Great Smile Dental Center

17/08/2025

Putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice may seem harmless, even comforting, but it can quietly cause one of the earliest and most damaging dental problems—Baby Bottle Caries. This condition develops when sugars from milk, juice, or other sweetened drinks stay on your child’s teeth overnight, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to attack and weaken the enamel.

Unlike adults, baby teeth have a thinner enamel layer, which means cavities can spread much faster. Parents often believe baby teeth don’t matter since they will eventually fall out, but this is a dangerous misconception. Healthy baby teeth are essential for proper chewing, speech development, jaw growth, and guiding permanent teeth into the right position. Losing them too early due to decay can lead to pain, infections, and long-term dental problems.

The risk increases when a baby falls asleep with a bottle, because saliva flow naturally decreases during sleep. Without enough saliva, the sugars stay on the teeth for hours, allowing bacteria to do serious damage. Over time, the front teeth—often the first to show signs—begin to darken, chip, or break down, which can be both painful and distressing for the child.

The good news is that Baby Bottle Caries is entirely preventable. Parents can protect their child’s smile by avoiding bedtime bottles with anything other than water, cleaning their baby’s gums and teeth regularly, and introducing a cup as early as possible. Regular dental visits, starting by the first birthday, ensure that any problems are caught early and managed before they become serious.

06/08/2025

02/08/2025

Teeth may sometimes feel slightly loose after a professional dental cleaning, especially if it has been a long time since the last session. This sensation can be unexpected and often misunderstood, but it does not mean the teeth were harmed during the procedure.

The scaling process removes hardened tartar (calculus) that builds up around the teeth and beneath the gums. When left for a long time, tartar can act like a false support—similar to cement—holding the teeth in place. However, this support is deceptive. Beneath the tartar, bacteria continue to damage the gums and bone, leading to slow, silent destruction of the structures that actually hold the teeth firmly.

After cleaning, the removal of tartar may reveal this existing damage, which can create the impression that teeth have become loose. But the cleaning did not cause this mobility—it simply exposed what was already present. In many cases, this is the first step toward healing. Once the source of infection is removed, the gums are able to recover, inflammation reduces, and natural support can begin to rebuild.

Scaling does not weaken teeth or damage enamel. It is a preventive, therapeutic procedure that helps maintain long-term oral health. Any mild mobility noticed after cleaning is usually temporary, and with proper care, gum tissues often tighten and stabilize over time.

Delaying or avoiding professional cleaning based on myths can result in worsening gum disease and eventual tooth loss. Regular scaling is an essential part of protecting and preserving oral health.

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This post is for public awareness. It does not replace professional dental advice. If you notice any symptoms—pain, swelling, sensitivity—please consult your dentist promptly.

11/07/2025

Dental implants are one of the most advanced solutions for replacing missing teeth, and unlike natural teeth, they don’t get cavities. But that doesn’t mean they’re maintenance-free. The gum tissue and bone around the implant are still vulnerable to bacterial infection if not properly cared for.

When plaque accumulates around an implant, it can lead to a condition called peri-implant mucositis—an inflammation of the soft tissue. If left untreated, it can progress to peri-implantitis, where the infection begins to destroy the bone supporting the implant. This process can happen quietly, without pain, until serious damage is done.

Implants may look and feel permanent, but they still depend on healthy surrounding tissues. That’s why daily brushing and flossing, along with routine dental checkups, are critical. Professional cleaning around the implant can remove harmful buildup and detect early signs of inflammation before it leads to irreversible bone loss.

Taking care of your implant is not just about hygiene—it’s about protecting your smile, your health, and your investment for the long run.

16/04/2025

Looking for a part time or full time licensed associate dentist for our dental clinic at SM Manila

Can work with minimal supervision

Clinic duties can be full time or part time, 10am to 7pm

Basic pay + commission in all procedures

13th month pay and benefits (sss, philhealth, pagibig) will also be provided

Newly board exam passers are also welcome to apply!

Msg (0945) 321 0833 for further inquiries

You may also email your resume at greatsmiledental1218@gmail.com

04/12/2024

26/07/2024

Implant placement and crown restoration using Dentis Implants

27/04/2024

“𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐲𝐨 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐩𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚” — MUST READ!! 👇

𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫
Kapag nabunot na ang ngipin, mas mahal pa ang gagastusin mo kesa sa pag-save neto sa pamamagitan ng pasta, root canal treatment or crown (“jacket”).

𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐥...

𝟏. 𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧
Kapag nawala ang katabi ng ngipin, maari itong tumagilid. Ang opposite ngipin naman ay pwedeng umangat. Ang pag-drift ng ngipin ay pwedeng magcause ng bite problems, jaw joint problems (TMJD), gum disease, at possible na matanggal din ang ibang ngipin.

𝟐. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞
Once nawala na ang ngipin, wala ng mag-“stimulate” ng bone which can cause na magdeteriorate (bone resorption) ang jaw bone or lumiit at maging sanhi para lumubog ang korte ng muka at magmukang matanda.

𝟑. 𝐄𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝
Kapag nawala ang ngipin sa likuran or ang molars, mas mahihirapan ka ng ngumuya which can cause na ma-limit ang pwede mong kainin.

𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐮𝐧?
1. Kailangan mong palitan ang pustiso mo every 3-5 years. Hindi ito lumuluwag, bagkus, nagkakaroon ka ng “bone resorption” or ang pagimpis ng buto sa panga kaya hindi na sakto ang pustiso

2. Kung gusto mo ng mas permanenteng solution at hindi magccause na umimpis ang bone sa jaw mo, dental implant lamang ang solusyon... which is mas mahal ng di hamak sa pasta or root canal treatment

3. Aside sa cost, hindi ka na makakaenjoy na kainin ang mga usual na gusto mong kaininin kapag naka denture. Mas hindi ka na din confident na ngumiti o magsalita kapag naka pustiso dahil sa takot na ito ay matanggal.

Kaya naman mas nire-recommend pa din ng mga dentista na isave ang ngipin through “pasta” (composite restorations) or Root Canal Therapy hangga’t kaya.