Magee Dental Surgery: Camberwell, Victoria 3124

Dental information -Special topics- Accidents Anorexia Arthritis Bad breath Bisphosphonates Bleeding gums Boot camp for kids Braces Bruxism Burning mouth & tongue Burning mouth & tongue Cancer treatment Caries Chewing gum Cleaning kids teeth Crowns Decay Dentures Diabetes Diet and Acid erosion Drinks Dry mouth Dummies Eating disorders Endodontic treatment Erosion Erosion Eruption dates Fluoride Genetics and gums Geographic tongue Gingivitis Grinding Heart Risks Hormones Implants Infection control Jaw pain Joint pain Knocked out tooth Lichen planus Morning sickness Mouthguard Info Mouthguards Musican's mouths Oral health rating Orthodontics Osteonecrosis Osteoporosis Periodontal disease Porcelain veneers Pregnancy advice Radiation therapy Radiographs Research pain paper Research to help gaggers Root canal treatment Scaling and cleaning Sensitive teeth Smoking Sports drinks Sterilization Stroke Risks Teething (babies) Thumb sucking TMJ TMJ pain Tongue piercing Tooth brushes Tooth mousse Toothpaste Trauma Trigeminal neuralgia Unreal pain Veneers Vitamin C When teeth grow Whitening teeth Wisdom teeth Xerostomia X-rays

Accidents
What do you do if a tooth is knocked out?
Anorexia
Eating disorders can have serious dental consequences. Dentists can be part of the team who helps with your health while you deal with the eating disorder.
Arthritis
Is there anything that would help me?
Bad breath
Read some odd research on this common problem
Bisphosphonates
These medications used in cancer and osteoporosis treatment are a real concern to dentists. Find out why and let the dentist know if you are taking these drugs.
Bleeding gums
When you clean your teeth and your gums bleed should you be concerned?
Boot camp for kids
Are your kids ready for a fun challenge? The ADA has a web site just of them. You can start your kid's Bootcamp program anytime-just click on the first day and get them started with Day One's Basic Training.
Braces
Orthodontics seems so common today. When should I have my child checked out for braces?
Bruxism
Bruxism or wearing down your teeth from grinding is not uncommon. Other symptoms are more common in bruxers. What?
Burning mouth & tongue
Burning mouth: You should be confused because we are !
Burning mouth & tongue
A tongue or mouth with burning sensation is not uncommon. This condition is linked to certain ages and stages in life.
Cancer treatment
Remembering to keep your mouth and gums healthy before and during treatment for cancer is very important
Caries
Caries or decay is a disease caused by bacteria. Diet and prevention are linked to successfully managing this disease.
Chewing gum
Chewing gum can help prevent and heal teeth - if you make the right choice.
Cleaning kids teeth
Help avoid the 'bathroom' fights morning and night!
Crowns
Should you have a filling or a crown? What is involved and how will you benefit?
Decay
Getting holes in your teeth is preventable. Become informed so you can make a difference.
Dentures
How do you live well with new dentures? Hints and suggestions for success
Diabetes
What should you do 'dentally' if you have diabetes? What about the gums and diabetes?
Diet and Acid erosion
Diet and erosion: cause and combating!
Drinks
Acid and sugar content of drinks is a great concern in looking after your teeth for a long life. Find out what sort of damage may occur - even with diet drinks.
Dry mouth
Medications and illness can dry our mouths. Find out our hints for relief.
Dummies
Sucking is natural for babies and it is comforting. Will that dummy affect my babies teeth later in life?
Eating disorders
Anorexia and bulimia may be seen by a dentist before any other health professional. Find out why the teeth are affected.
Endodontic treatment
A 'dead' tooth causes pain and needs to have endodontic treatment. It sounds very complex. Find out what and why the inside of the tooth is treated.
Erosion
Are you wearing your teeth down or out! What causes erosion and how do you make sure this insidious condition doesn't cost you money.
Erosion
Are you wearing your teeth down or out! What causes erosion and how do you make sure this insidious condition doesn't cost you money.
Eruption dates
When should teeth start to grow? Is it better for teeth to be early or late?
Fluoride
This is added to water supplies to help prevent tooth decay. Why shouldn't you remove it with your water filter?
Genetics and gums
Largest study ever using genetic testing to help with gum health
Geographic tongue
Do you have a 'road map' in your mouth? Geographic tongue affects up to 4% of the population.
Gingivitis
The most common infection dentists see is gingivitis. It is preventable and treatable.
Grinding
Don't wear away your teeth. Night grinding is a real problem.
Heart Risks
Research is becoming clearer and showing gum disease is linked to heart attacks.
Hormones
At different stages of life different hormones affect our gums.
Implants
The newest major change to dentistry has been the ability to replace teeth. Dental implants may be an option if you have a missing tooth or dentures that are always loose.
Infection control
You need to know that the dental surgery is concerned with your general health and safety. Infection control is how we make sure we don't share 'bugs'.
Jaw pain
My teeth don't ache but my face does. Should I see a doctor or a dentist?
Joint pain
Does it 'click' when you open your jaw. Find out why.
Knocked out tooth
Emergency help - you need to act quickly.
Lichen planus
Lichen planus is a common disease of the skin and mouth. Why, how and what?
Morning sickness
If you suffer from this it is important to take our advice so you don't cause long term tooth damage.
Mouthguard Info
New ADA information resources for sports clubs
Mouthguards
Be safe when you play sport. A mouthguard can save 1,000's of dollars.
Musican's mouths
Did you know that people who play musical instruments and sing are prone to certain types of mouth and face pain?
Oral health rating
New studies rank Aussies 1st or 2nd in nine different oral health indicators when compared to UK, USA and Germany
Orthodontics
When should my child have orthodontics, why and what?
Osteonecrosis
This is a rare but serious condition of the jaw bone. The symptoms and risk factors are discussed.
Osteoporosis
If you have osteoporosis you may be taking medications which the dentist needs to know about. Find out why.
Periodontal disease
80% of Australians have this disease in some form. Be informed to reduce its impact in your mouth
Porcelain veneers
Fine coatings of porcelain can cover defects in teeth and make them look stunning and perfect again.
Pregnancy advice
Cravings, morning sickness, bleeding gums and how do I have a healthy baby?
Radiation therapy
How can I maintain the health of my teeth and gums while I have radiation therapy? Loss of appetite, dry mouth and nausea!
Radiographs
Why do dentists want to take radiographs of teeth? Can't they just look around your mouth for holes?
Research pain paper
German brain scan research gives new insight into dental pain
Research to help gaggers
Having pressure applied to the palm of the hand can reduce gagging
Root canal treatment
The inside of the tooth root is treated by dentists. Find out what and why and how of root canal treatment.
Scaling and cleaning
Removing buildup around the teeth may not be a favorite part of the dental visit. Why does it matter and what causes the buildup?
Sensitive teeth
Ice-cream -ouch. Cold water -ouch. Find relief from sensitive teeth.
Smoking
You know it affects your lungs but why is your dentist talking about gum damage and smoking?
Sports drinks
Sports drinks are great for rehydrating but terrible for teeth. Find the sensible balance.
Sterilization
Your health is important so we take extra special precautions to keep you safe.
Stroke Risks
Gum health and strokes have been linked. Prevent the risk of strokes with healthy gums?
Teething (babies)
What is normal? When should teeth come through? How can I survive as a parent?
Thumb sucking
What is worse - thumb or dummy? Will they ruin my childs teeth and mean we will need braces later in life?
TMJ
My dentist said I have TMJ problems. What does that mean and how can it be fixed?
TMJ pain
My face aches and my teeth ache on BOTH sides of my face. Why?
Tongue piercing
Is tongue piercing dangerous to teeth or is it all a rumor spread by old people?
Tooth brushes
Which toothbrush do I need? Soft? Hard? Electric? Some hints on what to look for and how to decide what you should do.
Tooth mousse
Prevention of dental caries is important to Aussie's
Toothpaste
Low dose children's toothpaste does little to protect against decay
Trauma
Find out what to do if you have a tooth accident. Quick and correct action is very important.
Trigeminal neuralgia
What is trigeminal neuralgia? What is the cause and how is it treated?
Unreal pain
It's not a 'normal' toothache. What is it and how can we make it go away.
Veneers
Appearance is important and veneers are an option for making your teeth look better.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is not just good to stop colds and flu.
When teeth grow
When should teeth come through? What is 'normal'?
Whitening teeth
Please make my teeth whiter! How do you do that?
Wisdom teeth
Everyone seems to be getting their wisdom teeth out and you want to know what's going on! Do you have any wisdom teeth and will they need to be removed?
Xerostomia
A dry mouth is uncomfortable and causes tooth decay. The things you need to know.
X-rays
Is taking xrays really necessary in your mouth if you don't have any pain or discomfort?

Magee Dental Care
575 Riversdale Rd
Camberwell 3124
Ph 9882 4444
Information sheet from www.mageedentalcare.com

Erosion – Are you wearing down?

What is dental erosion?
How is erosion caused?
Why haven't I heard about erosion before?
Can erosion be fixed or stopped?

NEW research 2009: Cleaning your car can be bad for your teeth
A recent study in Sweden investigated the cause of tooth damage in workers who recondition cars. They found that workers all were exposed to an alkaline degreaser. These chemicals are not acidic, which is what is typically identified with tooth damage, but very alkaline. The alkaline degreasers are used in the food industry, among other things to clean professional kitchens, but are also common in car care industry and to remove vandalism painting.
The damaged teeth were more suseptible to decay and other damage.

What is dental erosion?
It is where we start loosing the tooth layers (particularly the outer enamel layer). This becomes a problem when we start to get teeth that

• Look too short
• Sensitivity occurs
• Nerves in the teeth die (require endodontic treatment)
• We are going to live longer than our teeth!

How is erosion caused?
This is an age - wear and tear problem. A particularly harsh diet (lots of non-refinded food) could cause it. In Western society it is more likely to occur because of acids. These can be:  1. External acids (most commonly) or 2.Internal acids

1. External Acids ( introduce to your mouth)
   Dietary:  soft drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices, cordial, chewable vitamin c tablets, vinegar and pickles
   Industrial /occupational/lifestyle: wine assessment, acid vapors in industrial settings, improperly chlorinated swimming pools and spas
   Pharmaceutical: Vitamin C, frequent aspirin use, some iron tonics, some cough medicines, some mouth rinses, asthma medication
2. Internal Acids (within us) can also cause damage.
   There are many conditions that cause vomiting or regurgitation. E.g. Morning sickness, gastric reflux, hiatus hernia, bulimia, alcoholism

Why haven't I heard about it before?
For some people it is a problem but for many people it is not. Different things that are important in whether you have this as a problem are:

1. Saliva: people with dry mouths are at greater risk. Sports people need to be particular aware of dehydration. Distance swimmers and rowers need to be virulent.
2. Acid in your diet: Some acid foods don’t seem to be a problem because other aspects modify the erosive potential. Mature red wine is less erosive than young red or white wines and yogurt has a ph of about 4 but doesn’t show erosive effects in most people.Cooking methods can affect the erosion potential of foods.
3. Time and frequency of acid contact: The more frequent the acid contact and the greater the length of time then the greater the damage. If the acid effect is then followed by a mechanical effect the damage will be greater.e.g. brushing teeth after vomiting.

Can erosion be fixed or stopped? (random suggestions)

• Remove the acid from the diet
• Cheese or drinking water at the end of a meal helps restore the mouth.
• Try acid drinks through a straw to minimalise tooth contact. Avoid frequent consumption of acid drinks between meals.
• Use a bicarb rinse after vomiting.rinse mouth with water. Put toothpaste onto your tongue to fresh your mouth - brushing teeth that have just been exposed to acid will cause MORE tooth loss. Use a bicarb rinse.
• Find an alternative to chewing Vitamin C tablets.
• Seek treatment for gastric reflux
• Chew sugar free chewing gum to reduce a dry mouth.

Cooking method can affect erosion
Researchers at the University of Dundee have discovered that different methods of cooking vegetables can vary their effects on dental erosion. A new study led by Dr Graham Chadwick from the School of Dentistry, found that oven-roasted ratatouille was significantly more acidic than the traditional stewed version of the dish (Chadwick R G. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2006; 14: 28-31).
The research was based on reports that a vegetarian diet may give more risk of dental erosion due to the acidic nature of a large number foods involved, including fruit and vegetables. Ratatouille is a popular vegetarian dish made from tomatoes, onions, aubergines, courgettes and red and green peppers, and can be either stewed on a stove-top or oven roasted. The team looked to see whether the cooking method had any effect on its final acidity and therefore its potential for contributing to dental erosion.
Although ratatouille is always acidic, oven roasting was found to increase the acidity of the dish to the point where it was equivalent to some carbonated drinks. 'The finding that cooking method has an impact on the acidity of food is an interesting and useful tool for dentists when advising patients on ways to reduce their chances of dental erosion,' said Dr Chadwick.
The Dundee team also looked at whether the cooking method had an impact on individual vegetables and fruits. They found that there was no effect on the acidity of tomatoes or onions, but roasting resulted in more acidic aubergines, green peppers and courgettes. Red peppers were found to be more acidic when stewed.British Dental Journal (2006); 200, 545. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4813650

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