Home Tag: "Oral Health"

Tag: Oral Health

Oral Health Across Generations
28Mar

Maintaining good oral health is essential at every stage of life. From the moment a child’s first tooth erupts to the challenges of aging, each age group has unique dental needs. At The Smile Clinic, Dentist Wantirna understands the importance of providing specialised care tailored to individuals of all ages. Let’s explore some key considerations for oral health across generations.

Kids (Ages 0-12)

For children, establishing good oral hygiene habits early sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Parents should begin cleaning their baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth before the first tooth emerges. Once teeth appear, switch to a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste. As kids grow, teach them proper brushing and flossing techniques, and encourage regular dental checkups to monitor tooth development and address any concerns.

Teens (Ages 13-19)

Teenage years are a critical time for dental health, as hormonal changes and lifestyle factors can impact oral hygiene. Encourage teens to continue brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to floss daily. With the rise of sugary snacks and drinks, it’s essential to emphasise the importance of a balanced diet and limit consumption of cavity-causing foods and beverages. Regular dental visits are crucial for addressing orthodontic concerns, wisdom teeth development, and maintaining overall oral health.

Oral-Health

Adults (Ages 20-65+)

As adults juggle busy schedules and responsibilities, oral health can sometimes take a backseat. However, neglecting dental care can lead to various issues, including cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Adults should continue brushing and flossing diligently, aiming for at least two minutes of brushing each session. Additionally, be mindful of lifestyle habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, which can harm oral health. Routine dental checkups and cleanings are essential for catching problems early and preventing more significant issues down the road.

Seniors (Ages 65+)

As we age, our oral health needs evolve, making regular dental care even more critical. Seniors are more susceptible to conditions such as dry mouth, gum disease, and oral cancer. Medications can also affect oral health, causing dry mouth and increasing the risk of decay. Seniors should maintain good oral hygiene habits, including brushing, flossing, and using antimicrobial mouthwash. Regular dental visits are crucial for monitoring changes in oral health and addressing issues promptly.

In conclusion, oral health is vital at every stage of life. By understanding the unique needs of each age group and implementing appropriate preventive measures, individuals can enjoy healthy smiles for years to come. At The Smile Clinic, we’re dedicated to providing comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages, ensuring optimal oral health across generations. Schedule an appointment with us today and take the first step toward a lifetime of healthy smiles.

x-ray
17Feb

Nobody is super excited to go see the dentist, however, it is a necessary evil.  Your oral health has so many effects on your overall mental and physical health.  When we don’t like our smiles, our self-esteem is affected.  Furthermore, a crooked smile can lead to many issues, from being difficult to brush and remaining clean. Seeing your dentist every six months and cleaning your teeth daily is important to ensure that your oral health is in check.  Let’s take a look at some of the dental procedures explained in more detail. 

Teeth Cleaning

While you clean your teeth at home with a toothbrush, mouthwash, and floss, that isn’t enough.  You need to have your teeth professionally cleaned in order to ensure that everything is in tip-top condition. When you have a plaque that is stuck in different areas and not easily removed with a toothbrush, it can turn into tartar, which is a hard substance that you simply cannot remove at home. This means that your teeth will need professional cleaning to get that tartar removed.  We all try our best to remove plaque with every cleaning, but there are inevitably different areas that are missed.  Once plaque has started, it will deteriorate your teeth even more and cause pain, loosen teeth, or cause you to have your teeth removed if left without treatment. 

It is recommended that you schedule professional teeth cleaning every 6 months for most people.  However, if you have a plaque issue or periodontal disease, or gingivitis, it might be recommended to clean them every four months. 

Fillings

When tartar and plaque are left on the teeth, it can cause the tooth’s enamel to break down and become a cavity.  Cavities need to be tended to immediately so they don’t become bigger issues in the future.  However, you won’t always know you have a cavity if you aren’t going to your regular checkups for proper cleaning.  Cavities don’t always hurt.  During your cleanings, your local dentist in Boronia can catch your cavities before they get too deep and can fill them with a material that matches the colour of your teeth.  When cavities are left alone, they will only get worse.  This can lead to needing a more expensive and invasive procedure such as a root canal.  

Root Canals and Crowns

Root canals are necessary when a cavity has hit the root of the tooth, or the tooth’s root has died from trauma or other reasons.  This requires the dentist to drill down into the tooth and clear out the old root matter and replace it.  Root canals are quite often not painful as the tooth is dead. But this is more expensive than just getting a basic filling.

A crown is then placed over the tooth that has a root canal to strengthen it.

Tooth Extractions

Another common option for those with diseased teeth is getting the tooth extracted. While this might seem excessive, if the tooth is diseased, you don’t want it to remain in your body.  This can cause a slew of health problems.  After an extraction, you can speak to your dentist regarding getting a dental implant or bridge to fill in the hole where the tooth was.

toothache
16Nov

When you go to the dentist Boronia for dental work, such as having a crown replaced or having a cavity filled, you may be disappointed if your mouth continues to hurt for several days after the procedure.

Because your mouth has soft tissues that might become stimulated due to drilling and receiving needles for anesthetic, mouth discomfort is common after dental procedures. However, this discomfort should subside within a few days and not worsen.

If you have pain and discomfort in your mouth that does not go away after your dental appointment, call your dentist to see if one of the following causes it.

Incorrect Bite Alignment

When you get a cavity filled, your dentist will remove the decayed region of your tooth and replace it with a composite material that matches the color of your natural tooth. Your dentist will try their utmost best to match the contour of your natural tooth with the filling.

However, this shape is not always ideal, and the filling may sit too high, causing pain anytime you bite down since your jaw’s biting power is concentrated on one little filling rather than spread through a matched set of teeth. The force irritates the nerve beneath the tooth, causing discomfort.

Fortunately, this form of post-procedure discomfort is quickly resolved. Contact your dentist to get your bite evaluated. Filing down a too-large filling takes little time and requires no further anesthetic.

Jaw Pain

Tenderness of the Jaw

Another typical symptom among dental patients is tenderness. Your jaw muscles and joints can feel tired of being open so wide for so long. This is especially true if the surgery you require takes a long time. Tenderness might even extend from the back of your mouth, giving the impression that your teeth are aching. But the discomfort is actually from joint and muscle soreness.

When resting, focus on relaxing your mouth to assist relieve jaw soreness. Avoid clenching your teeth at all costs. Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs can help with inflammation and muscle discomfort. You might even massage the jaw area softly through your cheek to relieve tension.

After a few days, if you are still experiencing discomfort, consult your dentist about temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ).

TMJ develops when pain in the jaw joint area becomes more persistent. Dental procedures can sometimes aggravate this pain. You may notice popping, an inability to fully expand your jaw, or pain during eating. Pain relievers or a mouth guard may be useful in controlling the pain.

Treatment on a Large Scale

Some dental procedures require more invasive techniques than others. A tiny cavity, for example, can be filled quickly, and you can be on your way. On the other hand, a larger cavity may penetrate the tooth deeper, much closer to the nerve.

While big cavities can still be healed without root canal surgery, the force of the process irritates the nerve. Because of this, you may feel lingering pain and sensitivity for days or even weeks after the tooth is restored.

Use over-the-counter pain relievers and be gentle with your tooth as it heals to reduce pain. When brushing and flossing, avoid excessive temperatures and apply only light pressure.

If it has been a few days and you don’t see any relief from the symptoms, contact your dentist. You might have another issue causing pain after a dental procedure.

12May

Brushing twice a day is always recommended by dentist Boronia, but it isn’t enough to keep your mouth healthy. With each bite, you introduce a new strain of bacteria into your mouth, which subsequently combines with the protein and food products you consume. Plaque, a sticky substance that coats your teeth, is formed due to this mixture.

Have you ever tried rubbing your tongue along the surface of your teeth after not brushing for several days? If so, you’ve probably noticed that the surface is sticky or fuzzy—that sticky coating is known as dental plaque. You can’t see the plaque because it’s colorless, but you can definitely feel it.

Plaque is generated in the mouth when food leftovers interact with bacteria. If it is not removed promptly, it can harden into tartar. Plaque hardens into tartar and builds over and above your gums over time, making it impossible to remove with brushing alone. As the plaque accumulates, it releases acids that erode your tooth enamel, resulting in tooth damage and disease.

When you floss, you can remove plaque that has accumulated in the crevices between your teeth and along the gum line. This helps to keep tartar at bay. In fact, many people believe that flossing is more helpful than brushing in preventing tartar buildup on the back of the molar teeth.

Regular dental checkups will help you have all of the plaque and tartar removed and monitor your teeth and mouth for any oral diseases that may be developing.  You should see your dentist at least every 6 months for a professional cleaning.

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How to Spot Tartar Buildup

Tartar in the mouth has the texture of a rough surface that brushing alone cannot remove. Tartar that accumulates below the gum line can cause severe bleeding and inflammation. If the deposit above the gumline is not eliminated, it turns yellow or tan and expands. Under the gum line, it could be brown or black.

Why Should you Floss?

Flossing is recommended each day to help loosen up plaque and wash it away. Although brushing helps clean a substantial portion of the teeth, there are spots where plaque can build and slowly but steadily harm your teeth, such as the gaps between your teeth, cracks, and crevasses.

Flossing can help to reduce plaque buildup. Cleaning between teeth removes plaque that might contribute to cavities or gum disease from locations where a toothbrush cannot reach. Furthermore, flossing has been shown to aid in the removal of debris between teeth that can lead to plaque buildup.

Other Methods to Prevent Tartar Buildup in Your Mouth

The use of mouthwash is another option to help prevent tartar buildup. However, mouthwash should not be used as a substitute for flossing. Mouthwash aids in the rinsing of your teeth, mouth, and gums. Using an antiseptic mouthwash aids in the reduction of bacteria and the prevention of bad breath. However, mouthwash may not effectively remove food particles that have become caught between the teeth.

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Avoid sugary and starchy foods. Food residue containing sugar or carbohydrates might serve as a breeding ground for bacteria in your mouth. And as previously said, these bacteria produce plaque, which eventually hardens into tartar. So, stop this loop by eating less starchy and sweet foods.

Floss, brush and see your dentist regularly to avoid large tartar build-ups. 

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