Teens

Teens - 13 - 18 Years

This is the age most of start realizing we want to look better & it is important to know a few things. NEVER undergo a cosmetic (beautifying) procedure without enquiring as to the possible disadvantages. A few procedures are listed.

BLEACHING 
This procedure involves the use of certain chemicals that can gradually whiten your teeth. Such use of chemicals is carefully monitored by your dentist to prevent damage to your gums . The use of products available over the counter or through television or magazine advertisements without your dentist's advise is always risky because you may end up using the best product the wrong way with severe consequences.

The disadvantage with bleaching is that it is moderately expensive & the whiteness achieved  can again become dull due to food colors or improper brushing. Improper use of the bleaching chemical can make your gums sore.

Orthodontic treatment

This treatment helps 'straighten out' crooked teeth using braces which may either be fixed to the patient's teeth or be removed when required by the patient. Excellent results can be obtained by the use of this treatment provided the patient follows all the dentist's instructions. The disadvantages include the fact that this treatment is 'slow & steady' usually over a year or slightly more with monthly visits for adjustments sometimes necessary. Because the teeth are moving there is usually a dull ache that becomes a little severe sometimes soon after an adjustment visit. After the main treatment is finished the patient is advised to wear a removable 'clip' as a 'retainer' to hold the teeth in the achieved final position preventing them from trying to return back to their original position. Orthodontic treatment requires tremendous patience on the part of both the patient & the dentist to be successful & a patient must first be willing for all this if they want the best outcome.

 Laminate veneers.

For people with badly discolored teeth where bleaching is not of much help FULL CROWNS are usually made using a material like porcelain so that they look exactly like teeth. In an attempt to minimize the 'trimming' that is required for a crown Laminates have become popular. Here the front surfaces alone are trimmed & replaced by 'stick on' porcelain 'veneers' similar to artificial finger nails available for sticking onto damaged/cracked finger nails.

The only disadvantage apart from  expenditure is always the fact that  the originality has been altered & unless the procedure has been done with utmost skill there may be problems of laminates chipping, breaking off or sometimes fitting with a mild discrepancy near the edge. The responsibility lies in the hands of the dentist to seek perfection in initial procedures, the lab in fabricating a perfect veneer & the patient who should realize that the teeth are no longer as strong as before. Eating too very hard things might result in forces on the veneer that could crack or dislodge a veneer.

WISDOM TEETH

Your third molars are otherwise called wisdom teeth affectionately because it was thought that on an average a person has become wise by the time the 3rd molars have erupted . This does not mean one isn't wise if the third molars haven't erupted at their scheduled time & definitely doesn't mean you'll lose your wisdom if you extract the 3rd molars as per your dentist's advise.

• You'll only need to extract your third molars if they are
• impacted or buried & invariably placed at an angle
• decayed or
• have to be removed as part of your orthodontic treatment plan.

If your third molars are healthy keep them clean & safe like any other tooth because they might be useful at a later date to support a bridge if you lose your 2nd molar.

3.Cleaning

It is extremely important to keep your mouth clean to protect your teeth & gums & prevent bad breath. For more information click on this link - cleaning

4. Fillings

If your teeth have developed decay you'll start noticing food getting stuck , a little sensitivity or sometimes pain too. remember to act immediately without delay to make the chances of saving the tooth better. For information on fillings click on the link - 'fillings'

5. Root Canal treatment

If a decayed tooth has been neglected or if you have suffered a bad fall the pulp inside the tooth which is responsible for the life of the tooth dies & starts decomposing. The initial stages of pulp damage are reversible if you act early if not the pulp will die & due to bacterial action will decompose. Pus formed might even produce a noticeable swelling.

In such situations you might require a RCT after confirmation using an X-ray.

6. Extractions

Remember the GOLDEN RULE : NEVER EXTRACT! Always ask if your tooth can be saved because no replacement is as good as your own original tooth. For more information click on this link - extractions

 

 

--- BACK ---