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We fully believe that good dental care should start early, and getting children into a regular routine is important, especially as their adult teeth start to erupt. Below are some easy dental health tips to help ensure your kid develops a beautiful, healthy smile.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste for Children Aged six and Older

Unless we recommend otherwise, use a small pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth thoroughly. Ensure your child learns to spit out the excess rather than swallow it. Once they finish brushing, they shouldn’t rinse their mouth as this leaves a thin layer of fluoride coating their teeth, giving more protection against tooth decay.

Brush Twice Daily

Dental plaque continually builds up over teeth and can cause cavities unless removed. It’s essential to ensure your kid brushes their teeth at least twice a day using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head that can reach right to the back of the mouth. Gently brush their teeth right down to the gumline using small circular motions. Children generally need help brushing their teeth until they are seven or eight. Daily flossing is also important, and children generally need help with flossing until they are ten years old and develop enough dexterity to complete this task.

If Travelling 

If you’re travelling and need exceptional dental care for your child, Aesthetik Dental is the perfect choice. We provide gentle, expert care in a welcoming environment, ensuring your child’s comfort and wellbeing. Whether it’s a routine check-up, emergency treatment, or a preventive visit, our team is experienced in working with young patients, making their experience stress-free and positive. Conveniently located and offering high-quality, tailored care, we ensure your child’s dental health is in the best hands—even while you’re on the move.

Provide Water, Not Fruit Juice or Other Sweet Beverages

Tap water is always the best way for anyone to rehydrate, so ensure your child drinks plenty of plain water. They shouldn’t drink fruit juice or other sweet drinks as these contain high amounts of sugar, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Encouraging your child to eat whole fruit that contains valuable nutrients plus fibre is far better.

Limit Consumption of Sugary Foods

Everyone knows that sugary foods increase the risk of cavities, so limit your child’s consumption of biscuits, lollies, cakes and other sweet treats. When they have something sweet, give it to them as part of their main meal when the risk to dental health is reduced compared to snacking on these foods between meals.

Provide Healthy Snacks

Busy kids often need to top up their energy levels, so ensure a range of healthy snacks is available. These include sugar-free dairy products like yoghurt and cheese, both of which are excellent sources of protein and calcium. Fruits and veggies deliver important vitamins and minerals for general health and development.

Purchase a Custom-Made Mouthguard for Sporty Kids

If your child loves playing sports, especially where there is a risk of dental injury, ask us about a custom-fitted mouthguard. A custom sports mouthguard provides the very best level of protection for their teeth, gums and jaws, and most importantly, it’s comfortable to wear and neutral tasting, so they are far more likely to use it.

Finally, ensure your child comes to see us regularly for dental checkups and cleans. Regular preventive dentistry is the best way to ensure your child grows up with healthy teeth and an attractive smile and is free from dental fears and phobias. 

If you’ve noticed blood in the sink or on your toothbrush after you brush or floss your teeth, it’s a sign you shouldn’t ignore. Strong, healthy gums do not bleed, and one of the most common reasons for bleeding gums is gum disease. 

Gum Disease

Bleeding gums are one of the signs of early gum disease, a condition called gingivitis. Luckily, gingivitis is entirely reversible, usually by professionally cleaning your teeth. 

Afterwards, you will need to brush and floss your teeth meticulously to help them recover and gradually, they will stop bleeding.

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes can affect your gums, increasing their sensitivity to bacteria. As a result, your gums may swell and will bleed more easily, and which is a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. It’s important to see your dentist regularly during pregnancy, and we can help control these symptoms and offer other advice about how to care for your teeth while you are pregnant.

Medications

Sometimes specific medications such as aspirin and blood thinners can increase the likelihood of bleeding gums. It’s important to tell us if you take these medications so we can provide you with the proper treatment.

Have you noticed your teeth are more sensitive as the weather gets colder? It’s a common complaint. During colder weather, your teeth can contract slightly, potentially causing microcracks that slightly open whenever you bite down, and which can allow unwanted sensations to penetrate your tooth nerves.

Usually, your teeth are protected by tooth enamel, which covers the dentine underneath. Unlike enamel, dentine consists of microscopic tubules which can easily transmit the sensations of hot and cold to your tooth nerves. There are other reasons why your teeth could feel more sensitive and which include:

• Overusing tooth whitening agents that can wear down your enamel. If this is a problem, stop using the product immediately and ask us for help and advice.
• Tooth decay, as an untreated cavity or failing filling will allow cold sensations to penetrate the tooth easily.
• Periodontal or gum disease can expose your tooth roots which aren’t covered with protective tooth enamel, causing sensitivity.
• Brushing your teeth too vigorously can literally wear down your enamel.
• Bruxism or clenching and grinding can crack and wear down your teeth.

If you do have tooth sensitivity, it’s best to have a checkup in case you require dental treatment. Otherwise, using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help.

Studies conducted over the past few years show the close links between oral health and your immune system. We now know that when people neglect their oral health, it can detrimentally affect their immune system, increasing the risk of serious health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, dementia and respiratory diseases.

Most of these problems are a result of bacterial buildup in your mouth. The warm, moist environment of your mouth couldn’t be better for bacteria to thrive. Additionally, leftover food particles ensure these bacteria have plenty of nutrients. This is why it’s so important to brush and floss daily. 

People who fail to look after their dental health can soon develop gum disease, a bacterial infection that gradually destroys gum tissue, causing gums to bleed readily. As the gums bleed, they allow mouth bacteria to enter the bloodstream, prompting an immune response as the body tries to fight this new source of infection. In the short term, this immune response won’t do any harm, but when it occurs continually, it can cause other health problems.

We are passionate about preventative dentistry and encourage everyone to visit us regularly and to brush at least twice a day and floss once-a-day.

Dental tools, including toothbrushes, have been around far longer than you imagine. Archaeologists have discovered evidence of simple toothbrushes dating back to 3500 BC when the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians used sticks that were chewed until fibres formed on one end, making a makeshift toothbrush. Later, people learned to use a herbal chewing stick called Miswak, which had antiseptic and healing qualities. 

Around 1500, dentists in China discovered that hairs plucked off the backs of pigs could be inserted into animal bones or bamboo sticks to make a primitive toothbrush. Other variations of toothbrushes included porcupine quills and boar bristles, and even bird feathers.

The Invention of the Modern Toothbrush

The invention of the modern toothbrush is attributed to William Addis, who began making toothbrushes while in prison using bones and bristles. After his release, William created a version using cow hair tied to a cow bone before eventually creating versions that could be mass-produced and sold worldwide.

The Invention of the Daily Oral Care Routine

Nowadays, we all know we need to brush our teeth at least twice a day, but this simple routine only began a short while ago after soldiers fighting during the world wars were instructed to clean their teeth following strict oral care routines. Once they returned home, they bought this habit with them.

The First Nylon Toothbrush

During the first world war, toothbrush handles were made from celluloid, and it wasn’t until 1938 that DuPont introduced the first nylon bristles.

The First Electric Toothbrush

The first electric toothbrush was invented in Switzerland in 1939 and was originally meant for people who tended to over brushing teeth. However, electric toothbrushes weren’t introduced to the public until the 1960s.

Modern Toothbrushes

Now, there are multiple versions of electric toothbrushes available, including some that allow you to follow a toothbrushing routine on an app and which will even show you where you need to brush more thoroughly. If you wish, you can spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy electric toothbrush that will alert you if you are brushing too hard, tell you when it’s time to change your toothbrush head and have multiple settings for different brushing routines. These routines include those designed for gum health, tooth whitening, or normal or deeper cleans.

Kids can have their own electric toothbrushes, in bright colours or shaped like their favourite cartoon figures and some of which will play a song making it easy to brush for the full two minutes each time.

However, even if you buy a top-of-the-range electric toothbrush, it will not work well unless you use it properly and regularly. You still need to spend the full two minutes or longer brushing your teeth thoroughly and methodically at least twice daily. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a toothbrush, then there is no need, and even a manual brush will work just as well when used correctly. If you are interested in learning more about which toothbrush to use, please ask us for help and advice.

Leaving a tooth out for the Tooth Fairy in exchange for cash is a time-honoured tradition, but the costs of paying for newly shed teeth can mount up fast, even for magical beings. While we are in a cost-of-living crisis, it can be hard for a Tooth Fairy to justify paying out a lot of money, especially when a child still has several more teeth to lose shortly. A recent study discovered that payments from the Tooth Fairy have decreased by 10% over the past five years. The UK-based study surveyed 5000 parents and found the payments varied tremendously, from just a pound or two right up to ten pounds in the wealthier areas of London. 

The survey also questioned what the money is spent on, and over a third of parents replied that their children would buy sweets, which would definitely bring a frown to the Tooth Fairy’s face. Just under a third of children spent their money on toys, while just over a fifth decided to save their money. Far fewer spent their money on books, and only 5% spent it on clothes. Sadly some children never get to experience the fun of having the Tooth Fairy visit.

As a family-oriented dental practice, we generally find that the Tooth Fairy has an important role to play in dental health. Children who are visited by the Tooth Fairy each time they lose a tooth are also more likely to take their dental health seriously. Knowing they will get a visit from the Tooth Fairy encourages these children to brush their teeth more thoroughly, thus avoiding tooth decay. Knowing about the Tooth Fairy helps build a positive view of dentistry and can help reduce childhood fears and phobias about seeing the dentist in some children.

Most children have a complete set of twenty baby teeth by age three. They begin losing these baby teeth, called milk or primary teeth, around age five or six. It can take six years or even longer before a child has their complete set of twenty-eight adult teeth firmly in place. The very last to arrive are wisdom teeth. These teeth don’t come through until at least the late teens, or during the early twenties or even later. 

If you have a young child due to a visit from the Tooth Fairy shortly, you might be trying to decide how much they should leave. However, while a gift of money is traditionally given, this doesn’t need to be the case, especially if the Tooth Fairy feels strapped for cash. An alternative might be a promise of a special day out, reading a child’s favourite story, doing another fun activity together, or cooking them a nice meal. If your child is a bit older, they may be ready to understand that the Tooth Fairy might not be real, but they might want to keep the pretence going for a bit longer with the promise of a gift. 

Getting older carries a higher risk of dental problems, including oral infections and tooth decay. Tooth loss is normally due to tooth infections and can make it significantly trickier to eat comfortably, so it is harder to chew certain foods, including those that are more nutritious and can negatively affect appearance. Complete tooth loss is less common in developed countries such as Australia, where many people have grown up with the benefit of improved oral health care. However, it can still frequently occur.

As we age, the risk of gum disease is also higher, which is a real concern. Not only can gum disease cause tooth loss, but it can also affect general health. Severe gum disease, called periodontitis, affects as many as two-thirds of the population over sixty-five. The bacteria that cause this disease can enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums. Once in the blood, they can travel throughout the body, potentially impacting heart health or increasing the risk of problems like diabetes, respiratory illnesses, or dementia. Sometimes people will need clearance from their dentist in preparation for heart treatment, especially heart valve replacements, and might need antibiotics if they have any signs of advanced periodontitis. 

Dry mouth or xerostomia is another frequent complaint when getting older. A lack of saliva is often a side effect of medications, and drier conditions in the mouth allow harmful bacteria to thrive, increasing the risk of dental diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease. 

How We Can Help Our Older Patients Maintain Good Oral Health 

If you are getting older, preventive dentistry is even more important for maintaining strong teeth and healthy gums and protecting overall health. We provide every patient with a preventive dental care plan that is continually adjusted as they age. It is designed to help you gain and maintain optimal oral health easily so you enjoy a healthy smile and protect your general health, even during older age. Regular dental checkups are especially important so we can monitor your oral health closely and provide any necessary treatment more quickly, making you less likely to suffer from tooth loss or more significant oral health problems. If you have issues like dry mouth, we can work with you to minimise its impact on oral health, perhaps by recommending more frequent hygiene appointments or using a saliva substitute to help your mouth feel moister and more comfortable. Our dental team can also work with you to ensure you have an excellent daily oral care routine and use the best toothbrush, toothpaste and flossing tools for your needs. 

You can help protect your dental health by eating healthily and avoiding too many sugary or starchy foods that could cause tooth decay. Instead, include plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein and whole grains in your diet, which will help protect your oral and general health. If you smoke, try to quit, as it greatly increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. 

Good oral health is important; practising good oral hygiene can help prevent common dental problems, including gum disease and tooth decay. This is because a proper oral care routine helps prevent the buildup of bacteria in dental plaque, a sticky biofilm continually forming over your teeth and gums. Taking care of your teeth can prevent premature loss and greatly enhance the chances that they will last for life. However, there is also a strong link between dental health and overall health. As we discover more about how the two are connected, it highlights the importance of good dental care.

How Can Oral Health Affect General Health?

While most people know that poor oral health will lead to tooth loss and can cause gum disease, not everyone realises it’s also linked to other general health problems. These health problems include cancer, heart disease, diabetes and dementia and rheumatoid arthritis. For example, if you have gum disease, it can increase your chances of developing serious health problems. If you already have problems with your general health, then developing gum disease could worsen them.

The connection is due to the bacteria found in dental plaque. Normally, if you practice good oral care, most plaque is removed when you brush and floss your teeth regularly, and these harmful bacteria are confined to your mouth. However, if you neglect to brush and floss regularly, these bacteria can infect and inflame your gums, causing them to bleed more readily. As they bleed, harmful bacteria can easily enter your bloodstream, where they can go on to create new sites of inflammation around the body. If you have diabetes, for example, these bacteria in your bloodstream can make it harder to maintain stable blood sugar levels. At the same time, uncontrolled diabetes can increase glucose levels in saliva, fueling the very bacteria that can cause gum disease and worsening this condition.

When you see our dentist, we can often tell quite a bit about your general health when we examine your mouth and may be able to detect early signs of disease. For example, diabetes can cause oral health problems like mouth sores, which can also be the case with other systemic diseases.

Did you know your saliva can reveal a lot about your dental health? Saliva testing can detect certain proteins and be useful when monitoring people with osteoporosis or checking cortisol levels.

These are just some reasons why we like to see our patients regularly, usually every six months. When you visit our practice for check-ups, we always like to review your medical history with you in case anything has changed so we can adjust your dental care plan if necessary. We will also do everything possible to help you gain and maintain good oral health between dental visits through dental education, and we can provide dietary advice if needed. By working together, we can keep your smile looking good and protect your general health at the same time. 

When considering oral health, you probably think about brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and visiting the dentist for check-ups and hygiene appointments. While these are important, other lifestyle factors, including sleep quality, can affect your oral health.

The quality of your sleep may be the last thing you have thought about when it comes to oral health, but getting a good night’s sleep ensures your body can rest and repair vital functions and helps reduce stress levels, helping protect your heart health. Poor quality sleep can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases, including those affecting your oral health. Below are just some of the ways sleep is linked to your oral health.

A Healthy Immune System Helps Fight Infection

A healthy immune system is essential for fighting infection and illness, including those caused by harmful bacteria in the mouth. When you have good quality sleep, your immune system produces proteins called cytokines that help fight infection. If you sleep poorly, your immune system is weakened, making it harder for your body to fight infections such as gum disease and tooth decay.

Sleep Apnoea 

Many people have a condition called obstructive sleep apnoea, where they have poor quality sleep and which is characterised by loud snoring where sufferers breathe through the mouth. It is caused when the throat muscles holding open the airway relax during sleep, allowing it to collapse inwards. As a result, the airway becomes partially blocked, and breathing ceases for several seconds. Sleep apnoea can affect sleep quality, negatively impacting the immune system, so it is less able to fight infection and disease. Sufferers are often unaware they have sleep apnoea unless a sleeping partner alerts them to their loud snoring, but they can wake up feeling ill-rested and continually tired.

Dry Mouth

Sleeping with your mouth open causes a condition called dry mouth or xerostomia. When the mouth becomes dry, it is more prone to infection and disease as saliva is a protective fluid that helps to keep your mouth clean and fresh. The risk of developing diseases like gum disease and tooth decay is higher when your mouth is drier.

Bruxism

Teeth grinding and clenching is a condition called bruxism and tends to be a nocturnal habit. It can be associated with sleep apnoea and causes considerable damage to dental health. People with bruxism can wear their teeth down to little more than stubs, and it can cause gum recession and problems with their jaw joints.

Ensuring You Get Good Quality Sleep Maintain Good Oral Health

Try to stop using phones, tablets or other technologies that emit blue light before you go to bed, and follow a regular routine at night to get eight hours minimum. Ensure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature and 18°C is thought to be ideal, and that it is a welcoming, relaxing environment that is sufficiently dark to go to sleep easily. Immediately before you go to bed, make sure you brush and floss your teeth thoroughly and avoid snacking. It can be helpful to keep a glass of water beside your bed so that if you wake up, you can take a sip and moisten your mouth.

Everyone visiting our dental practice always receives a warm welcome from our kind and caring staff. We have worked hard to create a relaxing environment so people can feel comfortable visiting us, but we realise this isn’t always enough. 

Many people feel a little bit of anxiety when visiting the dentist, but they can overcome these feelings to make that appointment to come and see us. Some people have deep-seated anxieties and fears, so even scheduling an appointment feels uncomfortable at best. Unfortunately, these fears can prevent them from seeking regular preventive dental care, and the only time they will come and see us is when they are in pain or discomfort and when it is so severe, they can no longer tolerate these feelings.

If you find visiting the dentist tricky or visits promote feelings of fear or anxiety, please talk to us as we can help. Listed below are some of the most common dental fears that we can help you overcome and include:

• Embarrassment about your teeth
• Fear of being in pain
• Fear of having injections
• Fear of not becoming numb
• Having a strong gag reflex
• Fear of the sights, sounds and smells in a dental practice
• Fear of not being in control
• A previous bad experience in the dental chair

Whatever your reason, we know how to help you. 

How We Can Help You Conquer Your Feelings

There is no need to feel embarrassed if it has been a while since you saw a dentist, as our dental team is kind, compassionate and respectful, and you can rest assured we never judge. There is no need to worry that dental care will feel painful, and please remember your initial appointment will only be a dental examination, and no treatment will be provided. However, if you come to see us with a dental emergency, we can provide immediate treatment to help relieve pain and discomfort. 

If you need treatment, we will explain exactly what will happen and allow plenty of time to answer your questions. Sometimes simply knowing more about a procedure and what to expect can be very reassuring. Some people also find deep breathing exercises can help them relax before seeing their dentist, or listening to music while in the dental chair is a great distraction.

Before any treatment begins, we will ensure that your mouth is comfortably numb, and we can use various techniques to ensure the injection feels pain-free, using topical gel to numb the injection site first. Slowly administering the injection is another technique to ensure it feels more comfortable.

During treatment, we will regularly check to make sure you feel okay for us to continue, and remember, you can stop treatment at any point just by raising your hand or using another prearranged signal. Knowing you can stop treatment can help conquer feelings of not being in control. If you feel particularly nervous or need lengthier treatment, we can discuss dental sedation to help you feel more comfortable.

The great thing about receiving dental care to restore dental health is that subsequent appointments should feel easier, especially as you have more positive experiences when visiting us.