Genetics testing for gum health
Setp 2010
Largest study ever using genetic testing to help with gum health
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ADA DENTAL HEALTH WEEK
Aug 2010
Diet and erosion: cause and combating!
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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
Overs 60's
Medications
Dry mouth
Diabetes
Gum recession
Dentures
Arthritis
Bumps, lumps
and changes
How long will my teeth last?
There's no truth in the rumour that tooth loss is an inevitable part of aging. Today, treatment concentrates on prevention of dental disease. This means you can keep your teeth for life.
Medications,
pills and potions
Some medications which are
designed to "thin" the blood
(such as heart medications)
will effect dental treatment
such as teeth cleaning and
extraction's. Tell your dentist
which medications you're taking
so they can discuss with your
doctor the best treatment
for you.
Dry
Mouth
Are you taking high blood
pressure tablets, antidepressants
or anti-diuretics? These may
be causing the problem. Saliva
is important in the prevention
of tooth decay. It washes
away acids formed by plaque
which cause tooth decay. Don't
suck lollies to stimulate
saliva. Sugarless gum may
help, or an artificial saliva
replacement may help moisten
your mouth at mealtime's and
may make your mouth more comfortable
between meals. Ask your dentist
and they'll show you how to
prevent decay from occurring. For
more information...
Diabetes
Diabetes is very common.
Just as it's important for
diabetics to look after
their overall health, it's
very important for diabetics
to look after their oral
health. Some studies have
shown an increase in gum
disease in diabetics. If
you eat at odd times it
can be bad for your teeth.
For example, during the
night everyone has a decrease
in the quantity of saliva
within their mouth. This
means that the amount of
decay caused by night time
sugar intake is likely to
be far higher than at 5.00
pm when you have the most
saliva in your mouth. Please
discuss this with your dentist.
Gum recession
"Not necessarily the
recession Australia had to
have!"
Often as you get older your
gums recede making your teeth
appear longer."Getting
long in the tooth". Gum
recession means that the roots
of your teeth start showing
in your mouth. This root surface
may often be more sensitive
to cold, brushing and sometimes
hot substances. It's also
a darker colour than the top
or crown of the tooth and
it decays more readily.
The
causes of gum recession aren't
fully understood but include
genetics factors, poor teeth
cleaning (both insufficient
and too aggressive cleaning)
and trauma.
Dentures
If you have full dentures,
clean your mouth and dentures
after meals every day.
Use a toothbrush or denture
brush and clean all surfaces.
Use a toothbrush to clean
the roof of your mouth. This
helps remove "dead skin"
and helps avoid thrush -a
fungal overgrowth under your
denture.
As you grow older your mouth
changes shape. This may cause
loose or ill-fitting dentures.
Ask your dentist for help
to eliminate denture sore
spots.
Arthritis
Ask your dentist to recommend
and show you how to use an
electric toothbrush.
Why should your grandchildren
have all the fun!
Bumps, lumps
and changes
If you notice any bumps, lumps
or changes in your mouth or
if you have persistent ulcers
see your dentist.
Dentists are trained to look
for early signs of mouth cancer.
Have your mouth and dentures
checked by your dentist every
few years.
“So how long will my teeth last?”
Old age no longer means no natural teeth. A recent data watch survey in the Australian Dental Journal reported that the percentages of people who have no natural teeth (edentulsim) had declined in Australia in the years between 1979 and 2002. The 15 to 34 year age group virtually all had some natural teeth but about 36% of over 75 year olds are edentulist. The authors said the number of older people who are without natural teeth has less to do with health or diet but with a historical health perception. In the first half of last century, particularly between the 1920’s and the late 1940’s it was commonplace to extract all teeth. This occurred as a direct response to a theory called “focal infection”. It was postulated that dental decay and other oral diseases created a reservoir of bacteria that could spread through the body, causing a wide range of systemic disease. We have changed our thinking somewhat! It is postulated that as this generation die out we will have a situation where only 1% of Australians will have no natural teeth.
Read more in the Australian Dental Journal Vol 52, Number 2 June 2007.
Notes: