THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013 KHALEEJ TIMES [835825] Admissions are open LEARN FROM THE WORLD P. O. Box: 4184, Ajman, UAE, Tel: +971 6 7431333, Fax: +971 6 7431222 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.gmu.ac.ae WHY CHOOSE DMD? • Unique DMD Curriculum • A team of highly experienced and qualified teaching staff. • State of the Art Dental Laboratory Facilities • Comprehensive Dental practice through a broad spectrum of knowledge, simulations and clinical training • Own Teaching Dental Hospital • Summer Training Program • Hostel & Sports Facilities Explore new frontiers of learning BECOME A DENTIST COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY DMD - Doctor of Dental Medicine KHALEEJ TIMES ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT Farhana Chowdhury I t is probably the first thing you do when you wake up every morning, and the last thing before you snooze into a deep slumber for the night. Dental care is an essential aspect of everyday care. Toddlers usually learn the basics at home or school where a family member or a teacher shows the correct way to brush their teeth and motivate the child to make it a habit. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, they say, and oral hygiene is just a step towards better health. Super- markets and various outlets boast a variety of brands in products ranging from toothbrushes, tooth- pastes and mouthwashes to inter- dental brushes, tongue cleaners and dental floss. With different fla- vours and content created for dif- ferent types of teeth, people are spoilt for choice. There are also special products targeted at people with sensitive teeth, offering relief while maintaining dental care. While dentists recommend brushing three times a day, many fail to go beyond once. Laziness, lack of proper information on dental care, or even poor family habits may cause one to skip the basics, which eventually leads to tooth erosion and other related problems. Tooth decay, gingivitis, bad breath, periodontitis and oral cysts pose high dangers and sometimes solutions mainly include tooth ex- traction, which can be a painful and traumatic experience. Lack of certain vitamins can also affect the condition of the oral cavity. Scurvy is a deficiency of vitamin C that affects the gums. As you savour that delicious meal, food particles do tend to get stuck between the teeth. It also forms a yellow, sticky film over teeth and gums known as plaque. This attracts bacteria that feed on the leftover bits and release acid, which eats through the enamel, destroying the tooth structure. Most cases start showing up af- ter months or years of neglect where cavities and infection af- fect, not only the aesthetic condi- tion of teeth, but also causes great pain in the nerves and affects oth- er parts of the oral cavity. According to a survey conduct- ed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in 2011, dental care takes up only five per cent of the pie chart as residents see other diag- nosis groups far more important. Part of this reason may be because of the lack of insurance policies covering dental check-ups. The consultation itself tends to be ex- pensive enough followed by sev- eral follow-up visits, enough to drive residents away and resort to over-the-counter painkillers to ease their suffering. As always, prevention is better than cure. Ensure you brush thrice a day — before and after meals. Following a proper brushing tech- nique with a good toothbrush will also help remove particles and keep teeth clean. Fluoride, pres- ent in all toothpastes, helps remin- eralise the lost surface and makes the tooth more resistant to bacte- ria attacks. Bad breath is another common concern among individuals, as it can bring about a negative impact during social gatherings and cause awkward situations during face- to-face interactions. Sugar-free chewing gums come as a saviour Poor oral hygiene can lead to painful dental experiences Make it a habit LooksWooW is a state-of- the-art dental clinic located in the heart of Dubai on the ground floor of the iconic Dubai Mall. It is designed with modern interi- ors and equipped with advanced dental equipment to deliver ex- ceptional dental services to achieve everlasting smiles. Apart from offering a full range of dental services, LooksWoow specialises in cosmetic dentistry ranging from revolutionary 3D Teeth Whitening System to complete smile makeovers to making you resemble Holly- wood stars. The clinic uses the best materials and quality is al- ways guaranteed. LooksWoow is home to high- ly-professional, licensed and well trained dentists who give patients the focused attention they deserve and the best advice on dental treatment options that best suits the smile. Dentists, staff and laboratory technicians all work to fulfill and achieve one goal: Improve your oral well-being. The sleek and soothing interi- ors of the clinic are sure to im- part the feeling of being in a spa rather than a dental facility— rejuvenated with the ‘Woow’ effect. Sketching the smile LooksWoow offers the best advice on dental treatment options and improves your oral well-being World renowned Danish pia- nist and comedian Victor Borge once said, “A smile is the shortest distance between two people”. We all strive for healthy, beautiful smiles. While some are born with per- fect teeth, others have them “re- made or enhanced” with crowns or veneers, but we all have to look after them. Most people now recognise that daily hygiene and regular visits to the dentist can prevent problems such as dental decay (caries) and gum disease (periodontitis), but research shows that our teeth and mouth have a more direct link to our general health than previously thought. Direct associations have been made between poor oral hygiene and disease such as diabetes, car- diovascular disease, complica- tions during pregnancy and even male impotence. Prevention is better than cure, so remember to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Use floss and interdental brushes regularly, and make sure to see your dentist every six months. Besides routine care of your teeth visiting the dentist is key to good oral healthcare Prevention is better than cure and are formulated with special ingredients that help balance the pH levels in the mouth and helps remineralise teeth. The minty freshness temporarily helps get rid of the odour. While these along with breath strips line shelves and cashier counters, nothing comes close to the age-old tradition of brushing teeth. There are brushes with dif- ferent kinds of bristles customised to reach and clean different parts of the mouth during brushing. In- ter-dental brushes help pick out food bits stuck in the gaps of teeth close to the gums, while tongue cleaners help scrape away decay- ing food particles as well as the white or yellow coating of the bac- teria that cause foul odour, fungi and dead cells. UAE health authorities have several campaigns that encourage people to maintain proper dental care. Schoolchildren often receive special lectures and visits in their classrooms from a certified den- tist in an attempt to pass down good habits. They are also given colourful gift packages that typi- cally include a toothbrush, tooth- paste, mouthwash and dental floss to encourage them to practice oral hygiene. — [email protected] Tel: 04 2231297, Fax: 04 2220376, Email: [email protected] P.O. Box: 41331, Al Maktoum Street, Nasa Travel Bldg, #309 Opp. Al Reem Tower, Next to Union Square Metro Station, Deira, Dubai The only Swedish Dental Clinic in Dubai since 1985 A Combination of high technology with care, patience and skill MOH approval : 301-2-01-29-02-13 Swedish Board certified Dentists Restorative dentistry & preventative care Crown, Bridgework & Veneers Whitening & aesthetics Orthodontics LooksWoow Swedish Dental Clinic