Month: August 2020

You might have seen a lot of brands of toothpaste boasting of having fluoride as an ingredient. It might have left you wondering what fluoride is and why is it used as a constituent of toothpaste. Well, fluoride is a mineral with excellent benefits to your health. Commonly found in soil, water and many food items, it is now being incorporated in toothpaste, mouthwashes, etc. Its main job is to provide strength to the enamel, which in turn prevents the development of cavities in teeth.

Fluoride comes from fluorine element and is found naturally in the earth’s crust. Its ability to prevent the process of demineralization of teeth makes it a safe ingredient to be present in mouth cleaning substances. Some countries also add fluoride to their drinking water to prevent tooth decay in the population.

Benefits of fluoride:

Fluoride not only strengthens the outer layer or enamel of the teeth but also reverses the damage that has already been caused to the teeth. Some benefits of using fluoride are:

• Prevents the deposition of harmful plaque on the surface of the teeth
• Used for strengthening bone loss due to diseases like osteoporosis
• Helps prevent gum swelling and tooth decay
• Instrumental in preventing cavities
• Significantly decreases the amount of tooth decay in people when added to water
• Used in imaging tests like PET scan
• Used as a cleaning agent

Sources:

Fluoride is derived naturally from water, air and soil. Supplements of fluoride are also prescribed by healthcare professionals in case of its deficiency. Consuming water added with fluoride can prevent and reverse many signs of tooth decay in both children and adults.

Associated side effects:

Just like any other substance, the consumption of too much fluoride can cause damage to your health. The safety risks associated with a high dosage of fluoride are:

• The weakening of your bones, muscles and even some problems of the nervous system.
• Dental fluorosis- This occurs in children. Usage of high doses of fluoride during tooth formation inside the gum can lead to discoloration. This can be seen as several white spots on the teeth. To prevent this, ensure that the children do not swallow the toothpaste and only use minute quantities while brushing.
• Skeletal fluorosis- The symptoms of skeletal fluorosis include stiffness and pain in the joints. Long term exposure to fluoride in an unregulated amount can be harmful to your overall well being. 
• High amount of fluoride should be avoided during pregnancy as some people might even be allergic to fluoride. 

To sum up, fluoride plays a key role in maintaining your dental health. To ensure that your teeth are getting enough fluoride to prevent any decay or cavities, regularly get them checked by your dentist. They can help you figure out the right way to get the necessary mineral to keep your teeth healthy.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

The surface of a tongue consists of various papillae which are the small bumps located on the top and sides of your tongue. When the pattern of growth of these papillae changes, they can alter the appearance of the tongue. This leads to conditions like fissured tongue, which appear as deep grooves or crevices on the surface. These grooves can vary in size, number and depth. This is a quite common condition these days. This condition isn’t painful in most cases.

A large fissure in the center may commonly be visible in a condition like this. If numerous deep grooves are present, it may make the tongue look separated into distinct segments. This can occur at any age but is more commonly observed in people above the age of 40.

Causes:

Even though no definite reason is known for causing fissured tongue, it is believed to be hereditary. The development of fissures may also be a part of the body’s degenerative process, which explains its prevalence in older people. Certain disorders that may also cause this ailment are:

• Down’s syndrome
• Cowden’s syndrome
• Geographic tongue
• Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome
• Pustular psoriasis

It is also believed that malnutrition or deficiency of vitamins like B2 may be the reason for the fissured appearance of the tongue. Though the main cause is known to be genetic, age and other environmental factors are also known to play a key role in the development of this condition. 

Symptoms:

Most people with fissured tongues do not have any major physiological effects. Some people may experience a burning sting or soreness in these grooves. The condition can be easily diagnosed due to its characteristic appearance. It may also lead to facial swelling in some people. 

All of these symptoms become more pronounced with the increase in the age of an individual. 

Treatment:

There is no need for treatment if the condition is painless and non-contagious. The only case where the fissured tongue can be problematic is when the food particles remain stuck in the crevices leading to the development of bacteria and other microbes. To prevent this microbial attack and any infection, people with fissured tongues are advised to carefully clean their tongue every day. Maintaining proper dental hygiene is necessary for avoiding situations like bad breath or any bacterial infections. This is why proper brushing and flossing becomes even more essential in the case of a fissured tongue.

The condition may give your tongue an unpleasant look, but there is no particular cure for this. Having a proper cleaning routine and devoting time to your oral health can go a long way in the prevention of any major disease. 

If you notice some grooves developing on your tongue, you needn’t panic as it is a very common condition. Visit a dentist regularly to ensure that the grooves on your tongue are properly cleaned, and no infection is developing due to the leftover food in these crevices. 

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

Teeth whitening has become one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures within the past years, as many people try to improve their smiles, boosting self-confidence. While results can be striking, some people might see vertical lines on the teeth after a whitening treatment. These lines, often referred to as “striations” or “streaks,” can be a bit concerning and may leave you wondering what causes them and whether they are permanent. In this post, we will cover the phenomenon of vertical lines on teeth after whitening, including what causes them, whether they can be prevented, and treatments available.

How Whitening Works and Its Effects

Describing and explaining vertical lines calls for a need to know the process of teeth whitening. Most whitening agents include hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These agents break down under enamel and dissolve staining, thereby giving a brighter, whiter appearance. Although mostly safe and effective, the whitening process might sometimes change, though temporarily, the structure and appearance of the tooth.

Factors that Cause Vertical Lines After Whitening

Dehydration of Tooth Enamel

Vertical lines on the teeth, which have whitened, are basically due to enamel temporary dehydration. During whitening procedures, the peroxide-based whitening agents may slightly dehydrate the enamel. This dehydration accentuates natural ridges and grooves in the enamel, giving the impression of visible vertical lines. These lines could become more visible immediately after treatment, but do fade during the course of the following days as your teeth rehydrate.

Uneven application of whitening gel

Vertical lines could form in some cases because of the application of whitening gel unevenly. This is more common with at-home whitening products, since users may apply the gel on the tooth surface with different intensities. The areas that have more concentration of the gel will start whitening first and hence a streaked appearance develops. Professional treatments are unlikely to result in this issue, as dentists are more controlled while applying the substance.

Existing Tooth Structure

The natural structure of your teeth can also contribute to the lines appearing after whitening. Some have naturally more pronounced ridges or grooves in their enamel that could become more prominent during the whitening process. These variations in structure could create an appearance of lines or streaks, particularly when the teeth are transiently dehydrated.

Overuse of Whitening Products

There might be a temporary erosion of tooth enamel due to the excessive use of whitening products, especially OTC. This erosion might cause an accentuated look in the visibility of vertical lines that may accentuate the natural tooth contours. Therefore, it is important to follow the recommended usage instructions and not abuse these products in order not to be exposed to such risks.

Prevention and Mitigation

Proper Hydration
Keeping the body well-hydrated before, during, and after whitening procedures can help prevent or reduce the visibility of these vertical lines. Staying well-hydrated with water will help maintain the natural balance of moisture within the mouth, which is also essential to rehydrate tooth enamel at the end of the process.

Professional Guidance
If you are looking to whiten your teeth, you should first consult a professional dentist. He/she will evaluate individual dental health and suggest which whitening method is appropriate. Professional treatments have a greater tendency to produce uniform results and be less likely to leave visible lines or streaks.

Gradual Whitening Approach
Think gradual whitening, rather than intense, one-time treatments. It lessens the possible shock of sudden dehydration to your enamel while giving your teeth a natural way of getting used to the whitening process. Your dentist may recommend either a series of short treatments or a lower concentration of whitening agent to achieve the desired results while minimizing the side effects.

Proper Application Techniques
If you are using at-home whitening kits, apply them precisely to get an even application of the whitening gel over all surfaces of the teeth in order to have uniform whitening. Some of these involve custom-fitted trays that may dispense the whitening agent more uniformly around the teeth.

Treatment and Resolution

Temporary Nature of Vertical Lines
Generally, whitening vertical lines on teeth may be transitory and can resolve themselves within a few days to one week. These lines should fade out as your teeth rehydrate and get used to the new color. One may speed up this process through good hydration and oral hygiene.

Professional Intervention
If the vertical lines remain or are especially troublesome, speak with your dentist. They can recommend further treatments or procedures that will even out your teeth’s appearance. This could include whitening touch-ups or bonding, or other cosmetic dentistry options, based on the nature of the lines and your general dental health.

Ongoing Maintenance
For the whitening results to be maintained and complications avoided in the future, one has to be committed to good oral care. This means daily brushing and flossing with a whitening toothpaste if your dentist recommends it, and staying away from foods and beverages that will potentially result in discoloration of the teeth. Also, regular visits to your dentist can monitor your enamel condition and facilitate measures to avoid such problems at an early stage.

While vertical lines on teeth after whitening might be a little disconcerting, such lines are normally a transient side effect of the procedure. Knowing the reasons for these lines and using some preventive measures, you can reduce their appearance to have a more satisfying whitening experience. Remember that everybody’s teeth are different with whitening treatments—that is, what works out fine with one individual may not work with another. Most of the time, a brighter smile can be achieved with the careful and patient combination of teeth whitening and close collaboration with your dentist, thus being easy on the teeth.