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

Temporomandibular disorders

What are TMJ or TMD?
Causes of TMD
Symptoms
How we diagnose TMD
Treatment
Ways to minimise problems with TMD
Splints

What are TMJ or TMD?
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a term used to include a number of disorders characterised by pain in or around the jaws joints. The problems are thought to be quite common, although only a small proportion of patients seek treatment. Adolescents and young adults are most commonly affected, though the symptoms can occur at any age.

Causes include

• injury, such as a blow to the face or car accident,
• biting on hard food
• prolonged mouth opening such as during a long dental appointment or a general anaesthetic.

Tooth clenching or grinding, especially at night, can also lead to its development. Some patients, however, are unable to identify any particular cause. Anxiety, stress and depression can also be significant factors in the development and progression of TMD.

Symptoms
The main complaint is usually jaw pain or difficulty with jaw movement, including jaw locking. Some patients have clicking of the joint, although many people with clicking jaw joints do not have pain. Other symptoms include earache, a ringing in the ears, a blocked sensation in the ears or dizziness. There may also be headaches and neck and shoulder pain. The pain is usually constant and not particularly severe though it may vary in severity over a period of time. It does not usually prevent sleep or interfere with daily activities, The pain may be episodic, can last from days to years and may recur.

How we diagnose the problem
Sometimes the way you bring the problem to us makes the diagnosis quite straight forward. However there may be cases where it is important to have a thorough examination, which should include assessment of the muscles of the head and neck and jaw, measurement of jaw movements and evaluation of any joint noises. A dental cause needs to be excluded. The teeth should be examined to identify any wear caused by grinding or any tooth interferences which might be affecting the bite. X-rays are useful in case of degenerative conditions of the joints and any other pathology in the jaws.

Treatment
Physiotherapy and jaw exercises can be helpful. Counselling and/or medication are indicated if anxiety, stress or depression are involved. Life-style changes which include relaxation, regular exercise and yoga are helpful for some patients. Other less commonly used treatments include acupuncture and biofeedback. Changes to the teeth and bite are not generally helpful unless an obvious bite interference or poor bite relationship are present. If back teeth are missing and causing a loss of jaw support, this is an indication for their replacement. Rarely, if pain and jaw limitation are persistent and there is clear evidence of degenerative changes on X-rays, joint surgery

Ways to minimise problems with TMJ and promote healing
Injuries to jaw joints and muscles are quite common and usually resolve with rest. Often the condition resolves spontaneously. It is very difficult to voluntarily rest jaw joints and muscles, especially as jaw movements often occur during sleep. During waking hours, however, it is possible to minimise activity and the simple guide-lines below allow you to avoid those jaw movements which might re-injure your joints, muscles or ligaments. Just as you would rest and support a twisted ankle, so it is necessary to reduce the load placed on your chewing muscles and joints.

1. For the next few months, cut all foods into small, bite-sized pieces and chew the food on your back teeth. Do not bite any food with your front teeth.
2. Do not eat hard crusts of bread, tough meat, hard raw vegetables or nuts or any food that requires prolonged chewing.
3. Do not use chewing gum.
4. Try to avoid opening your mouth wider than the thickness of your thumb. Support your lower jaw whilst yawning.
5. Always try to open your jaw in a hinge or arc motion.
6. Avoid protruding your jaw as, for example, when biting off a piece of bread, during conversation or when applying lipstick.
7. Should you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth together, try to remember to keep your lips together and your teeth apart.
8. Try to breath through your nose at all times and to hold your head upright and keep your shoulders back.
9. Try to sleep on your back. If you must sleep on your side, ensure that you have adequate pillow support between your shoulder and head. Do not sleep on your jaw. Restful sleep is essential - discuss sleep problems with your doctor.
10. Realise that jaw/muscle problems are psycho-physiological in nature, related to injury and stress. Reduction of stress in your life will be of great benefit. Counselling for stress-management, and occasionally medications, may be of benefit.
11. It may be necessary for you to wear a plastic splint on your teeth during sleep, which is equivalent to using a walking stick or a crutch for a twisted ankle. The injured joint(s) and associated muscles can then be given some rest and healing can occur.

Splints
An occlusal splint is a custom-made mouthguard-like device which is worn over the upper or lower teeth at night. It is particularly helpful when a clenching or grinding habit is present. The splint may need to be worn for several months and may be helpful indefinitely if a long-term grinding habit is present.

 

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