Last month, I started a two-part series on tooth whitening. I described why natural teeth do not look totally white but have a tint of yellow in them. I also delved into the causes of tooth discoloration and the solutions for certain forms of tooth discoloration. In today’s segment, I will take you through the types, processes, indications and contraindications of tooth bleaching. Your dentist suggests tooth bleaching as an option to get your teeth whiter and your mind suddenly wanders to the time you saw an advertisement online that suggested coconut oil, charcoal powder, apple cider vinegar, sea salt,...
TOOTH WHITENING 101 (PART 1)
The craze to whiten teeth in Ghana in recent times is unbelievable. Everybody wants teeth as white as snow. Several home remedies such as the use of baking soda, coconut oil, charcoal powder, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, lemon juice and wood ash are being marketed to whiten teeth on various social media platforms. But do they work? Is there any evidence-based literature to support these claims? Tooth whitening is defined as any process that makes teeth appear whiter. This can be accomplished through the physical removal of surface stains or through a chemical process called tooth bleaching. In some...
PREGNANCY & ORAL HEALTH
Happy Women’s Day! In case you’re reading today’s article and you happen to be newly pregnant too, congratulations! That’s a double celebration. Pregnancy is a period in a woman’s life where a lot of changes occur both externally and internally. It is also a period where an expectant mother has to be careful of what she takes into her body to avoid any complications with the health of the foetus and her own life. Oral health during pregnancy is an area of antenatal care which is often neglected. Would you be surprised if I told you that recent studies have...