How often should I get my dental check up done?
According to Dr Rajat Sachdeva the best dentist in Delhi, getting a preventive dental health check up is very essential. As we all know that prevention is better than cure in medicine, the same is applied for dentistry. A check up once in every 6 months is important. During this checkup any new developing cavity can be detected at early stages which can be prevented from going deep and causing you more pain in future. These visits can also be followed by professional cleaning of teeth.
How should we brush our teeth?
The most common technique that can be used with almost everyone is the modified bass technique. At Sachdeva’s dental clinic it is a regular practice that every patient is shown this brushing technique. The pictures below gives you a overview how we can brush our teeth. Please remember to brush twice daily , morning before breakfast and at night before going to sleep.
Do children also brush their teeth with the normal tooth paste?
Children can brush their teeth from the toothpaste being used by there parents. It is very important to note that the amount of tooth paste to be used for a child has to be rice size and pea size for kids. The picture given below explains it in detail.
How often should I get my dental cleaning done?
Dental cleaning is a process that is done by a professional, during which the tartar/calculus that is attached to the tooth is removed. This tartar can not be removed by normal brushing done at home. Professional cleaning shall be done once in 9-12 months, this can be reduced depending upon the tendency to form calculus. Some specialists may also recommend to get professional cleaning done once in 4-6 months.
For our patients at Dr Rajat Sachdeva’s dental clinic patients are advised professional cleaning in a customized fashion depending on detail clinical check up of your oral cavity.
What is tooth sensitivity and how can I correct it?
The most common symptom seen by majority of the patients is that they experience sensitivity to fluids after professional cleaning. It is a normal post operative symptom. According to Dr Rajat Sachdeva, this sensitivity should go away in one or two days. However if it doesn’t you should immediately take an appointment at ________________________ or call at __________________________.
Tooth sensitivity can happen due to the following reasons
- Abrasion or tooth wear down : it is the wear and tear of the tooth where the topmost layer of the tooth called enamel gets removed due to hard brushing or forceful brushing of teeth.
- Recession of gums: irregular or incorrect brushing technique can cause movement of the gums away from the teeth, thus exposing the sensitive portion of the tooth causing sensitivity
- Gum disease: diseases like periodontitis and gingivitis which causes inflammation/swelling of the gums and
- Cracked tooth
- Clenching of teeth or bruxism
- Tooth whitening or bleaching products used
- Plaque or tartar buildup
- Cavities / caries
When do I use a mouthwash?
Mouthwash is an anticariogenic/anticavity liquid which is used only when needed or prescribed by a dentist. It is recommended by Dr Rajat Sachdeva that mouthwashes should only be used when advised by the dentist such as post extraction, surgery etc. It should also be used by following the proper instructions given. There are different types of mouthwashes present in the market. Here at Dr Sachdeva’s Clinic we prescribe customized mouthwashes for each patient.
How are dental x-rays taken are they harmful?
Dental x-rays are now a days taken by placing a square block behind the tooth that needs to be examined, after which x-rays are shot from a portable device or a wall mounted device seen in a clinic. The x-rays can either be developed in a dark room or may directly project onto the computer screen.
It is a known fact that dental xrays are very safe and exposure is very minimal as compared to the xray of chest. However there are things that you should keep in mind to ensure you are being exposed to minimum radiation:
- Is the latest and most advanced Xray machinery being used? (can be seen through built and portability)
- Are the machines well kept, serviced and under AERB supervision
- During full mouth Xays, are you being made to wear protective LED jacket.
What is RCT and what is a crown?
RCT or root canal treatment is the process of cleaning of the tooth by removing or extirpating the pulp of the tooth under local anesthesia. RCT is needed when the cavity in the tooth has reached the pulp when left untreated. You may or maynot have pain in this tooth before RCT, it is advised that we should not confuse that pain is the absolute indication of doing this treatment. Post pulp extirpation the canals in the tooth are filled with an insulating material and sealed completely. Right on top of the seal a filling is placed. To maintain the strength of the tooth, the RC treated tooth is capped with a crown.
Crown is a three dimensional covering that completely encircles the tooth. It is customized and fabricated specially for each patient.
Is filling and RCT the same?
Filling of a tooth is a procedure in which a cavity in a tooth which is not causing intense/ sharp pain is filled with a biocompatible material. Filling of a tooth is placed only in the first two layers of the tooth i.e enamel and dentin.
When this cavity reaches the third layer of the tooth i.e the pulp, it may or may not cause pain in the tooth. It is at this stage that a simple filling may not work and your dentist will be doing an advanced procedure called root canal treatment.
How do cavities occur?
Cavities is a dental disease in which the layers of tooth get decayed by the microbes or germs present in the mouth. Cavities are started when the food that we consume gets stuck on the surfaces of the teeth, the same when not cleaned by an individual becomes a source of nutrition for the microbes. The microbes when feed on this food, produces acid as a by product, this acid causes decay or degradation of the layers of the teeth. Most commonly the first layer to be involved is enamel.
Enamel cavities usually don’t give any symptom but causes discoloration on the tooth surface. However, when cavity reaches the second layer of the tooth called dentin, it then causes sensitivity to cold substances. As the cavity goes deeper and deeper the amount of sensitivity increases.
What type of foods I shall avoid to prevent cavities?
Cavities can be reduced to a greater extent by avoiding sticky and sugary food substances. According to Dr. Sachdeva, he advises his patients that patients should avoid intake of sticky food and avoid taking frequent in between meals such as snacks. It is also essential to have healthy high fiber food in your diet, it helps in natural cleaning of the teeth and in digestion. It is also important to note that caries can take place due to any kind of food that gets stuck or left behind on the tooth surface for a period of time. It is a myth that cavities/caries only happen when people consume sugary substances.
Are dental implants safe?
Dental implant is a biodegradable titanium screw shaped prosthesis that is placed inside the jaw, it mimics the root form of natural tooth. As per Dr Rajat Sachdeva, the best implantologist in Delhi , dental implants are completely safe and are best and permanent option available in dentistry for replacing missing teeth.
The most common problem that can occur with implants is due to poor planning of the treatment or placement of implants. Here at Dr Rajat Sachdeva’s dental clinic, Dr Rajat Sachdeva who is the best implantologist in Delhi, himself plans for each case meticulously. After lot of deliberation only the implants are placed using the latest and state of the art technology in the clinic.
At what age do I take my baby for a dental check up?
Ideally the first preventive check up should be done when the first fewteeth are erupting in your child’s mouth. This would ideally happen around the age of 6-10 months. If there are no teeth that are seen in your child uptil this age, then it is a concern which you shall address in the mouth. At Sachdeva’s dental clinic we take your child’s first visit to his/her dentist very seriously. This visit includes a thorough check up of the oral cavity, followed by proper documentation of the dental records, which are very helpful as your child grows.
