All posts by SD Team

Tooth Savior – Root Canal Treatment

Most patients dread root canal treatment. If left untreated, the dental decay progresses deep inside the tooth and reaches the pulp tissue. This may cause severe pain and in some cases, swelling. In such cases, the root canal is the treatment of choice, or else the tooth has to be extracted. The cost of a root canal is decided by the dentist.

Causes of Tooth Infection

The root canal of a tooth consists of nerves and blood vessels. They provide oxygen and nutrients to the tooth and nourish it. If the dental decay at an initial stage is neglected, it reaches the pulp tissue and the nerves and vessels get inflamed and infected. The pulp tissue is replaced by infected material and pus. This causes swelling and tooth pain.

If it is left untreated even at this stage, there are chances that it gets spread to the adjacent bone structure and causes an abscess. Hence, it is very important to treat the infected pulp and replace it with a filling. The root canal is the best choice of treatment to cure an infected pulp. Some other reasons that may also cause infection are accidental cracks, improper fillings, and gum infection that may have reached the root of the tooth.

Procedure of Root Canal Treatment

The root canal treatment involves teeth cleaning and removing the infected pulp tissue from the root canal. Most dentists in India can easily do this procedure but in some cases, an endodontist who is a root canal specialist is consulted. The procedure is as follows:

  • In the first appointment, the dentist examines the oral cavity and takes an x-ray of the infected tooth to know the extent of the decay.
  • If the tooth is severely infected with pain and swelling, antibiotics are prescribed for 3-5 days depending on the severity of the infection.
  • Before starting the treatment, the tooth is anesthetized for the comfort of the patient.
  • The access opening of the tooth is done in order to give a proper view of the canals and provide easy access for the dentist.
  • The infected pulp is removed using specialized instruments called files and the canals and the pulp chambers are thoroughly cleaned.
  • This process may require multiple visits as if there is a remnant of infected pulp left in the canal, then there are chances of re-infection.
  • Once, the chamber is cleaned, the canal is filled with guttapercha and the tooth is sealed.
  • A crown is given above the root-canal-treated tooth for greater strength.

Root canal treatment in India is an ideal choice of treatment and is a tooth savior procedure. The dentist will guide you best regarding the treatment plan and procedure.

The Dental Implant – An Ideal Restoration

One of the biggest nightmares for any individual is losing a natural tooth. The gaps that are created cause hindrance in day to day functioning of an individual. There are many options available that help in replacing a missing natural tooth. Dental implant in India is one such option that has brought a revolutionary change in the world of dentistry. It is a highly recommended procedure by the dentist and has become the most popular choice for patients.

Dental Implants in India are metal posts that are positioned surgically in the bone in order to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The metal posts that are inserted act as the root of the artificial tooth. It is a permanent alternative to bridges and dentures and gives long-lasting results. Single tooth implant or full mouth implants have numerous benefits that make them the ideal restoration.

Advantages of Dental Implants

  • Dental implants help in improving the overall appearance of an individual by replacing the missing natural tooth.
  • There is no worry of slippage the artificial teeth while talking, smiling, or eating.
  • They acts as natural teeth and hence, allow eating without any discomfort and pain.
  • They are very durable and last many years.
  • As they are fixed, it becomes extremely convenient and saves the patient from the embarrassment of slippage or removal of dentures.
  • Traditional dentures cause bone loss which is not the case with dental implants.
  • Brushing can be done just like natural teeth and hence, it is easier to maintain oral hygiene.

Procedure to Place an Implant

  • For placing an implant, it is very important that adequate strong bone is present at the site where the implant has to be placed.
  • If there is inadequate bone, then the bone grafting procedure is performed which requires about six months for healing.
  • Once the bone is adequate, the titanium post (dental implant) is placed in the bone with the help of special drills and tools.
  • A healing cap is given over the implant and the gum is stitched.
  • The implant is left for about 3-6 months for it to integrate with the adjoining bone. This process is called osseointegration.
  • Once the healing is done, an abutment is attached to the implant with the help of a screw and a customized crown is placed above it.

Dental implants in India are gaining immense popularity due to their ability to function just like a natural tooth. Initially, it was considered a costly treatment but over the period of time, the procedure has become quite affordable as it gives a permanent solution to replace a missing natural tooth.

What is the Cost of Partial Braces in India? What is the Average Time to Keep Them on?

Orthodontic corrections help attain straight teeth and a pleasing smile, but many of us end up resisting such treatment on account of the long commitment the treatment process demands. An average orthodontic treatment may take up to 1 or 2 years, depending on the case. However, technology has a solution for our every concern. So what if you could have your teeth straightened –up within just a 6-month window? What if you do not have to worry about archwires covering your every tooth? What if you could have flawlessly aligned front teeth without any hassles of traditional metal braces? The answer to all that lies in Partial Braces. Curious? Read on to have your most basic questions on partial braces resolved.

What are Partial Braces?

Partial Braces are a variation of traditional braces which cover only a few upper or lower front teeth. The brackets are present only on four to six front teeth, with the archwires held in place via molar tubes placed on posterior teeth. They are highly useful to treat minor orthodontic concerns where only a few teeth are out of alignment or crowded. Such isolated issues respond dramatically to short-term partial braces.

When Can We Use partial braces?

Childhood Orthodontic Issues:

Partial braces are also called ‘Phase one Braces’ because they are seldom used to initiate childhood orthodontic treatment. Partial Braces speed up the treatment process as the alignment process begins before the adult teeth come in. Concerns like crossbites, crowded teeth, thumb-sucking habits, or spacing issues can be easily cured with an early treatment from partial braces.

Adult Orthodontic Concerns:

Minor adult orthodontic issues can be resolved by employing the partial braces:

  • Deep overbite
  • Spacing
  • Underbite
  • Open bite
  • Crowding

Crossbite of front and back teeth

What is the Average Time to Keep Them on?

Partial braces can typically show results within a span half that of the conventional full-arch braces, i.e. within a 6 to 9 month period. Popularly called ‘6-month smile‘, these braces can fix your smile in a short period as they do not work to correct the jaw discrepancies instead, they directly act on your six front teeth and bring them in a straight line. That is why they have become an easy-to-go option for cosmetic enhancement of smile in young working adults or shy teenagers who do not prefer to wear metallic braces for a long period. Having said that, the average time can vary slightly from person to person as each jaw and teeth alignment is unique.

What is the Cost of Partial Braces?

Partial braces are lighter on the pocket when compared with ceramic braces or invisible aligners. These are an economical alternative, costing anywhere between INR 25,000-65,000. The great variation in the cost can be attributed to your orthodontist’s experience and the expected complete duration of your treatment. Other factors that might influence your budget are:

  • The city and location of the clinic
  • Insurance coverage you are eligible to receive
  • Additional corrections or treatments required
  • Payment plans offered by your dental specialist

Final Notes

Partial braces are a great variation on complete, full-arch metallic braces. They are required to be worn for a short duration and bring a complete transformation of your smile. The additional benefit of low cost makes it a complete win-win situation. If you have a mild orthodontic concern, opt for this treatment modality instead of bulky, painful metallic braces.

Gum Treatment for Different Types of Gum Disease

Our gum health and oral health intertwine with each other so strongly that it is impossible to maintain one without the other. That said, a variety of gum diseases are still common in our everyday society. Recognising and treating these gum diseases at an early stage will prevent various consequences, from seemingly harmless mouth odour to much debilitating bone infection. So gear up for improving both, your gum and oral health. Learn more about these diseases and how to treat them.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a gum infection that begins with the destruction of the gum tissue and, if not intercepted at an early stage, progresses to destroy the jaw bone with eventual loosening and loss of teeth. This infection affects a major portion of our community, although the stage at which it presents might vary in different individuals.

Each form is caused due to the same factors, with gingivitis being the mildest form that might lead to periodontitis if the initial symptoms are ignored. The symptoms of gum disease are often subtle but not entirely without flashing a warning signal. Certain symptoms may point towards the disease process:

  • Consistently swollen, red gums
  • Bleeding gums after brushing
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Development of narrow gap between teeth and gums
  • Loosening or shifting of teeth
  • Receding gums
  • Teeth sensitivity without any apparent decay

Different Types of Gum Diseases

The most common form of gum disease is listed below.

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the most commonly occurring gum disease, affecting over 40% of the global population. It can be called inflammation of the gums, resulting in red, swollen looking and easily bleeding gums. It is the initial stage of gingival infection and is easily reversible if early treatment is initiated.

Periodontitis: If gingivitis spreads unhindered, the disease is transformed into its more severe and advanced version called periodontitis. This periodontitis may not have painful symptoms until the damage reaches a debilitating stage, causing loss of teeth, gum tissue and underlying jaw bone. It can express in various forms.

Chronic Periodontitis: When infection of gums is neglected, the inflammation progresses and leads to the formation of deep pockets and recession of the gum line. It is the most usual form of periodontitis that occurs slowly and leads to bone loss.

Aggressive Periodontitis: In contrast to the slowly progressive form pointed above, this variety depicts rapid gum-attachment loss and bone destruction. Notably, the patients are otherwise clinically healthy but may have a similar family history.

Periodontitis is a form of Systemic Disease: This form starts to show at an early age and is commonly associated with long-lasting ailments such as any respiratory disorder/disease, heart conditions or diabetes.

Necrotising Periodontal Disease: A highly debilitating form, that shows as painful necrosis of the gums, its associated ligaments and the jawbone. Serious conditions such as HIV AIDS, malnourishment, or compromised immune system are commonly associated with it.

Treatment for gum disease

Gum disease should be evaluated and treated at the earliest to protect teeth and oral functions. This can be achieved by:

Full-Mouth Cleaning and Polishing:

This is the first and most important step in healing those gums. The aim is to control the infection and prevent any further build-up. Your hygienist or dentist will employ special instruments called Ultrasonic scalers to remove the tartar build-up and deposits from your teeth. This is followed by a polishing procedure, whereby a high-standard polishing material is used to make the tooth surfaces smooth and hinder redeposition by bacterial agents.

Surgical Procedures:

If the infection is severe, the dental professional may recommend surgical procedures to cover up those exposed teeth and prevent bone loss. It can include:

LASER-assisted gum therapy: A painless and highly specialised procedure that helps to eliminate infection and thus preserves the tooth structure.

LASER-assisted new attachment procedure: LNAP helps in recovering the gums from microbial damages.
» Gingival Flap surgeries are aimed at disinfecting the periodontal tissues and making them regain health.

Takeaway

Our negligent oral health routines and poor food choices are the leading causes of gum disease prevalency. Thereby, the best tool to tackle gum disease is appropriate and routine oral hygiene measures and regular oral health check-ups to keep gum disease at bay. If any symptoms point towards a gum problem, an early periodontal consultancy will save your oral health and the resultant bright, confident smile.

Why Getting Professional Teeth Cleaning Is Important

Our pearly whites are daily exposed to an onslaught of different kinds of eatables, from hard-boiled confectionaries, chocolates or soft processed food items to highly staining beverages such as coffee, tea and wine. Due to the tenacity of these edibles, despite regular oral hygiene maintenance, we are unable to keep our teeth completely free from bacteria and plaque. Over time these plaque and stains build-up can affect our gum health and smile esthetics. Continue reading to know more about the build-up and how to get rid of it.

What is dental plaque and calculus?

A dental plaque is a colourless/pale yellow, sticky film that forms and adheres to the outer surface of teeth. This film is made up of microbes that feed on the food and beverages you have, typically forming between your gumline and teeth. Plaque begins to form on your teeth 4-12 hours after brushing and is present on every individual’s teeth. This plaque, when not adequately and timely removed, collect minerals from your saliva and hardens into yellowish-brown tartar. Although it is possible to dislodge some amount of tartar by regular flossing between teeth, most of it can only be removed by professional teeth cleaning by your dental hygienist or dentist.

Why Accumulated Plaque and Calculus is Dangerous?

Plaque and tartar are bacterial colonies that are the root cause of a multitude of oral troubles.

Dental Decay: the bacteria in plaque act on soft food lodged in-between and on the chewing surface of your teeth. They break it down to produce acid that eats away at your teeth, producing cavities and ultimately bacterial tooth decay. The process is even more deleterious under your gum-line where the bacterial decay eats away at your tooth support, causing tooth loss.

Gum Disease: The calculus or tartar build-up over time causes gingival irritation and inflammation. The gums become swollen, red and bleed while brushing or eating. This gingivitis, when neglected becomes widespread and causes receding gum-line, teeth sensitivity, and bone loss. With time, the teeth lose their support and fall off.

Bad Breath and poor esthetics: bacterial accumulation on teeth and tongue is the main cause of persistent bad breath. Not to mention the yellowish-brown tint of teeth that gives an unsightly appearance.

The Cure- Professional Dental Cleaning

Only a professional dental cleaning helps you get rid of the tightly adhered plaque and calculus. The procedure involves:

Ultrasonic Scaling: This is the first step of professional cleaning. The aim is to control the infection and prevent any further build-up. Your hygienist or dentist will employ special instruments called Ultrasonic scalers to remove the tartar build-up and deposits from your teeth.

Polishing: The Scaling step is often followed by polishing, whereby a high-standard polishing material is used to make the tooth surfaces smooth and hinder redeposition by bacterial agents.

Takeaway

Dental Plaque is a biofilm that naturally forms in the oral cavity after food intake. Plaque, if not adequately removed, hardens into calculus and this significantly increases the risk of gum disease. Unfortunately, we cannot remove this calculus by manual brushing alone. Thorough professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist is the most appropriate way to deal with this build-up on your teeth. As a signing note, we would recommend visiting your dentist whenever you have symptoms such as swollen, red, painful gums or bleeding while brushing.

Tooth Saviour – Root Canal Treatment

Let us all accept the fact that our teeth and mouth require far more love and care than we provide them. Thereby many times we notice them giving up on us, in the form of tooth infections or tooth injuries. Although numerous treatment modalities have come up to replace the lost teeth yet nothing compares to the strength, functionality and esthetics of a natural, healthy tooth. So what can be done to save that dying tooth? The answer is the most common form of dental procedure, a root canal treatment. Let us get the important facts about it below:

What is a Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment involves the removal of all the necrotic, painful tissue from the tooth and sealing up the empty tooth canals with a replacement material. Although it is usually a feared procedure, with the advent of Impeccable root canal technology and unmatched restorative materials, the procedure has now taken a painless and complacent turn, bringing smiling joy to scores of patients.

When to opt for an RCT?

Root Canal Therapies are the most popular choice to save an infected, damaged or traumatic tooth. You may require to undergo an RCT if you have any one of the following concerns:

  • Long-standing tooth decay and pain
  • Caries infection-causing sharp pain
  • Broken or chipped tooth
  • A tooth with an infection in the surrounding (Periapical) region
  • A tooth showing discoloration after a traumatic experience

Present-day RCT procedures

Highly advanced tools and materials nowadays allow a more predictable, safe and optimal outcome to Root Canal Therapy. Present below are some of the new-age RCT aids and their precise role in leading to flawless and efficient Root Canal Treatment.

Operating Microscopes:

Enhanced Visualization comes as the most beneficial option for a successful RCT. Dental Operating Microscope is a powerful tool to supplement your dental surgeon’s skills. They provide magnification and superior illumination that helps to locate all tooth structures, canals and even any micro-fracture present in the tooth wall.

Nickel-titanium Instruments:

These tools provide improved root canal treatments, owing to their high flexibility and unique tapering design. The result is convenient and improved tooth canal shaping and minimum procedural errors.

Dental Endoscopes:

These miniature cameras provide in-depth clarity and impeccable detailing on the operating field. Additionally, visualizing your infected tooth on a plasma screen allows you a greater understanding of the need and process of an RCT treatment.

Electronic Apex Locators:

These cutting-edge tools offer precise and reliable readings of the length of your root canal. Their use not only makes the process more predictable and swift but also minimizes the exposure to x-rays for repeated radiographs.

Single-Sitting RCTs:

Present-day advancements offer superior precision and control over the RCT procedure. It enables a dentist to complete the RCT in a single appointment by using highly specialized equipment that makes the process very simple, painless and rapid.

Final Notes

Despite advanced technological solutions, one must make an effort to retain their natural teeth as long as it is theoretically possible. And RCTs provide an effective way to preserve these pearly whites. Having said that, the prognosis of the tooth and treatment planning remains important touchstone to determine the treatment modality. Cases with advanced caries or the periodontally loose tooth will require dental Implant therapy to restore the functions.

The Clear Braces Way of Straightening Teeth

Clear Braces, more commonly known as invisible aligners, are the latest revolution in dentistry. These aligners are a promising tool for correcting the alignment of your teeth and giving you a flawless smile. Within the last decade, the use of clear aligners has substantially increased and is propagated by dentists all over the world. These advanced tools are based on futuristic technology that combines a unique material – one that promotes teeth movement, and software that maps each tooth movement for attaining that perfect smile. Let us know more about these invisible braces below.

What are Invisible Aligners?

Invisible Aligners are an innovative solution for correcting your teeth alignment and enhancing your smile by using multiple sets of customised, clear acrylic trays that function without any brackets and wires. These aligners are easily removable and much more comfortable than conventional metallic braces. They are the latest upgrade in orthodontics that promotes maintaining your lifestyle while invisibly correcting your smile.

Types of Invisible Aligners

There are a few different companies around the world that work on invisible aligners. The products of these different brands can either be in-office or at-home aligners. The most popular ones are:

  1. Invisalign
  2. Candid
  3. NewSmile
  4. ALIGNERCO
  5. SmileDirectClub
  6. Byte

Benefits of Invisible aligners over Braces

  • Quick and effective: depending on your case complexity, your aligner treatment can be completed in as early as 6 months! Results start showing in a matter of a few weeks.
  • Convenient and Painless: With aligners, you can get your dream smile without the pain or discomfort. You can play any sport or eat whatever you want by removing the aligners whenever needed.
  • Advanced Material for Predictable Results- aligners are fabricated from unique material that leverages data from years of research on millions of patients to yield predictable and precise results.
  • 3D Customised results- suitable to your needs: aligner system uses specialised software that maps the path to your perfect smile, from tiniest shift to the brand-new you.
  • Low Key but Powerful alternative – the aligners are practically invisible and use only the required amount of force in the right direction to generate the needful changes.
Care of your Aligners

Although invisible aligners are the most hassle-free orthodontic device yet there are some guidelines one must bear in their mind while using this technology:

  • You are required to wear the aligners for at least 20 hours a day for the treatment to be effective.
  • Keep note to remove your aligners while eating, brushing and flossing. Ensure to never have it on while consuming anything hot.
  • Develop a habit of keeping your aligners clean. Make sure that to brush your aligners and maintain them in the same way.
  • Keep them safe in the box, as provided by your orthodontist to prevent them from getting dirty.
Takeaway

Aligners or invisible braces, as we fondly call them, are an excellent treatment choice for misaligned, crooked or spaced teeth that requires orthodontic intervention. Most of these aligner systems are based on unique materials and technologies that accelerate the treatment period and make it highly convenient at the same time. Many people who were earlier apprehensive about the orthodontic procedure are up for an aligner based solution as it checks off their every requirement and concern. Make sure to look up this solution when you visit your orthodontics the next time.

Dentures Vs Dental Implants – Is it Time to Update Your Smile?

The human body is prone to lose its strength and vitality as we age. The biggest proof of this comes in the form of tooth loss and gum disease. However, the good news is that the condition is no longer debilitating. One can replace the missing teeth with their ‘lookalikes’ through oral dentures. But when it comes to comfort, maintaining bone strength and dental esthetics, dentures are on the losing front to Dental Implants. Dental implants are the new age solution to the problem of missing teeth and are giving oral dentures a run for their money. Let us know more about the difference between them below.

Oral Dentures

Oral Dentures are a removable dental prosthesis that replaces multiple missing teeth and the surrounding tissue. These dentures can either be complete or partial, depending on the patient’s requirement. If some natural teeth remain then partial dentures are used, but if all teeth are missing then a complete denture is used.

Drawbacks of wearing dentures

  • Dentures do not provide stimulus and support to the underlying bone hence, there is slow, continuous bone loss, despite wearing the denture.
  • Dentures require frequent replacement (every 3- 6 years) due to constantly changing the resorbing underlying bone.
  • Although technology has done wonders for denture esthetics, they still do not look as natural and visually appealing as a dental implant-supported crown.
  • With dentures come limitations on food items that can be eaten, like apples, chocolates, corn on the cob, etc.
  • Partial dentures can weaken the adjacent natural teeth from which they derive support.
  • The slipping and poor retention of dentures makes it difficult to speak and eat.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are surgical posts which when placed inside your jaw bone, fuses with it to subsequently support a dental prosthesis such as an implant-supported crown, bridge or denture. These are made with a variety of tissue-compatible alloys or metals and are assisted by several accessories such as abutments, gingival former, fixture and cover screw. They are employed to replace missing teeth in multiple scenarios ranging from tooth loss due to decay or periodontal disease to a gap due to accidental injury.

Benefits overdentures

  • Life-changing treatment: These revolutionary implants promise the most patient-friendly, full jaw rehabilitation to enable you to eat and speak without any trace of discomfort or pain.
  • Graft-less, minimally invasive procedure: Bearing in mind that many patients requiring implants are elderly citizens, the special All-on-4 Implant procedure eliminates the need for any extensive graft placement surgery. These implants are tilted to be placed in a healthy and strong section of your jawbone.
  • Fixed and Permanent solution: The implants act as supporting pillars on which the entire bridge is placed. They provide enhanced stability and a strong foundation for your permanent teeth-set to fix upon.
  • Proven success rate: Dental implants placed are highly durable and are known to have an over 98% success rate.
The takeaway

As you see, dental implants have an edge over routine dentures. These implants have proven to be a long-term solution for missing teeth and are rapidly taking-over dentures as the to-go procedure when it comes to replacing multiple teeth loss. Their comfort, convenience and esthetic quality are far more superior to dentures. Not to forget the enhanced eating experience and esthetics they offer. Millions of people opting for these implants is proof that in near future these implants would become a standard procedure for teeth replacement.

Preventing Gum Disease with Proper Dental Care

Gum disease is a common dental affliction, affecting every third person in our community. The consequences of this disease can be severe and debilitating therefore, an early start of treatment with long term treatment planning is recommended. But as they say “prevention is better than cure”, good oral hygiene practices can do wonders for your gum health. They not only help maintain the hygiene of our gums but also play an important role in the treatment of gum disease. Wondering how you can improve your oral health by simple, homely measure? Read on to find the answers.

What is Gum Disease?

Gingivitis, more commonly known as Bleeding Gums is the most prevailing gum condition characterized by: swelling, redness and irritation of gums. Gingivitis is a milder form and early stage of Gum Disease called periodontitis. If the warning signs and initial symptoms of Bleeding gums are ignored the disease may progress from the gums to infect the underlying bone, causing more severe and complicated outcomes such as tooth mobility, bone loss, gum recession and tooth sensitivity.

Top Oral Hygiene Measures to Keep Your Gum Health in Check

REGULAR DENTAL CLEANINGS

Fix a habit of routine dental check-ups and cleanings every six months. Your hygienist or dentist can easily detect early signs of gum disease before any serious symptoms show up. Additionally, opt for dental cleanings as they are the only method to remove tartar build-up. These cleanings also remove any residual plaque missed during your oral routine. Finally, dental cleanings help reduce inflammation in gums and remove harmful bacteria- aiding in reversing the onset of gum troubles.

QUIT SMOKING

Kick that butt because smoking is associated with the onset of gum infections. Further, it weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight that infection. Also, remember that any smoker will have delayed and slow healing as compared to his healthy counterparts.

USE A THERAPEUTIC MOUTHWASH AND FLOSS

A Therapeutic mouthwash comes in handy if you are looking to prevent gum infection and plaque accumulation. Swishing it around the mouth helps remove the food debris between your teeth and from hard to reach areas. It can also assist in plaque reduction and reduction of gingivitis.

WATCH YOUR DIET

Sticky or processed food is easier to break down by the bacteria in your mouth, resulting in faster plaque formation. Veggies like spinach and kale, on the other hand, are packed with vitamin C that helps reduce inflammation in your gums and promote healing. Onions also have antibacterial properties which help protect your gums. Therefore, changing your diet can go a long way in easing your gum troubles.

SCRUB THAT TONGUE

Not only your teeth and gums but your tongue also harbours bacteria, and it is the prime cause of bad breath. So, giving a gentle cleaning to your tongue with a soft-bristled brush is as essential as your routine dental care.

Concluding Thought

Your Gum health plays a critical role in your overall oral care-considering it seriously and adopting habits for its betterment goes a long way in keeping those teeth bright and strong. That said, one does not need to shell out big bucks to maintain the health of those gums. A slight change in our oral routines and a little mindfulness in our diet will do the job just fine.