Do you know the impact that tea has on your oral health? Tea not only has many health benefits for those who drink it, but it also aids in the recovery and health of swollen, bleeding, or infected gums. Black tea especially contains high level of antioxidants and also another component called Tannic Acid. Tannic Acid is found in the barks of certain plants and has a healing effect on gums and also acts as a bacteria repellent component. This is a simple at-home solution for swollen gums, otherwise it is always better to consult a dentist during such circumstances. Make an appointment at Acharya Dental to find out more.
Electric or Manual toothbrushes?
Do you prefer electric tooth brushes over manual? There are pros and cons in choosing either option. Electric tooth brushes have a lot of features that make them an attractive choice. Some of them even have built-in timers to calculate amount of time you brush your teeth. However the downside is that they are relatively expensive and the cost of replacing heads can pile up. So keep in mind that regularly replaced manual tooth brushes will do a better job cleaning your teeth than worn out electric tooth brushes. For more guidance on oral hygiene, make an appointment at Acharya Dental and consult with our dentists on how to care for your teeth.
Occlusion and Malocclusion
Occlusion is a term that is used to refer to the alignment of your teeth. Ideally, your teeth should fit easily within your mouth without any crowding or spacing. In addition, none of your teeth should be rotated or twisted. The teeth of your upper jaw should slightly overlap the teeth of your lower jaw so that the points of your molars fit into the groves of the opposite molar. Deviations from ideal occlusion are known as malocclusion. If the teeth are misaligned, they will not be able to perform vital functions and may cause dental and medical problems. Find out more about malocclusion at Acharya Dental.
Prevent Oral Cancer now!
Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because in its early stages, it may not be noticed by the patient as it can frequently enlarge in size without producing pain or symptoms. Oral cancers carry a high risk of spreading to the lymph nodes and distant parts of the body if left untreated. We at Acharya Dental have a highly trained team to keep an eye out for potential cancerous lesions. Our dentists always stress that prevention is better than cure and offer advice on tips to prevent oral cancer.
Dr. Acharya recounts her experience with Dr. Branemark
I first met Dr. Per Ingvar Branemark in the summer of ’95 in Gothenburg, Sweden. I traveled with 3 other Indian dentists to gain a first hand exposure to dental implants. We arrived at the Branemark Osseointegration Centre in Sweden and were received with the hospitality that the Swedes are well known for. After exchanging a few pleasantries we were led into another hall where dentists from around the world had gathered, about 30 in all. A few seconds later, Dr. Branemark walked in. I was struck by the energy, enthusiasm and vitality of the man. He had a twinkle in his eyes and a purpose in his demeanor. Good morning doctors, he said, his voice cutting into the silence. “I am not a dentist”, he began. He went onto explain that he was an orthopaedic surgeon and research professor who had happened upon osseointegration by accident. Extolling the possibilities of this phenomena, he believed that thousands of people would be helped by osseointegration. Hope was now there for the hopeless.
At this point he stopped talking and abruptly said “Frank, come in”. A small curtain parted and in walked a heavy set young man in his mid-thirties. P.I exchanged the usual pleasantries and then said, “Frank, show these doctors what you have.” To which, Frank pulled the trouser off his left leg to show a limb completely constructed from groin to foot in Titanium. A team of Surgeons and Neurosurgeons had, in a series of surgeries, given him a moving, usable limb. He had lost his leg in an accident while farming. This, said PI, is what osseointegration is all about. As dentists, you can bring cheer to your patients by giving them fixed teeth. You can make them smile again.
Titanium implants could be placed not only in the jaw but could also serve as a scaffold for artificial prosthesis. Silicon is used to replace soft tissue and is draped over implants to restore lost body parts and rehabilitate patients who were physically and emotionally traumatized. This would help them get back into mainstream society. Thus, implants are being used to correct loss of facial structures like a nose or an ear due to the ravages of cancer.
So began my foray into the world of dental implants. Moving from just burying implants for undisturbed healing to immediate loading and to guided surgery, the journey has been a satisfying and rewarding experience. Prior to the discovery of “osseointegration” dental implant technology consisted of blade and transosteal implants. A metal blade was placed within a bony incision with a vertical segment and sticking out through the healed ridge. Transosteal implants used for the lower jaw consisted of a number of screws inserted into the inferior aspect and extended into the oral cavity. These implants relied on mechanical retention. Dr. Branemark’s discovery of the fact that Titanium could fuse with bone came to be known as osseointegration and root form implants called fixtures became the new standard of Implantology. This serendipitous discovery has changed the way we practice dentistry.
Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, the pioneer of implant dentistry, visits Acharya Dental in the year 2002
Dr. Branemark honoured me by visiting Acharya Dental in Chennai, India where I practice. It was the highlight of my career. Patients rehabilitated with Branemark implants were called and he assessed them meticulously and had a kind word for all my patients. He remembered me years later at a Nobel BioCare Symposium. The Indian lady with the red “dot” on the forehead he said, with a smile. I met him once more in March 2012. His health was failing but his enthusiasm remained. He was now on a wheelchair, frail but indomitable. Dr. Yataro Komiyama “his Japanese son” and my mentor, was also at this Meeting. P.I looked up and smiled. He still remembered the obscure lady dentist from India. Such was his charisma.
Dr. Branemark has inspired not just me but generations of dentists internationally. Today the man who made the world smile is no more. This message has certainly reached the dentists of the world. “Nobody should die with their teeth in a glass”, he said. We will see that this does not happen, dear P.I. What better way than that to celebrate your life and your gift to mankind?
Beware of what you bite!
Beware of what you bite! People who bite their fingernails when stressed, chew on a pencil when nervous or clench their jaw during activities such as playing sports, working out at the gym or sleeping (night grinding) could be placing their teeth at a great risk of being worn down. These unnatural chewing or biting forces can wear down teeth quite fast and puts stress on your teeth which can cause them to misalign or even fracture in some cases. It is better to put an end to this before it becomes a habit. Visit our clinic to get the best solutions to protect your teeth.
Acharya’s article in Kungumam magazine
Read Dr. Acharya’s article in Kumgumam Doctor magazine that was published recently!
Do you buy teeth whitening products over the counter?
Do you buy teeth whitening products over the counter? If so, proceed with caution. Many over-the-counter whitening products are not as effective because their chemistry is either very weak and cannot bleach the teeth for effectively or they are very strong and dangerous to use and ingest. Professional teeth whiteners are safe, effective, and done under the supervision of a dental professional. Visit our clinic to get your teeth whitening done by some of the best dentists in India.
Are you thinking of removing your tooth to avoid Root Canal treatment?
Are you thinking of removing your tooth to avoid Root Canal treatment? When teeth are extracted and not replaced, teeth near the empty spaces begin to shift. This can affect your chewing ability, cause your mouth to sink in and your face to change appearance, and allow plaque to build up more easily. Make an appointment with us to get the best treatment for root canal and other dental problems.
Symptoms of Cavity developement
Make an appointment with us if you are experiencing the symptoms of developing a cavity!