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Our tips for teeth-healthy festive eating

08/12/2022 by Astronaut

By the end of the year, we’re all entitled to relax a little and enjoy ourselves. For most of us, many festive celebrations centre around food and drinks, making it easy to lose a sense of control over what we’re consuming. And while no one wants to be a total grinch about the holidays, it can be helpful to enter into the festive season with a goal of moderation when it comes to teeth-healthy foods.

Balancing teeth healthy foods at Christmas

For 365 days a year, the same evidence around oral health applies – that sugar is sugar, no matter what form it’s in. Whether sugar is in a liquid or solid form, warm, cold, frozen or somewhere in-between, all sugar increases the risk of tooth decay. Lollies, desserts, sauces, toppings, juices and soft drinks all contain forms of sugar and no matter how it’s packaged, our body processes sugar in the same way.

Fortunately, there are lots of delicious types of foods which also have protective oral health benefits. Finding the ‘sweet spot’ between balancing festive treats with teeth-healthy foods is worthwhile and helps us to avoid feeling we’re missing out on all the fun.

Gum health

Most of us are aware of the types of foods which aren’t so good for us, and which can lead to tooth decay, but gum health is just as important. Gums provide a barrier against bacteria and food entering into the tissues which surround the teeth. ¹Red, inflamed, bleeding gums are a sign that this protective barrier has broken down and can lead to gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. If left untreated, Gingivitis can progress to more advanced periodontal disease, causing tooth and bone loss. When gums are healthy, they work like a collar, forming a firm seal to keep our teeth in their correct position, so it’s important to have regular check-ups.

5 tips for teeth-healthy festive snacking

Remember, not all treats are naughty and it’s important not to feel you’re missing out. ²Some foods are protective and support our oral health. Crisp fruits and raw vegetables are particularly good at cleaning plaque from teeth and freshening breath.

This festive season, reach for the:

Fruit and vegetable platters rich in fiber and vitamin C – these will provide a range of protective nutrients.
The cheeseboard – cheese helps to neutralize the effects of acidic foods.
Other calcium-rich products – milk or soy-based products help to boost saliva production and remineralise teeth.
Vitamin A and D-rich foods- Oily fish is a powerhouse of vitamin D, which helps to strengthen teeth and bones and prevent gum disease.
Water jug – this will help to keep your saliva at the right consistency to rinse away food particles.

5 tips for a teeth-healthy festive season

Why wait until January 1 to develop new oral health habits as New Year resolutions? Book an appointment for a dental checkup over the festive break.

Try to cut back on sugar – evidence continues to prove that many of us are consuming too much of this simple carbohydrate, which as well as affecting our oral health, impacts on our general health.
Make time to brush your teeth at least twice each day and floss daily. Brushing and flossing are especially important before going to bed. No matter how tired you are after that party, take an extra five minutes to care for your teeth and gums.
Care well for your gums and remember, flossing is as important as toothbrushing.
Avoid biting down on hard foods. Candy canes, lollies, pork crackling and ice are particular hazards at Christmas time. Dentists often see a peak in cracked or broken teeth as a result of hard textures.

Book an appointment with your dentist today to discuss your dental health.

References

Keeping your teeth safe these holidays

07/11/2022 by Astronaut

Keeping your teeth safe these holidays

Nobody wants to have a medical emergency, including those of a dental nature. Emergencies tend to happen without planning, and often at the most inconvenient times. Fortunately, all of our centres provide emergency dental care, which helps to minimise trauma, reduce infection risk and improve the chances of saving teeth. Check here to make an appointment for emergency dental care.

What does a dental emergency involve?

A dental emergency generally involves some type of trauma, infection and/or pain, involving the teeth or mouth. Often, accidents are the cause for a dental emergency, though toothache can also be a reason to see a dentist as soon as possible.

What are some common dental emergencies?

It is often unclear what constitutes a dental emergency, especially when not all dental trauma is obvious. However, it’s always worthwhile to book an appointment as soon as possible after any dental injury.

A knocked-out tooth.
Trauma to the teeth e.g., being hit in the mouth or falling on the face.
Toothache or mouth pain.
Gum or facial swelling. An abscess can cause swelling and an unpleasant smell or taste.
Teeth with chips, fractures and cracks. These can often cause pain when eating and drinking.
Badly bitten lips or cheeks.
Pain in the jaw.
Denture repairs.

First aid for dental emergencies

It can be helpful to know what to do in the case of a dental emergency. There is often a critical window of time in which a tooth can be saved and to reduce the risk of complications.

See a dentist immediately – ideally, within 30 minutes after any dental injury.
If a tooth has been knocked out, pick it up by the crown, rinse it with milk, or (very briefly) for 1-2 seconds in tap water. If you don’t have any water or milk with you, gently suck the tooth clean before gently placing it back into its socket.
Place the tooth back into its right position in the mouth. Bite down on a tissue or soft cloth to hold it in place. If you can’t do this, take the tooth and any broken portions with you to the dentist.
If a tooth has been knocked out, keep it moist by placing it in some milk, never in water. You could also wrap the tooth in clean plastic wrap.
Don’t hold the tooth by its roots or wrap it in tissue. The key is to keep it moist.

Dental emergency prevention

It’s not always possible to prevent dental trauma. However, there are a few practices which can help to reduce the risk:

Care for your teeth every day. Daily dental hygiene with brushing and flossing helps to maintain oral health and reduce the risk of dental emergencies.
Wear a custom fitted mouthguard if you are playing sports. Even during training sessions it’s important to wear your mouthguard.
Avoid biting down on hard foods. It’s easy to crack or chip teeth by biting or chewing on hard lollies, tough meat, nut shells and even ice.
Never use your teeth as ‘tools’ to open packages or lids. Teeth are not designed to withstand the forces needed to open containers.
Avoid chewing on pen lids, toothpicks and other foreign objects. Sugarless gum can satisfy a chewing urge without risking dental trauma.

The effects of Vaping on your teeth and gums

07/11/2022 by Astronaut

Inhaling the vapour of electronic, or ‘e-cigarettes’, is a relatively new practice and research into its effects is still emerging. Much of the popularity around vaping is generated by manufacturers, who claim that vaping is ‘healthier’, ‘more natural’ and less addictive than smoking cigarettes. These messages have influenced many users who believe that given a choice, vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes; however, this is not the case.

How does vaping work?

Vaping works by using heat to transform liquid nicotine into vapour, which is then inhaled. Although the ‘smoke’ coming from an e-cigarette can look like a gentle type of steam, it’s really a form of aerosol.

Oral health risks of vaping

Early findings have confirmed that nicotine, even when it’s vaped, restricts blood flow to the gums and throughout the body’s tissues and organs. In addition, the fluids included in e-cigarettes, which include benzene, formaldehyde, propylene glycol and other chemicals, further increase the risk of developing general health issues, including oral health conditions.

The tissues and structures in the mouth all rely on each other to work effectively. And although the mouth is relatively small in comparison with other body structures, its size is not an indicator of its importance.

How can vaping affect my mouth:

Decreased saliva production – making the vaper more prone to developing cavities.
Mouth ulcers and bad breath.
An increased rate of cavities.
Unhealthy, inflamed gums with reduced blood flow.
Slower healing after tooth removal, gum and oral surgery.
An increased risk of mouth and other cancers.

Is vaping better than smoking?

Although vaping is often marketed as a better or ‘healthier’ alternative, the truth is that vaping nicotine comes with its own health risks, none of which are preferable to those brought on by smoking cigarettes. Dentists are reporting an increase in seeing patients with dry mouth, bad breath, periodontal disease and mouth ulcers, especially in younger generations who are within the highest group of e-cigarette users. These symptoms are all ‘red flags’ for the development of tooth and bone loss.

E-cigarettes also increase the temperature in the mouth, creating a form of stress in the communities of good bacteria so they’re no longer working protectively. This means fundamental changes occurs in the user’s oral microbiome – the range of good bacteria and microbes which live in the mouth. Another common experience of vapers is a temporary loss of taste, also known as ‘vape tongue’.

What to do if you use a vape

Be aware of your oral health and visit your dentist every 6 months to have your mouth and teeth checked. Meanwhile, chewing sugar free gum can help to stimulate saliva flow and drinking plenty of water will help to avoid having a dry mouth.

Book an appointment today and speak with your dentist about the effects of vaping on your dental health.

Healthy mouth habits leading up to the festive season

07/11/2022 by Astronaut

Healthy habits for your mouth and body leading up to the festive season

In recent years, we’ve come to appreciate more and more the mouth/body connection and its effect on our health. Put simply, if our mouth is not healthy, we are at higher risk of developing a range of health conditions. Heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy and birth complications, as well as respiratory diseases, are more common in people who have poor oral health. Many of us can take positive steps towards having a healthy mouth with small progressive, daily changes in what we do, rather than aiming for too much change all at once. You can book an appointment today with your dentist to understand more about what you can do to improve your mouth and body health.

But I deserve a break over the holidays!

As we head towards the festive season, we’re all entitled to being more relaxed and taking time out of our usual busy routines. But there are some habits which we shouldn’t neglect, no matter what the time of year.

Science does not take holidays and the same evidence which applies in every other month also applies in December. In the same way that we need to always wear a seat belt when we’re in a car and use sun protection when we’re outside, we need to maintain our oral hygiene throughout the year.

Top 10 tips for a healthy mouth

Prioritise your oral health. Appreciate the value of what you can do every day, to keep your mouth healthy between dental visits. Ideally, you’ll work in partnership with your dentist.
Brush your teeth and gums twice each day with a fluoridated toothpaste and floss daily. If you’re going away, or likely to be out for hours, pack a spare toothbrush, toothpaste and some floss. In the same way you may shower and freshen up before you go out, it can help to brush and floss before you leave the house.
If you can’t brush between meals, swish your mouth with water. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to help your saliva maintain its protective qualities. Ideally, saliva is clear and thin.
Keep an eye on the amount of sugar you and your family are eating. Remember, ‘hidden’ sugar is just as damaging to teeth as foods with more visible sugar. Get into the habit of reading food labels to understand more about added and naturally occurring sugars.
Try to limit snacking in-between meals. Frequent grazing and snacking increase the risk of tooth decay, because the acid level in the mouth automatically increases to start digesting every time we eat.
Consider the value of your own behaviour when it comes to oral health care. Small messages can have a big impact. Saying “no thanks, I’ve just brushed my teeth”, when offered sweet treats is a positive message when role modelled.
Reach for water if you’re thirsty and avoid having too many sweet drinks, including soft drinks, cordial, and energy drinks. They all contain sugar in various forms, and some include electrolytes, which cause decay.
Make sure your guests have healthy food and drink choices if you’re entertaining. Vegetable platters and cheeseboards can be decorated with a bit of festive flair. Given the choice, many people will opt for healthy snacks in favour of those which aren’t so ideal.
Watch your intake of acidic foods – these can damage the protective enamel which covers the surface of the teeth. Fizzy soft drinks, sour lollies, citrus fruits are all acidic. Use a straw if you’re keen for a sweet or fizzy drink and swish your mouth with water afterwards.
Enjoy alcohol in moderation. Plan for what you’ll be drinking and rinse your mouth with water afterwards. Avoid brushing your teeth for 30 minutes to one hour after eating or drinking to limit damage to your tooth enamel.

Continue your healthy habits over the festive season and book an appointment with your dentist before the end of the year to check your dental health.

Are your sleeping habits impacting your oral health?

25/08/2022 by Astronaut

You could be forgiven for not investing too much energy thinking about your teeth once you’ve gone to bed. For many of us, the nightly ritual of tooth brushing and flossing ticks off a mental checklist of things to do before going to sleep. But even when you’re in the land of dreams, there’s a lot going on in your mouth – take a few moments to find out more.

Top 5 facts about sleep and teeth

At night, saliva flow slows down and the protective effects of saliva are reduced. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to brush your teeth thoroughly before going to bed. Use a soft, small headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and floss gently between each tooth. Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well, to reduce the number of decay causing bacteria.
Be mindful if you’re a teeth grinder. If your teeth and/or your jaw feel tight and sore in the mornings, you experience tension headaches or your partner notices you are grinding, it’s important to book an appointment with your dentist. Excessive wear, broken and cracked teeth and tooth sensitivity are all common results from tooth grinding. A custom fitted splint acts like a cushion and helps to protect teeth.
Sleep apnoea is a condition which happens when the throat becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. This causes breathing to stop for anywhere between a few seconds to 1.5 minutes. Because sleep apnoea causes mouth breathing, a dry mouth results which then increases the risk of tooth decay. Gum inflammation, periodontal disease and a build up of plaque are also more common.
Poor sleep also causes an increased risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. Sleep apnoea and TMJ problems are experienced together. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include jaw pain, problems chewing, a clicking or grinding sound from the jaw or even a locked jaw.
Sleep helps us all to regulate our moods, concentrate more and feel rested and restored. Sleep also serves a number of restorative functions in our body, as well as supporting our cardiac and circulatory health and reducing inflammation. Improved blood flow helps to support the transport of enamel and phosphorus to our teeth, boosting the protective qualities of these minerals.

Night time tips for better sleep and oral health

Take your time in the bathroom at night – don’t rush toothbrushing and set a timer if it helps. The goal is to brush for two minutes and allow a little time on every tooth and its surfaces. Clean between your teeth with floss and/or interdental brushes.

Speak with your dentist about the benefits of using a therapeutic mouthwash if you’re prone to decay. This can help to reduce the risk of decay and gingivitis.

Drink only water after brushing your teeth. If you eat, you’ll need to brush again to remove food particles before going to sleep.

If you suffer from reflux, be mindful your teeth could be affected by stomach acid. Lying flat after eating a meal can increase the likelihood of refluxing episodes. Your GP will be able to guide you in treatment.

Book an appointment today with your dentist to have your teeth checked and discuss your dental needs.