Blog

Every August marks the Australian Dental Association’s annual oral health promotion event and which aims to educate and encourage Australians to look after their dental health. This year the campaign focuses on a new initiative to track oral health here in Australia. It is tempting to think that most Australians have pretty good oral health, but unfortunately, this isn’t the reality. Some 65% of the population hasn’t seen a dentist in the last two years. Around half the population only brush their teeth once a day, and nearly 40% never floss. Nearly three-quarters of young people eat too many sugary foods.

These are worrying facts that we would love to change. Our practice is warm and friendly, and we particularly welcome people who haven’t been to the dentist for a while, perhaps because of dental fears or phobias. With the proper care, we can help people overcome these feelings and provide education on the best way to look after teeth.

The good news is that once you have healthy teeth, maintenance is easy with these tips:

• Visit us regularly for checkups and cleans
• Brush your teeth at least twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste
• Floss daily, but if you hate flossing let us show you how easy it can be
• Eat a healthy diet and limit your sugar consumption

We have designed a Find a Word which contains ten hidden toothy terms. If your child hasn’t tried it yet, ask us for a copy at your next visit.

Word searches are just one way we engage with kids, and we find these tools can help them to learn about good oral care from a young age. Our dental practice is passionate about educating our younger patients, and we are always introducing new, interesting ways for them to learn. Although good dental care is important, kids are much more open to learning when it is entertaining too, and they are far more likely to remember the serious message in that activity.

Our team also works directly with kids and can show your child the best way to brush and floss their teeth, so they grow up using the best and most effective techniques from the beginning. We will explain why good dental care is so important and can help your child build good oral care routines that we hope will last for life. When children are educated in the proper way to look after their teeth, they are more likely to grow up viewing dental visits as just routine, and hopefully will see our practice as somewhere enjoyable to visit.

Right now, we are holding a colouring competition for our younger patients and have already received some beautiful entries. If your child hasn’t entered yet, ask us for an entry form during your next visit or pop into our dental practice any time. We will be announcing the lucky prize winner in a later edition of our eNewsletter.

Colouring competitions are just one way our dental practice engages with our younger patients, and we work hard ensuring each dental visit is fun and entertaining for little ones. We firmly believe dental visits should be as much fun for children as possible, and that dental treatment certainly shouldn’t be scary!

We love seeing young children and especially teaching them how to care for their mouth. Our experienced dental team can show your child how to brush and floss properly, so they grow up knowing the correct techniques right from the start. Equally importantly, we can explain why good dental care is crucial for a healthy mouth, using terminology that is easy for a young child to understand. When children have a positive experience in the dental chair, they are more likely to grow up with healthy, strong teeth and without any fears or phobias. Receiving the right dental care now can make all the difference to your child enjoying a lifetime of good dental health.

Getting your kids off to school in the mornings can be a rush, and unfortunately, many children will head off to school without a clean, healthy mouth. Worryingly, more than a few children begin their school lives with tooth decay, a completely avoidable disease.

Here are some simple steps to make sure your child’s teeth receive top marks:

• Brush their baby teeth as soon as they come through. Book your child’s first dental appointment by age 1 to check everything is okay. You’ll also get lots of helpful advice from us on how to care for your child’s teeth.
• Make sure your child brushes their teeth for two minutes twice a day, preferably first thing in the morning and last thing at night using fluoride toothpaste. Supervise your child until you are confident that they can be trusted to brush for the full two minutes, usually around age 7.
• Let your child choose a toothpaste flavour they like, but make sure it is fluoridated and preferably has the seal of approval from the Australian Dental Association.
• They can also choose their toothbrush, but ensure it has a small head and soft bristles, and replace it regularly.

We’ve all heard the saying you are what you eat, and this certainly applies to your dental health. Sugary foods like fizzy drinks and sweets will all contribute to tooth decay. Try to include at least some of these healthy, tooth-friendly foods in your diet.

Cheese

Cheese is great for teeth because it increases the pH level in your mouth, and just chewing cheese increases saliva flow. Cheese also contains lots of protein and calcium, both of which can strengthen your tooth enamel.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt is another food that is high in calcium and protein, and the probiotics found in certain yoghurt products can also benefit your gum health. If you do like yoghurt, choose sugar-free plain yoghurt and if you want to sweeten it, add some fresh fruit.

Leafy Greens

Your mum was right when she told you to eat up your greens because they are packed full of vitamins and minerals and are low-calorie too. Choose greens such as kale and spinach because they also contain calcium and folic acid, which has lots of health benefits.

Crunchy Fruits and Veggies

Crunchy fruits and vegetables have a high fibre and water content, which helps to wash away excess food particles and to scrub your teeth slightly. Also, they are an excellent source of vitamins.

Preschoolers love to learn new things, so this is a fun activity that will get them thinking about the importance of looking after their teeth, all while learning their alphabet.

1. Find a simple cartoon drawing of a mouth on the internet and which has big white teeth. Print out the drawing and laminate it.
2. Search for letter cards online, and you can find tooth-oriented cartoon letters! Print out the letters and laminate them. You don’t have to do this step, but it does make the activity more enjoyable.
3. Use a dry-erase marker to write letters on the teeth. Your toddler can call out the letters on the teeth and can erase each letter as they say it. Alternatively, they can find the correct letter card before cleaning the tooth. The game continues until all the teeth are clean, shiny and white.

You can easily create a similar game for numbers, using a large printout of a mouth and numbering the teeth. Make some pretend teeth from playdoh and roll the dice to see where to place each playdoh tooth.

If so, you’re not alone. An estimated one in eight people experiences tooth sensitivity during the colder weather. Sometimes increased tooth sensitivity is linked to other problems like untreated tooth decay or teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism). However, sometimes, there are other reasons as the temperature changes can affect your tooth structure.

Although everyone is different the most common symptom for sensitive teeth is a sudden, sharp flash of pain when teeth are exposed to cold air, sweet, acidic or hot foods or if the enamel is worn down causing the dentin in the teeth to be exposed.

Your tooth dentine is made up of tiny hollow tubes, surrounding the tooth nerve. These microscopic fractures allow cold sensations to penetrate the tubes, reaching the tooth nerve and creating sensitivity.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity and are not sure of the reason or would like further information or treatments,  we highly recommend you book in with one of our dentists at One Smile to help discuss further and see how we can help you.

Mouth ulcers can be extremely painful, and if you suffer from them frequently, it’s possible you may have a vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin is responsible for making red blood cells, and it helps release energy from food and keeps your nervous system healthy. When you don’t have enough vitamin B12, your body can produce red blood cells that are too large, and which won’t function properly. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also linked to anaemia, where people don’t have enough red blood cells or have a low amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell.

A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause several symptoms, one of which is mouth ulcers. Other signs include feeling extremely tired or having a lack of energy, or noticing your tongue is sore and red. If it’s possible you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Otherwise, some of the symptoms can be irreversible when you are deficient in this vitamin for too long. Good sources of vitamin B12 include eggs, meat, dairy products and fish, and you’ll also find it in fortified breakfast cereals.

Winter is here and with it the colder temperatures, but this season, don’t let the cold affect your oral health. Follow our easy tips to help keep your mouth in perfect condition.

1. Chapped Lips

Treat yourself to a good quality lip salve with a high SPF and use it frequently. Additionally, make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.

2. Cold Sores

Cold sores can appear with the colder weather and are often a sign of a weakened immune system. Try not to touch your mouth too frequently, and if you do feel a cold sore developing, immediately apply a topical cream to help fight the infection.

3. Tooth Sensitivity

It’s very common to find your teeth feel more sensitive in colder weather or when you eat cold foods. If you do have tooth sensitivity, visit One Smile for a checkup, just to make sure it’s not caused by tooth decay or gum disease. Otherwise, try using toothpaste for sensitive teeth which can be extremely effective.

4. Tooth Decay

It’s tempting to indulge in richer and sweeter comfort foods during the colder months, but this can increase your risk of cavities. Make sure your winter diet includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and sugar-free dairy products like cheese and natural yoghurt that are high in calcium.

Our entire dental team would like to offer you a very warm welcome to our first ever eNewsletter. We have had a lot of fun deciding what to include and hope you enjoy its contents.

Why an eNewsletter?

Often, we won’t see some of our patients for six months until it is time for their regular checkups. With your permission, an eNewsletter is an easy way for us to stay in touch with you in between your visits. We can update you on any new developments or treatments available here at One Smile. Also, you’ll find short, informative articles about other dental health matters and which include some useful tips. Our monthly recipe is seasonally oriented and is carefully selected for tastiness, so why not give it a go?

Your Family Oriented Dental Practice

Our patients are always our top priority, and you can rely on us to look after your family’s dental needs. We offer a comprehensive choice of dental treatments including preventative, general and cosmetic dentistry care. All three locations offer late-night appointments, and our Knox clinic opens seven days a week. When you need us, we are here to care for you.