Mia is a health-tech company revolutionizing dental care. We bring general dentistry to your doorstep and make orthodontics affordable with Mia Aligners.
Mia is a health-tech company revolutionizing dental care. We bring general dentistry to your doorstep and make orthodontics affordable with Mia Aligners.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy doesn’t have to be complicated — just consistent. Here’s what we recommend for a confident, healthysmile:
Brush Twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste — two minutes, morning and night
Floss or use interdental brushes daily to clean the spaces your toothbrush can’t reach
Brush your tongue gently to reduce bacteria and freshen breath
Rinse with water after meals if brushing isn’t an option right away
Brush before breakfast, or wait at least 30 minutes after eating to protect enamel
Avoid brushing immediately after acidic drinks (like coffee or juice) — give your enamel time to recover
Limit sugary snacks and drinks, especially between meals
Swap out your toothbrush every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles are worn
Brush gently along the gumline to support gum health
Visit your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and professional clean
We understand that theatre appointments can feel overwhelming ,whether it's for you or your child. To help everything go smoothly and safely, please read through the information below. If you have any questions or concerns, your Mia Dentist is just a message away
Fasting: Do not eat or drink anything (including water) for at least 8 hours before your surgery. If you're unsure how to manage this, especially for children, ask your dentist for tips during the pre-op chat.
Arrival Time: Please arrive at least 1.5 hours before your appointment for any necessary checks and preparation.
Medications: Take your prescribed medications as directed. Let your dentist know if you’re on blood thinners or any chronic medication
Transport : If you’re being sedated, you’ll need someone to drive you home afterwards-make arrangements ahead of time
Medical History: Let your dentist know about any new allergies, symptoms, or changes in your health before the day of surgery.
Rest: Plan for a quiet day. Even if your appointment is in the afternoon, avoid work or school. We’re happy to provide a sick note if needed.
Feeling unwell?: If you develop a cold, fever, sore throat, or flu symptoms in the 3 days before your appointment, please notify your dentist as soon as possible.
It’s completely normal for little ones to feel nervous before theatre. Here’s how you can help:
Talk to them in simple, positive terms about what to expect
Let them bring a favourite toy or blanket for comfort
Stick to the fasting guidelines (no food or drink, including water, for 8 hours)
Try to schedule fasting to align with sleep time
Keep them distracted and calm with quiet games or activities
Rest: Take it easy for at least 24 hours. No heavy lifting, exercise, or stressful activities.
Diet: Stick to soft, cool foods. Avoid anything hot, spicy, or crunchy. Drink plenty of fluids — but skip the straws!
Bleeding: A little bleeding is normal after procedures like extractions. Use the gauze we provide and bite down gently. Avoid rinsing or spitting forcefully for the first 24 hours.
Pain Management: Take your pain medication exactly as prescribed. You can also use over-the-counter painkillers if recommended by your dentist.
Oral Hygiene: Keep brushing your teeth, but avoid the surgical area at first. After 24 hours, you can rinse gently with salt water to keep the area clean.
Follow-Up: Don’t miss your follow-up! These visits are important to make sure healing is on track.
Soft Tissue Awareness (especially for children): After sedation or local anaesthetic, it’s common for the lips, cheeks, or tongue to feel numb. Please keep an eye on your child and try to prevent them from chewing or sucking on these areas — even if they say it “feels funny.” This can lead to accidental bites and ulcers once the feeling returns.
Bleeding: Mild bleeding or oozing is normal. Bite firmly on the gauze we’ve given you for 30–45 minutes. If bleeding continues, replace it with a fresh piece and bite down again. If bleeding still persists after this, you can bite gently on a cool, moist black tea bag for 20–30 minutes. The natural tannins in black tea may help form a clot and slow bleeding. Just ensure the tea bag is not hot. If the bleeding doesn't stop or gets worse, please contact your dentist right away.
Pain Relief: Take your prescribed medication as directed. If none was prescribed, you can usually manage discomfort with over-the-counter options like Panado (paracetamol) or anti-inflammatories such as Nurofen — just follow the instructions on the packaging, and speak to your dentist if you’re unsure what’s safe for you.
Swelling: To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to your cheek in 15-minute intervals (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off). For younger patients recovering from a tongue tie release, sucking on an ice lolly can also help!
Watch out for lip or cheek biting: After extractions or local anaesthetic, the lips, cheeks, or tongue may still be numb. Try to prevent children (and adults!) from chewing or sucking on these areas , it can cause painful bites or ulcers once the feeling returns.
Diet: Stick to soft, cool foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, or scrambled eggs. Avoid anything hot, spicy, crunchy, or chewy.
Hydration: -Keep up your water intake, staying hydrated helps healing. Avoid using straws, as the suction can disrupt the healing site.
Oral Hygiene: You can gently resume brushing and flossing the same day-just be careful around the surgical site. Avoid vigorous rinsing for the first 24 hours.
Medications: If antibiotics or additional medication were prescribed, take them exactly as instructed until the course is complete.
Smoking: -Avoid smoking for at least 72 hours after any dental procedure, especially extractions. Smoking increases the risk of infection and dry socket, and delays healing.
Follow-up Appointments: - If your dentist has recommended a follow-up, please attend. These appointments help us check your healing, adjust anything if needed, and make sure you're recovering well.
Activity: Skip the gym and heavy lifting for 2–3 days. Your body needs rest to heal. Avoid spitting, rinsing, using straws, or smoking for at least the first 24–72 hours. These actions can dislodge the blood clot and increase the risk of dry socket.
Begin the prescribed mouth exercises on the same day. Consistency is key — the mouth heals quickly, and daily stretches help prevent reattachment.
Please contact your Mia Dentist right away if you experience any of the following:
Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
Severe or worsening pain
Swelling that doesn’t go down or increases
Fever
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Many people assume baby teeth don’t matter because they eventually fall out — but that couldn’t be further from the truth. As Dr. Soni explains in this video, baby teeth play a crucial role in your child’s long-term oral health. Here’s why:
They act as placeholders for adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the surrounding teeth can drift into the space — leading to crowding or crooked permanent teeth.
They support healthy jaw development. The presence of baby teeth helps guide the growth of your child’s jaw and facial muscles — setting the foundation for proper bite, function, and even speech.
They help with chewing, speaking, and smiling — all essential for your child’s development and confidence.
Healthy baby teeth build good habits and reduce the risk of painful infections or dental fear later on.
Welcome to your aligner journey, we’re so excited to have you on board! This page is your go-to guide for wearing, caring for, and living your best life with aligners. Let’s keep it simple, smooth, and on track
Wear your aligners for 22 hours a day - only take them out to eat, drink (anything besides water), or brush your teeth.
Change to your next set as instructed-usually every 2 weeks.
Missed some wear time? No worries. Just wear that set an extra day before switching to the next.
Chewies are soft foam rollers you gently bite down on to help your aligners fit snugly over your teeth. They’re small, but mighty! Here’s why they matter:
They help “seat” your aligners properly when you start a new set. This ensures they engage with the right areas to move your teeth.
They help maintain good tracking. The gentle bite-and-release motion helps move your teeth slightly in the socket, increasing blood flow and encouraging healthy movement.
We recommend using chewies for a few minutes a day.
Always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything besides water
Hot drinks can warp the aligners, and food can stain or damage them.
Rinse your mouth and aligners before putting them back in,fresh is best.
Rinse them every time you take them out.
Use a soft toothbrush and gentle soap (not toothpaste) to keep them clean.
Avoid soaking them in mouthwash or coloured liquids — it can cause staining.
You might feel some pressure when switching to a new set — that’s a good sign!
A small lisp is normal at first but usually disappears within a few days.
If your aligners aren’t fitting snugly, don’t skip ahead — check in with us.
Good oral hygiene is always important — but it’s especially key when wearing aligners.
Brush and floss after every meal before putting your aligners back in.
Can’t brush? At the very least, rinse your mouth and aligners with water to reduce staining and keep things fresh.
Clean aligners + clean teeth = happy gums and a smoother journey.
Always store your aligners in their case, never in a napkin (trust us on this one).
Keep your previous set of aligners just in case something happens to your current one.
If an aligner cracks, feels wrong, or goes missing, message us right away — we’ve got your back.
Switch to your new aligners at night — it gives your teeth time to settle while you sleep, and can make the first day feel a little easier
Your aligners are doing the work , but we’re here to guide the process. Regular check-ins help us monitor your progress, make any needed adjustments, and keep everything on track. We’ll let you know when you’re due for a follow-up — but if anything ever feels off, don’t wait! Reach out and we’ll happily take a look.
Dental emergencies can be stressful — but the most important thing is to stay calm and know what steps to take. Whether it’s pain, swelling, trauma, or a broken tooth, here’s what you need to know.
Feeling a bit of discomfort or sensitivity? Try to avoid chewing on that side and, if needed, consider an over-the-counter pain reliever like Panado (paracetamol) or Nurofen (ibuprofen), if it's safe for you.
If the pain is persistent or interfering with sleep, it’s a good idea to book a check-up so we can make sure everything’s okay. We're here to help if you need us!
Swelling can sometimes be caused by infection or inflammation. While you wait to see a dentist, here are a few things that may help ease discomfort:
Cold pack: Apply to the outside of your cheek (15 mins on, 15 mins off) to reduce swelling.
Keep your head elevated: Try to sleep with an extra pillow — lying flat can worsen swelling.
Stay hydrated and avoid very hot or spicy foods that may irritate the area.
Mild pain relief: You can take Panado (paracetamol) or Nurofen (ibuprofen), if suitable for you.
If swelling gets worse, spreads, or affects breathing or swallowing — please seek emergency medical care immediately.
Gently bite down on gauze for 30–45 minutes to help stop the bleeding.
You can also use a cool, moist black tea bag the natural tannins may help the blood clot.
If the bleeding hasn’t eased after an hour or seems heavy, please contact us or visit your nearest emergency room.
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to keep the area clean.
If there’s a sharp edge, use orthodontic wax or sugar-free chewing gum to protect your tongue or cheek.
Avoid chewing on that side.
Bring the broken piece with you (ideally stored in milk, saline, or clean plastic) if there’s a chance it can be bonded back.
Don’t try to put the tooth back in.
Gently rinse your child’s mouth with water and apply pressure with gauze if there’s bleeding
Something cold to suck on (like an ice lolly or a wrapped ice cube) can help ease swelling.
It’s a good idea to check in with your dentist to make sure everything looks okay — including that there aren’t any loose or remaining pieces of the tooth — and to plan any follow-up care.
Handle the tooth by the crown (not the root).
If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline — no scrubbing!
Try to place it back in the socket if possible. If not, keep it moist:
In milk
In saline
Or inside your cheek (saliva) — as long as it won’t be swallowed
Get to a dentist within 30–60 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.
When the mouth is numb, it’s easy to bite the lip or cheek without realising — this is especially common in kids.
Try to keep an eye on them and gently remind them not to suck or chew on the area.
If a sore develops, rinse with salt water, and apply bonjela or teething gel as needed.
Bleeding that won’t stop
Swelling that spreads or affects breathing
Pain that worsens or doesn’t respond to medication
Signs of infection (fever, bad taste, facial swelling)
Knocked-out adult tooth (time-sensitive!)
If you're ever unsure whether something’s an emergency, it’s always better to check in. Send us a message, and we’ll guide you on the best next step — whether it’s something you can manage at home or something that neto be seen right away.
