The Rise of Do It Yourself Dentistry on TikTok

In recent years the social media platform TikTok has gained lots of popularity with teenagers and young adults. TikTok has become a become a hotspot for do it yourself dentistry. Once such do it your self dentistry trend has been shared on this site before in 2021 titled Is it Safe to Drink Large Amounts of Pineapple Juice after Wisdom Teeth Surgery that People on TikTok are Doing? Other trends that have been shown on TikTok include people shaving down their teeth and using a bottle of liquid hydrogen peroxide to whiten their teeth.  Dentists are worried about many of these practices that are promoted by influencers on TikTok. Some dentists have said that they can be dangerous and both the short and long term risks are worse than the immediate payoff. Furthermore, the long term costs can be much … Read more

Can Neck Hyperextension During Dental Treatment Lead to Stroke Like Symptoms?

An interesting article titled “Major Neurological Deficit Following Neck Hyperextension During Dental Treatment: Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature,” written by Victor G. El-Hajj and et. al. appears in the 2022 edition of the The Neurologist. The authors discuss two cases where patients had dental treatment performed and then suffered from neurological impairment due to hyperextension of the neck. Both patients had routine dental treatment done and had their necks overstretched which lead to a hopsital stay. The first patient discussed was a 67 year old man who saw his dentist for bridgework. He had been taking a medication for high blood pressure for nine years but had no history of cerebrovascular events. The man’s dental work took around 45 minutes and he was given local anestheisia. His neck had to be extended during the procedure to … Read more

What are Dental Extractions?

Dental extractions are the process of removing teeth. They typically are not painful. Dental extractions can range in difficulty depending on factors including position, anatomy, and density of bone. They can be simple or complicated, requiring a surgical approach. A dental anesthetic is used to freeze the extraction site to prevent pain during dental extraction. Patients usually have mild discomfort following dental extraction that can be relieved with pain killers such as Ibuprofen. What Are Dental Extractions? Teeth are extracted when they aren’t performing their normal functions. These could include teeth that would cost too much to repair or teeth with deep decay which could damage nerves and other healthy teeth in your mouth if they were left untreated. Sometimes dental extractions are necessary for orthodontic purposes. Extractions can range in difficulty depending on factors including position, anatomy, and density … Read more

Relatable Reasons Why Adults Should Consider Braces

There are ample reasons for adults to get braces. Although people usually get braces during adolescent years, with changing times, many adults are opting for braces to straighten their teeth. Oral health may change unexpectedly, leading to teeth moving and causing dental issues. An adult may be uncomfortable with their smile or have trouble with oral hygiene because of the placement of your teeth. To put things in perspective, below are a few reasons adults may opt for braces: Affordable Treatment Options:Braces are one solution to numerous dental issues, including overbite, underbite, misalignment & even hypodontia. The best part about considering braces as an adult is that they are affordable. You may choose from traditional braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, or Invisalign according to your budget. These days, most dental practices offer flexible payment options that you can use to … Read more

5 Important Food Habits to Follow If You Have Braces

Did you get metal, clear or ceramic braces to fix your crooked teeth? If yes, then you have to take measures to maintain them properly. You need to change your eating habits to make sure you get all the benefits of orthodontic treatment without any issues or damage. 1. Say No to Sugar Sugar is an absolute no-no if you have braces. Sugary food debris can get stuck in your teeth and braces. The sugar from these foods will mix with the plaque on the teeth and create acid which damages the teeth enamel. The higher the sugar intake, the more damage will be done to the teeth enamel. This acid can also create permanent white spots on your teeth. Sugary foods will lead to cavities as well. 2. Eat Smaller Bites Do not bite into whole fruits, vegetables or … Read more