Supernumerary Teeth

I once had a patient who told me has 3 incisors (front teeth) and  had these since her was 9 years old. This is a case of Hyperdontia -- supernumerary teeth.

The most common case for hyperdontia is the mesiodens, where there is an excess number of incisors especially on the upper teeth. Causes may vary but the most common is either hereditary or delayed eruption of the temporary teeth. Diagnostic methods like X-ray will confirm hyperdontia and will help dentists diagnose such case.

Special Toothbrushing Techniques

Did you ever wonder why you still have plaque or tartar on your teeth even if you brush three times daily? Or
Worst have that odorous smell or bad breath even when you swish mouth rinses frequently?

Here's the thing-- studies show that the amount of bacteria being removed does not depend on how many times you brush or gargle mouth rinses, but the quality of your toothbrushing technique.

You have to make sure that you have brushed every surface of each tooth and spent at least 10-15 seconds on each quadrant of your dentition. Make sure to buy soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid abrasion of your teeth surfaces which causes enamel to weaken, hence, bacterial invasion sets in. For children you can have them sing ( in their mind ) their favorite song and wait for it to finish before rinsing. This at least assures you that your child didn't just brush, but cleaned their teeth thoroughly.

Pregnancy and Oral Health

During pregnancy, women experience slight gingivitis and some might experience bleeding gums.
This is because there is a great effect of the hormones during pregnancy causing the gums to swell. This just means that pregnant women are prone to bacterial invasion with the inflamed gums. It attracts food debris to easily access the periodontal pockets causing it to build tartar and plaque.

Such is called "Pregnancy Gingivitis". This is usually noticed on the second month of pregnancy and might get worse up to the eighth month. This is caused by the increased levels of  Progesterone up to 10 times the normal level making the periodontal lining become hyperplastic.

Certain preventive measures can help minimize swelling of the gums. Pregnant women should consult their dentist at least every trimester to check and measure the development of gingivitis. Oral prophylaxis and good oral hygiene can also help.

Facts About Mouth Rinses

There are many benefits you can get from using oral rinses. They promote good oral hygiene too aside from your regular toothbrush-flossing routine. 


Oral rinses usually contain anti-bacterial solutions like cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and povidone iodine which are very effective in fighting bacterial contamination and cavity formation.


You can rinse your mouth at least twice a day to ensure total protection from oral diseases.