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Teeth And Gums

Yellowing teeth and receding gums (which cause teeth to work loose) come with age and affect men as much as women. for those who have the means however, modern dentistry can solve these problems.

Teeth as white as snow
To regain the dazzling smile you had when you were 20, there are various options open.

• Gutter splints
  These are plastic casts, onto which a gel with a base of hydrogen peroxide is applied. They are worn at night for two or three weeks and your tooth enamel is bleached.

• Bleaching with a lamp
  The same gel is applied to the teeth, which are then heated with a plasma lamp to increase the product's effect. This technique can be combined with wearing plastic casts coated with hydrogen peroxide.

• Facetted/veneers
  This procedure is used on the twelve teeth visible when we smile and involves a fine film (or veneer) made of porcelain or resin being stuck onto their surfaces. Firstly, the dentist, having administered a local anesthetic, removes a very small amount of enamel with a special drill. He then puts the made-to measure veneers on the teeth, whilst heating them with a lamp. The cost of porcelain and resin veneers will vary, so check with your dentist and do some research.

Receding gums: act without delay
If your gums are 'drawing lack' and gradually revealing the roots of your teeth, you need to get treatment as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances, the dentists will either simply pull the gum back to its original position or he/she will have to graft on tissue taken from the palate (some use biocompatible, non absorbent materials like Gore-Tex instead). The operation lasts for about an hour and the stitches are removed after a week.

Some Facts

• To keep your teeth shiny after bleaching, use calcium peroxide toothpaste. Have regular lamp sessions with your dentist.
• Good dental hygiene helps prevent periodontal disease - brush and floss after each meal.
• The cost of porcelain or resin veneers will vary, so check with your dentist.