As parents begin to send their children back to school, the importance of scheduling a trip to the dentist can become buried in long to-do lists. Practicing good oral health and hygiene consist of more than buying a new toothbrush every three to four months, using a soft one when it is time to brush twice a day, and flossing at least once a day, although these are several steps that a dentist named Dr. Onaedo Achebe recommends that people implement to help to keep their smiles in shape.
Seeing the dentist every six months is another must-do. However, Achebe created a line of environmentally-friendly dental hygiene products called Minti Oral Care. There are no harsh chemicals in the Nigerian, female dentist’s product line. Remineralizing and whitening toothpaste tablets that are made to be chewed before brushing, bamboo toothbrushes, and biodegradable corn fiber floss in a refillable bamboo case blend sustainability, personal responsibility to take better care of the earth, and healthy smiles. Achebe shared information about how she is breaking barriers in the oral care space while reminding parents about the importance of caring for their children’s teeth, in addition to their own.
Q: What inspired you to earn a dental degree from New York University? What other training do you have as a dentist?
A: I have wanted to be a dentist since I was a child, partly because of my own dental issues. I had impacted canines and was very insecure until I got braces. My orthodontist was a woman, and up until that point, I had never had a female dentist. This inspired my fascination with the profession.
Q: In your work as a dentist, have you noticed that adults and children have fallen behind in dental exams, during the pandemic?
A: Definitely! And the stress of the pandemic has led to people neglecting their oral care due to depression or grinding their teeth, due to the pandemic. This has made things even worse.
Q: How harmful is drinking sodas when children have them?
A: It is one of the worst things you can give your child due to the sugar content and erosive properties.
Q: In your opinion, what age is too young for children to drink soda or sugary drinks? Also, how about eating very sugary candy?
A: This is going to sound harsh, but there is no right age. They have no nutritional value and only cause problems. Give them some infused water and fresh fruit. They may be upset at the moment, but they will thank you later.
Q: What is the length of time you recommend for dental checkups and cleanings?
A: Every six months is ideal. Every three to four months if you have active gum disease.
Q: What are a few tips that parents can use to encourage younger children to brush their teeth more?
A: Explain to them in language they can understand. For example, you can tell them that the bugs in their mouth will eat up their food and poop, and the poop will cause cavities or “ holes.”
Q: What are a few reasons tooth decay occurs in children?
A: Diet and hygiene. Parents should brush their kids’ teeth until they have the dexterity to use a fork and knife without help, and even after that, they should be supervised.
Q: Your toothpaste tablets contain Hydroxyapatite. What exactly is that and how does it help our teeth?
A: Hydroxyapatite is found in our toothpaste tablets because it helps remineralize our teeth. When you brush with our hydroxyapatite toothpaste tabs, the hydroxyapatite binds to the surface of your teeth builds lost enamel back up and therefore forms a barrier between your teeth and acids in food or drinks. It is the gold standard for cavity prevention in Japan and several peer reviewed studies have shown that it is just as effective as fluoride in cavity prevention. It has the advantage of being biocompatible and naturally occurring in our bodies.
Q: How can people overcome the fear of taking trips to the dentist?
A: Find a dentist that cares about you and listens to you. Take in some headphones if you’re frightened by the sound. You can also ask for nitrous oxide gas if this will help you relax. In extreme cases of dental anxiety, your dentist may prescribe you some medications to help ease your stress before the visit. In cases of extreme phobia, you may need to be sedated.
Q: What are any tips you can give to people who are concerned about the expense of needing specialized dental care? Is there a way to cut expenses?
A: I always say prevention is better than cure. Keep up with your home care and see the dentist every six months. This will prevent you from having more expensive needs in the future. I also recommend taking advantage of any dental plans offered by your job. Choose a good PPO (preferred provider organization plan) if you can afford it.
Visit https://mintioralcare.com/ to learn more about Minti Oral Care.