Newington Dental Athlete Advice

It may be a surprise to some that athletes tend to have poor dental health. Given how much athletes emphasis good health we might expect them to go to great lengths to look after their teeth. But even the athletes who are thorough about cleaning and flossing teeth still perform under expectation when it comes to dental hygiene. So what is the explanation?

Athletes don’t usually smoke or eat junk food (as we understand it) to any significant degree. But there are aspects of their training and lifestyle that compromise their dental health.

Sport Drinks
This is possibly the main culprit. Athletes over the last 20 years have picked up on the sports drinks trend. They also tend to use energy gels and energy bars. These products contain far more sugar than is generally known. And when they consume these products before a game or training, the sugar stays on their teeth for several hours. Brushing the teeth a few hours latter will not help, it is too late. The sugar has already done the damage. Professional athletes who train or compete several days a week may be steadily ruining their teeth every time they take a sports drink.

Dry Mouth
Heavy exertion will cause a dry mouth, especially if we start breathing through the mouth when running or training in any fashion. The dry mouth leads to increased bacteria, and this badly affects teeth and gums. Using a sports drink only makes matters worse as the sugar feeds the bad bacteria.

Using water instead of sports drinks would go a long way to reducing, perhaps preventing, the problem.

Swimmers
While swimming will not give us a dry mouth it will cause problems because of the chlorinated water. Water that is un-chlorinated tend to be just as bad, being made unclean by the many people swimming. This is hard to prevent. We cannot completely avoid swallowing water when we swim. But gargling clean water (bottled water) afterwards will help to some degree.

Newington Dental

Talk to your dentist about preventing dental problems. We encourage a proactive approach.

Dental Veneers at Dental Newington

Teeth can suffer many different types of imperfections. Often these imperfections are simply a matter of appearance, such as staining or minor chips. Occasionally the teeth might be misaligned to the point where it affects our ability to eat or speak. Veneers can often fix the cosmetic issues of teeth, and may even fix at least some functional issues.

Dental Newington – Porcelain Veneers

A veneer is a little like a crown, except that it only covers the front of the tooth. This means they are less expensive and easier to fit. Yet in many cases, where the tooth isn’t too bad, veneers are very effective. They are ideal for a situation where a whole row of teeth need alteration.

White Teeth – If our teeth are stained, or dull in colour, or simply do not match our skin complexion, then veneers can help. Porcelain veneers have a clean white, or if you prefer off-white, appearance. So they look like neat, ideal, natural teeth. And as a bonus, they are basically stain resistant, so they are unlikely to change over time.

Chipped and Cracked Teeth – A porcelain veneer can change the shape of the tooth. So any damage, if it is not too severe, can be corrected. The result is smoother, straighter teeth when you smile.

Pitting and Grooves – Like stains, surface imperfections in the tooth surface can be covered up with veneers. The results are stronger, better looking teeth.

Widely Spaced Teeth – This surprises a few people, but if there are larger spaces between the teeth the porcelain veneers can help. The veneers can be made slightly wider than each individual tooth, giving small neat spaces between teeth.

Over or Under Bite – Perhaps the upper jaw and lower jaw do not meet correctly when your mouth is closed. The veneers can effectively bring the row of teeth on one jaw slightly forward. This will correct slight over or under bite.

Strengthen and Protect – Veneers make teeth stronger, so they are far less likely to be damaged.

Dental Newington

You deserve the best smile possible, and the best in dental health. Talk to us about veneers, crowns, and other dental treatments.

Teeth Situation from Dental Newington

For the past few generations we have most believed that we lose our teeth as we inevitably grow old. It was not widely known that people from earlier centuries mostly kept their teeth into their old age. This was because centuries ago they had a reasonably healthy diet with very minimal sugar. This type of diet is difficult today; we have sugar and processed food on a regular basis. But this does not mean we have to resign ourselves to bad teeth. With good care we can keep our teeth in good condition well into our retirement.

Each year many people lose some or all of their teeth to preventable conditions. This is quite unnecessary. Good practice would go a long way to preventing this. But even those people who know what to do often neglect to look after their teeth.

– 20% of people don’t brush twice a day.
– 75% of people don’t floss daily.
– Most children drink carbonated soft drinks weekly, often daily.
– Half of all adults consume too much sugar. Children are often worse.
– Two thirds of people only go to the dentist when there is a dental problem.
– Only 27 % of people have regular dentist appointments.

Teeth Advice from Dental Newington

Most dental advice is straightforward, it is just that people are negligent. And despite what we might think we cannot miss a nights brushing and try to make up for it latter on.

– Brush daily with Fluoride Toothpaste – Do this for two minutes. Press lightly, but cover every part of every tooth. – – The brushing action removes plaque and food debris. The toothpaste helps kill bad bacteria. We need both the brushing action and the toothpaste.
– Use a soft bristle toothbrush, as this causes less abrasion of tooth enamel.
– Replace the toothbrush every 3 months or at the first sign of wear.
– Small head toothbrushes seem to be better at reaching the back teeth.
– Electric toothbrushes seem to be effective, and people often like using electric toothbrushes.

Brushing Technique

1- Apply a pea sized amount of toothpaste to the brush.
2- Start at the back of the mouth, with the bristles touching the gum line.
3- Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle, and brush back and forth.
4- Move the brush to clean the outer tooth surface, inner surface and top of all teeth.
5- Don’t rinse. Let the toothpaste stay on the teeth for 30 minutes, as the fluoride helps harden the tooth enamel and fight bad bacteria.
6- Brush your tongue if it looks coated. This is often a cause of bad breath.

Floss –

30% of the tooth surface is between the teeth. We need to clean this lest we suffer decay and gum disease.
It is best to floss either after brushing or after using mouthwash. This is because flossing can cause gums to bleed. If there is bacteria in the mouth it can enter our bodies where the gums are bleeding. But if we use toothpaste or mouthwash first we kill 99% of the bacteria.

Diet –

A toothbrush gets rid of most of the sugar in our mouth, but not all of the sugar in our bodies. We need to keep sugar in our diet to a minimum if we are to have health teeth and gums. This is difficult as there is sugar in most processed foods and drinks.

Drink water whenever possible. This keep the mouth clean and goes a long way to reducing dental problems.

Dental Newington

Good habits and regular dental appointments will keep teeth in the best condition possible. We can have good teeth even in old age.

Reviewing old Advice with Dentist Newington

We were usually taught some basic dental advice by our parents. Most of this remains valid, the only real issue being whether we stick to what we were taught. But sometimes the old advice becomes obsolete in light of new discoveries. So we might find that even though we are dedicated, we are getting some things wrong.

Only Brushing Once per day – Some of us know that we need to brush in the morning to get rid of the bad breath we have accumulated overnight. But we would do better to brush the night before, to prevent the bad breath occurring. Leaving bacteria and food debris overnight in the mouth invites problems, including decays, gum infections and bad breath. So brush morning and night.

Brushing Too Hard – This is one that our parents’ generation got wrong. Tooth enamel is thin, and if we brush too hard, especially with a stiff bristle brush, we will wear away the enamel after a few years. This leaves us with teeth that are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
Brush thoroughly, but gently.

Rushing the Process – We should spend two minutes brushing, twice a day. Three times a day is also fine. Anything less than this, and we are probably leaving plaque and bacteria on the teeth.

Not Flossing – There is some debate here, but in the end we have to realise that 30% of the tooth surface is between the teeth. We have to clean this, or we will suffer gum infections and tooth decay. A Waterpik is a good option, but floss is an old yet effective method.

Disinfect first – If we have bleeding gums we risk getting bacteria in our bloodstream. This bacteria in the blood can cause serious long term illness. We can greatly reduce the risk if we use mouthwash or brush our teeth before flossing. These should kill bacteria, so that any bleeding (perhaps from flossing) should not pose a risk.

Brushing too Soon – This is another idea that our parents got wrong. Many foods and beverages will temporarily soften tooth enamel. If we brush when the enamel is soft we will steadily wear it away. Instead of brushing after we eat, we should wait 30 minutes. Drink water and perhaps sugar-free chew gum to clean teeth after eating.

Approved Products – There are toothpaste and toothbrushes that are Dental Association approved (ADA) available in most stores. Avoid anything in ‘dollar shops’ or discount barns that do not have this approval. Even if they have the same brand name they often have different ingredients. Use trusted products only.

Dentist Newington

Regular daily brushing and regular dental appointments will keep our teeth in the best health possible. Avoid many problems by looking after your teeth.

Oatlands Dental On Bleeding Gums

More than few of us will experience bleeding gums from time to time. This is unpleasant at best, and at worst a sign of a serious infection. It could be a sign that we have gum disease.

If you do suffer bleeding gums then we recommend having the situation checked by the dentist. If it is Gum Disease then the problem can be reversed if caught and treated in the early stages.

Common Causes of Bleeding Gums – Oatlands Dental

There are several reasons why we might experience bleeding gums.

Brushing too Hard – Our gums are soft flesh, and can be worn or cut quite easily. A toothbrush with hard bristles will quickly cause wear on teeth, and the gums to bleed. So hard bristle brushes should always be avoided. Alternately, pressing hard when brushing with even a soft bristle brush can cause gums to bleed. Soft brushing with a soft bristle brush is the correct, effective method.

Dietary Deficiencies – If we lack vitamins C or K we will be prone, amid other health concerns, to bleeding gums. More fruit and vegetables in the diet will quickly solve this issue.

Hormone Changes – We all experience some hormone changes during puberty, or more severe changes when pregnant. The actual hormone changes are unavoidable, so we should be careful when brushing to avoid, or at least minimise, damage.

Braces and dentures – Braces will cause at least some irritation when first fitted. But this should subside after a week or two. If there is still bleeding after a few weeks, there might be poorly fitted braces. Dentures that are poorly designed might cause bleeding. These will need to be modified by the dentist.

Gum Disease – This is an infection in the gum. If caught early (Gingivitis) it can be reversed and cured. But if left too long (Periodontal Disease) the infection will cause loss of bone and teeth. Unfortunately this is permanent damage.

If bacteria get into the blood stream via the gum, when they are bleeding, it can cause long term issues with heart disease and dementia. Bleeding gums today can lead to these health problems 20 years into the future.

Preventing Bleeding Gums – Oatlands Dental

As is the case with most dental problems the risk of bleeding gums can be greatly reduced with twice daily brushing and flossing. A healthy diet, plenty of water and a healthy lifestyle also reduce issue with bleeding gums.

Oatlands Dental

Bleeding gums are a sign of a dental issue. Have the matter looked after by your dentist.

Backstory of Wisdom Teeth Rydalmere

Most of us have wisdom teeth at emerge when we are in our late teens or early twenties, long after our other adult teeth have come through. But this is not universal. Some people never develop wisdom teeth. Some find that their wisdom teeth never emerge from the jaw. About 25% of the western world find that one or more of the wisdom teeth never emerged. In some countries like Mexico most people never develop any wisdom teeth. In many African and some European nations almost all individuals develop wisdom teeth, but they rarely have problems as their jawbones are slightly larger.

Problems with Wisdom Teeth Rydalmere

Herein lies the problem. Most of us find that there is not enough room in our mouth when the extra wisdom teeth emerge. So either the new teeth push the old teeth aside, or they do not full emerge from the gum. Symptoms of this include.

⦁ Gum irritation
⦁ Bleeding gums
⦁ Bad breath
⦁ Unpleasant taste in the mouth while eating
⦁ Jaw pain
⦁ Swelling in the jaw
⦁ Difficulty opening the mouth
⦁ Swollen neck lymph nodes

People with slightly larger jaws or smaller teeth often do not need to have their wisdom teeth removed.

Diet in our infancy seems to affect our issues with wisdom teeth latter on. If we eat slightly tougher foods that require chewing when we are young (perhaps 2 years old) then our jawbones increase slightly in size. This means there will be enough room for the wisdom teeth in latter life. A diet of soft food means the jawbones remain slightly smaller, and there is not enough room for the wisdom teeth latter on.

Solutions and Wisdom Teeth Rydalmere

Often the wisdom teeth cause so many problems they will need to be extracted. This is an awkward procedure, and it requires pain medication and some recovery time. But the good news is that complications are rare. And it only ever needs to be done once. We recommend taking a day or two off work, and eating soft food for a week. After this the gums and jaws will soon heal themselves.

Wisdom Teeth Rydalmere

Many of us will need our wisdom teeth removed. If you experience jaw pain, swelling or partly emerging molars talk to the dentist.

Dundas Dental

Our teeth should function well and provide us with an attractive smile. These two goals tend to be roughly similar – well functioning teeth tend to look neat, though sometimes they might need a little additional help to look more attractive. As the same time any improvements in the appearance of the teeth are unlikely to affect the function.

Cosmetic Telopea Dentist

The field of improving the appearance of teeth is called cosmetic dentistry. This can range from simple improvements in colour (bleaching) to replacing whole rows of teeth.

• Teeth can be lightened in colour or have stains removed.
• Teeth might be too short or too long.
• Teeth might be irregular in shape.
• The teeth may need to be straightened.
• There may be large gaps between teeth.
• One of more teeth may be missing.

Braces – Newington Dental

Perhaps the single most common orthodontic treatment, braces can straighten teeth and jaws. This might be done purely for cosmetic reasons, for straight teeth look good. It can also be done to make sure the teeth function well.

Modern braces are more discreet and a little less awkward than older traditional braces.

Teeth Whitening – Dundas Dental

Teeth might be stained from the consumption of coffee and wine, or because of smoking. Or they might simply be a less than ideal colour. Teeth whitening is a fairly simple procedure, either done in office or as a custom take home kit. Results often take only an hour or two.
Unfortunately, teeth whitening can make teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. But this shouldn’t be a problem unless the tooth enamel is thin.

Dentures – Telopea Dentist

Modern dentures are far better than the type of bulk device that our grandparents commonly wore. Often they just replace a missing tooth or two. These are relatively inexpensive, and cause minimal inconvenience.

Crowns and Implants – Newington Dental

A badly damaged or lost tooth can be replaced or repaired.
Crowns replace the entire outer surface of the tooth, keeping only the internal root and pulp. This is fine for a tooth that is badly damaged or misshapen. The crown looks like a real tooth.
Implants are like crowns, but replace the inside of the tooth with a metal post. These implants and crowns last for decades, requiring only regular daily brushing and cleaning.

Veneers – Dundas Dental

Instead of having a tooth crowned, replacing the entire outer surface of the tooth, we might just replace the front surface. This is a veneer, which is useful for discoloured teeth, slightly irregular teeth, or for teeth that have gaps between them.

Veneers are less expansive than crowns, and can be fitted in just two appointments.

Dundas Dental

We all deserve the best smile possible. Cosmetic dentistry can give us the teeth we have always wanted.

Teeth can be come stained form exposure to certain foods, drinks and other substances. This should not be harmful, but it might look less than ideal.

Everybody’s teeth are a little different when it comes to stains. A few people find that almost nothing will causes staining. Most people will find they then need to avoid one or two items if they want perfectly white teeth.

Newington Dentist

Coffee – Possibly the most widely used pick-me-up in the world. Many if us need that Monday morning coffee/caffeine hit. But coffee, especially black coffee, can stain teeth.

Part of the problem coffee directly discolouring the teeth, the other is the coffee altering the pH balance of the mouth. The altered pH leaves the teeth open to staining from other foods.

Using a straw helps reduce the effect, as does a cup with a sealed top (like a child’s sippy cup). These mean the teeth have less direct contact with the coffee. Milk and sugar-free sweeteners also help.

Candy and Confectionary – This is bad at every level, for teeth and general health. It causes tooth decay, and leaves tooth enamel prone to staining.

Soft drinks – Again, these have no health benefit. And they harm teeth by causing decay and leaving enamel prone to staining. Diet soft drinks (with no sugar) are almost as bad because of the acid.

A straw will reduce the harmful effect of soft drinks; the teeth will have less contact with the liquid. But it is better to avoid the drink altogether.

Dental Newington – Healthy but Still Harmful.

Tea – Teas can have their benefits, with green tea actually fighting bad breath and some forms of tooth decay. But teas can cause staining of teeth. Green tea can leave a dull grey stain. Black tea may leave a yellow stain.

Citrus Fruits – These are healthy, but acidic. The acid weaken tooth enamel and leaves the teeth open to staining. Drinking water after eating fruit helps.

Berries – Many berries will causes stains, at least on some people’s teeth. Drinking water, or mixing the berries with yoghurt, will greatly reduce the issue.

Red wine– The health benefits of wine have been debated for years. But the resveratrol and antioxidants so appear to be healthy.

Yet red wine can cause red stains on teeth, or in some cases a dull grey stain. Drinking water afterwards will help.

Curry – The tumeric in curry is healthy, fighting inflammation and cognitive decline. But it will cause yellow stains on teeth. Combining raw fruits and vegetables will reduce he issue.

Vinegar – Balsamic vinegar and other type will be harsh on teeth and lead to staining. As always, drinking water afterwards will reduce the harm.

Preventing Damage – Newington Dental

Sugar-free gum after meals will reduce the effects of most food and drinks. Plain water is also beneficial.
Never brush too soon after eating. This causes damage as the food and drink has softened the enamel. The softened enamel is brushed away by the toothbrush. Instead, wait 30 minutes before brushing.

Newington Dental

Teeth should look great and function well. Talk to us, and have the healthy mouth and smile that you deserve.

Dental Dundas Braces

We tend to think of braces as the way to get straight teeth, which are more attractive. And this is quite true. But there is more here than just appearances. Teeth are straightened for functional reasons as well as aesthetic.

Dundas Dental – Improved Bite

Ideally our jaws should neatly align. The top front teeth should be slight over the bottom front teeth, and each of the side teeth on the top and bottom should neatly align.

Many people have slightly less than perfect bites, the jaws not perfectly aligning. Often this is so slight that it does not matter. But if the misalignment is too pronounced there may be problems. Misaligned teeth tend to wear very unevenly, and this can cause damaged teeth and saw jaws over time. It is best to align teeth early on, to prevent damage from occurring over time.

Cleaning Issues

If the teeth are evenly spaced and the jaws well aligned the teeth will be easier to clean; there will be few spaces for food to be trapped. This means teeth and gums, being easy to floss, will tend to be much healthier.

Dundas Dental Old Patient Braces

Braces are a rite of passage for many teens, and they benefit from the results, neat functional attractive teeth, for the rest of their adult life. But some adults also have braces, because their teeth were not satisfactorily straightened when they were younger. A few adults with crooked teeth manage to avoid braces by using Invisalign instead. But braces might be needed in situations where more complex straightening is needed. Jaw alignment, for example, will require braces rather than Invisalign.

Dental Dundas

Braces give us neat teeth that function well. We can have braces as an adult, but having braces as a teenager means we receive the benefits earlier.