Shree Jayam Oral and Dental Clinic

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable illness and death worldwide. Despite widespread awareness, millions continue to smoke—often underestimating the damage it causes to nearly every organ in the body. This blog explores the major health hazards of smoking and why quitting is one of the best decisions you can make. 🔥 What’s Inside a Cigarette? A single cigarette contains over 7,000 chemicals , many of which are toxic and cancer-causing. Key harmful substances include: Nicotine – addictive and raises blood pressure Tar – damages lungs Carbon monoxide – reduces oxygen supply Formaldehyde & Benzene – known carcinogens 🫁 Effects of Smoking on the Body 1️⃣ Lung Damage Chronic cough and breathlessness Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Lung cancer (leading cause of cancer deaths) 2️⃣ Heart & Blood Vessels Increased risk of heart attack and stroke Narrowing of blood vessels High blood pressure and poor circulation 3️⃣ Oral &...

 A small cavity might seem harmless—but tooth decay never stops on its own. The earlier it’s treated, the easier and more comfortable it is to fix. Here’s how to know when it’s time to fill a decayed tooth . 🪥 1. As Soon as You Notice a Cavity If you see a brown or black spot , rough surface, or small hole, the decay has already started damaging enamel . ➡️ Early filling prevents it from spreading deeper into the dentin and causing pain. 😬 2. When There’s Sensitivity or Mild Pain If you or your child feel discomfort while eating sweet, hot, or cold foods , it’s a warning sign. ➡️ Filling at this stage can save the tooth and avoid pulpal involvement (which would later need root canal or pulpectomy ). 🦷 3. Before the Decay Reaches the Nerve Once bacteria reach the pulp (nerve), pain becomes severe and constant. ➡️ At this stage, a simple filling will not work—you’ll need root canal or extraction. Regular dental check-ups can detect decay before it reaches this point. 👶 4. Eve...

As parents, we want to give our children tasty and filling snacks. But here’s the shocking truth — many common snacks are loaded with hidden sugars that can harm your child’s teeth and overall health. 🍫 The Sugar Reality That colourful biscuit packet, sweetened drink, or chocolate bar in your child’s lunchbox may look harmless. But together, they can add up to 12+ sugar cubes in one meal — more than half of a child’s recommended daily sugar limit! Excess sugar not only increases the risk of tooth decay but also affects energy levels, concentration, and long-term health. 🦷 How Sugar Affects Your Child’s Teeth When sugar meets bacteria in the mouth, it creates acids that attack the tooth enamel. Over time, this leads to cavities, pain, and even early tooth loss. Children’s teeth are especially vulnerable because their enamel is thinner than adults’. ✅ The Better Choice – Healthy Snack Swaps Instead of filling lunchboxes with sugary snacks, try these dentist-approved options: Fresh frui...

  Introduction Thumb sucking and pacifier use are common comforting habits for infants and toddlers. While they are completely normal in the early years, continuing these habits beyond a certain age can affect the growth of teeth and jaws. As parents, it’s important to know when these habits are harmless and when they may need attention from a dentist. Why Do Children Suck Their Thumb or Use a Pacifier? Provides comfort and security. Helps babies self-soothe and fall asleep. Natural reflex in infancy – most children outgrow it between 2–4 years of age. When Does It Become a Problem? Occasional thumb sucking is usually not harmful. However, persistent or forceful sucking beyond 4 years of age may cause: Protruding front teeth (buck teeth) Open bite (front teeth don’t meet when biting) Crossbite (teeth don’t align properly) Changes in jaw growth and palate shape Difficulty in speech (lisping) Pacifier vs. Thumb – Which Is Better? Pacifiers can be easier to stop, since they can be tak...

Introduction Baby teeth may seem temporary, but they play a very important role in guiding the proper eruption of permanent teeth. When a baby tooth is lost too early—due to decay, injury, or extraction—the nearby teeth tend to drift into the empty space. This can block the permanent tooth from coming out in the right position, leading to crooked teeth, crowding, or bite problems. This is where a space maintainer comes in. What is a Space Maintainer? A space maintainer is a small dental appliance, usually made of metal or acrylic, designed to hold the gap open after premature loss of a baby tooth. It ensures there’s enough room for the permanent tooth to erupt naturally. Think of it like a placeholder — saving space for the new tooth. When is a Space Maintainer Needed? Not all children who lose baby teeth early need a space maintainer. Your dentist will recommend one if: ✅ A baby tooth is lost much earlier than expected. ✅ The permanent tooth will not erupt soon. ✅ There is a risk of t...

One of the most common worries among parents is, “My child’s permanent teeth haven’t come out yet — should I be concerned?” While every child grows at their own pace, there are situations where delayed eruption of permanent teeth may signal an underlying dental or health issue. At Shree Jayam Oral & Dental Clinic, Ambattur, we see many such cases and help parents understand when delayed eruption is normal and when it requires attention. 🔎 What is “Delayed Eruption”? Tooth eruption refers to the process by which a tooth emerges into the mouth. Normally, a child’s first permanent tooth appears around 6 years of age. If there is a significant delay (6 months to 1 year beyond the expected age), it may be considered a delayed eruption. 📅 Normal Timeline for Permanent Teeth First permanent molars & lower central incisors: 6–7 years Upper central incisors: 7–8 years Lateral incisors: 8–9 years Canines & premolars: 10–12 years Second molars: 11–13 years Wisdom teeth: 17–21 years ...