Category Archives: dentist

Mouthwash Types and Concerns

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Denistone Dentist – Mouthwash Concerns

There was a lot of concern a few years ago over mouthwash causing oral cancer. This was very misleading. It was only the mouthwash containing alcohol that was under suspicion.

Mouthwash containing alcohol may raise the risk of oral cancer. The concern is over the heavy exposure. The mouthwashes would contain 25-40% alcohol, and individuals would gargle this for a full minute three times per day. This is a high amount of alcohol exposure.

Realistically, when people do use mouthwash it is gargled twice per day for half a minute. This level of alcohol exposure is a little high, but probably not too bad.

However, alcohol tends to dry out the mouth, which is bad for teeth and breath. Ironically the mouthwash can cause the very problems that it is supposed to remove. It is best to avoid alcohol mouthwashes.

Really, it is now easy to buy alcohol-free mouthwashes, including most good quality, brand names. These can be used two or three times daily, and your teeth, not to mention your breath, will be noticeably improved.

Dentist Oatlands – Types of Mouthwash

There are a few different types of mouthwash, designed to treat other dental concerns.

Antiseptic/general mouthwashes

This is the most common type. It does a decent job of killing off germs and bacteria, especially if you have already brushed your teeth, and it gives you fresh breath.

Fluoride mouthwashes

These are very good for sensitive or slightly damaged teeth. If the outer tooth enamel is damaged by de-calcification then the fluoride in these mouthwashes will reverse the process. It takes a few weeks to feel the benefits, but these mouthwashes can stop decay from getting worse, and reverse the process if we start using them early on.

Cosmetic Mouthwash

Basically just to freshen your breath. It would be better to use an antiseptic mouthwash if we are already quite healthy, or a specialized mouthwash if we have a specific problem.

Natural Mouthwashes

Mouthwashes with all-natural, non-chemical ingredients. Their effectiveness varies.

Prescription Mouthwashes

Patients with gum disease may be given a prescription for a powerful mouthwash that fights infections. This will only be used for a short period until the infection is removed.

Braces Telopea

Mouthwash is of particular use to those of us still wearing braces as regular brushing and flossing are difficult with braces. Mouthwash, adds that extra bit of protection.

We recommend interdental brushes or Waterpik when teeth with braces. 

Dental Implants

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Implants Dental Dundas

Dental implants are a more modern method of replacing a missing or badly damaged tooth. And recent advances in material have made implants even better.

Older methods or replacing a tooth included a dental bridge. This supported an artificial tooth between two healthy teeth. Unfortunately, this meant heavily modifying the healthy teeth, which seemed a great pity.

Implants consist of an artificial tooth attached to a titanium post that is embedded in the jaw. This is an excellent replacement for a natural tooth.

Osseointegrated Titanium Denistone Dental

Titanium is used for the post because this metal has a unique property – it bonds to the jawbone of the patient. This bonding is termed osseointegration. It produces a very strong connection at a biological level.

Osseointegrated implanted teeth last for many years.

New Implant Materials Dental Telopea

Older implants were made of porcelain. These provided fairly realistic looking teeth. But technology has improved on this.

Newer implants are made from either lithium disilicate or zirconia. These have proved stronger than older porcelain implants, and have other advantages.

Lithium Disilicate looks very like a natural tooth, and is stronger than porcelain. It is used for teeth at the front of the mouth.

Zirconia is even stronger than lithium disilicate, though it is less realistic looking than other materials. It is used for the back molars where the extra strength is an advantage.

Oatlands Dental

A dental implant will require a few dental visits. But the results are impressive.

Dental implants will only require the same diligent cleaning required of regular teeth. Though a dental implant is immune to decay the surrounding gum is still prone to infection, so the implant must cleaned on a twice daily basis. 

Better Breath

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Denistone Dental

Fresh breath is important.

Bad breath will compromise our social life. It is also an indication of something wrong with our mouth or with some other part of our digestive system. Quite possibly bad breath is a symptom of tooth decay, or a symptom of something that can cause tooth decay. It is important to remove the cause of the breath problems before it leads to serious damage to teeth or our health in general.

Dental Telopea

The first thing to look at with breath problems is basic dental hygiene.

Brushing twice daily is essential. Individuals should also Floss and use mouthwash at least one per day. Using mouthwash more frequently is a good idea if the bad breath continues.

Smoking will almost always cause bad breath. It is always healthier to quit smoking.

If the bad breath persist there may be a diet problem.

Try removing strong food from the diet, like garlic, onions and spicy foods. These do have general health benefits, but they may also cause bad breath. Else, coffee causes breath problems for some people.

Some people find that processed / frozen food cause bad breath, and perhaps associated stomach unrest. Try eating more natural foods.

Atkins Diet – High carb diets can cause bad breath. This type of bad breath is not harmful, but it can be socially awkward.

Oatlands Dental

Bad breath can be caused by bad bacteria in the mouth and digestive system. This is often the same bacteria that causes tooth decay, gum infections and other problems. Some good practices beyond regular brushing can help here.

  • Green tea is good for breath and helps fight bad bacteria. Drink a few cup per day. Decaffeinated green tea is available.
  • Chewing sugar free gum is good for freshening breath, though it can sometimes cover up the problem causing the odour. Xylitol sweetened gum is the best option.
  • Chew some parsley to freshen breath.
  • Eat some foods with healthy bacteria to help digestion and mouth bacteria. Kimchi (Korea), sauerkraut (Germany), probiotic drinks and yogurt are all good for health bacteria.
  • Cashew nuts help fight some forms of bad bacteria. They are high in calories, but otherwise healthy.
  • Breath mints can remove the bad breath, but use a sugar free variety. And make sure the underlying cause of the bad breath isn’t a health threat.
  • Just eating more healthy fruit and vegetables can help with our breath.

Dundas Dental

Bad breath could be a sign of a serious dental problem.

Gum disease like periodontitis will cause bad breath, this needs to be treated by the dentist as it will quickly lead to serious problems like tooth loss.

An Abscess will cause bad breath. This also need to be treated by a dentist. Untreated abscesses will lead to even more serious problems.

Mouth breathing, especially at night, will lead to dry teeth and gums. This will often lead to bad breath, or at least make the problem worse. Dentist can provide mouthguards to facilitate better breathing.

Have any persistent breath problems checked by the dentist.

Healthy Habits For Teeth

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Diligent Brushing, Flossing and use of Mouthwash are essential for healthy teeth. But we can also help keep our teeth healthy with the right diet and good habits.

Crunchy Food

Apples, carrots, celery and other fruit and vegetables will teeth clean. The physical action of chewing these foods will get rid of some plaque from the tooth surface. They also keep the mouth moist, which reduced decay.

Water

This generation has been taught the importance of keeping well-hydrated for good health. Drinking water also helps keep our mouths clean and breath reasonably fresh. A dry mouth is prone to decay because the bacteria count increases, and this is one reason for bad breath.

Bottled water does not usually contain fluoride, which is a slight issue. Fluoride in tap water helps to reduce decay.

Make sure to take some salt. Too much water can leave our bodies without sufficient salt, which is a serious health problem, leading to fainting and disorientation.

Water with additives like lemon juice is too acidic for teeth.

Breathing

We should breathe through our nose. Breathing through the mouth leads to dry teeth and gums, and that increases the risk of tooth decay and bad breath. It also tends to make us feel lethargic due to the reduced nitric oxide. Some people find this is a big problem at night, especially if there is snoring. A mouthguard or nasal strip can help. Talk to the dentist.

Chewing Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum keeps our mouth moist and helps clean out teeth. It is also good for fresh breath. Gum that is sweetened with xylitol is preferable as the xylitol helps fight bad bacteria. Gum that is sweetened with aspartame is popular with many people, though aspartame is a common allergy.

Cashews

Cashews have been found to fight the most common decay-causing bacteria in the mouth. A few cashews after a meal is a healthy option, though these nuts do contain a lot of calories.

Green Tea

This has many general health benefits, fighting bacteria in the mouth and keeping breath fresh are only two dental benefits. Cold green tea (in place of water) is a good option.

Implants from Dentist Denistone

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Implants from Dentist Denistone

Dental implants are the modern way to replace a missing tooth. Unlike dentures, they are permanently attached to the mouth. Unlike bridges, it does not require the neighbouring teeth to be altered.

Dental implants consist of a titanium post embedded in the jaw holding a porcelain replica of a tooth. Titanium is used in the post because this particular metal bonds to the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. The porcelain is used because it looks like a natural tooth; the dentist can even ensure that the shade of the tooth matches the surrounding teeth.

Implant Procedure Dentist Ermington

Implants usually require three dental visits. The titanium implant must be fixed during an earlier visit. The porcelain crown is attached when the titanium post has been certified as stable.

Implant surgery can be performed with a local anaesthetic, and will cause only slight discomfort after the surgery is completed. The success rate is very high, and even higher if there is no former damage to the jawbone.

Implant Maintenance Dentist Dundas

Implants basically require the same cleaning and maintenance as regular teeth. Of course, the porcelain will not decay, but the surrounding tissue and bone are as prone to infection as the rest of the mouth.

Flossing and Alternatives

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Almost one-third of our tooth surface lies between the teeth. We can easily clean the front, back and tops of our teeth with brushing, something we should be diligent about. But cleaning between the teeth is a little more challenging. Flossing is one option.

Dental floss has recently been subjected to some media questioning. A few claim it offers little if any benefit. Others claim it is an improvement over brushing alone.  But most agree that it will not cause any harm under any reasonable conditions.

Flossing seems to help prevent gum infections, amid other benefits, because the floss can clean the gum line space where the tooth and gum join. If the gum is already infected the floss can cause bleeding. But consistent brushing and flossing should prevent this situation from occurring. 

Alternatives to Flossing

Interdental brushes are quite useful for cleaning between teeth. They are especially suited to the larger spaces between back molar teeth. Floss is better suited to getting between the smaller spaces of front teeth.

Waterpik is an alternative to flossing. These electronic devices also called oral irrigators, use a high-pressure stream of water to clean small spaces between teeth. The manufacture’s claim such cleaning techniques are twice as effective as flossing.

Waterpik and other oral irrigators seem to work quite well, and they won’t cause bleeding. They are a good alternative when the individual is wearing braces, which makes flossing difficult.  The downside is that some find the large amount of water in the mouth to be rather inconvenient.

Airfloss is a newer technology. It cleans the spaces between teeth with a burst of moist air. It appears to be reasonably effective, and less messy than water cleaning methods, but Waterpik seems to do a better job of cleaning teeth.

Gargling and rinsing will remove at least some of the plaque and debris between teeth. We recommend a good non-alcoholic mouthwash for this purpose.

Flossing or an alternate method should be used for cleaning between the teeth.

 

Braces Oatlands Dentist

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Braces Oatlands Dentist

Braces have been used to straighten teeth and correct bite problems for the past few generations. There are now many different types of modern braces that have many advantages over more traditional metal wire braces.

Metal Wire Braces Telopea

These are stainless steel braces, a metal wire that runs through a bracket on each tooth. They are a reliable system for correcting minor to fairly major tooth irregularities and jaw alignment issues. They are often used in conjunction with Rubber bands (elastics)

The only downside to traditional braces is that they are quite noticeable. They are also initially awkward and uncomfortable, but this is an inevitable part of rectifying dental problems.

Gold or Titanium plated Braces Ermington

Individuals allergic to nickel, found in stainless steel braces, may use gold plated braces. Else, some may prefer the look of gold.

Titanium braces are also suitable for individuals with nickel allergies, though they are more expensive.

Lingual Braces Dundas

It is possible to fit braces to the back of the teeth rather than the front. These lingual braces are far less noticeable than traditional braces, which some consider an advantage. They are initially awkward, but patients soon adapt.

Clear and Ceramic Braces Denistone

Braces that have a similar colour to the teeth, or that are clear, are less noticeable than metal braces. In truth it is only the tooth brackets that are clear or tooth coloured; the wire between teeth is still metal. Yet the braces are less obtrusive while remaining equally effective.

Dentist on Victoria Braces

It is possible to have braces at any age, but many choose to have them in their teens. Having braces at a younger age, as soon as the mature teeth are ready, allows the individual to benefit from straight teeth for the rest of their life. Nonetheless some adults choose to use invisalign or braces to straighten teeth later in life.

SUGAR ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM

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We have known for many generations that sugar, particularly when processed, is bad for our teeth. But it is misleading to say that it is the only cause. There are other factors involved.

Lack on minerals in the diet, particularly magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, will cause problems. We have known for a while that calcium was an issue, and encouraged children to drink milk. But lack of any of the minerals will leave teeth weaker and prone to decay.

Lack of fat soluble vitamins, such as A, E, K and especially D, will weaken teeth and probably cause gum problems. These vitamins combine well to benefit health, though if one is deficient the others cannot compensate. We need all these vitamins together.

Recently it has been discovered that Phytic acid in food both blocks the absorption of minerals in our diet and leaches minerals out of bones and teeth. Processes such as sprouting or fermenting seed, beans and grain significantly reduce phytic acid. These processes were once popular in agricultural societies, but have fallen out of favour with modern processing and cultural habits.

It is a pity that the best dietary intentions in the world are compromised by anti-nutrients such as phytic acid. But this can be altered. Fermentation, soaking and sprouting of beans, nut and grains (while slightly time consuming) can make a significant difference to the way out bodies absorb nutrients. This should allow us to derive the maximum benefit from natural and healthy food sources.

We know to avoid sugar and brush our teeth. We should also know to eat the healthiest diet possible. Our society had lost some good habits over time. If we reintroduce these habits, or develop healthy habits of our own, we can reap the benefits in every part of our lives.

RE-MINERALIZING TOOTHPASTE

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BioMinF toothpaste is the latest development in those with sensitive teeth, or those just want to prevent further decay.

Teeth become sensitive when tubules open in the teeth, causing pain whenever hot or cold food is eaten. In the past teeth were desensitised by toothpaste that blocked these tubules. But the teeth were never repaired, just sealed with an artificial additive.

BioMinF toothpaste removes tooth sensitivity by rebuilding tooth damage, providing the damage is only moderate. It steadily releases calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions over an 8-12 hour period. This slow release is the key development. These same minerals in the past, particularity fluoride, were already been known to be beneficial for teeth; problems occurred as they needed to be applied to the teeth for substantial periods of time. Previous toothpastes contained the minerals, but lost effectiveness in less than an hour.

The steady application of the minerals helps teeth remineralize. If the outer surface of the tooth can remineralize faster than it is being demineralised any light damage to the tooth enamel can be reversed. Fluoride in drinking water has some benefits for this process, but the ingestion of the fluoride is controversial. And any drinking water only has minimal time in contact with the teeth. By contrast the newer BioMinF contains several remineralizing agents, and when used at night it is able to remain in contact with the teeth until morning.

A version of BioMinf is being developed that does not contain fluoride. The other active remineralisation agents should work sufficiently to achieve the same result.

References

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/308970.php

Night Teeth Grinding

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Teeth grinding during sleep may affect up to 10 % of people; more if the grinding is keeping our partner awake at night. It can be both a symptom of a problem and a problem in its own right. We might grind our teeth in times of stress and frustration, and if we are lucky this might resolve itself over time before we suffer any serious damage. Else, teeth grinding might be an ongoing problem. There are some suspicious signs of tooth grinding, such as a saw jaw in the morning, unexplained headaches or a complaining partner. But serious tooth grinding may occur without any of these symptoms appearing. If teeth show signs of unexplained wear it is quite possible that the individual is grinding their teeth at night. This damage can be quite serious. There is fairly good evidence to link grinding with stress and frustration, but this quickly gets complicated and is affected by many factors.

Some people suffer stress, yet show other symptoms rather than teeth grinding. Others grind their teeth during difficult phases of their life and stop grinding once the problem is resolved. It seems that the predisposition to teeth grinding is genetic. Everybody suffers stress from time to time; some people experience teeth grinding as a symptom of this, others do not. Early theories about grinding being caused by physical problems in the jaw look to be false, though grinding certainly can cause problems by wearing away teeth and causing sore gums. There appears to be no simple cure for teeth grinding. Resolving the cause of stress can help, but some individuals grind their teeth despite a lack of any apparent stress.

Instead, grinding treatment concentrates on preventing damage. Wearing a mouth guard will prevent the teeth from being worn away, which is a major concern. Unfortunately, tooth grinding can strain jaw muscles and severely compromise hearing. Mouthguards do very little to reduce this damage. Behavioural therapy, biofeedback and an improved diet have a limited benefits for jaw grinding.

The situation is very frustrating for patients as the habit is quite involuntary. Despite knowing about the issue the patient is unable to stop their nighttime behaviour. At least the fitting of a mouthguard will prevent most of the damage done to the mouth.

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