CARIES and gum inflammation deform the smile, according to dentists. A smile has a positive effect on the psychological state of the smiling person and leaves a good impression on the memory. Untreated gum infections are not only linked to tooth loss, but even severe problems such as heart disease and strokes. “Gum treatment plays a vital role in preventing a distorted smile,” says dentist Yasser el-Hawari, a member of the American Academy for Cosmetic Dentistry. "If the front teeth fall out, the patient will need teeth implants or prosthodontics, to make up for missing or deficient teeth," says Dr el- Hawari, adding that orthodontics can be carried out for purely aesthetic reasons to make people look nicer. “It's also a good idea with discoloured teeth to have them whitened. This is especially important for young women, who obviously want to make a good impression. "Whitening the teeth can be one of the simplest and least expensive ways to make a substantial cosmetic improvement to a person's smile," Dr el-Hawari noted during a meeting on recent developments in cosmetic dentistry, held in Cairo last week. Before whitening is carried out, the teeth must be brushed twice a day, using the right technique. Flossing should also be performed once a day, while it is important to go to the dentist's once every six months for a check-up. Dr el-Hawari warned against the excessive consumption of food or drinks that are dark in colour, such as tea or coffee, as well as smoking, which also accelerates the darkening of the teeth. He added that strawberries help whiten the teeth. However, heavily filled teeth don't benefit from whitening, in which case dentists resort to fixed prosthodontics, such as porcelain veneers, a common procedure for modifying the smile. According to Dr el- Hawari, there are methods for preventing tooth irregularity. He has said that many people don't know that a mother should take her child on his first trip to the dentist before his first birthday, to ensure his teeth are growing up naturally. "Globally there is a great interest in orthodontics in the early stages of life, but in Egypt society doesn't pay much attention to this. Many Egyptians need preventive orthodontics to avoid problems in future," he explained. “As for looking after the teeth, the toothbrush should be soft and made of plastic. People should brush their teeth after every meal, moving gently from the gum to the direction of the tooth he continued,” he added. “A mother should clean her child's teeth till he's eight years old. She should buy her child a toothpaste containing fluoride, but not as much fluoride as adults' toothpaste. Dental floss should also be used,” he said. “To get rid of bits of food stuck in the teeth, floss that doesn't contain wax is better. Rinsing also helps get rid of bacteria. Regular check-ups are important to get rid of tartar that can cause gum inflammation and its complications, which may lead to tooth loose,” Dr el-Hawari added.
