When you think of Oral Care, the first thing that would mainly come to mind is this 3 minute mundane activity, spent absent- mindedly brushing your teeth as you think about all that is to be done in a day or you think about that dentist visit that is now way overdue.

Traditionally, here in Kenya people will generally get their teeth cleaned once or twice a year, at least for those that care for their dental health. So, as long as the dentist has not found any cavities, you are sent home with a reminder to brush twice daily and floss your teeth regularly.

In recent times however, there has been a growing number of people who have made oral care become an integral part of their beauty routine.

When Covid – 19 pandemic hit the world, a majority of people were not able to book their dental visits for their routine check ups and cleaning and as a result, many people started  experiencing dental problems. It was also noted that even after dental offices began opening up again, people still delayed getting that regular cleaning.

However, since the pandemic, there has been a wave of change in how people see themselves. More and more people have become aware of their teeth, lips and smile due to the calls held online via Zoom or Facetime. Now with the rise in use of social media, people are now keen on appearances and teeth have not been exempted.

On these social networks we have been seeing celebrities and influencers show off their flashy pearly white teeth and million dollar smiles. And for the rest of us who are active on the social media scenes, see ourselves more on camera than ever before.

In this regard, we are seeing oral care incredibly change from what it was a decade ago. Procedures such as veneers and teeth whitening have become quite popular and something like teeth whitening which was initially an in- office based treatment, can be done at home with just a set of white strips.

Perfecting that smile is becoming increasingly popular than ever, paving the way for a brand new category in beauty – oral care. A less known fact is that oral care is not just about taking care of your mouth, it also affects how your skin looks too.

We are seeing brands increasingly repositioning themselves to capitalize in the wellness and self care culture in order to help people to be the healthiest versions of themselves.

Brands are providing very elegant packaging of their oral care products and toxin free formulae which is brightening up a category that was known to be unpleasant and boring.

Toothpastes are now available in sleek tubes or even upcycled glass containers; tooth brushes are looking more and more luxurious than what we are accustomed to, while mouthwash and floss are made of nourishing ingredients.

So does beauty and oral hygiene go together? Let’s look at how these two are correlated.
1. HEALTHY SKIN:
We have seen a surge in the number of people taking care of their overall health by taking a keen look into what they eat as well as maintaining an active lifestyle.

However, you may be on a strict healthy diet, exercising regularly as recommended and using the best skin care products but if you have poor dental hygiene, your skin will definitely not have that healthy beautiful glow.

A lesser known fact is that oral care is not just about taking care of your dental health but it also affects how your skin looks too. Oral health goes beyond the health of teeth, gums and mouth or even the cosmetic status of having bright white teeth.

The mouth is a gateway to your body and the condition of your teeth and gums has a significant impact on the overall health as well as the health of your skin. This is because if one’s oral health is compromised, it may lead to the introduction of bacteria to the bloodstream causing inflammation, infection and disease.

2. HEALTHY SMILE:
We now live in the modern times which has now become more visual than before and due to social media, optics have become the new trend. Everyone wants to look good in the pictures they post and a beautiful smile goes hand in hand with this.

The discolouration of teeth which is usually caused by lifestyle habits such as too much caffeine from tea or coffee, starch from foods such potatoes, smoking, drinking water that has a high concentration of fluoride among other reasons, can contribute to the discolouration of teeth.

Thankfully, to afford you that beautiful smile, there are treatments available to deal with tooth discolouration depending on the issue one has.

The basics to having clean healthy teeth is  making sure you brush your teeth twice a day and flossing before going to bed to ensure you remove any food debris left in between your teeth, that your toothbrush cannot reach.

At the dentist’s office, one can get their teeth bleached where the dentist puts a protective gel or rubber shield on your gums and then applies a bleaching agent to your teeth. Also available is a custom-fitted tray that one can use at home with whitening gel.

What is even more exciting is that there is the availability of in-home whitening agents such as whitening strips which one can purchase from the dentist or Oral Care stores.

While teeth whitening appears not to offer any observable health benefit, most people associate white teeth with younger, healthier teeth. There is an increasing desire to not only feel clean, but also have visibly clearer and brighter teeth.

3. FRESH BREATH:
Teeth beauty is not only in the appearance but also includes how our mouth smells. Can you imagine trying to have a conversation with someone but their facial gestures simply imply disgust but you are just having a normal pleasant conversation?

Well, that is not ideal and it may mean bad breath which is a main concern for many people. While the issue of bad breath could be attributed to oral cavity, sometimes it goes beyond this and it could be as a result of systemic diseases and therefore there is need for further evaluation by a physician.

Bad breath due to oral cavity can be treated with the basics that is brushing teeth in the morning and evening, flossing and using a mouthwash. Oral mouthwash helps get rid of debris that irritates the gum line and causes gingivitis. It prevents plaque accumulation and also kills harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Confidence can be elevated by having a beautiful big and happy smile which can almost immediately lift your mood. Today, part of the beauty routine of the new-age era of adults includes a healthy oral care routine for that picture-perfect smile for social media, Zoom calls, and healthier dental aging.

It is always lovely to have the little ones running around and bringing along their cheer and beautiful positive spirit around adults who are caught up with life’s challenges. But have you been in a situation where the cute little one runs to you for a hug, as they smile and giggle only for you to frown upon the smell of their breath?

Well, that happens and the truth is, not even the young ones are exempted from good dental hygiene. The fact that oral health is linked to our overall health, it is then important to start teaching kids at an early age, about taking good care of their dental hygiene.

Did you know that infants are born with their entire set of 20 primary teeth which exist below the gum line in the lower and upper jawbones? Therefore, it is actually possible for babies to develop tooth decay even before the first tooth emerges.

A child’s first teeth begins to come through at around the age of about 6 months and as soon as this happens, the risk for developing cavities increases and so the condition of a baby’s oral health can possibly affect his or her adult smile.

To get the toddlers to cooperate every time might prove to be an uphill task and may take some time and effort on your part as a parent. However, a healthy smile and strong oral health for your child will be worth it in the long run.

So when is the right time to start brushing your child’s teeth?

Good oral hygiene should start when the child is still an infant. When the baby has finished feeding either breastmilk or formula, you start by wiping down their gums using a clean moist washcloth. Getting a baby into this routine and establishing a foundation, makes oral care easier as they grow older.

As the baby grows, starts teething and solid food has been introduced as part of their meals, you can then start using a finger brush. The brush is made of rubber, has soft bristles and easily slips into an adult’s index finger. You should then gently rub the brush against the baby’s gums and around emerging teeth.

A soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, no larger than a grain of rice, can be used when the baby’s first tooth fully erupts.

It is important to schedule the first visit with a pediatric dentist when the child turns one year old. The dentist will make sure the child’s little teeth and gums are healthy and their development is on track and at the same time help your child build a rapport with the dentist and get used to the dental office.

Let’s explore a few oral hygiene practices for your toddler to keep those cavities away:

1. BRUSHING:
Brush your infant’s teeth at least twice a day, most importantly,  before bed. When the child is around the age of 1 or 2, start using a soft child-size toothbrush while adding a rice-sized amount of infant fluoride toothpaste.

Fluoride is an important ingredient in a toddler’s toothpaste. It is a naturally occurring mineral that binds to the tooth’s structure making your toddler’s teeth more resistant to the cavity-causing acids attacks from plaque. In young children, fluoride actually gets incorporated into the permanent teeth for long-term benefits.

Brush your baby’s teeth for up to 2 minutes, depending on how many teeth they have. This is the time to help your toddler learn how to spread the toothpaste among their teeth, gums, and tongue.

Teach the child the proper tooth brushing technique that is using a gentle up and down motion, making sure to reach the gum line.Allow them to try to have a go at it on their own once they have learnt the skill. Make sure that they:

• Use short strokes
• Brush the front, back, and top of teeth
• Brush their tongue
• Spit out the toothpaste when they are done
• Rinse out their mouth when finished brushing

2. FLOSSING:

Flossing is also key in maintaining good oral hygiene for your child. As the child grows, the teeth will develop and will be close together such that flossing is needed. It is then important to teach the child to floss at least once a day. Floss that comes on a handle is preferred as it makes it easier.

Plaque build-up is as a result of  lack of effective brushing and flossing and is one of the leading causes of tooth decay in children. Flossing  helps get rid of the plaque between the teeth and along and under the gum line that can’t be reached with a toothbrush.

3. RINSE AFTER EATING:
It may be tedious to have your toddler brush teeth after every meal or snack (unless it is at night) so encouraging them to rinse with water after eating or drinking is a great idea. It helps wash away food debris and bacteria and before they sleep, they then get to brush their teeth hence maintaining good oral health.

4. REGULAR CHANGE OF TOOTHBRUSH:

Most dentists recommend replacing a toothbrush every 3 months as a toothbrush becomes less effective at removing plaque and calculus from your tooth as it gets old. For a toddler’s toothbrush which may be more prone to sucking and chewing, it may not make it to 3 months sp there would be a need to replace the toothbrush earlier on if the bristles are worn, flat, or splayed looking.

5. OFFER A WELL ROUNDED HEALTHY DIET:

A diet high in sugar and starches, is a another known cause of tooth decay in children because the bacteria in the mouth feeds on these sugars and starch and they release acids that eat away at the tooth enamel.

The sugary treats, sticky foods and simple carbohydrates like crisps and white bread should be given to the toddlers in moderation. If your toddler does have sugar, make sure they brush their teeth afterward.

The better option is to encourage kids to eat a healthy diet with lean proteins, colorful fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and adequate calcium for teeth.

6. ENCOURAGE YOUR TODDLER TO DRINK PLENTY OF WATER:
Good oral hygiene can be achieved by encouraging your little one to drink water throughout the day. A dry mouth can promote plaque build up so it is important to help your toddler to develop good water drinking habits such as drinking water when they wake up, carrying a water bottle to school, and keeping water handy in the car or as you move about with the child.

7. TEETH ARE ONLY FOR CHEWING:

Teach your toddlers that their teeth are only for chewing food! They should never use their teeth to break, open, or tear anything other than food! As a parent there is a need to set a good example so no opening objects with your mouth either.

8. SCHEDULE REGULAR DENTAL VISITS:

As the toddler is growing it is of utmost importance to schedule visits to the pediatric dentist so that they can ascertain that the child’s dental and facial development are on track, check for cavities and other concerns, determine if their teeth and gums are healthy and evaluate any oral habits.

Regular check-ups help identify any problems with the child’s overall dental health and offer remedies in good time.

As a parent, you may have issues keeping your toddler interested in maintaining healthy dental hygiene. So how do we make it fun for the kids?

– Routine: Begin on a routine because when you have this, it  becomes second nature and it’s more likely to be done each day. Choose a routine that works well for the toddler and have them stick to it each day.

– Timer: Set timers like a race. Have your toddler brush their teeth really well or race by setting a 2-minute timer. Always ensure to check the toddler’s progress with gingivitis tablets (these can be gotten from the pediatric dentist) that turn colors to help them see how good they are brushing during their 2 minutes.

– Switch up the Routine: In order to keep the toddler interested and focussed in brushing their teeth, you can change up how they do their oral care routine. You can play the toddler’s favourite 2 minute song, create a fun brushing song or play.

– Buy cute toothbrushes, toothpastes and/flosses: You can also get your toddler a toothbrush with their favorite character on it to keep oral hygiene products interesting and colorful! Also, allow them to pick their toothbrush and toothpaste which may be in their favorite color or character.

– Show them how it’s done. Brush your teeth while they brush theirs and teach them why it’s important. If it’s a family affair, everyone is likely to stick to the routine and follow through with good oral hygiene.

– Reward good oral hygiene habits. When your toddler does a good job at brushing or flossing (or does it at all) come up with a reward system. You could introduce a sticker chart that they add to or have them earn points towards a small toy or privilege each week.

– Read books or watch videos that talk about dental hygiene.

Teaching a toddler to practice good oral hygiene and talking about oral health from an early age will encourage the child to develop excellent habits that can last a lifetime.

Looking to have a set of those pearly white teeth? Look no further!

Ever seen your favorite celebrities and wondered how they always manage to have white bright teeth? The truth is not many people are born with white teeth and even if this is the case, over time, teeth tend to discolor due to the foods or drinks we take such as caffeinated drinks.

You may have put in the effort to ensure you floss and brush your teeth religiously but it just doesn’t seem to work!

The key to a beautiful smile and even to look younger, is sparkling white teeth, something that these actors and actresses have discovered. So how do they achieve this look so effortlessly? Well, the secret’s out – Teeth whitening!

The thing is, your smile is one of the first things people will notice about you and white bright teeth give people some sense of confidence and improve the overall appearance of someone, allowing you to take those pictures boldly.

As a result of the film industry and more recently, the influencers, there is a lot of pressure to look good and this has made teeth whitening grow into a billion-dollar industry. So how do you get the bright white teeth without the paycheck these celebrities receive?

Well, we are bearers of good news! Teeth whitening can be done effectively and efficiently from the comfort of your own home. But let us first understand the different types of teeth whitening; there are two types:

1. Extrinsic Whitening – this works by removing stains using mild abrasives from the exterior part of the teeth. In so doing, the color underneath is revealed but does not necessarily change the color of the teeth.

Extrinsic stains are mostly caused by the food or drinks we take for instance if you enjoy drinking coffee, tea, soda, and/or red wine, your teeth may get discolored.

Additionally, your teeth may darken if you eat certain bright-colored foods such as blueberries, beetroot, tomato-based sauces, and curries especially those with turmeric, and those who use tobacco products.

These exterior stains however can be removed using at-home whitening products.

2. Intrinsic Whitening: This works by using a bleaching agent (carbamide peroxide) to change the color of the enamel of your teeth. Intrinsic stains are majorly caused by infections, typical aging, certain medications, deficient restorations – fillings, and trauma.

Majority of the teeth whitening products apply either of two main chemicals; that is – carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, as the active whitening agent.

The difference between these two chemicals is that hydrogen peroxide breaks down faster and has a shorter shelf life as compared to carbamide peroxide.

So which are the Best Ways to Brighten Your Teeth at Home? Let us have a look:

1. Teeth Whitening Tray:

This is a mouthguard-like tray filled with a gel or paste made of a peroxide solution. It is one of the best and most sustainable ways to whiten teeth and is quite easy to use.

The tray works by sitting it over your teeth for a few minutes, or hours, some people prefer to use it overnight up until you achieve your preferred shade of white.

2. Teeth Whitening Strips:

These strips are made of small pieces of flexible plastic that are coated with a whitening gel. The strips work by applying the part with the gel to the teeth and the peroxide-based solution in the gel penetrates the teeth enamel.

The strips give teeth prolonged exposure to the whitening chemical over some time. Not to worry about how long to have them on.

Each of these strips, depending on the brand, will give instructions on the length of time to have them each day, as well as the number of days you should have them on for excellent results

3. Teeth Whitening Toothpaste:

Unlike normal toothpaste, whitening toothpastes use a combination of ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or Carbamide, hydrated silica, perlite, and alumina or Hydroxyapatite to remove surface stains.

Whitening toothpastes are relatively inexpensive but this has not compromised their effectiveness. Studies done have shown that they effectively brighten teeth typically by about one or two shades. However, they do not intrinsically whiten teeth.

4. Teeth Whitening Pens:

Just like the other options, whitening pens typically use either a hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide base. They are, however, less efficient at whitening and often not recommended as the only whitener.

The reason is that without some sort of guard or bumper to keep lips away from the gel, the saliva will quickly dilute it. Nonetheless, the whitening pen can be used as an on-the-go option for retouching and maintenance.

As much as these over-the-counter options are available, it is important to first ensure that you are practicing good oral hygiene. To achieve this you need to:

• Brush your teeth at least twice per day and if you have had meals containing sugary, acidic, or processed foods, then brush your teeth after 45 minutes.
• Scraping your tongue every day.
• Flossing at least once a day.

Avoid or cut down on acidic and tannin-rich foods and beverages such as:

• Black teas and coffee.
• White and red wine.
• Sports drinks.
• Carbonated beverages.
• Berries and other strongly-colored foods.
• Sauces (soy, tomato, curries).

 

Please Note that not all teeth whitening products and methods are safe to use so avoid:

Kiosk Teeth Whitening: These kiosks are quite popular in the malls but unfortunately, most of the attendants are untrained in the administration of teeth whitening products.

Whitening Mouthwash: Bleaching agents need to be held up against the teeth for a couple of minutes or even more to penetrate the inner part of the tooth and activate teeth whitening.

In addition….

Always make sure you are not skipping on those dental appointments. Visits to the dentist help curb issues before they become problematic. Teeth cleaning every 6 months can help prevent tooth stains and yellowing.

Dentists can also help remove tartar from your teeth which can otherwise be removed with any at-home solutions. Getting rid of tartar improves the color of teeth as well as inhibits the potential cases of cavities, gum disease, and even painful tooth abscesses.

It is also important to accept that some yellowing of the teeth will come up, it is just a normal part of aging. Smile because it means you have lived a little and enjoyed the spoils of life 🙂