Hyperdontia is a peculiar and quite rare dental problem which involves the growth of excess number of teeth. It can appear during birth and last till the primary teeth fall out to be replaced by the permanent set of teeth, or appear with the rise of the permanent teeth. If a person shows a tendency to grow more than 20 temporary teeth or more than 32 permanent teeth, he or she suffers from hyperdontia. 

Where do the additional teeth occur?
The additional teeth or supernumerary teeth can appear anywhere inside the mouth or dental arch, but the most common ones are called wisdom teeth and they grow as anterior molars after a certain age. Extra teeth in new born infants are called natal teeth. Occurrence of more than 4-6 supernumerary teeth is rare, although there have been known cases of more than 30 supernumerary teeth. 

Why does hyperdontia occur?
1. Hyperdontia often occurs in association with a few select disorders like cleidocranial dysplasia, Ehler - Danlos syndrome, Gardner syndrome, and cleft lip and palate. 
2. Although the exact cause of hyperdontia has not yet been discovered, some studies have shown that it might be a result of over activity of dental lamina during the phase of tooth development in infancy. 
3. It could also possibly be due to genetic or environmental factors. 

What problems does it pose and how can hyperdontia be corrected?
1. The existence of extra teeth often causes problems in speaking.
2. It may also cause deformation in the mouth region, and impediments in a lot of other functional activities like eating. 
3. In rare cases, the extra tooth/teeth may be agents of tumors or cysts. 
4. Therefore, treatment must be swiftly undertaken so as to remove the extra teeth and prevent rise of further teeth in the same spot. 
5. Sometimes, hyperdontia also leads to overcrowding and misshapen rows of teeth; this can also be corrected with extensive procedures.

All About Hyperdontia

Why most Indian Adults Need Teeth Scaling? 

Huge number of Indians tend to ignore or abuse their dental health. Most adults in the country need regular scaling due to their food and lifestyle habits. 
Teeth scaling is one of the most common methods used for treating gum disease. This procedure helps remove plaque and tartar (causes of gum tissue inflammation) build-up on your teeth. In a nutshell, it reverses the occurrence of gum disease, while preventing further development of it into a serious condition. A non-surgical procedure, teeth scaling is different from a normal dental cleaning as it involves cleaning the tooth areas that are under the gum line. It removes substances that cannot be removed through brushing.

The importance of scaling

In addition to giving you healthy gums, dental scaling is important for reducing your risk of having a heart disease. If you’re wondering how teeth scaling is connected to your heart, here’s how – several studies show that gum disease can increase your risk of heart disease as the bacteria that build up along the gum line get dislodged, enter your blood and attach themselves to the blood vessels, causing the formation of clots. These clots then cause a drop in your blood flow to the heart, bringing about a rise in your blood pressure, and consequently increasing your risk of a heart attack.

How often it must be done?

To keep your gums and teeth in good condition, it is best to go for teeth scaling every 6 months. This is because as you age your saliva becomes thicker with a decrease in its water content. As a result, your mouth becomes more prone to dryness, thereby allowing the food and bacteria to remain longer in the mouth, causing the formation of plaque. A soft sticky film on the teeth, plaque continues to form in your mouth and begins to mineralize into tartar within 10-14 hours. This makes it all the more necessary to get this job done on a regular basis.




Reality Check: 98% Adult Indians Need Teeth Scaling. Why?

Everybody desires to possess a beautiful smile but poor lifestyle and dietary habits tend to damage the natural white hue of your teeth and add a yellowish tinge to it. Yellowish and dull teeth are among the major factors that cause embarrassment and affect the quality of your beautiful smile.

The following are some foods that tend to damage your teeth:

1. Potato chips- potato chips are high in starch content and have the tendency to get stuck in your teeth. Floss thoroughly after eating potato chips to ensure effective removal of the food particles that get stuck in your teeth to lessen the risk of plaque build-up in it.

2. Sticky food- food which is sticky in nature often has the tendency to stick on to your teeth for longer than most other foods. Most dried fruits also fall under the category of sticky foods that can damage your teeth to a great extent. Rinse and floss on a regular basis after eating these foods to ensure protection of your teeth against damage.

3. Wine- according to studies, wine has positive effect on your health when consumed moderately; however, it is also responsible for damaging your oral health. If you intake a glass of wine at night on a regular basis, it increases the risk of damaging your tooth enamel and leads to its discoloration. Wine can also affect the calcium content of your teeth, cause bad breath and may result in the imbalance of your mouth's ph level. It is advisable to drink small sips of wine without swishing it for a long time.

4. Coffee and black tea- black tea and caffeinated coffee tend to dry your mouth. Frequent consumption of tea and coffee tend to stain your teeth and it is responsible for the discoloration of your teeth. Make it a point to drink plenty of water to minimize the risk of teeth staining.

5. Carbonated drinks- most carbonated drinks, including diet soda and soft drinks are acidic in composition and therefore, harmful for the health of your teeth. Caffeinated beverages tend to dry out the mouth, therefore, ensure to drink adequate water to balance out the negative impact of the caffeine.

6. Sports drinks- most energy drinks and sports drinks are high in sugar content and thus, have the tendency to damage your oral hygiene; ultimately affecting the appearance of your teeth. Replace your sports drinks with fresh natural juice to lessen the risk of teeth damage.

Foods That Are Ruining Your Perfect Smile

Facial Palsy is a paralysis of facial muscles. The weakness of facial muscles is also known as Facial Palsy. It may be caused by temporary or permanent damage to facial nerves. There are different facial nerves for different sides of the face. When nerve bundles on one side are affected, muscles on that side of the face become weak. 

Since different nerves are involved, cerebral palsy may affect different parts of the face such as lower part, left side, right side, etc. There are medicines for Facial Palsy. However, there is no standard treatment approach in modern medicine for treating Facial Palsy. However, Ayurveda can help in treating these patients.

Ayurvedic Interpretation of Facial Palsy:

In Ayurveda, Facial Palsy is referred to as Ardita, and it is defined as a disability in facial expressions and communication. The source of the disease is facial nerve paralysis, which precipitates motor and sensory impairment on the affected side of the face. According to Ayurveda, this disease can affect people of all ages. 

Ayurveda targets the dosha responsible for this disease. According to Ayurveda, the dosha responsible for this problem is known as Vata. It is thought that the face or the relevant side of the face is afflicted by Vata, which needs to be rectified.

Factors Responsible for Facial Palsy:

According to Ayurveda, there are some factors which may precipitate Facial Palsy in the long term. These include:

Speaking loudly.

Chewing hard stuff.

Laughing, sneezing or yawning excessively.

Putting heavy load on head.

Sudden change of direction of head or neck.

Having uncomfortable posture during sleep.

Using too high or too low pillows.

Anemia.

Injuries.

Excessive sleeping during the day.

Excessive use of tongue scrapers.

Excessive rubbing of the ears, eyes, and nose.

Consuming excess of alcohol.

Symptoms of Facial Palsy According to Ayurveda:

Preliminary symptoms of Facial Palsy, as mentioned in different Ayurvedic books, include: 

Blurred vision.

Loss of sense of touch on facial skin.

Pain.

Neck stiffness.

Jaw stiffness.

Distortion of the affected side.

Tremors of the head.

Shaking of teeth.

Incomplete closure of affected eyelids.

Distortion of nose.

Slurred speech.

Hoarseness in voice.

Impairment of hearing loss and smell sensation.

Pain in the ear on the affected side.

Trouble chewing and swallowing.

Sneeze getting suppressed.

Severe pain in the neck, chin, teeth, on the affected side.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Facial Palsy:

Ayurveda depends on the following to treat the problem.

Oil massages on the head.

Applications of oil to the ears and eyes.

In the case of any burning sensation, therapeutic bloodletting may also be conducted.

Medicated oil in nostrils

Oral drugs include Akaangavira Rasa, Sameera Pannaga, Ashwagandha Churna, Ashwagandharishta, etc.

Exercise including balloon breathing exercise

Conclusion:

A study published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research has come up with astounding results for the efficacy of Ayurveda on Facial Palsy. This indicates that in the absence of any standard therapy, Ayurveda can offer an excellent remedy against Facial Palsy. However, it is always recommended to consult an Ayurvedic physician before opting any ayurvedic remedies or purchasing any ayurvedic medicines. Any treatment depends upon the condition of the individual. This is why one should always consult a doctor before going for any treatment.

Facial Palsy - Causes, Symptoms & Ayurvedic Treatment For It!

Gingivitis is a disorder, which is characterized by inflammation, swelling and irritation in the gums. Usually, the symptoms of this disorder are mild, so you might not pay much heed to them. However, if left untreated, this condition can result in other serious disorders, such as teeth loss and periodontitis. The primary cause of gingivitis is an improper oral hygiene.

The symptoms of gingivitis are:

    Red gums that bleed easily
    Swelling in the gums
    Tender gums that are receding
    You may have bad breath
    You may bleed from your gums during brushing and flossing

Causes: The most common cause of this disorder is bad oral hygiene, which facilitates the formation of plaque on your teeth. If the foods you eat contain excess sugar, the bacteria in your mouth may interact with them to produce acid (plaque) if you don't manage to maintain good oral habits. If not removed, the plaque can turn into tartar; plaque can be difficult to get rid of as tartar.

Treatment: The treatment for gingivitis usually begins with an initial evaluation and a professional cleaning to get rid of the tartar. You should use proper brushing and flossing techniques to prevent the recurrence of plaque. You should also follow up with the dentist on a regular basis for check-ups.

Scaling is the procedure by which the plaque from the teeth is removed. If the sources of problems are misaligned teeth and poorly fitted dentures, then these need to be fixed. There are certain home remedies for gingivitis such as:

    Use toothbrush that has soft bristles
    Visit a dentist for regular oral check- ups, it is very essential for the upkeep of sound oral health
    Regular flossing can help
    Use a non-alcoholic mouthwash which can help in removal of cavities and plaque to a certain extent, though not majorly
    Use fluoride based toothpaste to brush your teeth at least twice a day
    Clean your teeth regularly, avoid eating foods laden with sugar and eat plenty of vegetables

Gingivitis and Its Causes and Symptoms

Tongue is an important organ of your body. Without the tongue you would not have been able to enjoy one of the most pleasurable experiences of life: tasting food! Imagine how life would be without the sudden euphoria you experience when you taste something delicious. Not only do your taste buds help you to taste food, but it also rejects harmful substances like toxins and sends your brain a signal to avoid consuming it. The tongue also helps in digestion of food. It makes the food pass easily from your mouth and throat to your stomach. Apart from tasting and sending signals to your brain, the tongue helps you to talk. It facilitates speech. It alters the air in your mouth which is produced by the vocal cords. That is how you make a wide range of sounds.


Tongue problems:


Burning sensation on the tongue: This normally occurs in women who have recently attained menopause. Mood swings are also a characteristic feature of menopause. Burning sensation is rare but a symptom of post menopause. Burning sensations can also occur due to cigarette smoking.
Change in the tongue color: Many times having a pink tongue means deficiency in iron, folic acid and vitamin B-12. This can also be because of an allergy to gluten. A white tongue can occur due to smoking or drinking alcohol.
Tongue pain: It can occur due to biting, injury or infection. Canker pains are also common. It can be caused by aging, diabetes, tumors and infection.
Tongue swelling: It is caused by down-syndrome, tongue cancer, leukemia, strep throat and anemia.
Oral thrush: It is a yeast infection. It makes the surface of the tongue and the mouth look like cottage cheese. People suffering from asthma or diabetes can also get oral thrush.


Remedies for tongue problem:


Don't consume spicy and hot food.
If you have a canker sore, try to drink only cold beverages and eat soft foods.
Rinse your mouth regularly with a mixture of warm water and salt or you can also make a mixture of warm water and baking soda.
Apply ice to soothe your tongue.


If the tongue pain persists then it is better to book an appointment with an ENT specialist or with an otolaryngologist.


All About Tongue Problems

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