Taming the Tongue

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In my humble opinion we should tame our tongue and control it. There are some etiquettes of the tongue that can be followed 

1.  Stay silent unless if you think the words that come out of the mouth are ill and do not benefit others. It is better to be silent. In today’s world I think it equally holds good for our thumbs and fingers too, as what we text or tweet.

2.  Considering the consequences- Take just 10 seconds to analyze before you utter the words that the mind wants to push out through our tongue. Try to realize the damage and embarrassment that can ensue. Sometimes even if the other person is mindless in their words we have to learn to hold over tongue because negativity always breeds negativity. If we hurl abuses to people close to us in our anger or mindlessness it can seriously damage the relationship. Remember words once they escape the tongue, the damage is done. 

3.  Listen – listening is a very important skill. Most of the time we want to talk and give little importance to listening. Listening helps us to rule out assumptions and also understand what topics can be sensitive to the other person. Politics, sex, religion and finances can be avoided with people outside of our close circle as people can get easily offended. Even sarcasm and jokes can be misinterpreted as discriminatory.

5.  Apologize – Alright, sometimes mistakes happen. If the tongue slipped because you felt defensive instead of calming down, immediately apologize after the realization. A private message can also be sent. This will at least try to do damage control before the relationship can spiral downward. 

4.  Some don’ts 

-Don’t scream or shout

-Don’t make empty promises

-Don’t use slang of the riffraff 

-Don’t do exaggerated praise
So you see my friends, the importance of taming our tongues! Positive and kind words should be used as they empower, motivate and encourage other people to be better version of themselves. The effect of good words is endless and they accomplish a lot. Don’t forget to share and leave your comments below:)
Until next time, Be kind

Dental Care during Covid 19

Prof Dr Ashish Gupta MDS , DNB , M Orth RCS , Consultant Orthodontist n Invisalign Provider , Gupta Dental Centre -The MultispecialityCentre , New Delhi

With global spread of COVID-19 pandemic, dentists have been asked to defer elective procedures. This is because dental settings are considered a high risk zone. The risk involved is due to the dental handpieces used for teeth cleaning and fillings which produce aerosols and rapidly infect anyone present in its vicinity. With proper protective gear, this risk can be minimized. Given the worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment(PPE), elective dental procedures have been deferred.

However, treatment of dental emergencies is to continue as before. These emergencies may occur due to facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, unbearable tooth pain, tooth fracture or trauma cases. Thus, your regular dental checkup, cleaning or filling would have to be postponed to a later date.

In the meantime, you could work on “improving your oral hygiene” and perhaps work on giving your teeth some TLC( tender loving care) right in the comfort of your home.

Here are some tips to do the same. There are numerous videos on the online portals demonstrating the correct way to brush or floss. You could use those as additional supplements.

1) Brush twice daily for 2 minutes. Make sure you clean all those areas which are hard to reach.

2) Floss your teeth on a daily basis.

3) You can opt for a mouthwash especially if you have a bad breath issue.

4) Take out 2 minutes to gently massage your gums using the pad of your finger. You could choose to apply coconut or mustard oil for the massage. Massage in circles to improve the blood circulation of the gums

5) Drink atleast 2-2.5litres of water. It will hydrate you and help with bad breath.

6) Do not overconsume processed sugary food items such as chocolates. These are a major risk factor for cavities. Make sure you intake adequate amount of fibrous food for self cleansing action.

These tips are especially important for individuals with preexisting dental or periodontal conditions. Since they cannot step into a dental clinic for regular checkup or cleaning, oral hygiene maintenance is a must at home. For those, with systemic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, a well established link between the mouth and their body condition mandates regular maintenance of the oral cavity, failing which systemic complications may occur. At this critical juncture during the lockdown, its imperative to take care of our mouth and body to avoid risking ourselves further.

Letter to my daughter Ananya as she enters into her Teenage

07th November 2019

Dear Ananya,

This is my first letter to you and I hope to write many more in future till you grow into an adult. I have particularly chosen this occasion of your 13th Birthday to give this first letter since you will be entering into your next and very profound phase of life called “TEENAGE”.

This phase acts as the foundation for our adult life later. This phase is more interesting than childhood and adulthood for three reasons. In childhood we do not have all our emotions developed fully and also our ability to comprehend the world around us is limited. In Adulthood though we are fully developed and understand the world much better, we have responsibilities towards self and family which constrain us from enjoying the life fully. Whereas, in Teenage we are sufficiently developed to understand most of the world around us and also we have no responsibilities, thereby allowing us to enjoy the life fully. This is also the most fascinating period of our life since it is charged with very high levels of emotional turbulence. We experience all emotions of life with full intensity during this phase of life which lasts for 6 to 7 years. So I want you to enjoy this phase to the hilt since you will never get it back.

During childhood we experience dreams when we sleep. Whereas in Teenage life we experience dreams while we are awake. This is a real gift of life for this phase. You can dream whatever you want to dream about; from most inspiring to most despairing; and the best part is you can make the choices. Since it is a very dreamy phase, you will find it difficult to come to terms with life’s realities. Trust me we all have gone through this phase, including me, your mother and, all other elders. And we have experienced it the same way that you will be experiencing it. However, you will still feel that no one understands you better than your teenage friends who will be able to relate and empathize with you better. Your feelings will get stronger and stronger that both your mother and I cannot understand what you are going through.

But trust me Ananya , we will understand it very much but would not be able to empathize with you like your friends because we would be able to strike the balance between the dreams and practicality. To give you an example, imagine you are watching a Film or a Television Serial for a long time, which is very high on emotions and you are deeply engrossed in it. You may not realize that there is darkness outside, the air is still and you have not put on the fan and, you have not eaten anything for a long time. If your mother or I see you in this condition, we will tell you to switch on the light and fan and to eat something. At this point you will feel that they don’t understand the emotions that I am going through and, rather than helping me to overcome my emotional upheaval by discussing the story of the film or serial, they are giving instructions on practical things which do not matter at this juncture to me. Trust me many of your real life experiences during this phase will bear uncanny resemblances to the above example. 

So go out boldly into this phase and dream big. Do not put limitations on your dreams and choose a dream that you would like to follow for the rest of your life.

This is the phase of your life wherein you will try to find out or create your own identity in this world. As part of this process you will be tempted to try different behaviours, styles or fashions to check what best suits you. You will have a strong desire to feel important amongst your friends or whom you value to get social acceptance from them. This desire may force you to do many silly things and you won’t mind doing it to get the social acceptance amongst your friends. Friends also help us to share our feelings, emotions, ideas, joys, sorrows, aspirations and fears and also provide us regular feedback. Therefore, it is important to have friends and it is more important to have right friends. Since friendship is beyond age and relationship, you may consider making your cute little brother Abbhay also your friend. If you are able to make friendship with good people, you will automatically do good things to get acceptance from them. Friends have a very big influence on us during this phase of life. So find your true self. Accept a personality which comes naturally to you without putting any mask or making special efforts. Make friendship with those who accept you the way you naturally are and without any demands or conditions because those are your real friends. It does not matter what the world thinks about you, what truly matters is what you think of you. So love yourself the most and be proud of what you are.

This is also the phase in which you will need more independence and freedom and we, the parents, will be hesitant to let you do everything the way you want because of difference in opinion of what is right and what is wrong between us. Our advice will stem purely from the concern for you so you may not like it. Therefore, my request is don’t hate it…just listen and keep your communication open with us. You will understand it when you grow up as to why we were saying what we were saying to you. Always keep in mind that the rights bestowed upon you by the freedom also accompany responsibilities. So enjoy your newfound freedom responsibly.

Since this is the phase you can dream…dream big. Don’t put restrictions on your dreams. Whatever you dream during this phase of life and if you believe it strongly, you will achieve it. Your family is always there to support you fully to help you achieve your dreams. The only difference between all the successful people and not so successful people in the world is that those who nurtured their dreams with the hard work and discipline realized their dreams; whereas those who only dreamt without any hard work or discipline to support their dreams did not realize their dreams. However, it is not easy to bring discipline in life during this phase since your mind will always be wandering from one thought to another like a butterfly moving from one flower to another. It is difficult to control our mind during this phase. Therefore when you finalize your big dream in life and put your efforts behind it, you will find it easy to bring in discipline in life. 

As this phase is the foundation of life for future years, ensure to eat well, sleep well, play well and exercise well. Always remember that a healthy mind prefers to reside in a healthy body. So we must take care of our body and make it strong with good food and exercises. 

You family is always there for you to be your friends if you believe in us and you can use us to bounce all your thoughts, doubts, questions, however, stupid or embarrassing they may sound to you. We will try to share our experiences with you to help you find your path.

So wish you all the very best on this journey of the best phase of life called ‘TEENAGE” and wish you a very happy birthday!

With lots of Love

Your Father

Prof Dr Ashish Gupta

Letter to my Daughter Ananya as she enters into Teenage

My dear Ananya ,

This is my first letter to you and I hope to write many more in future till you grow into an adult. I have particularly chosen this occasion of your 13th Birthday to give this first letter since you will be entering into your next and very profound phase of life called “TEENAGE”.

This phase acts as the foundation for our adult life later. This phase is more interesting than childhood and adulthood for three reasons. In childhood we do not have all our emotions developed fully and also our ability to comprehend the world around us is limited. In Adulthood though we are fully developed and understand the world much better, we have responsibilities towards self and family which constrain us from enjoying the life fully. Whereas, in Teenage we are sufficiently developed to understand most of the world around us and also we have no responsibilities, thereby allowing us to enjoy the life fully. This is also the most fascinating period of our life since it is charged with very high levels of emotional turbulence. We experience all emotions of life with full intensity during this phase of life which lasts for 6 to 7 years. So I want you to enjoy this phase to the hilt since you will never get it back.

During childhood we experience dreams when we sleep. Whereas in Teenage life we experience dreams while we are awake. This is a real gift of life for this phase. You can dream whatever you want to dream about; from most inspiring to most despairing; and the best part is you can make the choices. Since it is a very dreamy phase, you will find it difficult to come to terms with life’s realities. Trust me we all have gone through this phase, including me, your mother and, all other elders. And we have experienced it the same way that you will be experiencing it. However, you will still feel that no one understands you better than your teenage friends who will be able to relate and empathize with you better. Your feelings will get stronger and stronger that both your mother and I cannot understand what you are going through.

But trust me Ananya , we will understand it very much but would not be able to empathize with you like your friends because we would be able to strike the balance between the dreams and practicality. To give you an example, imagine you are watching a Film or a Television Serial for a long time, which is very high on emotions and you are deeply engrossed in it. You may not realize that there is darkness outside, the air is still and you have not put on the fan and, you have not eaten anything for a long time. If your mother or I see you in this condition, we will tell you to switch on the light and fan and to eat something. At this point you will feel that they don’t understand the emotions that I am going through and, rather than helping me to overcome my emotional upheaval by discussing the story of the film or serial, they are giving instructions on practical things which do not matter at this juncture to me. Trust me many of your real life experiences during this phase will bear uncanny resemblances to the above example. 

So go out boldly into this phase and dream big. Do not put limitations on your dreams and choose a dream that you would like to follow for the rest of your life.

This is the phase of your life wherein you will try to find out or create your own identity in this world. As part of this process you will be tempted to try different behaviours, styles or fashions to check what best suits you. You will have a strong desire to feel important amongst your friends or whom you value to get social acceptance from them. This desire may force you to do many silly things and you won’t mind doing it to get the social acceptance amongst your friends. Friends also help us to share our feelings, emotions, ideas, joys, sorrows, aspirations and fears and also provide us regular feedback. Therefore, it is important to have friends and it is more important to have right friends. Since friendship is beyond age and relationship, you may consider making your sweet little sister also your friend. If you are able to make friendship with good people, you will automatically do good things to get acceptance from them. Friends have a very big influence on us during this phase of life. So find your true self. Accept a personality which comes naturally to you without putting any mask or making special efforts. Make friendship with those who accept you the way you naturally are and without any demands or conditions because those are your real friends. It does not matter what the world thinks about you, what truly matters is what you think of you. So love yourself the most and be proud of what you are.

This is also the phase in which you will need more independence and freedom and we, the parents, will be hesitant to let you do everything the way you want because of difference in opinion of what is right and what is wrong between us. Our advice will stem purely from the concern for you so you may not like it. Therefore, my request is don’t hate it…just listen and keep your communication open with us. You will understand it when you grow up as to why we were saying what we were saying to you. Always keep in mind that the rights bestowed upon you by the freedom also accompany responsibilities. So enjoy your newfound freedom responsibly.

Since this is the phase you can dream…dream big. Don’t put restrictions on your dreams. Whatever you dream during this phase of life and if you believe it strongly, you will achieve it. Your family is always there to support you fully to help you achieve your dreams. The only difference between all the successful people and not so successful people in the world is that those who nurtured their dreams with the hard work and discipline realized their dreams; whereas those who only dreamt without any hard work or discipline to support their dreams did not realize their dreams. However, it is not easy to bring discipline in life during this phase since your mind will always be wandering from one thought to another like a butterfly moving from one flower to another. It is difficult to control our mind during this phase. Therefore when you finalize your big dream in life and put your efforts behind it, you will find it easy to bring in discipline in life. 

As this phase is the foundation of life for future years, ensure to eat well, sleep well, play well and exercise well. Always remember that a healthy mind prefers to reside in a healthy body. So we must take care of our body and make it strong with good food and exercises. 

You family is always there for you to be your friends if you believe in us and you can use us to bounce all your thoughts, doubts, questions, however, stupid or embarrassing they may sound to you. We will try to share our experiences with you to help you find your path.

So wish you all the very best on this journey of the best phase of life called ‘TEENAGE” and wish you a very happy birthday!

With lots of Love

Your Father

How Invisalign differ from Traditional Braces Treatment …

Prof Dr Ashish Gupta

BDS,MDS,DNB, M OrthRCS(Edin)

FICD,FPFA,FICCDE

He is Senior Consultant Orthodontist n Invisalign Provider , based in Delhi .He can be contacted at

drashishgupta1@gmail.com

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Invisalign is currently the hot favorite among those who want to straighten their teeth. This is because of their excellent esthetics and convenience of use in comparison to the fixed braces. Invisalign can be provided by a specialist orthodontist, who underwent additional training and certification in Invisalign .

Did you know that 100% of orthodontists are dentists but only 5-10% of dentists are orthodontists!

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign orthodontic system involves the use of clear removable aligners which are designed in such a way that they exert forces on teeth when they are worn. The Invisalign aligners are basically serial-numbered plastic shells, much like teeth guards, which are custom made for your teeth.

How Does Invisalign Treatment Work?

Your dentist will give you multiple sets of numbered aligners, each of which has to be worn for about 2 weeks. For best results, Orthodontist recommend that Invisalign aligners must be worn at least 22 hours each day. During this time, the aligner will move your teeth through a predetermined extent.

After two weeks, you will put on the next set of aligners which moves your teeth through another stage. Thus, two to three dozen aligners successively move your teeth through predetermined extents to end up with a perfect new smile. After the last aligner, a retainer is worn for about 8 months to an year , or sometimes even longer periods ,to consolidate the tooth movement realized so far.

Does Invisalign™ Work?

Yes, you may not be ready to believe, but it does. No wires, just plastic, and yet it does correct most cases of teeth misalignment. This is because the aligners are the product of precision measurement, computer-aided visualized planning, and computer-aided design and machining (CAD/CAM). However, it must be noted that the Invisalign orthodontic system is suitable for the treatment of mild to moderate orthodontic problems.

What is the difference Between Invisalign and Braces?

Let’s compare conventional braces with Invisalign aligners:

• Aesthetics – Braces look conspicuous. The Invisalign™ aligners are virtually invisible.
• Convenience– The Invisalign can be removed and put on as many times as you like, and you don’t need to go to the Orthodontist for this. Braces are worn permanently, and they are quite uncomfortable.
• Repeated Visits– With braces, you must visit your dentist monthly or fortnightly for adjustments. However, no such repeated visits are needed in case you are using Invisalign. You just change the aligner after two weeks yourself.
• Irritation to Gums– The ends of wires in the braces may occasionally irritate or bruise the gums or cheeks. No such thing happens with Invisalign aligners. These are precision made to molds of your teeth and gums.

How effective is Invisalign for teens?

The teens are still growing their teeth, especially the wisdom teeth which may come quite late. The original Invisalign design being a complete shell worn over the teeth obstructed the eruption of new teeth.

This problem has been resolved now by allowing removable “eruption tabs” in the shells. When a tooth is erupting, the corresponding tab is removed to allow the tooth to erupt.

Parents have another concern about Invisalign for teens. Will their child wear it regularly for the required 22 hours a day? The aligners now have compliance marks made on them. These marks fade as a child wears the aligner, so the fading can tell whether the child is complying or not. However, it appears that teens would in any case love to wear their aligners because they want to improve their smile fast. Ans the aligners are virtually invisible.

Invisalign is an excellent  system for the treatment of mild to moderate orthodontic problems which possesses several advantages over the conventional braces. So, if you want to get your teeth straightened without affecting your smile, or without people noticing, Invisalign should be your first choice.

Is Gingivitis a Sign Of Zinc Deficiency?

Prof Dr Ashish Gupta

MDS,DNB, M OrthRCS( Edinburgh, UK)

FPFA, FICD , FICCDE

Senior Consultant Orthodntist and Invisalign Provider

New Delhi , India

Functional Dental Medicine

Is Gingivitis a Sign Of Zinc Deficiency?

If you want to prevent colds, have healthy gums, and feel great, you need to be getting enough zinc in your diet.

Many patents ask me, “Doc, my gums are bleeding and I don’t know why?” Often, bleeding gums is a sign that your body isn’t getting enough key nutrients. Research has established zinc as a key player in the body’s immune response. One of the first indicators of zinc deficiency are bleeding gums and gingivitis. So, if your gums are bleeding, it’s time to learn more about zinc!

Can mineral or vitamin deficiency cause bleeding gums?

Let’s start off, zinc is not a vitamin, it’s a mineral.

If you have close to perfect oral hygiene but aren’t getting enough zinc, you could still have issues with your gums. You can brush and floss, every day to fight against plaque buildup on your gums. But if you’re still experiencing bleeding/pain while flossing or brushing you might want to consider what you’re putting in your mouth first. Diet and nutrition are keys factors in preventing periodontal disease.

Early signs of periodontal disease are bleeding of the gums during brushing or flossing, which is considered gingivitis. As this disease progresses, and it turns into periodontitis causing tooth decay, it could cause complications down the road and even cause you to lose your teeth.

So, if your gums are bleeding and you’re regularly brushing or flossing, the question you need to ask yourself is what are you not getting enough of? Has your diet changed recently? Are you getting enough Fat Soluble Vitamins in your diet every day? Specifically, make sure you’re getting enough zinc.

What are the signs and symptoms of Zinc Deficiency?

Bleeding gums could be an early warning of zinc deficiency. However, there is a certain set of people at risk of low zinc levels. Research shows that Pregnant Women and Elderly are most at risk for not getting enough zinc in the US and for different reasons.

A shocking 82% of pregnant women are considered zinc deficient because they require almost triple more than the daily intake of zinc for fetal growth. That is a significant amount of zinc needed comparable to our standard American diet. Pregnant women have to be conscious not only of  their iron intake, but to increase their zinc consumption as well. It’s suggested that Pregnant Woman take a zinc supplement during their pregnancy to help reach their daily goal.

Data shows that 30% of the elderly are not eating sufficient amount of food daily therefore not meeting their daily zinc requirements and most probably other nutritional requirements.

Age and zinc deficiency: The elderly require the same amount of zinc as the average adult so it’s best to try to incorporate more zinc foods in their diet. If the deficiency still persists and they have not been able to consistently change their diet a supplement should be added.

What are the health benefits of zinc?

Recent studies have pushed zinc to recently become known as the Miracle Mineral . It is considered one of the most important nutrients throughout our body because of its many benefits. Zinc helps:

• Strengthen your immune system

• Fight inflammation

• Boost growth

• Promote wound healing

• Skin health and aging

• Fight colds and viruses

• Keeps your metabolism healthy

• Improve your taste/smell

• Improve blood clotting

• Balance thyroid function

• Sexual health

•Hormone balance

•Fertility

What is zinc used for in the body?

Numerous features of cellular metabolism rely on zinc. This mineral is the second most concentrated one in our body. Zinc is necessary for wound healing, neurological function, reproduction, immune system, growth and development.

Zinc plays three different roles in our bodies:

1 Catalytic role –  In over 300 zinc-dependent enzymes.

2 Structural role –  Essential for the structure of proteins and cell membranes.

3 Regulatory role –  Regulates gene expression, cell signaling,  growth and development.

What Does Zinc Have to do with Bleeding Gums?

You might be wondering why zinc is so important to our gums. This is because zinc helps with wound healing.

Research suggests that periodontal health is significantly better with a diet containing zinc. And that those that are zinc are at a higher risk for periodontal disease.

When paired with vitamin A, zinc will help transport Vitamin A in the blood to fight inflammation.  So what’s fighting all the damaging plaque that is forming around the pockets surrounding your teeth… Zinc is the main source of defense! If you aren’t getting enough zinc then your body isn’t able to transport vitamin A to your gums to help heal them naturally.

What is the daily dose of Zinc from food?

It’s important to focus on foods that provide the daily amount of zinc from your diets. Your body does not store excess zinc so we have to make sure we are consuming it daily. The recommended daily dose of zinc:

• 8 mg/women

• 11 mg/men

• 3-5 mg/children

• 25 mg/pregnant women

Generally, zinc has two standard dosages. The low dosage is 5-10mg, while the high dosage is 25-45mg. The low dose works well as a daily preventative, while the high dosage should be taken by anyone at risk for a zinc deficiency. If you’re suffering from a condition that links to zinc deficiency, a dose of 20-30mg/day is likely required to raise bodily levels.

You can get zinc from a wide variety of foods:

• Poultry

• Meats

• Seafood

• Dairy products

• Whole grains

• Nuts

Summary of Recommended Food Sources of Zinc:  Table of oz/mg amount of each:

Food

Serving Size (oz)

Zinc (mg)

Chicken

2.5

1.3-2.2

Beef

2.5

4.0-8.6

Liver, veal

2.5

2.3-7.4

Milk

1.5

1.2-2.2

Nuts

¼ cup

1.1-2.2

Shrimp

2.5

2.2

Oysters

2.5

24.9

Table: Food sources rich in Zinc.

Oysters are one of the most nutrient dense forms of zinc. Here’s an oyster based zinc supplement.

For a supplement version of beef liver, I recommend desiccated beef liver capsules.

Food preparation and diet considerations: Vegetarians are also at the top of the list for zinc deficiency. Sure, they might be eating more legumes and whole grains in place of meat to reach their daily intake, but the bioavailability of zinc in those foods are key. Zinc in legumes, whole grains, and other vegetables is less bioavailability because they contain phytates, which may bind to zinc and inhibit absorption.

A quick fix for this is to soak legumes and beans before cooking them and let them sit until sprouts form. This technique has been proven to increase the bioavailability of zinc.

Safety First – Zinc Toxicity

Can you overdose on Zinc?

Zinc deficiency has been researched far more than zinc toxicity. This is because zinc toxicity doesn’t come into play until large amounts of zinc is ingested, over 200 mg. Too much zinc can inhibit copper and iron absorption.

Signs and symptoms of toxicity:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Epigastric pain

• Lethargy

• Fatigue

If you’re taking daily zinc supplements be cautious of the amount you’re taking. If you notice any of the symptoms of zinc toxicity, you should back off immediately.

Here’s a link to an affordable and zinc supplement.

*Always consult with a physician before taking dietary supplements*

Is Zinc Your Missing Nutrient?

Zinc is one of the most needed and more underrated mineral our bodies need to function fully. When I have patients with persistent bleeding gums, I test for nutrient deficiencies and talk with them about their diet.

How to create a loyal base of patients

Prof Dr Ashish Gupta

BDS,MDS,DNB

M OrthRCS (Edinburgh,UK)

FICD,FPFA,FICCDE,FWFO

Prof & Head

Senior Consultant Orthodntist

Invisalign Provider (Aligner Specialist)

Cert Lingual Specialist

So…you’ve done all the hard work behind the scenes and have a General Practice up and running with all the necessary Marketing tools in place for attracting patients.

But something still seems to be missing?

Many practices know how to reach out to new patients but how do you ensure that your practice stands out from the crowd whilst retaining current patients so you build a loyal customer base?

If you can do both, you are certain to have a successful practice for years to come.

Here are a few tips on how to retain those customers, after the marketing.

Consider the Experience

You don’t want your practice to convey a dull or lifeless personality. Practices that attract and keep patients are those where they feel welcome and comfortable; perhaps even where they feel like they are amongst friends.

Even if a doctor has excellent credentials, it is his likability and bed-side manner that gives him a competitive edge when it comes to patient retention. Customers appreciate the personalised experience of a friendly doctor who remembers them.

Patients also want to be welcomed by warm and motivational staff and that can truly make any practice shine.

Train your staff to be patient-focused and amiable, and you will realise a much higher level of patient engagement, sending patients home smiling.

Solve a Prevailing Problem

Not only do patients want you to help their current health issue, but patients will also respond positively to GPs who are devoted to solving specific community healthcare issues.

For example, do you have patients who visit your practice who regularly complain about work-related illnesses? Maybe you have a large number of patients who are diabetic. Find a solution for their specific woes, and you will attract a larger patient base.

You must therefore focus on more than just marketing if you want your practice to retain patients. It is also essential to give your patients the “VIP” treatment, not just clinically, but communicatively as well.

A Unique Selling Proposition

By developing a UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION  (USP), you can stand out from the competition.

A USP is used to show why your dental /medical practice is exclusive, or different from other practices.

Consequently, a USP is a major value concept that is used to attract and retain patients.

Think also about the value proposition placed on your practice, i.e. the reason why patients typically choose your clinic or office. Perceived value is yet another element to consider as it determines how willing a patient is to spend for the services you provide.

In order to make sure you have all the components in place for attracting patients, you need to look at your practice from their point of view. Consider the factors that drive your patients to select your office over those of your competitors.

In order to make sure your marketing efforts pay off too, you need to focus on patient retention. Patients switch to another doctor because of issues with the provider or the services. This is why you need to communicate well with your patients.

How Long Are Your Patients Waiting to See You?

Studies show that patients prefer shorter wait times. In one study, higher ratings were given to practices with wait times that average around 12 minutes, compared poorly-rated practices in which the average wait times were over half an hour.

Typically, to overcome any frustrations along these lines, it is best to use technology. Send out an e-mail or text if you are running late.

Research shows that an email or text serves to reassure the patient, and makes him feel more recognised.

When you place yourself in the patient’s shoes and make changes to better their experience you’ll find your practice will successively grow, and that your marketing efforts will complement any efforts toward retention.

HPV and Oral Cancer

What u need to know …

We all love to talk about the fun and interesting sides of oral health, but today, there is something much more serious on our minds. We care about the health of everyone in Delhi, and as dental care professionals, we feel it is our duty to educate you on how to be as safe and healthy as you can be. While you have probably heard of the human papillomavirus and oral cancer, most people don’t know that they are linked.

Here is some information from Dr. Gupta about the topic.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Gupta Dental Centre .

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus refers to a family of nearly 200 strains that infect the epithelial skin cells and mucous membranes, such as the inside of the mouth, tongue, tonsils, throat, vulva, vagina, cervix, penis (through the urethral opening), and the anus. HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual contact (oral and genital) and it is one of the most common viruses in the country. According to the CDC, 8 out of 10 Americans will have an HPV infection at some point. However, 99% of HPV infections are cleared up by your immune system without any symptoms or any indication that you were ever infected.

HPV and Oral Cancer

While most of us know HPV as the sexually transmitted infection responsible for genital warts, that represents only a few strains of the virus (usually HPV6 and 11), which are low-risk. What most Portland folks don’t know is that HPV is also responsible for causing cervical cancer (HPV16 and 18) and oral cancer. In fact, HPV 16 is now considered the leading cause of oral cancer in world . Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are also major risk factors, but they do not have as much of a proven causative effect on the development of oral cancer as human papillomavirus.

HPV and Dental Health

If you are worried about getting oral cancer, don’t fret! We at Gupta Dental Centre – The Multispeciality Centre have the expertise and the technology to identify any areas of concern, track problems, and make sure that diagnosis happens as early as possible. If you would like to come in for an Oral Cancer Screening from Dr.Gupta , contact us today!

http://www.guptadentalcentre.in

Call us on +919811791340 to schedule an appointment today

How to maintain oral hygiene during braces

All orthodontic patients must know how to clean braces, regardless of age. Orthodontic care is a serious investment of a family’s time and finances. By learning about proper orthodontic home care in advance, patients will be prepared for the time commitment necessary to maintain oral health during and following orthodontic care.

What Gets Caught around Braces

Every type of orthodontic material , including wires, bands, brackets, expanders, springs, elastics and screws, poses its own unique challenges for the patient when it comes to cleaning. All this attachments provides additional surfaces for food debris, plaque biofilm and acids to adhere and collect in these areas of the mouth that are very difficult to clean.

The tiny germs first find an effective place to hide around orthodontic attachments and between teeth, growing into larger colonies of plaque biofilm. As readily available food particles are digested by the germ colonies, the plaque biofilm masses process the food debris. Acid is the by-product of this germ digestion process. These acids etch around the brackets and bands, creating the white chalky orthodontic spots , called as White Spots ,often shown to patients before they pursue braces. The good news is that these spots can be prevented if a patient is taught how to clean braces properly.

Cleaning Braces at Home

The proper removal of food debris, biofilm and acids from around the braces will protect the teeth and gums from being affected by oral care diseases. Patients must be reminded before the placement of orthodontics that a higher level of at-home care will help decrease the incidence of tooth decay. Specialized equipment is recommended for cleaning teeth with braces. The standard tools for cleaning braces at home include a high-quality toothbrush, floss/interdental cleaners and an at-home oral irrigation system.

1. Toothbrushing: Whether manual or electric, a toothbrush with soft bristles and a compact head is best for cleaning teeth with braces. Always remember to remove elastics before brushing so hooks and wires are not disturbed.

The following are some toothbrushing instructions to assist you in cleaning your braces:

1. The toothbrush should be held at a 45-degree angle at the gum line and brushed back and forth and then swept toward the biting surface of the teeth.

2. Brush the top and bottom surfaces of the brackets to remove plaque and food debris as well as the front of the bracket and wires. It may be beneficial to physically hold back the lip with one hand and brush the bracket areas.

2. Floss/Interdental Cleaners: It’s important to note that there are different interproximal cleaning tools that can remove debris from the mouth when you’re on the go, such as soft picks, proxybrushes, woven dental floss, superfloss or triangular, interdental picks. Patients can carry these tools in their bags or purses to use when they don’t have time for traditional flossing. Despite the variety of cleaning tools available, there is no substitute for proper flossing with a threader. Food can get trapped in the spaces between the teeth and under wires, so it’s necessary to take some time each day to thread floss under the wires to remove debris before it damages the enamel. Access the areas where most other devices can’t reach by gliding the floss along the surface of the tooth and gently cleaning the area below the gum line.

3. Oral Irrigation Systems: At-home oral irrigation systems are specialized dental tools available at drugstores and major retail chains. They push water through a device in a thin stream to directly flush around the teeth and orthodontic hardware. Food, bacteria, plaque biofilm and acids can be flushed from hard-to-reach spots with these systems; although they can make your home care efforts more effective, they should never be used to replace brushing and flossing.

4. Fluoride Treatment and Germ Killers :

Although topical fluoride is very important to use regardless of whether you have braces, fluoride becomes even more important during and immediately following orthodontic care. Since braces make teeth tougher to clean, the risk for tooth decay increases with braces. A fluoride rinse can decrease this risk.

Using a prescription toothpaste also goes a long way toward protecting your teeth. Products such as ToothMin have a much better substrate – Calcium Sucrose Phosphate , commonly called as Anticay , which has a better protection than over-the-counter toothpastes, and they can strengthen areas of exposed root surface that often occur among people with braces. Germ-killing rinses and anti-bacterial toothpastes also decrease the concentration of living bacteria in the mouth. Over-the-counter fluoride products such Amflour contains Amine Fluoride to stop the cycle of demineralisation around Braces.

The delight of having your braces taken off to reveal a beautiful smile can often be overshadowed by a diagnosis of cavities throughout the mouth, but these cavities can be prevented. Don’t let them happen to you! By learning how to clean braces effectively before their placement, both patients and parents can be proud of a newly aligned smile.

About the author:

Prof Dr Ashish Gupta is currently an Orthodintist with Master’s degree in Orthodontics at Saveetha University , Chennai followed by Diplomate National Boards in Orthodontics . He cleared his Membership in Orthodontics, Royal College of Surgeons , Edinburgh in 2002 and has practiced Orthodontics since2002 in Delhi , India .

He has been in active teaching and a Professor teaching Post Graduate Students

ITero Scanner

My patients repeatedly asked me ’What will my teeth look like after Invisalign?’ And that was a good question, the million dollar question.

My answer was a simple description – ‘They will look lovely and straight’. But I felt it was unfair for them to invest on just my promise. There had to be an easier and fairer way of doing this.

Then I was introduced to the iTero. What an impressive piece of equipment.

This machine can literally scan your teeth in a couple of minutes, and with the click of a button, you can see your teeth in 3D. Then the best thing is with the a click of the second button, we can see a 3D assimilation of what your teeth will look like once you have completed our Invisalign treatment. It’s like magic. And you won’t understand my sheer excitement until you see the iTero and the amazing work it can do.

The iTero is the cutting edge in dental technology as it provides 100% precision when scanning the teeth. It is a cool gadget and an educational tool, and it is guaranteed to enhance your experience at Gupta Dental Centre – The Multispeciality Centre .

Advantages of the iTero

1 So many patients hate having impressions taken – the iTero can do the same as an impression, without that gagging feeling.

2 Scanning with the iTero is a simple, quick procedure, it takes a couple of minutes.

3 It doesn’t cost a penny to see the end result of your Invisalign treatment.

4 You get to see your teeth in 3D so it is an excellent educational tool.

5 It works like a smart phone, so once we have the image of your teeth on the screen, we can expand the image, zoom in on the image, adjust the image, rotate the image.

6 The iTero is green – we don’t have to throw away any materials, which is what we have to do for the current impression taking methods we use.

7 Once we have a 3D imprint of your teeth, they can be sent electronically, thus avoiding needing courier services, and reducing the carbon footprint.

Book your 3D scan today .

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