Damaged tooth? Ouch! First Aid Tips you need to know.
Damaged Tooth: First Aid & Treatment Damaged tooth? Ouch! Here’s What You Need To Know Accidents do happen, here’s some advice on what to do for a lost or damaged tooth: If a tooth is cracked or chipped, it’s best to see a dentist as soon as possible. Broken pieces of tooth can be saved in some milk or plastic wrap if milk is unavailable. Take the chipped pieces with you to your dentist. If it’s a baby tooth, don’t try to replace it yourself, you may cause an infection or damage to the adult tooth behind it. However, if you are not sure if it’s a first or second tooth, put it back in its socket. The risk of permanent damage to an adult tooth not replaced is greater than the damage caused by a baby tooth being put back in. If an adult tooth is knocked out, as quickly as possible: Locate the tooth and handle it gently. If it’s dirty, rinse the tooth in milk or in water (very briefly) to clean it. Try to place the tooth back in the socket within 5-10 minutes of it being dislodged. Take caret hat it’s facing the right way! Make sure the tooth is held in place by gently biting into a soft cloth placed between the teeth. Another option is to cover the tooth and the ones beside it with aluminium foil to stop it moving. If you can’t replace it, keep it moist by putting it in a small amount of milk or wrapping it in cling film. Immediately seek dental treatment– time is of the essence now. Some important tips on dental injuries: Handle the tooth as little as possible. Try not to scrape the tooth surface. Do not let the tooth dry out – keep it moist at all times. No ice, no hot water. While it’s ok to rinse the tooth for a second or two in water in the absence of milk, do not store the tooth in water.. If there is soft tissue attached to the tooth, leave it there. Preventing accidents such as tooth loss is imperative in contact sports. It is very important to wear a custom made mouthguard while training and playing contact sport or pastimes. To help protect you against painful and expensive injuries to your teeth and mouth, make sure you see your practitioner to be fitted for a customised mouthguard, it’s more comfortable, more protective and made for your personal protection. Take the time to look after yourself. 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.
Play it Safe – wear a mouthguard
Play it Safe – Wear a mouthguard The Importance of Play it Safe cannot be overstressed. Every year, thousands of people, adults and children are treated for dental injuries that were preventable or would have been less severe had they been wearing a custom mouthguard. IN any sport or activity where collision or contact is likely, on game day and in training, it cannot be stressed enough the importance of wearing the correct protective mouthguard. It’s always better to ‘play it safe’ and wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth. Who Should use a Mouthguard? Any one undertaking a sport where there is a likelihood of collision or contact should be wearing an adequate protective mouthguard. The obvious ones being Rugby codes, martial arts et al. However, the number of non-contact dental injury is interesting. Sports such as cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, and soccer have all been responsible for dental traumas from ‘accidental’ collision or fall, and contribute to the thousands of people who suffer dental trauma annually. REMEMBER: You are as much risk during training as you are during the game so Play It Safe at training too. The Damage Sports injuries incurred include cause damaged nerves, cracked fractured or displaced teeth, jaw breaks, lacerations to the tongue, cheek and lip. An instance of Dental trauma can have lifelong repercussions, with ongoing treatment required to maintain the damaged tooth or teeth. Repair work is not permanent and will need continue assessment throughout your life to maintain the health of your teeth and prevent larger issues from occurring. Prevention is better than cure – Play it Safe. Protecting your mouth The ADA recommends the use of Custom fitted mouthguards for all participants in contact sport. Customised mouthguards afford vastly superior protection from Boil and Bite or Over the Counter mouthguards. The Custom-Fitted Mouthguard – What to Expect Your practitioner will take an impression of your teeth and gums to create a unique guard to protect every tooth. A plaster model is made so that your mouth can be accurately assessed and the best protection designed for you and the requirements of the sport you play. 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.
mouthguards – which one for me?
While there are many types of mouthguard available in Australia, ranging from cheap, over-the-counter models to professionally custom-fitted mouthguards, there is a strong emphasis from Dental Professionals to use custom made mouthguards. Read on to find out why. While they are cheap and easy to replace, Boil and Bite, or Over-the Counter mouthguards do not provide adequate protection against injuries to your teeth, mouth or jaw. The Australian Dental Association recommends that players of contact sports and pastimes use professional custom made mouthguards for optimum protection. Dental injuries can be expensive, so it is worthwhile investing in a custom-fitted mouthguard. Custom-fitted mouthguards Your custom mouthguard is made just for you, designed for your mouth, your sport and your needs. Custom-fitting allows your practitioner to accurately assess your mouth and provide you with the right protection for your mouth and your level of protection.Custom-fitted mouthguards provide a superior fit, as they are made to suit your individual contours and needs. A custom-fitted mouthguard is:• Comfortable• Well-fitting• Allows you to speak clearly• Won’t shift or fall out• Won’t restrict your breathing Over-the-counter (boil and bite )mouthguards Over-the-counter mouthguards are far less effective than those that are custom-fitted. Whether you are buying a stock mouthguard or one that you can boil and bite into to take the shape of your teeth, the shape, fit, contour and level of protection is substantially reduced in these forms of mouthguard. How long will my custom mouthguard last? It’s recommended that you get a new mouthguard annually, especially so if you are still growing. Most Health Funds will cover 2 mouthguards annually and will cover most if not all, of the cost.If your mouthguard still feels as though it fits, it’s important that you have your mouthguard re-assessed each year before commencing contact sport to ensure it still fits correctly for maximum protection. How do I care for my mouthguard? • Rinse in cold water after use• Store in a rigid plastic container• Keep out of direct sunlight – mouthguards will change shape in high temperatures• Occasionally rinse your mouthguard in a mouthwash, rinse it out after each use.• Replace your mouthguard if it gets damaged 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.
Dental Care – Ageing gracefully in your Senior Years
Dental Care in your Senior Years So for better or worse you’re reaching your senior years. While taking care of your teeth and gums is important throughout your life, getting ‘longer in the tooth’ can put you at more at risk for dental care issues. Dental problems can become more common in our senior years – and since oral health directly impacts the health of the rest of our body, we should not overlook or pay down the importance of good oral health in older age. Taking care of teeth and gums in advancing years is just as important as digestive or heart health. Conditions like arthritis might make it difficult to practice good dental hygiene and memory loss may cause some seniors to forget to brush and floss their teeth altogether. Also, changes in the mouth can lead to other health problems for people in their senior years. However, with the proper care and regular visits to the dentist, it’s possible for teeth and gums to stay in great condition regardless of your age. Common Dental Care Issues Seniors Face Some of the common issues those in senior years face when it comes to oral hygiene include: Cavities and root decay. Older adults often face more cavities and decay on the root surfaces of the teeth. This occurs as the gum tissue receded and the root of the tooth is exposed. Our teeth roots are not covered with protective enamel, therefore making them more vulnerable to decay. Darkened teeth. This is caused often by changes in the dentin, the bony tissue under the enamel, or from years of consumption of beverages and foods that stain teeth. As we age the enamel can often become thinner, which means the dentin is more visible, causing the teeth to appear yellowish or even brown. Increased sensitivity. As your gums recede over time, areas of the teeth not protected by enamel become exposed and can be sensitive to hot, cold sweet or sour foods. Sometimes, sensitivity is a sign of a more serious condition like a cracked tooth or a cavity. If your teeth are sensitive, check in with your dentist to rule out a larger issue. Dry mouth. Many medications and therapies can cause dry mouth, as they reduce the production of saliva. Smoking can also cause dry mouth. Dentures. While dentures are helpful for many seniors, they do require special care that can sometimes be difficult to maintain on a daily basis. Gum disease. Gum disease tends to affect people over the age of 40 more so than younger individuals. It’s caused by poor oral hygiene or a bad diet, as well as diseases like diabetes or heart disease. Also, those who smoke or drink alcohol regularly are more at risk for gum disease. How to Improve Dental Care in your Senior years We all know brushing twice a day and flossing every day is important for oral health. But there’s more to maintaining dental care now that we are older and wiser. Here a some tips that may prove helpful: Brush twice a day with a toothbrush with soft bristles and fluoride-containing toothpaste. Brush for 2 minutes. Consider using an electric toothbrush – it’s a good option for people with dexterity issues – and most have a time that will let you know when your brushing time is up. Floss daily. Brushing only cleans around half your tooth, flossing will reach between the teeth and remove bacteria that is caught there. If you wear full or partial dentures, remember to clean them on a daily basis. Remove your dentures at night Drink tap water – Since most contains fluoride, it helps to prevent tooth decay no matter how old you are. Consider quitting smoking. Besides putting you at greater risk for lung and other cancers, smoking increases problems with gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss Keep up your regular Active Maintenance visits to your dentist so they can monitor your oral health regularly. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes dairy and high-fibre foods. Maintain your regualr Active maintenance visits to your dentist, so that you’re one step ahead of any possible problems before they arise. Stay on top of your oral Health in your senior years and enjoy a beautiful smile for longer. 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.
Smoking and Oral Health – the real deal for smokers.
Most people are now aware that smoking is bad for their health. It can cause many different medical problems and, in some cases, fatal diseases. However, surprisingly many people don’t realise the damage that smoking can do to their mouth, gums and teeth. Smoking can lead to bad breath, tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, and mouth cancer. Here we explore some FAQ on smoking and oral health. What causes my teeth to stain? The nicotine and tar in tobacco cause teeth to stain over time, with the onset happening quite early on. Teeth will begin to collect a yellow tinge, that will deepen to a rusty brown after years of smoking. How will smoking affect my gums and teeth? The nicotine in cigarettes reduces the production of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is an imperative for keeping the teeth and gums moist and clean. Nicotine also oppresses the flow of blood and oxygen to the gums which can result in gum disease. Smoking can cause people to develop more dental plaque than non-smokers, this can aggravate gum disease. Gum disease is still the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. How is smoking linked with cancer? Most people know that smoking can cause lung and throat cancer, but many people still don’t know that it is one of the main causes of mouth cancer too. Every year thousands of people die from mouth cancer brought on by smoking. I have Smoker’s Breath – will a mouthwash help? Smokers find they are more likely to have bad breath than non-smokers. While Fresh-breath products such as mouthwashes may help to disguise the problem in the short term, it isn’t a cure, it won’t disguise the smell of smoke from your clothes either! Should I visit my dentist more often if I smoke? It is important to maintain your regular visits to your dental team to ensure that any problems are detected early and rectified before they become a real issue. At each appointment with us, your dentist will perform a Cancer screening. What can my dentist do for me? Your dentist will carry out an Active Maintenance procedure to make sure that your teeth and gums and oral cavity are healthy. Your dentist will also examine your cheeks, tongue and throat for any signs of other conditions that may need more investigation. If you are looking at quitting smoking you can talk to your dentist or your GP about support organisations to help you reach your goals. Meanwhile, stay healthy and happy, see you dentist regularly to stay on top of your oral health and stay aware of your consumption and triggers. Remember – Your dentist is here to help. 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.
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.
6 simple tips to improve your oral health
By now you’re aware that good oral hygiene can impact on your overall wellbeing, it makes sense to optimise your oral health routines and really keep on top of your oral health. Here are some fundamentals to consider to improve on your oral health regime. Use the Right Tools While there isn’t the need to rush out and buy a you-beaut, top of the range electric toothbrush, choosing the right toothbrush is important. A good electric toothbrush can be a worthwhile investment, but if you prefer to use a traditional brush, steer away from the hard bristles and choose a soft or medium bristle brush instead. Hard bristles can cause damage to the enamel on your teeth, so using a softer brush with the right technique is all you really need. How many types of floss are there to choose from? If you’re concerned about which one is best for you, talk to your dentist about the right type of floss for your tooth configuration. Fray away! If your toothbrush is looking a bit hairy, it’s time to replace it. Once the bristles have decided to go wherever they please, your brush is not doing your cleaning routine any favours. After three months, it’s a new brush please! How’s your form? Keep working to perfect your technique. We’ve mentioned not brushing too hard, so what is the right way to brush? Recommendations are to aim your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line, move your brush in short back and forward strokes to cover the entire tooth surface. Brush the outside surfaces, then the inside surfaces, making sure you reach even the hard to get to back teeth (remember to brush along the gum line to loosen any debris caught there. It’s recommended that you brush for 2 minutes all up. AND – don’t forget to floss! Hold the floss firmly with both hands, pull the floss up both sides of every tooth to loosen and expel any debris caught in the spaces. Floss is boss every day! If you’re unsure how effective your technique is, check in with your dentist next time you visit. Balance your diet A healthy balanced diet is good for teeth and good for you. Limit your snacks so your mouth isn’t under a constant barrage – and choose snacks wisely when you are not able to brush afterward. Rinsing with water after eating (and drinking) is always a good idea. Do you have protection? If you play contact sport, invest in a mouthguard, your health fund will have cover for this. Your dentist can make you a decent custom mouthguard to protect your teeth from damage while you play. If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist about a splint. Grinding can cause wear and tear on your teeth, it may leave you with headaches and tooth sensitivity – grinding may even cause a tooth to crack. Your dentist can make you a splint to wear at night while you sleep, to prevent any nocturnal damage to your beautiful pearlies. Come see us! Last, but definitely not least in a list of smart things to do to improve your oral hygiene is to maintain your regular visits to your dentist. Regular Active Maintenance appointments are an essential component of good oral health. While doing the best job you can at home is vital, your dentist can keep tabs on any potential problems and monitor how well you are doing with your home care. Regular visits to the dentist can keep expensive treatments at bay, as your dentist can catch any problems early, before anything nasty happens. 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.
5 Oral Health Warning signs you should never ignore.
You’re brushing and flossing like a boss, you attend your regular Active Maintenance visits to your dentist, you’re eating well, using the right tools for your at-home oral Health care and you know when to replace them – what could go wrong – right? Sometimes things can go awry for even the most diligent of us, it doesn’t hurt to be a super sleuth when it comes to your oral health, here are some symptoms to keep on the radar… Your teeth and/or jaw soreness may be caused by stress, or from bruxxing (grinding your teeth) while you sleep. If you are a bruxxer, your dentist might recommend a splint for you to wear at night, to help alleviate the symptoms. However, oral discomfort may also be caused by a sinus condition, toothache, or gum disease. Jaw pain is also associated with Heart Attack, so if you are experiencing pain, call your dentist and book in for a check – just to be on the safe side. My Gums are bleeding! When you floss, your gums bleed a little. Here’s a tip – if your gums bleed – keep flossing in your oral hygiene routine. If after a week your gums are still bleeding when you floss, then don’t ignore it, it’s time to book in to see your dentist.Bleeding or sore gums can be an indicator of early gum disease such as gingivitis, which can lead to more serious gum infections and oral problems such as bad breath, tooth loss, and sensitivity to hot and cold – we don’t want any of that, right? Gum infections can be linked to more serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Let’s get those gums checked out to rule out anything sinister. Ouch! Toothache/ Tooth sensitivity. Toothache isn’t going to go away without help, and if you leave a toothache too long, you run the risk of the infection causing nerve damage or rendering the tooth unsalvageable. Toothache or tooth sensitivity could also mean that your tooth is slowly dying. We don’t want to lose one of those pearlies that you’ve been taking such good care of, do we? So best take your toothache along to the dentist early, alleviate the pain and save the tooth! My breath smells like a fish tank… Was it the pickles and pastrami on your sandwich at lunch, or the garlic and anchovy pizza for dinner last night? – your diet could very easily be the cause of your anti-social breath (break out the mouthwash and the mints!) If that’s not it, perhaps have a closer look at your dental hygiene routine, have you slackened off of late? Maybe it’s time to get a little more diligent with the brush and floss. If your breath remains rancid, there may be a larger issue here. Oftentimes gum disease is the cause, so now might be a time to call in the Big Guns (AKA your dentist). Whatever the cause of your nasty mouth, a visit to the dentist can help clear things up. Not only can you prevent gum disease from becoming serious, you’ll also be able to get up close and personal again! What IS this? Sores, lump and lesions in the mouth. Sometimes sores and lesions on the mouth can be attributed to poor nutrition or stress, but it can also be an early sign of Oral Cancer, so if you find a lesion or a lump, it isn’t something to procrastinate over. Oral Cancer is common, most often found in smokers or heavy alcohol users. It often starts out as small red or white spots or sores in the mouth. While it would be very hard for you to tell the difference between a canker sore and a cancer, your dentist is trained to know the difference, in fact at Dental Fresh we check our patients at every visit for signs of oral cancer.Regardless of the cause of your sores or lesions, it’s imperative to get them checked out. Whatever their cause, your dentist can assist with an appropriate treatment plan. The sooner this gets checked by your dentist, the easier treatment will be, so don’t dilly dally! 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.
Good oral health could save your life – The link between oral health and other diseases
There’s been a lot of talk about oral systemic health of late, and justly so: much evidence links poor oral health to serious medical conditions. Treating oral health problems could potentially serve as a preventative for a number of serious illnesses. Your Mouth, the Gateway to Your Body It’s clear, oral health and overall health are inextricably linked. Looking after them reduces the risks to your general health. Bacteria left to build up on teeth leave gums prone to infection, causing inflammation. Over time, the inflammation can eat away at the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place. This can result in a more severe disease, periodontitis which has links to some serious health problems in the body. Here’s a quick look at some of the issues under discussion: Kidney disease Good oral health could be a life saver for kidney disease patients. A study from The University of Birmingham links a higher mortality rate to patients with periodontitis (gum disease) and kidney disease, than those with kidney disease alone. Oral Health and Diabetes A strong link exists between periodontitis and diabetes, with studies showing that inflammation in the mouth lessens your body’s ability to control blood sugar levels. “Periodontal disease further complicates diabetes because the inflammation impairs the body’s ability to utilise insulin,” Pamela McClain, DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. It also seems that diabetes and periodontitis have a two-way relationship. High blood sugar provides ideal conditions for infection to grow, so diabetics are prone to gum disease. For diabetics, it is imperative to keep their oral health in careful check, in order to prevent any ensuing complications.” Oral Health and Heart Disease There is a high correlation between gum and heart disease, although just why is illusive. Periodontitis is found in a high majority of patients with heart problems, but only in about half of people without heart disease. The two conditions have several risk factors in common, such as smoking, an unhealthy diet and high weight. “The theory is that inflammation in the mouth causes inflammation in the blood vessels,” says Dr Sally Cram (Periodontist). This can increase the risk for heart attack in a number of ways. Inflamed blood vessels allow less blood to travel between the heart and the rest of the body, raising blood pressure. “There’s also a greater risk that fatty plaque will break off the wall of a blood vessel and travel to the heart or the brain, causing a heart attack or stroke,” Cram explains. Breast cancer Recent research has found new links between periodontal disease and breast cancer. Recent research discovered that postmenopausal women with periodontal disease are more likely to develop the cancer than those without this gum issues. Prostate disease Researchers from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and the Departments of Urology and Pathology at University Hospitals Case Medical Centre reported that treating gum disease reduced symptoms of prostate inflammation. Oral Health and Pregnancy Babies born too early or at a low birth weight often have significant health problems, including lung conditions, heart conditions, and learning disorders. While many factors can contribute to premature or low birth weight deliveries, researchers are looking at the possible role of gum disease. Infection and inflammation in general seem to interfere with a foetus’ development in the womb. Though men have periodontitis more often than women do, hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase a woman’s risk. Infection and inflammation in general seem to have an adverse effect on foetal development, so for the best chance of a healthy pregnancy, it’s advisable to have a comprehensive perio exam pre-pregnancy to ensure you and your baby are not put at risk. Ask your dentist for advice if you are thinking of starting a family. Oral Health and Other Conditions While the impact of oral health on general health is a relatively new area of study, there are some interesting inroads being made on the following: Rheumatoid Arthritis. Treating periodontal disease has been shown to reduce pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Lung Conditions. Periodontal disease may make pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worse, possibly by increasing the amount of bacteria in the lungs. Obesity. Two studies have linked obesity to gum disease. It appears that periodontitis progresses more quickly in the presence of higher body fat. The Bottom Line on Oral Health Clearly, the health of your mouth can affect the health of your body, and vice versa, so taking care of your teeth and gums now has a whole new positive, a healthy mouth can mean you will live well for longer. Your simple daily routine of brushing twice a day and flossing every day can have a much greater impact on your life than just keeping your teeth clean. See your dentist regularly so that you stay on top of any little things that may arise before they turn into big issues. 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.
