The Dental Practice

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth

2011-12-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is a wonderful time of entertainment,sharing, and feasting! However, intermixed with the joy bringing elves of theseason there are evil doers at work as well. We know them as acid, sugar,bacteria and stress. However there are sometricks we can play to make sure that our teeth are as cheery as we are while wecelebrate together.

Wine

Both red and white wines are high in acidity levels and eataway at tooth enamel. Unfortunately all that holiday cheer damages what is mostcritical in protecting our teeth against decay and cavities. To avoid greaterdamage, refrain from swishing wine around in your mouth. For you wine tastersout there, try to constrain the initial swish in the center of your mouth.Rinsing your mouth out with the occasional glass of water helps to removeexcess acid in the mouth, of course we recommend doing this after every glassof wine.

Sugary Treats

You may be dreaming of sugar plumb fairies, but the bacteriain your mouth are loving this! Bacteria thrive on sugarsfound in candy canes, chocolate, gingerbread cookies and even the belovedpavlova! Bacteria are culprits for developing cavities. If you are not able tobrush and floss after munching on sweet treats, drink water or chew a piece ofsugarless gum. This will boost saliva flow in the mouth and help wash awaybacteria.

Some common holiday foods that have enough acid in them toseverely impact your dental health, found by The British Dental HealthFoundation:

•Vinaigrette salad dressing (pHlevel 2.0) and olives (3.8) have a highly acidic ‘bad' rating

•Pasta (3.0) is worse for yourenamel than fish and chips (4.6 to 6.7)

•Feta cheese (5.0) is better foryou than the moderately acidic cottage cheese (4.1 to 5.4)

Stress

As much as we try to enjoy ourselves over the holidayssometimes it can all be a bit too much to take on.Holiday anxiety can cause people to grind or clench their teeth, causing jawpain, headaches and chipping. Finding ways to release stress can help reducethis damaging effect. When things get heated up try excusing yourself and takea 15 minute break. Get out of the office at lunch time and spend some time toorganise the rest of the day. Be active! Get a 30 minute walk in every day(order lunch from the furthest shop and walk to go get it). If grinding isa consistent problem it should be discussed with your dentist. They mightrecommend using a night guard that will help protect teeth from damage.

Don’t forget the cardinal rules of a healthy mouth: Brushand floss your teeth twice daily and schedule an appointment to see yourgeneral dentist to maintain your dentist’s suggested dental plan. Maintainingthis routine will give you an added level of support during the holidays.

The Dental Practice encourages everyone to remember that thegift of oral health is one that keeps on giving all year long!

Baby Teeth Count Too!

2011-12-01T20:52:00.001-08:00

When a newborn comes into our lives we want to do everythingwe can to make sure they have the best opportunities. Starting your baby withhealthy teeth is as important as a healthy body. Babies and toddlers have asgreat a risk for oral decay as older children and adults. Providing a good oralhygiene routine from the beginning will set the foundation for a healthy mouthfor their lives.

We recommend brining in your child to your appointments tointroduce the dentist and hygienist as friendly helpers. This makes yourchild’s first dental appointment less scary because they are already used tothe office and the people who are here to help them have a healthy mouth.

Babies need oral health care even before their teeth appear.Gently wipe their gums with a moistened soft cloth once a day for a healthystart. Once primary teeth begin to appear, use a specially designed tooth brush,with a small head and soft, rounded bristles to gently massage teeth and gums.Until your baby reaches 18 months use plain water once a day after lastfeeding.

A simple trick to do this more easily is to lay your baby ona bed or change table. Slowly increase the time allocated for brushing untilthey are able to withstand two minutes of brushing.

Toddlers rarely sit still so starting a program can bedifficult. The ADA provides some tips:

§ Consider a battery-powered toothbrush, which adds novelty to cleaning their teeth

§ Sing nursery rhymes or play afavourite song while you help your child brush their teeth

§ Offer a reward every time yourtoddler allows you to brush for two minutes

§ Encourage your child to practiseteeth cleaning (under your supervision) to instill good oral hygiene habits inthem from an early age. Some toddlers like to be independent so it is a goodidea for them to use one toothbrush while you use another one and take turns atbrushing

§ Make flossing and brushing as muchfun as you can to avoid any negative association or resistance. Be sure to talkto your dentist if you need more advice

As a toddler becomes adjusted to brushing begin the routineof brushing two times a day. Do this once after morning breakfast and in theevening just before bed. Different types of toothpastes are available talk toyour hygienist about the best options for your toddler.

Most of all set a good example! Children follow in ourfootsteps by brushing your teeth with them and talking about the importance ofhaving a healthy mouth will encourage good behaviour.

For more information about babies and oral hygiene you canvisit the ADA’s website at www.babyteeth.com.au

Implants vs Dentures

2011-10-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

We help many of our patients find the best treatment forreplacing missing teeth. In most cases implants are the best option, aprocedure done by one of our trusted oral surgeons.

Titanium Implants are placed into the jawbone and are coated with a special coating that enhances bone growth around theimplant which then provides a solid foundation to secure a prosthetic devicesuch as a crown or a bridge above the gum. To increase success rate several factors must be considered. Theamount of bone available to support the implant, the patient’s health, ifpatient smokes and the quality of ongoing home care all effect long-termsuccess. It is important to also visit a dental hygienist on a regular basis tohelp with oral hygiene instructions and care with your new implant prostheses.

If the patient is a suitable candidate implants are recommendedover removable dentures. Because removable dentures are not permanently fixedin place, they can move around when you eat and speak. Additionally, over timethe bone that supports the denture changes and shrinks, making it increasinglydifficult to support a denture comfortably. Implants allow the mouth to actsimilarly to that with natural teeth. Therefore gums and bone are less likelyto have the same negative reactions as they would with removable dentures. Implantscan support singular (a) and multiple teeth (b). This versatility is anotheradded benefit.

Another benefit of implants is being able to eat healthy and varied diets withoutthe restrictions many denture wearers face. Many are self conscious withdentures while implants give a sense of renewed self-confidence. People whowere once unsure in public reenter active lifestyles sharing with family andfriends and are comfortable in their communication with co-workers.

Pleasespeak to our dentists if you have any questions about implants and if theywould benefit you. For more information you can follow the links below.

References:

American Association ofMaxillofacial Surgeons

Australian Dental Association

CaliforniaDental Association

Shaping up your smile: Whitening Facts

2011-06-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

The ADA has recently added an educational site about the pro’s and con’s of teeth whitening, as they believe most Australians are not aware of the risks associated with whitening treatments from professionals without the professional training in oral care such as hairdressers, beauticians and others. We all want to look our best but some methods of whitening are better than others based on personal situations. Having your teeth whitened by anyone other than a dentist is risky and it increases the likelihood that you may suffer permanent damage to your teeth and mouth. Lastly, The American Dental Association (ADA) does not endorse over-the-counter bleaching products as they can contain unhealthy levels of hydrogen peroxide.

The best teeth whitening gel treatments are available from your dentist. At The Dental Practice we begin the processes with a consultation about your particular situation and the probable cause of any stains or discoloration. Once we determine that you’re a good candidate for success with tooth whitening, we will construct a custom tray based on an impression of your teeth. This treatment provides gradual whitening at a relatively low cost.

At the Dental Practice we use the Discus NiteWhite© ACP take-home whitening solution. Discus take-home whitening formulas contain ACP (amorphous calcium phosphate), potassium nitrate and fluoride to help:

Reduce sensitivity
Rebuild enamel
Reduce fade back
Improve luster

The gel contains a proprietary activation matrix that extends the release of peroxide overnight to whiten an average of 6 shades in just 3 nights.

Whitening the natural way:

There are a couple of easy and cost effective ways to keep your teeth looking whiter and brighter, naturally. Chairman of the ADA’s Oral Health Committee, says the best way to keep a healthy white smile is to maintain good oral health. “Practising good oral hygiene is a basic way to assist in making your teeth look whiter naturally.” “Brushing and flossing your teeth daily assists in removing surface stains on your teeth.”

For healthier and better looking teeth, you should:

§ Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste

§ Floss your teeth daily

§ Chew sugar-free gum if advised by your dentist

§ Drink water throughout the day

§ Consume a sensible diet

§ Visit your dentist regularly for a professional clean

What to avoid:

Extrinsic stains are superficial stains found on the surface of the tooth, which are caused by dental plaque, tars (in tobacco), tannins (in wine), coloured foods and frequent use of certain mouthwashes. Common foods and beverages that stain teeth include:

§ herbal and black tea

§ coffee

§ red wine

§ spicy foods like curries

Smoking cigarettes also causes unsightly stains on teeth, which can be extremely difficult to remove.

Extrinsic stains on the tooth’s surface can be removed by a dentist performing a professional scale and clean.

For more information from the ADA visit: teeth whitening facts

Attack of the tartar!

2011-05-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

Flossing, not the most engaging past time but important for healthy teeth and gums. The hardest part is being consistent with flossing. Even with the best intentions, many of us fail to maintain a flossing routine. At The Dental Practice, we encourage patients to floss at least once a day. It helps to prevent gingivitis and eventually periodontitis, the inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.

Periodontitis causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Periodontitis occurs when inflammation or infection of the gums (gingivitis) is untreated or treatment is delayed. Infection and inflammation spreads from the gums to the ligaments and bone that support the teeth. This causes teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. Periodontitis is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. In 2003 30-60% of Europe’s adult population had medium to severe periodontitis! That’s a whole lot of people with missing teeth! This disorder is uncommon in childhood but increases during adolescence.

If you have children it’s important to start a routine early, making flossing habitual. The best way to start a routine is by making a plan. What do you do when you go to bed? Making the routine easier for yourself by combining flossing with your nightly routine can make it easier to remember. Put your floss out on your bathroom counter so you see it when you’re doing other things. Writing it down in a daily diary or food diary can motivate on the basis of completing a target, just like drinking water every day.

When we don’t floss, plaque and tartar accumulate at the base of the teeth. This causes inflammation which forms a pocket between the gums and the teeth, which fills with plaque and tartar. Soft tissue swelling traps the plaque in the pocket. Continued inflammation eventually causes destruction of the tissues and bone surrounding the tooth. Because plaque contains bacteria, infection is likely and a tooth abscess may also develop, which increases the rate of bone destruction.

Good oral hygiene is the best means of prevention. This includes thorough tooth brushing and flossing, and regular professional dental cleaning. The prevention and treatment of gingivitis reduces the risk of development of periodontitis. Your hygienist can help you in understanding the best method of flossing and tell you your progress in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Because honestly, would you rather have your teeth look like this:

Or like this:

Flossing every day helps keep your teeth looking great and treatment is available for those who have gingivitis or periodontics. It is important to see your dentist regularly with these conditions to control and monitor your health. To make an appointment at the dental practice call us at 08 8212 3247 or email reception@thedentalpractice.net.au.

Research:

Abraham C, Sheeran P, Johnston M (1998). From health beliefs to self-regulation: theoretical advances in the psychology of action control. Psychol Health 13:569-591.

Bader HI (1998). Floss or die: implications Dent Today 17:76-78, 80-82.

McCaul KD, Glasgow RG, O'Neill HK (1992). The problem of creating habits: establishing health-protective dental behaviors. Health Psychol 11:101-110.

Sniehotta F, Soares A, and Dombrowski S (2007) Randomized Controlled Trial of a One-minute Intervention Changing Oral Self-care Behavior. International and American Associations for Dental Research. 86(7):641-645

Share your thoughts

2010-08-03T23:06:00.001-07:00

At The Dental Practice we strive to make your experince the best it can be. When you come into the practice please ask one of the ladies at reception to give you a satisfaction survey so we can make everything we do satisfy your needs. All participants will be entered to win a David Jones Gift Card provided by The Dental Practice. The Selected winner will be announced on September 30th.