Helpful hints and tips on how to prevent tooth decay and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Dental pain relief tips before you see the dentist It’s possible that dental pain and scary dentists feature more in movies than back pain and various ‘body workers’ such as physiotherapists, masseurs and chiropractors. Surely this comes from widely held fears and unpleasant memories of tooth ache? Understanding pain relief options Dental pain can come…
When to extract wisdom teeth When wisdom teeth grow nicely into place behind the second molars and are free of decay, there is no reason for removal. Problems come when they are impacted, which means they are angled in the jaw. As they try to erupt, or emerge from the gum, they push against the…
Keep tooth brushing fun for toddlers There is no reason why tooth brushing small children’s teeth should be a ‘big deal’ – unless they perceive that avoiding it or fighting it is a ‘big deal’ for parents! Aside from keeping it a stress-free ‘no fight zone’, there are few things to keep in mind. Getting…
Types of dental floss As with so many things these days, even dental floss comes in a confusing variety of forms. There’s waxed and unwaxed, flavoured or unflavoured, tape (ribbon), string and woven! And now there’s a vegan version which avoids bees wax. Waxed dental floss Studies suggest that waxed floss slides between the teeth…
What is RCT? Tooth ache is the stuff of nightmares! In many cases, a person in this amount of pain would happily be rid of the tooth completely. Take it out, now! Once the dentist has assessed the tooth, however, they may introduce the topic of root canal therapy, or RCT. Traditionally, (and in Hollywood…
Tooth sensitivity is no laughing matter! If just the thought of eating ice cream puts your teeth on edge, you already know what tooth sensitivity feels like. But what causes it? Most commonly, sensitivity results from the loss of the tooth’s normal protective mechanisms. Enamel is the hardest structure in the human body. It protects…
How it starts . . . Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. When gums are inflamed, they bleed easily when flossing or brushing, or even biting into an apple. Many of us have experienced this from time to time. It is easy to treat –if it’s just in one or two places, paying attention to…
Relationship between periodontitis and diabetes Type 2 Diabetes is considered to double the risk of periodontal disease compared with healthy individuals. Type II is the acquired diabetes associated with obesity. Other consequences of poorly managed Type II diabetes include heart and kidney disease, peripheral nerve damage and damage to other organs including the eyes. Diabetes…
Secret life of tooth enamel Tooth enamel consists of calcium and phosphate arranged in a crystal lattice – and is the hardest tissue in the human body. Sounds a lot like geology! And the common idea that it just wears, or erodes over time also sounds like the life of rocks. Demineralisation then remineralisation. .…
Not for every-tooth! Tooth whitening is a popular and readily available cosmetic procedure that is relatively non-invasive. Treatment choices range from take-home kits to speed whitening in the dental chair – or even in shopping malls. With all the various ads and promotions, you would be forgiven for thinking that all whitening products guarantee a…
Why do teeth move? Wolff’s law, coined in the 1800’s by German surgeon Julius Wolff, observes that bones adapt (change shape) according to forces acting upon them. And though teeth are not bone, they do sit within bone, and are subject to an array of forces. Normal forces that move teeth From lips and tongue:…
Electric toothbrush or manual for best results? Brushing technique is more important than whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush. It is possible to clean better with a manual brush used well than an electric one used poorly. Your dentist or hygienist can tell how well you are cleaning your teeth – and most importantly,…
