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By: Dr Stefan Abela No Comments

The right way of wearing a FaceMask

The right way of wearing a FaceMask

During global pandemics, wearing a mask is one of the most important actions one can take not only  to protect yourself but also to protect others.

There are several types and categories of masks to be used, which usually differ by the level of filtration efficiency.

Surgical masks are the most common ones. Below is a diagram of the most common types of masks.

The first picture shows the surgical mask from the front and the second picture shows the masks from behind. It is important that the user wears the mask with the front of the mask facing forwards.

The front part of the mask
The front part of the mask
The back part of the mask (the part that should be facing your face)
The back part of the mask (the part that should be facing your face)

 

Surgical masks shown above are once again the most common ones, and being water proof can protect you from droplets and splashes. The effective protection of these masks lasts around 4 hours to 8 hours maximum so it is important that they are changed and if soiled immediate change is advised.

Other type of masks include N95 masks which means that they can filter 95% of the air particles. With these type of masks, the user is protected from vapours and aerosols. These masks like the common surgical masks should also be used for a maximum time period of 4 to 8 hours.

N99 masks or FFP3s, as the name suggests filters 99% of the particles.

Homemade masks could be considered a make-shift type of mask however the surgical masks and the other types of masks are superior. The reason being is that hand made masks are usually not water proof and the fabric is permeable to viruses and other microscopic organisms.

The use of masks is now recommended, and even compulsory in certain instances, in public places, including public transport and other public places.

It is vital to wear a mask:

  • If you have a cough or are regularly sneezing.
  • If you are or have been in contact with someone who has been tested positive and has been contacted by track and trace.
  • If you are a medical worker, you must wear a mask whenever you are in contact with patients.
  • If you have been in a place where social distancing is not always possible (store, work, school, etc.).

Step by step Guide on how to put on a Facemask

  1. First, determine in which side you should place it over your face; the blue side (coloured side as some masks can have different colours such as green or white) should be facing the outside that is not towards your face but towards the public you might be encountering on your daily commute.
  2. The bendable bit should be on the top and the less bendable bit should be facing downwards. This allows the bendable part of the mask to be moulded by your fingers after ensuring that they are clean and create a more air-tight fit.
  3. Once again, ensure to have the bendable edge on the top and the right side of the mask facing to your face. Most of the time, the coloured side should be facing away.
  4. Put the bendable edge on your nose and place the loops over yours ears. Some masks have ties, then hold your mask while placing the ties behind your head.
  5. Pull the bottom of your mask over your mouth. Make sure it covers it all, as well as your chin.
  6. Ensure that there is a seal at the bottom where it contacts just below the chin area.
  7. Once the mask is in position try not to touch or alter its position.
  8. It is important that you ensure that the mask is at all times covering your nose and mouth. If you do touch the mask, wash your hands before and after with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand gel.

Change your mask every 4 to 8 hours unless it has been damaged, soiled, or made wet in which case the mask should be replaced immediately.

Kindly contact us on 02079358777 if you have any queries about how to wear a mask. At 128 Harley Street Dental Suite, we take pride at ensuring your safety at all times.

By: Dr Stefan Abela No Comments

How to fix an underbite

How to fix an underbite

What is an Underbite?

An underbite, first of all, also known professionally as a Class III type of bite, is when the lower teeth extend beyond the upper and ideally the reverse is true, where the top teeth meet the lower teeth by overlapping them. In this type of bite, the lower jaw protrudes beyond the top jaw, making it impossible for the lower row of teeth to align behind the upper row of teeth as they should.

Underbites v overbites

What causes underbites and overbites?

They can be caused by the upper jaw bone being underdeveloped or the bone in the lower jaw being overdeveloped or a combination of both. It can also be due to the position of the teeth, due to a postural habit when closing or due to habits.

Underbites can also result from behaviours like thumb-sucking or caused by genetics or as the result of an accident. Whatever the cause, severe underbites should be treated immediately or as early as possible however there are occasions where delaying treatment is beneficial for you.

Underbites can affect 5-10% of the population and should not be confused with underbites.

Underbites vs Overbites – What are the Differences?

It is once again normal for your top teeth to overlap the bottom teeth and just because your upper teeth extend somewhat over your lower teeth, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an overbite. It is also normal for the top teeth to protrude over the lower by a certain degree. It is when this overlap is excessive that you might say that you have an underbite.

Minor overbites are very common and usually no treatment is needed.

What causes an overbite?

The overlap should measure  up to 4 millimeters. In excess of this, causes such as:

  • genetics
  • a small lower jaw
  • a small chin
  • misaligned bites
  • thumb sucking
  • poorly fitted crowns
  • gum disease
  • injury

Also, sometimes its just the position of the teeth.

Overbites are technically referred to as Class II bites, there are a range of of devices that help in correcting this type of bite.

Underbite Treatments

A team of specialist dental surgeons, also known as orthodontists will determine the best course of action to treat your misaligned bite.

Your options could include:

Some treatment options for children with underbites include:

  • Removable type of braces such as an upper jaw expander, a device that is placed in the upper jaw which can be widened nightly until treatment is complete.
  • A reverse-pull face mask, which wraps around the head and attaches to the braces attached on the back upper teeth to pull the upper jaw forward.
  • A chin cap, which restricts the growth of the lower jaw.
  • Fixed braces to adjust the position of the misaligned teeth.
  • Aligners to render a more discreet type of solution

Will I needed teeth extracted for an underbite?

Depending on your type of underbite or the bite you present with, lengthier treatments, with braces can be accomplished with Dental extractions, to relieve the pressure of overcrowding and help the jaw relax into a more natural position.
Surgery to act as an adjunct to fixed braces to modify the position of the top and bottom jaws.
Please contact us on 02079358777 or via email to organise a consultation to discuss your needs. At 128 Harley Street Dental Suite we aim to tailor the treatment to your needs.

By: Dr Stefan Abela No Comments

Orthodontics and Preventing Tooth Decay

Orthodontics and preventing tooth decayWe’ve noticed that many people are concerned about tooth decay during and after orthodontic treatments. We thought we’d take the time to go through some of the most common questions in our latest blog post.

Is it safe to get braces while having cavities?

Before having braces your orthodontist will want to ensure that you have a healthy mouth, this is particularly true if you have fixed orthodontics. If you have fixed braces fitted while having cavities then it can be extremely difficult to treat those cavities as tooth structure may need to be removed.

Orthodontics is therefore usually only carried out on a healthy mouth, free of gum disease and for patients with good oral hygiene. A good dentist or orthodontist can help you achieve this.

How can cavities be prevented while having braces on?

The best way to do this is to ensure you have good oral hygiene prior to beginning your orthodontic treatment. Our top tips on preventing cavities whilst wearing braces are:

  1. Clean your teeth at least twice per day for 2 min each time with the fluoride toothpaste.
  2. Keep dental plaque at bay by cleaning in between your teeth with superfloss or an interdental brush/stick.
  3. Consider having a fluoride treatment at the dentist prior to having braces fitted.
  4. Continue to visit your dentist, they can then ensure that any early tooth decay problems are noticed.
  5. Let your dentist and orthodontist know any medical condition which you have, some conditions and treatments for those conditions can leave you more predisposed to dental cavities.
  6. If your dentist or orthodontist are particularly concerned, you may have particular deep valleys (fissures) in the costs of your back teeth then these can be filled with dental sealants such as composite resin. These can drastically lower the chance of cavities developing.

What happens if you don’t brush teeth while you have braces?

A variety of things can happen:

  1. The natural biofilm which is a sticky substance covering your teeth that everyone has will build up.
  2. As the biofilm builds up it tends to harden and form dental plaque.
  3. As the bacteria which hygienist plaque continue producing acid each time you eat or drink your teeth are subjected to attack.
  4. As the acid erodes the outer surface of your tooth enamel, more bacteria find places to hide.
  5. As the bacteria continue to produce the acid the dental cavity becomes larger and larger.
  6. When the cavity reaches the softer, inner dentine the speed of the decay increases.
  7. When the decay reaches the inner blood vessels and nerves of your tooth you will be in excruciating pain and need to see a dentist immediately.
  8. If left untreated this can ultimately lead to tooth loss!

The good news is that all of this is largely preventable… Just clean your teeth whilst you have braces!

Can braces cause a tooth to die?

Braces put a reasonable amount of force on the tooth, however this is monitored carefully by your orthodontist so braces should not cause teeth to die.

Can braces cause abscesses?

No, braces cannot cause abscesses. Abscesses are caused by a deep infection underneath the gum of your tooth, typically this infection takes hold due to poor oral hygiene. Can you see a theme appearing here? Good oral hygiene is key to getting the best from your braces.

Does wearing a retainer cause cavities?

It’s not the wearing a retainer that could cause cavities, it’s not keeping a retainer clean that could cause cavities. You should clean your teeth at least twice per day with a fluoride toothpaste, making sure you clean in between your teeth with floss or a brush.

You should also clean your retainer. The same biofilm which you clean off of your teeth also sticks to a retainer. If it’s not removed at the same time as cleaning your teeth then the biofilm can simply be transferred back onto your teeth, effectively as though you haven’t cleaned your teeth in the first place!

This biofilm can then form into plaque which can harbour bacteria and causes the cavities.

Does straightening of teeth make them weak?

There is no evidence to suggest that orthodontic teeth straightening makes teeth weak, so long as you follow the advice of your dentist and orthodontist by cleaning your teeth then your teeth will not be weakened.

The only thing that is slightly weaker after orthodontics is the position of your teeth, they have a natural tendency to want to return to their initial positions, this is why wearing a retainer is important.

Are my teeth getting worse with braces?

The easiest way to determine this is to speak to your orthodontist. Most orthodontists uses tracking software on their practice computers to track progress, you should be able to see a percentage chart showing how far you are through treatment.

Why do teeth become yellow after wearing braces?

Teeth can look a little bit yellow after wearing braces for a couple of reasons:

  • You may have found it a little more difficult to clean your teeth with fixed braces, a visit to the hygienist should restore then natural whiteness.
  • There may be some bonding resin which the orthodontist used to stick the brackets to your teeth still on the outer surface of your teeth. Again, a visit to the hygienist can help to remove any of this difficult to see composite resin.
  • Your orthodontist will have had to etch the surface of your teeth in order to bond on the brackets, this can leave the teeth a little bit rough and more likely to pick up stains. If this is the case a quick polish by a dentist or hygienist will restore your teeth and remove any yellowing.

What foods can I not eat with braces?

If you have braces you should avoid foods which are particularly sticky chewy, these can pull off the brackets which can reduce the effectiveness of your braces.

Particularly sticky foods can also be very difficult to clean after eating, this can then leave them stuck in between your teeth enabling the bacteria to start the process of tooth decay.