Our teeth perform several functions that are important for our daily lives. They enable us to bite and chew our food, to pronounce certain words, as well smile with confidence. Missing, stained, or crooked teeth can lead to people not smiling at all. Tooth and bone loss can prematurely age people's faces by causing wrinkles as well as facial sagging. However, people often put off going to the dentist because they are afraid that a painful experience will result from this visit - a tooth filling or an extraction.

Dr Fareed Amod of Crown Dental Studio says, "Although putting off going to the dentist is tempting, there can be many unpleasant consequences from skipping check-ups." He explained that we all like to make sure that our cars are running smoothly by taking them for regular services where the engine's running parts are maintained, which also avoids potentially expensive problems at later stages.

"Visiting the dentist is the same. The most important reason for a regular dental appointment is an oral evaluation, which allows any potential problems to be identified as early as possible. Dentists are not only concerned with fixing teeth. They aim to ensure that your mouth, teeth and gums are healthy, and will check for abnormalities, which also could be a sign of larger health issues."

Any presenting issues can be treated by either the dentist or the dental hygienist, ensuring that your oral health does not deteriorate, in order to avoid more serious - and costly - treatments. Amod explained Crown Dental Studio wants you to make great choices about your dental care. "We attempt to educate our patients from a young age and focus on rejuvenating our patients' teeth and gums rather than them needing a therapeutic intervention. By properly brushing your teeth twice daily, regularly flossing and maintaining a healthy diet, you will not have a problem and can actively prevent gum disease and tooth decay from developing."

In addition, by having regular three to six monthly professional teeth cleans, plaque and tartar build-up from your teeth, that your regular brushing may miss, will be removed. The bacteria in plaque uses sugars in the foods you eat to create acids which slowly soften and dissolve the hard enamel covering your teeth. You will only feel pain and sensitivity when the decay goes through the enamel and reaches the softer dentin layer underneath. It is at this point that a filling or a crown is generally required before further infection, an abscess or tooth loss occurs resulting in more complex treatments.

Plaque can also erode the mouth's gum tissues resulting in gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis occurs when tartar build-up causes an infection where the gum is connected to the tooth, making the gum pull away from the tooth. As it progresses, the tissue fibres that attaches gums to the teeth breaks down and can be mild, moderate or severe resulting in swelling, bleeding, or soreness in the mouth.

Periodontal disease usually results from long term neglect of the teeth and gums. If you have painful gums or gums that bleed easily, these are symptoms of periodontal disease. If this irritation occurs for a prolonged time, the gums will begin to separate from the tooth, which will then cause pockets to form. These pockets allow more plaque and tartar to hide, deepening the pocket and threatening the bone around your teeth. As the periodontal disease begins to progress, the gum tissue that supports the tooth and the bones that hold the teeth in place will begin to deteriorate. At this point it is common to see teeth loosening or falling out and more severe treatment methods will have to be taken by a dental specialist.

In order to maintain your oral health, the Crown Dental Studio practice hygienists are on hand to provide cleaning and polishing treatments, preventative fluoride applications, as well as stainremoving brightening treatments. "I can be the best dentist in the world but no-one can interfere with God's work. If you take care of your oral hygiene, you are doing your share of the work and then I can do mine. We offer long term care of your teeth and not a one-night stand,"
concluded Amod.

Crown Dental Studio is one of the few truly 24-hour dental practises in Durban as this is not limited to emergency dentistry treatment. 

T: +27 81 207 8621
E: info@dramod.co.za
W: www.dramod.co.za