Ouch! Sensitive Teeth? 5 Dental Health Tips to protect your teeth from cold.
It’s a beautiful crisp morning, you step out into the day, take your first deep breath – and Ouch! The cold sends your teeth into a state of shock. You visit your favourite Ice-cream purveyor, you’re anticipating your first bite, but gosh! The cold sets your teeth on edge… familiar? If cold air, hot, cold, sweet, or acidic food and drink cause pain or sensitivity to a tooth or teeth, even if the condition comes and goes, you may have sensitive teeth. Some of the reasons tooth sensitivity can occur are; the enamel that protects our teeth becomes thin or worn, or gum recession occurs, exposing the dentin, which reduces the protection the enamel and gums provide to the tooth and root. Sensitivity is a common ailment that in most cases can be readily alleviated. Let’s look at the causes: Enamel is the hardest substance in the body and covers the exposed portion of your tooth to the gum line. In your daily oral maintenance, over-brushing, brushing too hard or with a strong bristled brush may be causing undue wear and tear on your tooth enamel. Gum recession can be another reason for teeth to be sensitive. The roots of your teeth are not coated with enamel the way the exposed portion of the teeth are, so if your gum is beginning to recede the more sensitive dentine may be exposed. The microscopic dentinal tubules transmit the temperatures of the foods that we eat straight to the nerves of the tooth, causing the ‘Ouch’ that goes with that ice-cream. If you grind your teeth, you may be wearing away your tooth enamel or you may even have caused a tooth to crack, which again exposes the dentine, causing you pain. A loose or lost filling, or a compromised restoration, dental decay, a cavity or an exposed root can also be the reason for pain or sensitivity to cold. Some Dental Health Tips to protect teeth from cold: If your teeth are feeling sensitive, it’s best to keep up your optimal oral hygiene routine; brush regularly and gently but firmly (not hard) using a soft bristle brush – and perhaps consider a sensitive formula toothpaste. Brush gently along your gum-line with a soft brush to avoid brushing away your gums (imagine you’re brushing a tomato and you don’t want to break the skin) and don’t forget the floss! Brushing gums will loosen any debris that gets caught between the tooth and the gum, and it will stimulate blood flow to the gums keeping them pink and healthy. Fluoride treatment available from your Dental Practitioner will help to strengthen enamel. Fluoride works by strengthening the enamel and dentin, which in turn will help to reduce any sensitivity. Check with your Dental Practitioner before using a fluoride treatment. Eat well. Eat a balanced diet – in a perfect world, pick meals and snacks from the following food groups: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean beef, skinless poultry and fish, dry beans and peas, fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Limit snacks. Follow a diet low in acid – a diet low in acidic foods and drinks can help prevent tooth sensitivity. Drink plenty of water (2 litres) every day. Remember that hydration is imperative all year round, not just in summer, to keep brain, body and teeth healthy and in great condition. Good water intake will ensure that your gums and teeth are moist. By drinking enough water, you will produce more saliva, which is important in colder months when saliva is more prone to dry up, without enough saliva bacteria tends to build up in our mouths, with not happy consequences! Still sensitive to cold? Now is the time to book an appointment with your Dental Practitioner. Your dentist will be able to assess whether you have compromised a restoration, cracked a tooth, if it is worn enamel that is your issue, or whatever else may be happening for you, and pinpoint what exactly is causing your sensitivity. Your dentist will be able to assess your individual needs and formulate a plan to remedy the cause in your case. More involved treatment may include dental work that restores and protects the exposed root or lost tooth structure. Your dentist will recommend the best treatment which may include referrals to other dental specialists. Your dentist will discuss your options with you in these cases. If you experience sensitive teeth and are concerned about keeping them clean and healthy, please contact us on (02) 9389 3656 or complete the enquiry form on our Contact Us page.
Toddler Tooth Tips – Caring for your children’s teeth
When it comes to our kids we want the best for them. The legacy of good dental care early will pay dividends – getting kids used to caring for their teeth right from the get go will make their lives (and yours) so much simpler. Start good habits early. It’s never too early to start with dental care, before teeth even emerge it’s a good idea to wipe baby’s gums with a soft cloth to keep little mouths bacteria free. First tooth! Yay! Get out the camera – and the toothbrush! Child brushing teeth. Kids tooth brush and paste. Little baby boy in blue bath robe or towel brushing his teeth in white bathroom with window on sunny morning. Dental hygiene and heath for children. As soon as teeth appear they can be cleaned with a soft brush (ask your dentist if you’re not sure) and water. (Toothpaste can wait until your child can spit, rather than swallow it.) Dental Care rhythms and routines are good – twice a day, morning and night. Remember to brush along your child’s gum line to clean away any trapped food and bacteria that could cause cavities and inflamed gums. May the Floss Be With You! Once Little One’s teeth start to touch you can introduce your toddler to floss. If you’re unsure it’s might be an idea to enlist your dentist’s help to get the technique right. Flossing is not optional for you or the kids, so getting it right and making it habit is important right from the start. Perhaps make a game of cleaning to keep your little one interested – and keep to a routine, just as you do with your own oral hygiene. Little ones love to mimic so they’ll be happy to be doing something they see you do every day. Cleaning your teeth together is a good idea when it’s possible. A word on bottles. Baby bottles can create problems for your child’s dental health. When milk or juice is allowed to stay in contact with the teeth for a prolonged period the sugars can cause decay. It’s recommended that little ones don’t drink juice from a bottle, that they are not put to bed with a bottle, or walk around with a bottle. Your child should be able to manage a drinking cup around the first birthday (Yay! You made it!). When should we start visiting the dentist? The earlier the better here, even if it’s just coming with you for your regular check, so that your child is familiar with the environment and process. ADA recommends dental check-ups from one year old and your child should definitely be seeing the dentist regularly before they start school. Just like a first birthday, first tooth, first haircut, the first dental visit should be a happy milestone. Prevention rather than cure. Regular dental visits will enable your dental professional to monitor and maintain your child’s dental care and avoid any need for invasive treatment. Good habits, good hygiene, regular dental check-ups will have your children loving their visits to the dentist. Some tips for your first visit to your dentist: Your child is brave already, they don’t need the reminder. Bribery isn’t necessary. Please avoid saying ‘it will (won’t) hurt. It’s not a good idea to use policemen and dentists as deterrents. If you’re anxious your child will be too. Relax. Leave it to the pro’s. Parents play an important role in making dental visits positive and enjoyable for their kids, use positive child friendly chat when talking about the dentist and we’ll do the rest! How about Fluoride? Fluoride strengthens enamel against acid and helps reduce the formation of cavities. Most water supplies are fluoridated, but if yours isn’t, or you use purified water, you could ask your dentist for fluoride supplements. If you’re unsure, talk to your dentist before supplementing. Sweets and treats We all like a treat now and then, the secret is to limit or avoid certain foods such as sugary food, juice, candy, (even sweetened liquid medicines) that can erode enamel and cause cavities. If you and your kids do indulge in a treat here and there, rinse your mouth afterwards with water to wash away sugar residue. Love sport? Love your mouthguard Once your kids are at school there is a world of fun to be had in sport. If your child has chosen to play a contact sport, a custom fitted properly made mouthguard is a worthwhile investment. Check your health fund for available rebate. If your child hasn’t seen a dentist yet, now is the time to start a positive dental care routine. It’s never too late or too early to begin good habits in Dental Care. Want to learn more or book a consultation? Visit our Contact Us page and complete our enquiry form or call us on 02 9389 3656, we’ll be happy to help answer your questions.
