Tooth Worm Tips

What is scaling?
Over time, even with regular brushing and flossing, plaque (sticky, soft, bacteria-infected layer) and tartar (calcium) deposits build up on your teeth. Scaling removes the tartar and plaque with specialised equipment. Scaling effectively cleans up your teeth by using ultrasound to loosen the tartar and then using tools to scrape it off from the surface of the tooth.

What is polishing?
Polishing is done to remove excess plaque and remove stains. Scaling is alway...more

A healthy set of teeth is essential for good living. However, teeth problems are widespread and you are susceptible to it at any age, at any time. Though there are medications available for tooth problems, sometimes extraction of the tooth remains the only plausible solution.

You may have to undergo tooth extraction for multiple reasons. Some of them are:

Unaligned teeth: In case you are suffering from unaligned teeth, chances are that you may suffer from what in technical ter...more

The most common problem affecting the mouth is caries which happens as a result of bacteria acting on the food deposits on the teeth, which produces acid that attacks the tooth structure. The result is loss of tooth structure and formation of pits and cavities which allows more food deposits and causes more decay.

Decay development depends on a number of factors including heredity, tooth structure, oral hygiene habits, food habits, etc. There are certain simple things that can be done a...more

Gum disease is characterized by inflammation of the gums caused by the bacteria present in plaque (a colorless and sticky film on the teeth). This disease affects the soft tissue and the bones surrounding the teeth. The bacteria cause irritation in the gums leading to infection and bleeding while brushing your teeth.

The symptoms of gum disease are bleeding gums, oversensitive gums, a persisting bad breath, change in the normal placement of teeth etc.

These are a number of reas...more

Though it may be very common, spitting out blood while brushing; however, is not normal. Bleeding gums can be an early sign of gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontal disease and hence should never be ignored. It can also be a symptom of scurvy. Plaque, when accumulated over time can lead to the inflammation of gums. Vigorous brushing or flossing over these inflamed gums can make them bleed.

Other causes of bleeding gums can include:

Vitamin deficiency
Blood thinners<...more

Pregnancy brings with it a whole lot of body system changes and oral health is no exception. Some simple careful planning, however, can help avoid a lot of oral health complications associated with pregnancy. The hormonal changes during pregnancy have a direct effect on the oral health - higher incidence of decay, pregnancy gingivitis, and pregnancy tumors. Additionally, morning sickness affects the regular oral care, leading to more plaque and decay.

Before pregnancy: If you are planni...more

What is Sialendoscopy?

Sialendoscopy or salivary gland endoscopy is a procedure, which examines the salivary gland ducts minimally. This procedure makes use of a mini telescope referred to as micro-endoscope, which is inserted within the opening of the ducts attached to the salivary glands. This allows for careful exploration of the salivary gland ducts and insertion of tiny instruments via the micro-endoscope to eliminate existing particles of debris or salivary stones.

When...more

One of the landmarks of a child's development during the first year is the eruption of the little white pearls. The first tooth breaks into the mouth, somewhere between six months to one year of life. The entire set is in place in a baby's mouth by about 20 months of life. Though called deciduous teeth as they fall off after a certain period of time, the last of the milk teeth remains in the mouth up to 12 to 14 years of age.

Listed below are some points outlining the significance of mi...more

Fizzy drinks can increase the risk of dental problems. The sugar can cause decay and the acid in both normal and diet drinks can dissolve the enamel on the teeth. The risk is higher when you have these drinks between meals.

Fluoride is a chemical naturally present in water and in some foods and is essential for healthy bone growth. A few decades ago, fluoride was discovered to have anti-cariogenic (against tooth decay) properties and slowly gained popularity. While most believe that fluoride can do wonders for your teeth and help you get rid of all problems, it is not true. There is only so much that fluoride can do and there are also undesirable effects from it.

Read on to know some myths about fluoride...more