bleeding site. Hold in place for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. To both control bleeding and relieve pain, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. If the bleeding doesn't stop, see your dentist right away or go to a hospital emergency room. Continue to apply pressure on the bleeding site with the gauze until you can be seen and treated.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/handling-dental-emergencies

10 Benefits of Dental Implants

2007-07-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

Most people are familiar with dentures as replacements for missing teeth, but may not know much about the advantages that dental implants offer over dentures. For centuries man has endeavored to find a more natural replacement for missing teeth.

Modern, space age materials have allowed that quest to become a reality. Today’s dental implant is possible because of these materials combined with years of research and clinical trials. The dental implant is truly the most natural solution for missing teeth.

Dental implants are an effective, safe and predictable solution to the problems resulting from missing teeth. Many patients report exciting benefits from dental implants, such as:

• Dental implants are the closest possible replacement to natural teeth.

• They make replacement teeth stable for eating and smiling with confidence.

• Dental implants remove the need to cut down healthy teeth for a bridge.

• They can eliminate the pain caused by ill-fitting dentures.

• Dental implants help preserve the bone in the jaws.

• In some cases, they help maintain the shape of the face.
Implants are a safe, highly effective and comfortable way to replace your missing teeth. Lets talk about them more concrete:

1. Dental Implant Improve Appearance:

When teeth are lost, ongoing shrinkage of the jawbone occurs making the face look older. Dental implants can slow or stop this process. Dental implants look and feel like your own natural teeth.

2. Benefit of Dental Implant: Improved Comfort

Dental implants eliminate the pain and discomfort of removable full or partial dentures. Since dentures sit on top of the jawbone and gums, continuous shrinkage of the jaw bone alters the fit of the denture resulting in slipping or rocking of the dentures. Exposed nerves and irritation of the gum tissue may add to the discomfort.

Implant supported replacement teeth are like natural teeth because they are anchored securely to your jawbone. Gum irritation and the pain of exposed nerves associated with conventional full or partial dentures are eliminated.

3. Benefit of Dental Implant: Improved Speech

With ill fitting dentures, the teeth slip and slide around the mouth. The facial muscles become tense in an attempt to hold the teeth in place. This often results in mumbling, slurred speech or clicking noises. Replacement teeth allow you to speak with confidence in a relaxed and natural tone.

4. With Dental Implant You Will Eat Better

The average denture patient with an excellent fitting denture eats at 15-20% efficiency when compared to a person with natural teeth. As the jawbone shrinks, your chewing efficiency is reduced even more, making it difficult to eat certain foods. Dental implants can restore chewing efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth.

This allows you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain, enjoy what everyone is eating and not think twice about it. A full upper denture covers the palate of the mouth and reduces the ability to taste foods. With dental implants, you can have the palate removed from your upper denture so you can taste and enjoy your food.

5. Benefit of Dental Implant: Convenience

Dental implants can eliminate the numerous embarrassing inconveniences of removable partial and full dentures. You will eliminate the use of gooey denture adhesives that must be re-applied throughout the day. You will no longer need to cover your mouth when you laugh or smile, for fear that your teeth will pop out or fall down.

6. Protect Your Remaining Natural Teeth with Dental Implant

Dental implants are often more appropriate than a bridge for the replacement of one or more adjacent teeth. With conventional bridgework, the teeth surrounding missing teeth must be ground down. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify these teeth, resulting in a conservative, yet esthetic restoration.

Normally, the bone in the area of a tooth is maintained by your body. But if a tooth is absent anywhere in the jaw, the bone will slowly atrophy. By placing an implant in your mouth, the implant stimulates the bone so that your body will continue to maintain the bone in the area, much like a natural tooth. Bone loss can be a problem for people with dentures - and can also make the face look older as the area around the mouth can sag as bone is lost

7. Benefit of Dental Implant: Improved Self Esteem

Considering all other benefits, dental implants can improve your self-esteem. You may feel better about yourself. You can regain nearly all the capabilities that most people have with natural teeth, giving you renewed confidence, and allowing you to enjoy life, do what everyone else is doing and not think twice about it.

8. Benefit of Dental Implant: No decay

Implants and implant supported teeth do not decay, so you don’t need to worry about changes or a loss of function to your implants, or cavities.

9. Benefit of Dental Implant: Periodontal Disease

Implants can be less prone to gum problems than natural teeth. In cases where people have lost some or all of their teeth due to gum (periodontal) disease, implants can be used to replace the missing teeth. Because the offending tooth or teeth are removed, the environment in the area improves and you have a second chance at healthy gums. Proper home and professional cleaning is still very important for long term health. However, since implant surfaces exposed in the mouth are very smooth, there is typically less plaque and tartar buildup with implants.

10. Benefit of Dental Implant: Reliability

Success rates for dental implants are very high and the longevity of a implant restoration can be a lifetime. Of course good oral health, healthy gum tissue and good bone structure help increase the effectiveness.

All these improvements make people with dentures feel better about themselves, increasing their self confidence while improving their social and business lives.

Dental implants are truly a revolution, solving an age old problem safely and predictably. Implant dentistry can change the smiles and lives of millions for years to come.

Source: http://dent.info.md/dental-care/10-real-benefits-of-dental-implants/

Is Teeth Whitening Safe or Not?

2007-07-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

Although teeth are not naturally meant to be completely white, many people want a brighter smile. Tooth bleaching has become the most popular way for dentists to help their patients obtain whiter smiles.

Professional Teeth Bleaching

Prior to the 1990’s essentially the only teeth bleaching option that was available to people was “in-office” teeth bleaching treatments performed by the person’s dentist. The term “in-office” used here simply means that the actual bleaching process was performed by the dentist while the patient was in their dental chair.

When an in-office teeth bleaching your dentist will put a rubber seal around your teeth to protect your gums. Then, the bleaching gel is painted onto your teeth and a special, bright light is pointed at them. This light speeds up the bleaching process. The procedure takes one to two hours. The effects of in-office tooth bleaching are immediate.

Teeth Bleaching at Home

“At-home” teeth bleaching, is a more recent phenomenon. It became popular in the 1990’s and is now the most common dentist dispensed method by which teeth are whitened.

Firstly, your dentist makes the rubber mouthguards so that they fit your teeth precisely, and secondly, the bleaching gel is stronger so it tends to be more effective. Your dentist will give you tubes of bleaching gel and instructions on how to put the gel in the mouthguards.

You will need to wear the mouthguards for a few hours each day. It may take a few weeks to achieve the color that you want.

“At-home” tooth bleaching has some advantages over in-office bleaching. The whitener that is used typically contains a much lower concentration of peroxide, thus making the potential for problems associated with side effects less of an issue.

Side Effect of Tooth Bleaching

In some studies, patients have experienced uncomfortable short-term side effects when having teeth bleached. Hydrogen peroxide can increase temperature sensitivity in the teeth, particularly at higher concentrations, and nightguards often cause gum irritation.

There is also a possibility of over-bleaching. The result will be a translucency that may appear gray from the shadows of the mouth. There is a very low percentage of this occurring, and only if the bleaching process is over-extended you should consult your dentist.

Since 1989 a number of dental researchers have investigated various safety considerations that might be associated with tooth bleaching. This research has led to the general consensus that while this technique is not without side effects, dentist-dispensed at-home tray-based teeth whitening systems utilizing a 10% carbamide peroxide whitener are safe to use.

In fact this type of whitening system has gained wide acceptance by the dental community as a whole. The overwhelming majority of dentists do offer tray teeth whitening systems to their patients.On the whole, dentists regard the procedure of tooth bleaching to be a safe one. Thus, Dr Mervyn Druian, of the BDA, says: “It is a safe, effective procedure that we have used with great success for a long time.”Dentist Dr Jonathan Levy thinks that tooth bleaching: “… is very effective, very efficient and very comfortable for the patient. It is nice to give patients instant results. They come in with a dull smile, and they go out with a bright smile.”

Contra-Indications For Tooth Whitening

Tooth bleaching is not recommended for smokers or alcohol users. Smokers should stop smoking before having their teeth bleached. The smoking not only defeats the effect of tooth bleaching but there is concern about the mixture of hydrogen peroxide with smoking having a potentiating effect on tissue damage already known to be caused by smoking.

If you have pre-existing cosmetic restoration (bonding, porcelain crowns or veneers) you may need to replace them after tooth bleaching in order to match your new, whiter smile.

Stains in the gray family (such as from tetracycline) can be harder to remove, if not impossible. These stains can take up to six months or longer to whiten. The best candidates for tooth bleaching are those with stains caused by coffee, tobacco or aging.

It is important for you to understand that every individual’s teeth respond in a unique way to tooth bleaching. Overall, tooth bleaching under professional supervision is an effective method for whitening the teeth.

Healthy Eating, Healthy Mouth

2007-07-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

Losing extra pounds, revving up physical activity, and eating nutritious foods may give you a new reason to smile.

Healthy teeth and gums are more common in active people who eat nutritiously and aren’t overweight.

The study appears in the Journal of Periodontology. It was conducted by researchers including Nabil Bissada, DDS, chairman of the periodontics department at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine.

Healthy Body, Healthy Mouth

Data came from a national health survey of more than 12,000 people. The findings:

• Having all three traits - normal weight, good diet, active lifestyle - cut gum disease risk by 40%.

• Having two of those habits cut gum disease risk by 29%.

• Having one of those healthy habits cut gum disease risk by 16%.

Gum disease was rarest among people with all three traits. Only 7% of them had gum disease, compared with 18% of those with none of those traits.

Benefits for the Mouth

Why did the mouth mirror overall health? The researchers note these possibilities:

• Healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables may help clear plaque off teeth.

• Obesity may promote inflammatory chemicals linked to gum disease.

• Physical activity may cut inflammation, helping the entire body (including the mouth).

Researchers from the Case Western Reserve University in the US who examined data from 12,110 individuals reported that those who exercised, had healthy eating habits and maintained a normal weight were 40 per cent less likely to develop periodontitis.

More than 30 per cent of the population is thought to suffer from periodontitis, an infection of the gums that can result in tooth loss, but also leads to heart disease, diabetes and pre-term labor.

Advances in dental medicine have permitted more people to keep their teeth as they grow older. Understanding the underlying ways to prevent gum diseases have become increasingly important, according to the researchers.

Curious whether the same factors that can prevent heart disease and lower the risks for diabetes might also impact oral health, the researchers examined the cumulative relationship between weight, exercise and a high-quality diet and dental disease in the United States population.

Researchers concluded that the healthy behaviors such as exercise and diet that lower the risks of diabetes also can lower the risk factors for periodontitis.

Exercise is known to reduce the C-reactive protein in the blood associated with inflammation in the heart and periodontal disease, while healthy eating habits, which builds the body’s defenses against disease, also reduce the production of plaque biofilm, which is the primary epidemiological factor associated with periodontal disease, explained the researchers.

Conquering periodontal disease, according to the researchers, may mean more than just targeting the disease but addressing multiple risk behaviors, too.

“Since oral health professionals may see their patients two or four times a year, it gives them several opportunities to promote these healthy behaviors,” report the researchers.

Source. http://dent.info.md/dental-care/does-healthy-weight-cause-better-gums/

Dental Work Overseas

2007-07-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

For most people needing medical care, the last thing on their minds is travel but a growing number of American medical tourists are setting out for Latin America, India, and Thailand for everything from dental work to breast implants to major heart surgery. Rising health care costs in the US push people to seek medical treatments elsewhere, while medical facilities in developing countries have not only caught up to western standards but also in many ways exceeded them. These tourists are usually surprised to find brand new facilities and equipment as hospitals and medical tourism hubs around the world join in the fierce competition for this fast growing market.

The price is the main reason most people initially cite for their decision to go overseas for medical treatment, but the situation is actually even better than the bare numbers suggest. Figures that are normally thrown out range from one quarter to one tenth the price of US care, with dental work firmly occupying the one-tenth corner.

Dental work is the biggest saver with medical tourism , as a rule of thumb, minor work on one tooth will pay for your plane ticket and a second pays for a week on the beach afterwards. Major surgery will pay for your entire family. Imaging and diagnostics are a large part of medical fees, and many US hospitals now contract with foreign laboratories to interpret X-rays and MRI images, where the physician time to analyze the image often costs as much or more than the image itself. Unfortunately, many patients aren’t able to travel if they need an MRI, but if it is a component of a surgery or checkup it is widely available at most high-end hospitals that medical tourists frequent, along with more advanced diagnostic equipment in some of the best facilities.

Beyond having a lower price, however, foreign hospitals are far more willing to provide upfront prices and quotes than US hospitals, which will generally equivocate and, if pressed, give only a rough estimate. More complicated surgeries will still be estimates at foreign clinics, but they are consistently more forthcoming about the cost of past procedures and for minor procedures they will often offer set packages that cap the total cost, barring complications. These caps are excellent for planning purposes and comparing options in various countries. This openness is a product both of intense competition for foreign patients and a confidence that regardless of how high a foreign clinics’ price may be, it will still be much lower than their Western competition. Medical tourism reverses the trend of many businesses and the tourism industry in general in that those looking overseas can expect more honesty up-front and fewer hidden costs than those considering a US hospital.

One common misconception is that while foreign medical procedures are much cheaper, they must be paid out of pocket. It is telling that even with this belief, the deductible for many insured patients is so high that they still travel overseas for treatment. The reality is that most insurers are not only willing to reimburse your medical expenses overseas, they will often be thrilled to solve your problem without paying domestic medical rates. The issue then becomes getting your records and receipts to the appropriate insurance official. Many hospitals boast strong ties with insurance companies and service with regards to clearing claims as their key advantage over competitors. If insurance reimbursement is an important part of your medical tourism deliberations, it is important to learn up front if your prospective hospital offers this service and it will be worthwhile to go to a more expensive center if they do not. This is particularly important when looking at Indian hospitals, which often are very poor in this regard. Tourists from countries with state-run medical systems like Canada and the UK can also often get their treatments reimbursed, though they will need to locate the appropriate offices and forms ahead of time.

Medical tourism it offers strong advantages both in the lower cost and in the superior service of the medical care while the opportunity to travel and vacation should not be underestimated. With few exceptions, medical tourism should be considered for any non-emergency procedure, from a filling to a hip replacement. Once the decision to go abroad has been made, the next step it to choose the destination…

Cosmetic Dentistry Abroad

2007-07-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

Medical Tourism in Belgrade – The Top Ten Ways to a Beautiful, Younger Smile

Nobody is perfect in this world but one can strive towards building the best physique for oneself. A perfect physique does not mean perfect body measurements, nor the good looks, but healthy, vital looks. However, instead of paying attention to it every morning, we should pay attention how to get a beautiful, healthy smile.

Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, June 15, 2007 --(PR.com)-- That unforgettable First Glance - Initial impressions really count with clients, colleagues, and the press, not to mention the opposite sex. One only gets one chance to make a great first impression. Within a few seconds, with just a glance, people have determined one’s social and economic level, level of education, and even level of success. Within minutes, people have also assessed one’s intelligence, trustworthiness, competence, friendliness, humility, and level of confidence. Although these evaluations happen in an instant, they can last for years—first impressions are often indelible.

Nobody is perfect in this world but one can strive towards building the best physique for oneself. A perfect physique does not mean perfect body measurements, nor the good looks, but healthy, vital looks. However, instead of paying attention to it every morning, we should pay attention how to get a beautiful, healthy smile.

If teeth are neglected one’s smile is not attractive and gives an impression of lost vitality. Smile is very important element of communication for which healthy teeth are essential. With help of Cosmetic Dentistry, details or major defect in shape, colour, or position of one’s teeth that bothered for years are easily and now affordably sorted with Oxygen Zone Dental Treatment in Belgrade. With aging, teeth’s colour and shape changes, then Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss, in some difficult cases it comes to loosing quite a few or even all teeth.

One’s vitality, emotions and general health are reflected from one’s smile. Even though one should not forget that it is not just the teeth that smile.

A new smile could take years off your face … A Beautiful Smile does not need to cost the earth.

The top 10 ways to a beautiful, younger smile by Oxygen Zone:

1. Assess the state of your teeth objectively
2. Assess the state of your teeth subjectively
3. Decide would changing your teeth make you feel more confident
4. Visit your dentist and ask for an estimate
5. Check the price for dental treatment abroad
6. Check does dental provider abroad gives you guarantee
7. Check who pays for your flight and hotel if something goes wrong
8. Check about hidden charges
9. Have some serious fun on your way to a beautiful smile
10. Wear your new, healthy smile.

All that is good begins with a smile.

Contact Oxygen Zone at info@oxygenzone.co.uk to find out about exceptional care with a gentle touch.

http://www.oxygenzone.co.uk

For further information, contact Slavica Gavric
+381 64 315 9992
info@oxygenzone.co.uk