As soon as the first tooth appears or soon after your child’s first birthday. This is an informal visit whose main goal it is to consult and educate parents concerning nutrition and oral hygiene. In general, a visit to the dentist at this time is recommended in order to avoid dental problems later on. Many oral problems, such as tooth decay, begin at this age.
Because, put quite simply, the health of your child’s primary teeth largely guarantees the health of his permanent teeth. We should also not forget that tooth decay in young children can cause major problems (pain, abscesses, general health problems) as well as causing problems to the permanent teeth before they even appear in the mouth cavity.
This is a simple procedure which is both pleasant for the child and serves to prevent tooth decay. After the teeth have been cleaned, a pleasant tasting gel is applied that enhances the enamel of the teeth making them more “resistant to the attack of caries”. It is useful to repeat this process every six months.
Dental sealants are a clear plastic resin coating used in small quantities to seal the narrow pits and grooves usually found in rear molars used for chewing. This is where tooth decay usually begins because these teeth cannot be cleaned by brushing. Sealants act as a protective barrier for rear teeth and should be applied after the first and second permanent molars appear, i.e., at the age of 6-7 and 12-13 years.
This habit should be stopped around the age of 3-4 years so that any orthodontic problems can be corrected on their own. However, if this habit is extended beyond the age of 4 then any issues that develop are at risk of becoming permanent and may require orthodontic treatment.
Primary teeth usually erupt at around the age of 5-6 months and the first ones to do so are usually the lower primary incisors. By the age of three on average, a child should have a complete set of 20 primary teeth.
Tooth cleaning should begin as soon as the first teeth appear in the mouth. At this stage, we can clean our baby’s teeth with wet gauze or with a finger toothbrush, which can be obtained from the pharmacy.
Ideally, we should clean primary teeth after bath-time or, better still, after feeding.
When the rear teeth (molars) appear it’s a good time to start using a children’s toothbrush and water. Allow your child to try to brush their teeth on their own even if it’s not as effective. New habits take a while to get used to, but parents should intervene towards the end and offer assistance.
When a child has learned to rinse their mouth, we can begin to use a children’s toothpaste. You can teach your child to use a very small amount (equivalent to the size of a small lentil) on their toothbrush.
From the age three permanent teeth begin to develop beneath your child’s gums in the jawbone and the first adult or permanent teeth will begin to appear in the mouth at around the age of six.
Every six months, even if they aren’t complaining of toothache. This will help identify potential problems in a timely way before any real damage is done.
The most important thing is to stay calm. Check your child’s mouth. If a tooth is missing, look for it before leaving the site of the accident. If you find the tooth, hold it by the crown (the visible part of the tooth) and not by its root. You can store it in a glass of saline water or if this is not possible you can use a glass of fresh milk. Go to your dentist immediately. Repositioning the tooth is perfectly possible!
In this instance, repositioning of a primary tooth is not recommended. If a primary tooth falls out due to an accident, we just wait for the corresponding permanent tooth to descend. In any case, you should visit your dentist immediately.
It is possible to use a special soft mouthguard that will protect his teeth, lips, cheeks and gums from injuries related to sporting activities. Your dentist will give you more details about your options.
The risk from dental X-rays is minimal. We are particularly careful to minimise the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. In many cases special lead aprons are used for protection. Moreover, new digital imaging technologies ensure that children are exposed to even less radiation than before.
Patients will often report feeling pressure on their teeth usually during the first few days. However, this usually lasts for less than 5 days. If the pressure experienced gets worse, it is advisable to take pain-relief. However, this discomfort is insignificant when the expected outcome of the treatment is kept in mind.
The braces that are placed on the outer surface of your teeth are the traditional fixed metal braces and ceramic braces (white braces). On the other hand, lingual (or hidden) braces are placed on the back surface of your teeth. Our orthodontist will recommend the ideal orthodontic treatment for your particular issue.
Of course! Cleaning, fluoridation and checking for any tooth decay are even more important now.
Every four weeks normally but it depends on the patient’s braces.
It’s important to brush your teeth properly three times a day after meals and to use fluorinated toothpaste. Be more meticulous when brushing between teeth and gums. In addition to brushing, use a fluoride mouthwash for greater protection.
Every time you brush your teeth, take out the removable appliance and brush it with a toothbrush and toothpaste, and rinse it in lukewarm water. About twice a week you can use additional special effervescent tablets from the pharmacy to disinfect it.
If you have elastics, you should definitely wear them all the time, unless your orthodontist tells you otherwise. You should only take them off to eat and brush your teeth. You have to change them every morning and replace them immediately if they break. That’s why it’s a good thing to always have some extra elastics with you. You might find wearing them annoying at first but, remember, successful treatment depends on how long you wear the elastics.
Yes, it’s important for him to see you throughout your orthodontic treatment so he can check for tooth decay or gingivitis.
An orthodontic splint is recommended in this instance, especially for contact sports such as basketball. You can get one from your orthodontist.
If you play the trumpet or saxophone, then braces can make it hard for you. Lingual braces are an option; these are braces placed on the hidden (lingual) side of the teeth.
Yes, but it’s important to protect your teeth and braces. Ideally, you should:
It is very difficult to treat dental problems during pregnancy as the risks are much greater. Pregnancy actually causes increased sensitivity in the gums, which may also begin to bleed. Infections are also very common and more serious putting the fetus and the mother at risk. Therefore, any pain should lead to the dentist without delay.
The first trimester of pregnancy is the most sensitive in terms of drug administration, radiation exposure and the possible side effects to the fetus or pregnant woman as it is during this time that the fetus’ vital organs are being formed. Particular attention should be paid to avoiding X-rays so as not to unnecessarily expose the pregnant woman to radiation.
During pregnancy there is an increased secretion of many different hormones in the pregnant woman’s body. These hormonal changes can cause pain, swelling or even bleeding of the gums. This is a problem that is associated with pregnancy and ceases once the woman gives birth. The condition can be improved by systematic brushing and the use of dental floss. The main problem in these cases however, is that in its early stages, gingivitis does not cause any discomfort and the patient doesn’t realize that there is a problem. To a large extent, perhaps the only symptom is gum bleeding when brushing teeth, but this often goes unnoticed. Gingivitis can occur in the first trimester of pregnancy and is a result of changing hormonal levels in the body including increased levels of the hormone progesterone.
Your health, nutrition and habits during pregnancy are very important for the overall development of the fetus, but also in particular for the development of its teeth. By taking care of yourself and your teeth you have already begun to take care of your baby’s health and teeth. Your bones and diet rather than your teeth are a source of calcium for the growth of your baby’s bones and teeth. It is a myth that the baby ‘steals’ calcium from the mother and ‘spoils’ her teeth. Your diet should include meat, eggs, milk, dairy products, fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates. You should not consume alcohol and naturally not smoke. Many pregnant women develop food cravings and there is a tendency to snack between meals. These snacks often contain large amounts of sugar, which is the real cause of tooth decay during pregnancy. You should therefore limit snacking between meals.
Periodic check-ups during pregnancy are important, especially if are showing symptoms like the ones described above. It is preferable to visit your dentist before giving birth because after that it may take three months before you can make an appointment. Of course, you should inform your dentist that you are pregnant as this may change the treatment plan or the medication used for your case. During the first trimester X-rays are forbidden. You can have an X-ray later on using a special leaded apron to protect your abdomen from radiation. You will however have to wait until after giving birth to have a panoramic X-ray.
If you need to treat a cavity or a nerve, the same types of anesthesia that were used before you became pregnant cannot be used now. So, even though the adjusted anesthesia for pregnancy is relatively effective, you may still feel some discomfort during treatment. In addition, the range of medication allowed to treat pain and infections is also very limited. Antibiotics and painkillers can only be given for a very short period of time and cannot be administered during the last month of pregnancy.
Before each pregnancy, you must visit your dentist for a thorough check-up as well as a dental cleaning and a panoramic X-ray. If an abscess or a cyst is discovered during the examination then it must be removed without delay. During the first trimester no teeth can be removed. You cannot get root canal treatment done or a have a dental crown placed during pregnancy. Don’t forget to brush your teeth after each meal with a soft toothbrush to avoid the build-up of dental plaque.
Brush your teeth in a gentle, thorough manner in order to remove any residual food particles as well as plaque from all three surfaces of your teeth.
Ideally, we should brush our teeth after each meal. If this is not possible, we should at least aim for after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Bleeding gums during toothbrushing is a sign of inflammation, usually gingivitis. Gingivitis can easily be treated by dental cleaning. So, until your next dental appointment, be more meticulous about your oral hygiene.
If you don’t brush your teeth regularly and thoroughly, very small particles of food get stuck between the teeth and as the food decays it causes a very unpleasant odor. Also, if your gums bleed frequently when you brush your teeth then this may also be the cause of bad breath. The most common type of bad breath occurs in the morning before we brush our teeth or have something to eat or drink. This is quite common and is caused by saliva that has dried up in our mouth at night.
Preferably not. You should only use mouthwash when recommended by your dentist, and then only short-term. Oral solutions cannot remove germs from the surface of our teeth. Misuse of mouthwash can damage our teeth and oral mucosa whilst only having a temporary effect on bad breath.
Research data shows that in terms of effectiveness, there is no real difference between electric and conventional tooth-brushes, it is simply a matter of personal preference.
Even if your oral hygiene is good, it is more than likely that you still have a lot of bacteria in your saliva and mouth. Together with proteins and food they form dental plaque. The amount varies from person to person and some people may need dental cleaning every 4 months whereas others will need it once a year. In order to maintain dental health, we recommend deep dental cleaning to remove plaque every 6-8 months.
You should visit your dentist every six months even if you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort. The dentist will be able to identify and treat any issues before they become any worse.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums and is an early indication of gum infection. The gums turn a bright red color, swell up and bleed easily. This usually occurs in people who neglect their oral hygiene or do not brush their teeth properly. Gingivitis can be easily treated by dental cleaning. Although this is an ongoing condition, many people are not aware that they have gingivitis because their symptoms are very mild. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis (gum disease).
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, is caused by a combination of factors, including the existence of acids produced by the interaction of bacteria with dental plaque and sugary foods. Caries destroy the tooth enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) and create cavities.
Yes, our diet plays an important role! Foods containing carbohydrates and starch such as bread, pasta, potatoes, but also fruit, milk and dairy products, and of course anything that contains sugar such as sweets, soft drinks and biscuits, contribute to the development of caries. How long these foods remain on our teeth also plays an important role; the sooner the teeth are brushed the better.
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that causes your gums to separate from your teeth, wearing out not only your gums, but also the bones that keep your teeth in place. Many people suffer from periodontitis without knowing it because it progresses very slowly, without pain or other symptoms for a long time. When symptoms begin to appear, such as severe bleeding of the gums during brushing, swelling of the gums or loose teeth, then periodontitis has progressed quite a bit and needs immediate treatment. This is why regular visits to the dentist are necessary in order to keep a check on our teeth and gums so that periodontitis can be detected in the early stages and treated more effectively.
Yes, it can. Initially with deep teeth cleaning and if necessary, using surgery to treat the lesions created by the disease. Proper treatment stops the progression of the disease, but unfortunately in most cases the loss of bone and the receding of gums is not reversible.
A dental implant is a type of titanium screw which replaces the root part of the missing tooth. It is placed on the jaw bone providing a sturdy and safe base for your crown (artificial tooth) which will replace your natural tooth or teeth in the best possible way. The implant is placed mechanically inside the jaw bone and over time will fuse with your natural bone.
In most cases anyone can be a candidate for a dental implant provided that the following conditions are met: good general health, no serious medical conditions and a commitment to good oral hygiene. Patients should also have enough jaw bone structure to hold the implant and this can be ascertained by X-ray. However, even if there isn’t enough bone in the jaw, there are now a plethora of solutions for shaping and improving the area to be implanted.
The whole procedure is quite painless and problem free and is performed under local anesthesia. For a week after surgery, you may need to take antibiotics. Any discomfort or pain can be effectively treated with painkillers.
Implants have a minimum lifespan of 10 years, provided that placement is successful, the patient maintains a high level of dental hygiene and is committed to regular (annual) check-ups. Implants are made of titanium, which is a very durable and hard metal. They rarely break and do not decay. However, the bone and gums surrounding the implants may experience inflammation. In order to prevent this occurring, effective daily oral hygiene is necessary.
Teeth-whitening is a cosmetic treatment by which we achieve the improvement of the colour and brightness of discolored teeth using minimal intervention.
Frequent consumption of coffee, tea, red wine and soft drinks leave surface stains behind and create pigments that penetrate the enamel on your teeth and alter the coloring of the teeth. Eventually, teeth lose their original bright color and become yellower and darker. This is a normal process that we can reverse with whitening. In addition, whitening is indicated in cases of hereditary tooth discoloration, or in cases occurring during childhood and adolescence.
Whitening is not recommended for young people under the age of 18 unless there is a specific reason.
The effects of whitening can last for years but will decline over time. You are responsible for maintaining the effects of whitening. Things that make your teeth-whitening short-lived include smoking, tea, coffee and red wine. The more your teeth are exposed to the above the sooner the effect of whitening is reduced. Your teeth will become discolored again and you will have to repeat the process every 1 – 2 years.
The process is generally painless. The only symptom that can occur in some people is a slight sensitivity to cold food and drinks, which is temporary and lasts from a few hours to 2 – 3 days. This sensitivity can be treated with special gels, specialized toothpastes or by taking a break from teeth-whitening for a few days.
The effects of whitening will appear immediately, even after the first application. You will be able to see aesthetic results after about two weeks.
The duration of the whitening process depends on the extent of the discoloration and the final desired result. We would expect you to see results within 2-6 weeks.
Teeth-whitening is considered a safe procedure which does not damage teeth.
We have two dental clinics in Kifissia, directly opposite each other: The paediatric clinic and the family clinic (for adults)
ONE TOOΘ’s third dental clinic is in Pallini and is for children only.
Only if there is a real dental emergency. Even then you should call us when you’re on your way so that we can help you as best we can.
Yes, you can, providing there’s availability. Although each clinic has its own front desk, you can phone any of our clinics and make enquiries. We will always try our best to accommodate you!
