No smoke, but fire. E-cigarettes and your dental health.
E-cigarettes, are way more socially acceptable than conventional cigarettes, but are they really less harmful to the user? While vaping is more tolerable and less harmful to others than its conventional counterpart, could E-cigarettes be just a more politically correct way to hook people on nicotine? Is it really a better health option as retailers and manufacturers would have you believe? In an ordinary cigarette, the burning of tobacco releases smoke which delivers nicotine to the lungs via inhalation. E-cigarettes use a battery powered device to heat a nicotine loaded liquid, which is inhaled (vaping), delivering nicotine to the lungs. E-cigarettes are not importable in commercial quantities to Australia, but they can be brought in for personal use. Since this product was launched on the market, their popularity has risen dramatically. The social acceptance of users of E-cigarettes over conventional cigarettes make smokers feel less ostracised. While research has indicated that E-cigarettes don’t directly cause bad breath, plaque, and discolouration, the tough news is that nicotine ingestion even through an E-cigarettes can and does cause periodontal (gum) disease and can lead to oral cancer. So while the smoke and tar is not present to stain your teeth, nicotine remains the harmful element still. Nicotine will inhibit the production of saliva, leading to plaque build-up, bad breath and gum disease. Anecdotal evidence on E-cigarettes indicates vaping causes ‘cotton mouth’ another term for dry mouth in the absence of saliva. It pays to reiterate here that dry mouth will lead to gum issues, tooth decay and tooth loss. 1. For a while I was consistently very tired. That’s gone away now, but it was quite irritating at the time. 2. Because there are so many delicious flavours, my tendency had become to vape constantly. It took a conscious drive to slow down. 3. Vaping makes you very thirsty. It’s like it just sucks the water from your body.4. Because of number 3, your mouth dries out and “cotton mouth” is a constant issue.5. Because of number 4, breath can get bad if you don’t drink tons of water throughout the day.6. This of course brings us to the main issue of the article -There is obvious (mortifying in fact) tooth decay along my gum line. I have good oral hygiene habits, so this is very disappointing. Whether anyone will read this whole thing or not, I obviously don’t know, but I felt a duty to mention that not only will nicotine cause tooth decay, dry mouth will too. Vaping WILL give you dry mouth. Gum disease is a major threat to oral health. It has been linked to stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy complications, respiratory disease, diabetes, and even heart disease, which is the leading killer in Australia. Luckily, gum disease is preventable. Brushing and flossing consistently, seeing your dentist for regular check-ups and cleans – and making good lifestyle choices can dramatically reduce your risk. The manufacturers and retailers of E-cigarettes claim that the product is a cleaner and healthier therapeutic alternative that will help smokers kick the habit. In the absence of any proven scientific study to back this contention, the best option would be to avoid smoking or vaping altogether. Regardless of whether it poses less harmful effects to health than conventional cigarettes, experts concur that E-cigarettes are by no means safe while nicotine is present. Check these Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease Persistent bad breath Inflamed or bleeding gums Redness, tenderness, or swelling of gums Loose or wobbly teeth Gum recession If you have any concerns about your gums, teeth and oral health, consult your dentist in Sydney without delay. 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.
Baby on board? Caring for your teeth in pregnancy
Pregnancy is a beautiful and emotional time for everyone, but most especially for you. When you’re pregnant everyone has well-meaning advice but sometimes it can all be overwhelming, no matter who it comes from and even when it’s delivered with love and concern. Just remember to focus on what’s best for you, your health and the health of your baby when choosing whose advice to follow. Just like the rest of your body, your teeth, gums and mouth are affected by hormonal changes during pregnancy, so it’s important to maintain a good oral health routine, which will include regular visits to your dentist as well as your GP and Obstetrician. If you’re thinking about falling pregnant it’s a good idea to visit your dentist before-hand to ensure that your mouth is healthy and not in need of attention. You won’t want to be undergoing dental treatment during pregnancy if you can help it! Cravings Some women have unusual food cravings while they are pregnant. If you are craving sweetness, try and opt for a healthier option, but if you succumb, as is likely, try and keep sugary foods to a minimum and ensure your cleaning routine is in place. Morning sickness The bane of pregnancy, morning sickness is beyond your control. The acid in vomit can be extremely harmful to your teeth and can cause erosion. It will be your first reaction to reach for your toothbrush afterwards, but this is not a good idea. The enamel will have been softened from acid, so you could be scrubbing away the tooth’s protective enamel surface. Leave brushing your teeth for at least an hour and instead, rinse your mouth well with water, use a sugar free gum or eat an acid neutralizing food such as milk, yoghurt or cheese. Brush and Floss Maintain an impeccable routine for cleaning. During pregnancy your gums are more susceptible to inflammation and infection, so floss and clean twice a day at least! Bleeding gums during pregnancy is not unusual, continue to clean and floss as usual. If you are concerned or having difficulty, consult with your dentist. Dental x-rays during pregnancy X-Rays emit a very small amount of radiation. Your practitioner will only recommend x-ray in pregnancy if necessary. Non-urgent treatments can be scheduled for post birth. Quick Tips On Dental Health Book an appointment with your dentist?• Be mindful of succumbing to sugary food cravings?• Beware of morning sickness & take appropriate measures to reduce erosion • Have perfect oral hygiene habits?• Follow the advice of your dentist 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.
Eat this – Avoid that. The Best (and worst) foods for good oral health.
Let’s look at the best (and worst) foods for good oral health. Sustaining your oral health for the long haul isn’t rocket science, you already know what to do… brush and floss everyday (twice) keep up your regular dental appointments and feed your body with nutritionally fulfilling foods. The secret to healthy teeth for life may be in your fridge and pantry! We’ve made a list of foods to choose more often, and a list of foods to avoid. Read on to learn how to eat your way to good oral health (Your dentist will love you for it). Eat this – cheese, meat, nuts, and milk Re-mineralise your teeth with foods like cheese, meat, nuts, yoghurt and milk which are high in phosphorous and calcium to help keep your tooth enamel strong (and able to fight off decay). Almonds are a good source of calcium and protein and they are low in sugar, why not grab a handful to eat with your lunch today? If you love cheese, you’re onto a winner for your teeth! Not only does cheese supply you with calcium and protein (enamel strengtheners), an American study (General Dentistry May/June 2013) has shown that cheese raises the pH levels in your mouth and reduces the risk of tooth decay. Cheese plate and almonds any one?! Meat and fatty fish (like salmon) are loaded with phosphorus. Make a broth from meat bones to maximise on this essential mineral. Not that – White and starchy food We all should know by now that white’s not right – Potato chips, white bread, white pasta, and crackers contain more sugars than their whole-wheat counterparts and will commence an attack on your enamel that you want to avoid. Try changing to the wholemeal alternative, there’s a lot of yummy ones out there. Eat this – crunchy fruits and vegetables I love a good firm apple or my afternoon carrot (with a tablespoon of almond butter!) Crunchy fruit and veg contain loads of water and require lots of chewing, so they help stimulate saliva and wash and scrub tooth surfaces, brightening up your pearlies while you eat and stimulating your gums! Celery is full of water – and fibrous strands – think of it as a natural floss – ooh, celery and cream cheese sticks please! Not that – citrus fruits and acidic foods It’s not called citric acid to be funny. Strongly acidic foods are the number one cause of enamel erosion and tooth decay. While adding lemon to your water in the morning may be a fresh way to start the day, if this is your practice, it’s probably a good idea to rinse with pure water or clean your teeth a half hour afterwards. That glass of fresh OJ you can’t live without? Best to drink it in one sitting rather than sipping at it over a longer period of time (and rinse with water or brush after). I love my morning Grapefruit in the winter – but the temptation is to sprinkle it with sugar the way my mum used to. Go for it, but …you know the drill, rinse and clean later. Drink this – Water Do yourself a big favour – 2 litres (at least) a day! Water is hands down the best when it comes to the health of your mouth and your general health. Studies have shown that regularly drinking water with trace amounts of fluoride can prevent cavities up to 25% better than unfluoridated water. Sipping away at water all day will get you easily to your 2 litres while helping to wash away sugars and acids from your teeth and gums. Get yourself a litre bottle and set yourself the challenge – You can do this!! Not that – Soda, juice, coffee, red wine If you’re drinking your 2 litres of water a day, you may not much feel like sipping on a high sugar drinks anyway (yay!), but do take care what you sip at during the day. Continually sipping on sugary drinks means constant exposure to harmful acids all day long, resulting in tooth decay and other oral issues. Ever experienced ‘wine staining’ after drinking your favourite shiraz? The acid in red (and white) wine attacks the surface of the teeth making staining common. (Red wine and cheese combo to neutralise that acid sounds good to me!) Be aware that coffee, especially if you drink a few cups throughout the day, can wear down enamel and cause staining (Darn it). Chew this – sugar-free gum The stickiness of sugar free is great for getting in between teeth and removing left over food and plaque. Chewing also promotes saliva production which helps to clear out acids in the mouth. Make sure it’s a sugar free gum though people! Not that – sticky candy Chewy, hard, and sticky candies wreak havoc on teeth as they expose them to sugar not only while they are being eaten, but typically also for long after. If the sugar is not immediately removed, it will react with bacteria in the mouth and create destructive acids that can harm both teeth and gums. The Takeaway Of course, you don’t want to avoid all the things you love all the time, life is for living, right? But being aware of the consequences and preventative actions will mean that you’re better prepared to maintain good oral health and wholesome for longer. No need to swear off dark liquids and sugars for ever, just use some damage limiting techniques and keep your dentist (and your wallet) happy. Try these tips for good oral health: Eat acidic or sugary foods as part of a meal rather than by themselves. Remember not to brush your teeth straight after consumption though, wait a half hour, as acid can soften your enamel – you don’t want to brush that away! Limit snacking. Keep the flow of sugar and acid through your mouth to a minimum. Use a straw when drinking acidic or sugary drinks to avoid exposing the teeth for longer than you need to. Don’t be swishing that gunk
Kids Oral Health – the best teacher is YOU
The Best Teacher your kids ever had? YOU. Your children are gorgeous, you want the very best for them, to grow up happy and healthy and able to take care of themselves. The very best teacher is always you – model best behaviours and your kids will reap the rewards. Where to start? Babyhood is the best place to start caring for your child’s oral health. Start wiping their gums clean until their first teeth emerge, so that when they reach Toddlerdom they are totally comfortable with oral hygiene routines and techniques to keep their teeth healthy. Don’t forget, children don’t have the dexterity to brush their own teeth until they can tie their own shoelaces, so you will need to assist and then supervise until they reach the age of around 7 or 8 – or even later. Baby teeth need love too! Just because they’ll fall out eventually doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take good care of baby teeth. Not only will it set up good habits for life, decay in baby teeth can be painful and traumatic, and may set your child up to dislike the dentist from an early age. Premature loss of baby teeth can contribute to crowding in adult teeth too. Practice brushing twice a day for 2 minutes, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, ( remember to spit – don’t swallow!) remembering to brush for at least two minutes at a time. You can use an egg timer, or one of the fun brushing songs you’ll find in our Kids Zone, or download a brushing song from the internet to keep the process happy. Start flossing as soon as there are two teeth in contact. Warning – You may have to be dental assistant a little longer with flossing than with brushing. My Dentist makes me smile… Once the first tooth has been around for 6 months or so, it’s time for your first visit to the dentist (yay – we can’t wait to meet your little one!). Your Dentist will be well versed in making this a fun and simple visit. For your part, try to only speak of the dentist in a fun and positive manner without reference to any adult preconceptions of pain, fear or discomfort. Remain positive and your child will pick up your vibe. After your first visit, keep your child’s regular scheduled Active Maintenance visits so they understand that this is an important and regular routine. Don’t forget to check whether you are eligible for government programs such as the Child Dental Benefits Schedule [Family Tax Benefit A payments recipients] . I’m Hungry! For strong healthy teeth, a healthy a balanced diet that includes loads of fresh vegetables, cheese and lean meat, is essential. Keep snacking to a minimum and watch those high sugar snacks and drinks. Water is always the best to drink. Oops! – Accidents Happen. Life is full of little mishaps, it’s best to know what to do in case your little one has a crisis. Injury to gums or baby teeth; Apply pressure to the area to staunch bleeding use a cold wet cloth or gauze if it’s handy. An ice pop will help reduce the swelling, or an ice pack held to the cheek. Use pain meds if needed (Ibuprofen). Call your dentist. Watch for swelling, pain, fever or a colour change in the tooth. A permanent tooth is chipped or broken; Collect the broken pieces if you can. Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water. Call your dentist and schedule a visit. A permanent tooth is knocked out; Call your dentist immediately. If they are unable to see you, go to the ER at the children’s hospital. Find the tooth if possible – pick it up by the top (the eating surface) NOT the root. Place the tooth in a commercial saline solution if you have it, or in a container of milk or your child’s saliva. Don’t put the tooth in tap water. Your child can bite down on a gauze pad or a clean handkerchief to stem the blood flow and ease the pain. If you are able to, try replacing the tooth back in the socket (for teens or older children). They can bite down on some gauze to keep the tooth in place. If the tooth is stored in a container (rather than back in the socket), have your child bite down on a gauze pad or handkerchief to relieve bleeding and pain. Play it Safe Wear a custom made mouthguard for contact sports, and helmets for bikes, scooters and skateboards. Set up your Little Ones with some good skills from an early age and have your accident checklist prepped to go – If you have any queries or concerns, call your dentist, that’s what they are there for after all. 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.
