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THE WORKING WOMAN’S GUIDE TO THE PERFECT SMILE!

Here are habits to implement TODAY to maintain that perfect smile for you and your family TOMORROW. As women at work or at home, we are responsible for the health of those around us. If you are a compassionate and caring mother, daughter, sister or wife looking after the dental health of your family becomes imperative to their well being. Here are some useful habits that can go a long way in keeping you and your family smiling for years.

1. GO SOFT & AUTOMATIC

Rev up your brushing-use an automated tooth brush. This maybe true for not only you as a woman but for your family. Make sure you switch them to an automatic or motorized brush with soft or extra soft bristles. This works best since it takes the guesswork out of brushing and improves your and your children’s technique even if they’re sleepy in the morning.

2. DENTAL EMERGENCY KIT

Keeping a dental emergency kit loaded with some essentials like a basic dental painkiller (as prescribed), clove oil, some dental floss and a toothpick (not a habit recommended by us but when things get lodged and cause pain it maybe the last resort).

3. VITAMIN CHECK

Best way of ensuring good tooth and bone health is to ensure good levels of vitamins vitamin D3, calcium especially if you’re beating menopause and even iron, b complex to prevent anaemias which can be detected orally. Deficiencies of vitamins and essential minerals can make your family more susceptible to oral health problems.

4. GIFT A SMILE

Gift your dependents a great smile – Be it preventive treatments for your young ones like our decay protection program which ensures they never have to feel dental pain like we have,or the braces intervention campaignwhich helps guide teeth to proper positions at an early age. More questions about your young ones’ dental health – For the elderly who missed out on a lot of preventive dental work can now enjoy the benefits of latest technology giving them fixed teeth instead of removable dentures.

5. START A TREND-FAMILY ORAL HEALTH CHECKUP

Mark a day in your calendar a public holiday or the beginning of the year a time that you can easily remember and as a family get an annual checkup to not only ensure that you do not suffer from any dental problems but also early detection of any upcoming medical issues can be done.

If you’re feeling somewhat self-conscious about your teeth or just want a more beautiful smile, call us at 7045497915 or email us at info@thepainfreedentist.co.in

6 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Dental Filling. (#6 Will Surprise You!)

DR. DIKSHA TAHILRAMANI BATRA

Dentist

TOOTH FILLINGS AND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEM

Does it seem that every time you visit the dentist it somehow feels like you end up with another cavity even though you have been brushing, flossing and doing everything you could possibly do! Here are 6 quick tips on understanding how cavities occur and what you need to do to prevent them.

1. WHY DO YOU NEED A FILLING ?

If food particles and plaque remain in contact with teeth for extended periods of time due to improper brushing or the nature of food like sticky or sweet,then a collection of bacteria accumulate causing toxins and acid release which dissolve the enamel.This enamel or the top layer of the tooth begins to discolor gradually depending on how much it has dissolved or weakened from light yellow – dark yellow – light brown -dark brown-grey and finally jet black.If not treated at this stage that portion of the tooth will chip away and become what we call a ‘ cavity .

What decay looks like ? When decay occurs to varying degrees this is what it will look like:

  • Discoloured areas especially on the grooves and valleys of your back teeth.
  • Dark spots or greyish black areas on your front teeth.
  • Chipped off areas that your tongue often goes into.
  • Holes which lodge food on your teeth.

…it’s probably the right time to get or replace an existing filling.

What decay feels like ? It starts with Mild sensitivity on cold water Transient Sensitivity on eating sweet Prolonged sensation on hot or cold things Slight pain on biting or chewing electric sensation or sudden sensitivity on certain foods Constant pain that lasts for hours and will need medication.

2. HOW DOES THE DENTIST CHOOSE A FILLING ?

Filling materials earlier ranged from silver amalgam fillings to cements like glass ionomer.But now the most widely used option is composite material, a kind of plastic that is soft before and hardens while chemically bonding to your teeth when cured with a UV light.

3. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ?

Costs of fillings can vary widely on:

  • The material being used by the dentist
  • Skill and experience of the dentist
  • The size of the filling
  • Amount of remaining tooth structure

On average they start from as low as 1000 INR can go up to 4-5 times more.

 4. WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A FILLING ?

A filling procedure if permanent and when done with tooth coloured composite allows you to eat immediately with no precautions. Your tooth is as good as new and you pretty much can’t make out where the filing was done.You may feel symptoms ranging from mild to moderate sensitivity which should all settle within 48 hours.Bite adjustment may be needed if the filling is slightly over or under the level of your bite.You must not continue to experience any food lodgement or prolonged sensitivity after this procedure.

5. PREVENTION MAINTENANCE AND AFTER CARE

Decay or cavities can be prevented by a variety of preventive procedures like applying sealants in the fissures of teeth to prevent food lodgement and fluoride application to attract more calcium and protect the tooth from bacterial acid breakdown.Fillings once done can be maintained by proper home care measures including brushing, mouthwash and flossing.

6. HOW LONG WILL IT LAST ?

Contrary to popular expectation where people think fillings are forever, a filling lasts anywhere from 3-7 years on average but needs annual regular checkups.Always look out for any discolouration, darkening, chipping under the filling this shows a breakdown or wear and indicates the need for replacement.

5 Common Mistakes People Make While Brushing and How to Fix Them

DR. DIKSHA TAHILRAMANI BATRA

Dentist

Dentistry is not expensive, neglect is! Brushing is an activity that has been embedded in our systems since time immemorial. It’s an exercise you start and end your day with, a routine that can sometimes pass by almost subconsciously, leading to bad habits and ultimately poor oral health and hygiene. Here are a few mistakes people commonly make when brushing their teeth.

NOT USING THE PROPER TOOTHBRUSH 

The biggest myth of our time is to buy a medium or hard tooth brush to clean more effectively that’s what causes the maximum damage over the years by wearing off healthy natural teeth with overzealous care.

USING AN ANTI-SENSITIVITY/WHITENING TOOTHPASTE PERMANENTLY

A common mistake is to use a medicated tooth paste meant to mask sensitivity over a prolonged period.Such a practice only masks the symptom does not treat the problem and also leaves you vulnerable to cavities, gum disease and bad breath since the predominant component in such a tooth paste is for treating sensitivity or lightening tooth color.

The type of toothpaste that you use doesn’t matter very significantly as long as you use the right amount and twice a day. Sensitive toothpastes are meant to be used for a prescribed period of time and whitening toothpastes must be used under supervision to prevent any potential damage to your teeth. Toothpaste must protect your teeth and gums both so a combination of paste that contains fluoride that protects your teeth from decay -and the gel based part has the antibacterial properties to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

BRUSHING TOO QUICKLY OR TOO MANY TIMES

Most of us hate going to the dentist and find brushing an easier alternative but you cant exactly brush off old cavities just prevent new ones.

See to it that you do not brush your teeth more than twice in a day. Excessive brushing can damage your gums and enamel. It will not take a lot of pressure to remove the plaque; hence most dental practitioners suggest brushing using a very balanced pressure.

Studies show that brushing two times a day and about 2-3 minutes every time is perfect to maintain good oral hygiene. Most people make the mistake of falling short of this duration every time they brush. You can ideally divide the mouth in four sections and approximately spend around 30-40 seconds on each section.

INCORRECT BRUSHING TECHNIQUE

The strokes while brushing your teeth must be vertical and not horizontal. Many people are habituated with performing long horizontal brushing strokes; this leads to irritation and damage.

LEARN THE RIGHT TECHNIQUE

Hold your brush at an angle of 45 degrees to your gums and brush your gums and teeth with an up and down motion and short strokes. Don’t use side to side strokes. Also, start brushing on areas that you have been ignoring till now, reach the difficult to reach inner portion of your teeth. Implement it as a daily ritual and you will attain perfection in it.

WRESTLING OR BRUSHING

Hard brushing damages the gums and is not good for you. Excessive brushing i.e. brushing more than 3-4 times is also bad for you. You must always observe a balance in brushing which keeps your dental health healthy. Since unlearning a bad brushing habit maybe harder the easier solution is to switch from a manual to an automatic brush. Going automatic by using a battery operated brush is recommended since it takes the guesswork out of brushing. It may take a while to get adjusted to but like so many other things which are designed to make life easier automatic brushes make dental hygiene very easy and can even reduce the frequency of your dental visits.

SUPPLEMENT YOUR BRUSHING

Of course, brushing your teeth is only a part of a complete dental care routine.Mouth wash twice a day you should always rinse your mouth and keep it cleaned, otherwise, the germs from the teeth will stay on. Clean between teeth daily with floss. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. Got some questions? Ask us & comment below; we will answer as soon as possible.

What do Dental implants really cost?

DR. DIKSHA TAHILRAMANI BATRA

Dentist

The most common question that I receive these days on a social media page, an email, a phone call or even from patients I meet at a party is not what dental implants are but rather what do they cost?It’s the most common assumption that both dentists and patients make that they already know what dental implants are and what they entail. The  entire class on the types, benefits, indications, implications of dental implants was somehow missed and all we have is myths that are widely believed without scientific basis and customizing to your own case. This is exactly why when one hears a cost attached to this procedure they have no basis to rationalize this as cheap or expensive other than the last quote they heard or saw online.Would you decide your cardiac or neuro surgeon on the basis of his or her rate card? Deciding your dental implant procedure and specialist based on this arbitrary figure can be extremely dangerous. can be extremely dangerous.
Here’s a quick guide to factors to decide for yourself what your dental implants must cost – educate and empower yourself

1. IMPLANT TYPE – ORIGIN MAKE

The key decision in the choice of your implant is the company, design and origin of your implant.As most products the American & European implants from global companies will be expensive for the quality and standards they represent. This is not to say that local makes are not effective but paying for something that is globally approved and available is well worth the cost.It maybe a good practice to ask your surgeon for the research that supports why the implant they’re using is the best.The type of design and material of the implant also determines cost-for example tooth colored zirconia implants are more expensive than the standard titanium ones.Even your dental surgeon is limited by the type of support he receives from the implant company so choose and pay wisely based on this key factor.

2. SKILL QUALIFICATIONS OF YOUR SURGEON

Once you have a great implant the person placing it for you must have the right hands for placing it.

  • Qualifications: When researching your dentist check his qualifications like a specialization in surgery or prosthodontics (science of replacing missing teeth) or even a specialized international degree in implants.
  • Previous cases : You can ask your dentist for any photographs they may have done and how they turned out.
  • Feedback: Read some testimonials of previous patients or ask for references.
  • Skill & Experience: while this is less apparent to judge the above points will prove this.

3. THE TYPE OF DENTAL PRACTICE

Do your research and choose a practice that is geared towards surgery and they have the necessary infrastructure and training to manage emergencies with adeqaute experience.Another important factor is how humane they are in their approach how comfortable they can make you and how painless their approach to dentistry is be it a simple cleaning or a full mouth implant surgery.

4. THE COMPLICATION OF YOUR CASE – YOUR MEDICAL DENTAL HISTORY

If you have multiple teeth that you lost years ago and are now well into your middle or senior years with a few lifestyle diseases like diabetes or bone density issues understand that your complication level is higher than a 20 year old who needs to replace one missing tooth they lost a few months ago.The cost attached to complications must be understood and most cases will require prior preparation before implants can be placed.

5. ACCESS

Make sure your final choice of dentist and practice is someone who is accessible and approachable to you even minutes or years after your surgery and not someone who just wants to make a quick buck. Ask them about follow ups.

6. AVAILABILITY

A common occurrence we see is patients getting implants of companies that they have no idea of this can pose a problem if something comes loose or breaks you need to know what you have in your mouth and that must have enough global reach and presence so if you were to relocate or travel you could still be treated anywhere in the world. Consider these and you will never feel confused or cheated. There is never a price too high for a painfree comfortable surgery done by gentle hands and a caring doctor to give you fixed teeth that help you chew better and smile freely without the fear of appearing artificial or falling out like dentures.

3 Secrets to Making Flossing Simpler

If you have been struggling with that thread we dentists call floss, it’s time you stopped and switched to something way easier. Here are 3 powerful secrets to making flossing easier and a few simple steps to making you cavity proof !! Let’s understand why dentists think flossing is sooo necessary. We all are aware of the fact that merely brushing is not going to protect our teeth especially with the kind of diets we have with processed foods and high sugar content in our foods.Floss when used properly tends to reach places where a normal brush does not and dislodging this processed food breaks up the bacterial buildup so decreasing cavities.

For people who have crowded teeth or a high tendency for decay flossing and other means of dental care become a huge priority if they don’t want to end up in the dental chair frequently paying large bills.While we may not want cavities the option of flossing seems extremely daunting. So let’s say we can have our cake and eat it too maybe we can better clean between teeth and at the same time not have to worry about flossing. A few devices that make our life simpler.

Floss Stick  A pocket friendly tool it is a floss thread mounted on a U – Shaped soft plastic stick which can easily go between your teeth without getting tangled. It is also more controlled as you can handle it better and so gums don’t get injured and bleed as they may with bad technique with a regular floss. These are disposable and should be used for all teeth at one time with rinsing the plaque of in between.Best is to stand and in front of a mirror and start off with the front teeth and then move to the back as u get better with technique.

Power Flossing  The digital or power flosser makes for some powerful bacteria dispelling action. It’s a small pen like device that has changeable flexible tips that go between teeth and dislodge trapped food and debris which is then washed away by rinsing or brushing. If you’re still not convinced of the manual technique then going automatic makes perfect sense.The biggest advantage is the speed and ease of use for all ages .

Water Flossing If you don’t want anything going between your teeth and want to eliminate all chances of poking and bleeding your gums,then the water flosser is for you as this is the best just a water jet cleaning between your teeth and all around your mouth.   The benefit is you just need to hold it against your teeth allowing the water jet to spray out all the trapped food and bacteria. So easy to use and portable and family versions allow it to be cost effective as well. This pressure jet comes with tips that can suit your use like a seperate tip for tongue cleaning and even cleaning between braces.

A great smile is priceless so practicing good oral care is Homelike making an investment that will pay out in the  long term.

5 Reasons Why Dental Checkups Are Essential.

Here are 5 compelling reasons why Dental checkups are important:

1. Preventive Catching the problem small is prudent. If you had to get a cavity filled, wouldn’t you rather have it done earlier? Wouldn’t you rather clean your gums before pus and bleeding sets in? Isn’t bad breathe better cured beforehand than after an embarrassing episode? Discussing your specific issue with a dentist can help you deal with it quickly and painlessly. The biggest benefit of dealing with dental issues is the huge cost savings that you end up making Now that’s motivation enough for me!

2. Health Issues Detected A little-known fact about dental checkups is that they give us a lot of information about a patient’s general health. Diabetes, vitamin and iron deficiencies in heart conditions, hormonal imbalances can all be detected in the mouth itself. Even deadly diseases like HIV and cancer also show up in the mouth alerting us of their existence and timely detection.

3. Getting the most out of your Oral Care Routine When visiting a dentist, questions that often cross your mind about the best toothbrush or toothpaste and whether to floss or not are best cleared. Double checking if you are doing all that you need to can be yet another reason to get a dental checkup. Most of us either forget or avoid this discussion but knowing the perfect oral care routine can definitely keep you safe and healthy. Most parents must ask these questions for their child’s oral care routine.

4. Detecting hidden problems  Most of us don’t even know we have dental problems since we have no pain we assume all is well but is it? With the latest in dental technology, we have equipment that can detect decay by a single beep, smile analysis reveals problem areas in your smile and how you can achieve an attractive smile by correcting those specific issues. Your occlusal or bite analysis reveals future problems with your jaws and muscles. Alignment of your teeth (orthodontic analysis), when analyzed, can also reveal how long your teeth will remain healthy in their current position or if you need to push them to more favourable positions with braces or aligners to make them last longer.

5. Emergency Averted The one thing I believe that unites all dental patients and can be a motivation to drag yourself to a dental appointment is the impending doom of sudden pain and a dental emergency. Excruciating dental nerve pain is one of the most common dental emergencies and it arises due to years of neglect when decay in our teeth proceeds to hit the nerves and causes us to take immediate action. Emergencies arising out of injuries are also mostly preventable like sports injuries that cause teeth breakage or damage can be avoided by wearing a mouth guard. Road traffic accidents causing jaw fractures are equally commonplace leading to jaw injuries but these can also be avoided by wearing helmets.

So whatever be your reasons for holding back from a checkup at least one of these reasons should motivate you to make your to that comfortable dental chair to meet your friendly local dentist!

 

Having fun at the Dental office

DR. DIKSHA TAHILRAMANI BATRA

Dentist
An infant develops teeth at 6 months age and can be in the teething phase as late as 2.5 years of age.This period is followed by 4 years of using and protecting milk teeth.At age 6 the transition of milk teeth changing into permanent teeth begins and goes on up to the age of almost 12 years.

Chances are most of us haven’t visited the dentist until we were well into our teens or even in our twenties and even if we had to earlier it wasn’t an entirely memorable experience.This is why most parents believe there’s no need to bring their child unless there’s a problem.There are many others who have now started bringing their children early on to prevent the same experiences or dental problems they’ve had.

So the right age to bring in a child for a check up is as early as 6 months-within 1 year of age when teeth start to develop and problems such as teething may arise.

It is at this stage that 3 things need to happen:

  • Parents need to know how to care for their infants emerging teeth.
  • They may need help with teething the first few months.
  • Most importantly the child needs to start getting comfortable with the environment sights sounds and smells of the dental office.

So if you do make it to the clinic with your infant a delightful array of experiences are awaiting you and your child.Forget the conventional dental experience. The children these days are greeted with a host of pleasant surprises as they refuse to leave the clinic as amazed mothers are comfortably counselled about how to handle the toughest issues. From making brushing fun to looking out for cavities and bad habits to watch out for moms know it all by the time they walk out of this experience.

Our Happy Patient Mommy Patient Shreya Lamba shares her experience:

“Just visited smile essentials – a dental clinic in Khar with my three year old…Dr. Diksha there was unbelievable with my little one. They have a TV on the ceiling, balloons and the works coupled with such a soft and friendly approach. Floored!!! ”

Technology – Painless dentistry is officially here -with the right equipment kids are no longer feeling the needles and drills that we grew up seeing !

Activities – Instead of the usual humdrum dental visit kids are now greeted with a bunch of exciting and fun activities from play dates to engaging and entertaining games kids have it all to distract them from what would otherwise seem like a never ending ordeal.Children and parents now associate dentistry more with fun than the erstwhile dreaded pain and that morose patient like feeling.

Rewards – Rewarding kids always works but doing it right is what matters.When they have behaved and cooperated  looked after their dental health they get exciting prizes and fun treats all to do with reinforcing their brushing habits and making dental health exciting for them!

What was your first memory of going to the dentist ? What age were you ? How do you rate your dental health as a result of this delay ?

Please reply in the comments below we would love to know more about your dental journey so far !

Dental Tips for Senior Citizen

DR. DIKSHA TAHILRAMANI BATRA

Dentist

Dental care at all ages has its importance more so when it’s preventive in nature. But unfortunately as we are creatures of habit ( more so, bad dental habits) we don’t really look after our teeth until maybe it’s too late.So if you have neglected or rather not prioritized your dental health for the last 50-60 years it’s time you took charge of the situation. TAKE BABY STEPS – Sometimes it pays to reverse age and unlearn some of your previous experiences. Whether you have spent a few decades avoiding the dental chair or maybe have had a bit too much of dental work which now seems to be falling apart – either ways starting slow and easy is a good idea. Try and understand the clear picture of what all work is required and in what sequence would it best work. Have your dentist communicate everything to you in writing with a clear plan involving both time cost and longevity of the treatment.

 

 

BE PROPERLY INFORMED (ASK THE DENTIST NOT GOOGLE SEARCH)

While it’s not necessary to try and Google the treatments that are planned for you. It is wise to ask your dentist for the right information maybe in an easy to see format like clear pictures or animated videos ( not the gory ones which you will see on the Internet and get unnecessarily scared of)In this digital age it’s possible to watch almost everything that will be happening in your mouth in a video format so it’s easy to understand and know what to expect.Taking the time to understand your treatments is a new approach versus the old where you would let your dentist just get started and then be in for a rude surprise.

 

 

LEARNING THE RIGHT MAINTENANCE

After years of brushing the way we do sometimes it’s hard to assume that there could be a better way.Most people in the age group of 50 and above assume that hard brushes are the way to go.It’s only now with heightened awareness people know that soft and automatic brushes are the way to go.Installing new habits like dental flossing. Using mouth wash and tongue cleaning daily can save you from preventable problems.Dentists also now provide a host of preventive services starting at a young age but also for adults. Fluoride coating – To reduce the occurrence of decay. Sealants – To reduce food getting stuck in the grooves and fissures of the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. Braces – For correcting crowded teeth which tend to decay earliest. Early gum treatments – Before teeth become mobile and are lost.

DIAGNOSIS OF DISEASES

Numerous patients over the age of 50 come in for a tooth related problem and fortunately become aware of a dormant but serious medical issue.Your mouth reflects the status of various organs and disease states in the body ranging from diabetes, cardiac health, oral cancers to anemia to name a few.Some experts claim to decipher which system in the body is affected merely by seeing which tooth is damaged. Diagnosing lifestyle diseases at an early stage via dental examinations saves patients from grave irreversible complications.

 

 

IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS

We are often told “I never came to the dentist as I never had any pain” Besides dental pain there are numerous signs that should tip you off and make you aware that it is time to schedule a dental visit :

  • Bad breath
  • Bleeding gums
  • Stained teeth
  • Food sticking between teeth (incessant need to use a tooth pick after meals)
  • Brown Black or grey discolouration anywhere on the teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Missing teeth
  • Old silver fillings

You may not realize but all of these in the mouth can affect the health of other. Teeth and reduce your chewing efficiency which can lead to long term issues and increase your chances drastically for emergency dental care.

 

 

DENTAL SIP PLAN

Dental treatments may seem expensive if you have a lot of accumulated work and the added increase in cost over the years with technology and upgrading.But putting off dental work can prove even more expensive due to increase in costs and the progress of disease in your mouth.It’s logical to assume that when the problem starts it may be cured by just a filling, if ignored it’ll proceed to be a root canal which is almost 6 times the cost with the crown and even if still ignored you may have to extract and replace which then is 7-10 times the cost not to mention the pain and time involved.To add to all this a replacement will always be a tad bit inferior to the original.So it would be prudent to start investing systematically in your dental plan so you budget the expenses and keep the experience painfree both in your mind and your mouth.Saving as little as 5k monthly can insure you to have enough of you have moderately good oral health & hygiene.

 

 

PREPARING FOR A CAREFREE DENTAL FUTURE

Part of aging gracefully is conserving gods natural gifts -teeth as you will realize are topping that list.So even if you may have damaged or lost teeth bring diligent about caring for them will serve you well for the years to come.Studies show that people with well conserved teeth be it natural or artificial have a lesser likely chance of both digestive and psychological problems.Do not ignore those missing or broken teeth in the back of your mouth.

 

 

MY INVISALIGN JOURNEY – PART 1 – MEASURING UP FOR ALIGNERS

I’m writing this blog at the start of my teeth alignment treatment with Invisalign.
This is designed to be one of many real-time blogs that are aimed at making a patient understand what they will feel at every stage during this process. My treatment is meant to span the next 4 months and I promise at least one “behind the scenes -dentist undergoing treatment” version of the treatment every month. So strap on and let’s see where this takes us.

TAKING THE PLUNGE

My decision to get Invisalign resulted from an embarrassing conversation with my husband when we were boasting off who had the better smile. He had a mouth full of dental work and me with my pristine smile was bound to win but as he pointed out my crooked lower teeth and his perfectly aligned ones, the winner seemed obvious even to me! Reluctantly so I called up my orthodontist and resigned myself to my 3rd round of braces only this time I was determined no one would know.

 

DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS

A week later I found myself in my orthodontist’s office getting a digital impression. A cool technology that had replaced the gooey gummy stuff that would be stuck in my mouth making me gag-this, on the other hand, was like a camera that clicked some thousands of images of my teeth to reconstruct them on screen and eventually into 3D models. I was done in 5 minutes and back at my clinic treating patients again. Now all I had to do was wait while the plan arrived in 3D virtual animation

SIMULATION

In a weeks time, I received a call to come to discuss my simulation. This was basically a video showing the different stages of my teeth moving from their starting crooked position to their final straight positions. This video was so reassuring to watch as it made the whole treatment worth it cos you could see what you were getting at the end of it.
I remembered how as young kids we would strap on braces without any guarantees or idea where our teeth would end up and how that would make us look. So this was super-starting with the end in mind -skyrocketed my motivation to get it done.

 

THE PROMISE

With that out of the way my orthodontist now wanted my solemn oath of cooperation-a promise that I would wear the aligners for 22 hours a day for them to work, they had to be in my mouth. To be honest, when I signed up I really wasn’t sure how conscious I would be consulting with my patients with invisible braces and I probably thought I would wear it a few hours a day so I promised ( with my fingers crossed at the back ) I had no choice my smile straightening had officially begun.

 

 

Dental Care for Seniors – Renewing Old Smiles

They say “Bache aur boodhe ek jaise
”So just like a pediatric dentist and a pediatric dental visit are specialised for children, a geriatric dental visit is not a routine dental procedure and should be treated differently from a regular adult appointment. Most of us pack in a 75-year-old case as part of our routine daily schedule not realising that they may need special attention in several aspects of their treatment. Let’s explore some common aspects that can be considered before caring for senior citizens.

 

Detailed medical history

An old person may not even look old and sometimes may convince you of how healthy they are and how they just got a blood test and everything was fine. Most people undermine the seriousness of a dental appointment by innocently assuming what does this have to do with my health. Sometimes it’s not remembering or just failing to mention important medications, allergies or procedures. So it becomes imperative to ensure that we are making doubly sure by asking them leading questions and extracting the useful medical history to ensure nothing endangers them. In case of any doubts, it’s best to order tests again just to be doubly sure.

 

 

Treatment objectives

We hardly ever notice the subtle changes in the treatment plan and diagnosis that are needed when planning a geriatric case. Anaesthetic filling in a 20-year-old will be much more high on esthetic perfection and can be done with a rubber dam and anaesthesia with additional cosmetic procedures. Most often we may not have the same luxury with a geriatric case. In this case, just ensuring decay removal without making the patient gag in the shortest duration is the objective of treatment. Similarly, when planning full mouth implants or even long span bridge replacements there are numerous factors to consider right from the longevity of both patient and prosthesis, to cost, to other medical diseases, oral hygiene and general decay rate. It would be a good practice to establish the treatment objective right at the start, it could be pain relief, tooth replacement, caries control. Whichever it may function will always precede esthetic demand in these cases.

 

Cost vs benefit

With all the elderly patients that we treat even the ones who are extremely affording the general perception is to try and be conservative on the cost to benefit ratio. A large majority would rather let the issue be as opposed to spending a large sum for a time that they may not even live for- depending on the age. The popular dental joke is “my bridge or implant may outlast me. ”We must remain mindful of our patient’s desires and ensure we give them some out of the box and yet cost competent solutions in the waning years of life

 

Shorter & fewer appointments

Most elderly patients may have mobility issues and for those who are agile, they may still have a host of other medical problems, least of them being weak back and neck muscles. Prolonged dental sessions can strain them so best to keep their appointments in the morning after their medications and just before lunch so as their meal times don’t get affected. The aim should be to go in with a well thought out treatment plan that minimizes visits and maximizes outcome.

Caring for the elderly deserves due consideration and it becomes our moral and professional responsibility to look after these patients with a prepared and methodical approach even if that involves roping in specialists to ensure a better experience.