Teething: A step on the path to growing up
Although newborns usually have no visible teeth, most have at least a partially developed set of primary, or baby teeth that begin to appear generally about six months after birth. During the first few years of life, all 20 of the primary teeth will erupt through the gums. Most children have their full set of primary teeth in place by age three.
As their teeth erupt, some babies may become fussy, sleepless and irritable, lose their appetite or drool more than usual. Diarrhoea, rashes and a fever are unusual for a teething baby but if symptoms continue call your physician.
As a tooth erupts an eruption cyst may develop. The tooth will eventually rupture this watery sac as it pushes through the gums. Eruption cysts are usually harmless and should be left alone.
Some babies may have sore or tender gums when teeth begin to erupt. Gently rubbing your child’s gum with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad can be soothing. A clean teething ring for your child to chew on may also help. Your dentist or paediatrician may recommend a pacifier, teething ring or a special “numbing” salve for the gums.
When the teeth begin to erupt, wipe them with a soft cloth or brush them with a soft- bristled toothbrush and a little bit of water to prevent tooth decay. Toothpaste is not recommended until a child reaches age two. At that time, supervise brushing to ensure that your child does not swallow the toothpaste.
It would be ideal to see your child once they have around 12-16 teeth which would be around the age of two (if their temperament
would suit), or by three at the very latest. This appointment would be a very gentle introduction to a dental practice and we would cover the basics of oral health care, diet and general safety with regards to teeth.
Green tea may be good for periodontal health: study
Regular consumption of green tea may help promote healthy teeth and gums, according to a recent study conducted in Japan.
Japanese researchers analyzed the periodontal health of 940 male subjects aged 49 to 59 to determine what effect the regular intake of green tea had on the subjects’ periodontal health as compared to subjects that consumed less of the popular beverage. Previous research has shown weight loss, heart health and cancer prevention to be among the potential benefits of drinking green tea.
For this study, researchers examined three indicators of periodontal disease: periodontal pocket depth, attachment loss of gum tissue and bleeding on probing of the gum tissues. They found that for each cup of green tea consumed each day there was a decrease in all three indicators, pointing to a lower incidence of periodontal disease in the subjects who regularly drank green tea.
The presence of the antioxidant catechin in green tea may be responsible for its beneficial effect on periodontal health, researchers said. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bones supporting the teeth; green tea and the catechin it contains may help promote periodontal health by interfering with the body’s inflammatory response to the periodontal bacteria.
“It has been long speculated that green tea possesses a host of health benefits,” said study author Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, in a new release. “And since many of us enjoy green tea on a regular basis, my colleagues and I were eager to investigate the impact of green tea consumption on periodontal health, especially considering the escalating emphasis on the connection between periodontal health and overall health.”
The results of the green tea study were published in the Journal of Periodontology.
Complimentary Dental Assessment for children under 18 years
Our goal is to prevent tooth decay in children from an early age.
At Cosmic Smile, we want your children to have the best dental health possible.
We would therefore like to invite your children to visit us for a FREE dental assessment carried out by our dental therapist Natasha.
Natasha aims to make a visit to the dentist a more comfortable experience for your children and is dedicated to encouraging as many children to adopt good habits in dental hygiene. Caring for a child’s teeth from an early age will help them grow up with healthy teeth and gums. Diet, oral hygiene and visits to the dentist are all important in helping to care for a child’s teeth.
The FREE dental assessment which is part of your child’s health care would:
- Determine the state of your child’s oral health
- Identify abnormalities or pathologies, including caries
- Provide instruction in how to prevent dental disease
The assessment of your child’s teeth will also create an opportunity for parents, caregivers, and children to learn about oral health.
To schedule an appointment for your child, please phone us on 9904 2880.
Dealing with dental accidents
Accidents happen in life, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
One way to reduce the chances of damage to your teeth, lips, cheek and tongue is to wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities that may pose a risk. Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth. Cut tape using scissors rather than your teeth.
In the case of a bitten lip or tongue,clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.
If you have a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.
If a tooth is knocked out, hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root of the tooth in water if it is dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that’s not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and get to the dentist as quickly as possible. And remember to take the tooth with you.
Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients. Call us and provide as much detail as possible about your condition. Pain is a sign that something is wrong, a problem that may not disappear even if the pain subsides.
What causes sensitive teeth?
Is a taste of ice cream or a sip of hot tea sometimes a painful experience for you? Does brushing or flossing make you wince occasionally? If so, you may have a common problem called “sensitive teeth.”
Cavities and fractured teeth can cause sensitive teeth. However, worn tooth enamel, a cracked tooth or an exposed tooth root may be the cause.
A layer of enamel, the strongest substance in the body, protects the crowns of healthy teeth. A layer called cementum protects the tooth root under the gum line. Underneath the enamel and the cementum is dentin, a part of the tooth that is less dense than enamel or cementum.
The dentin contains microscopic tubules, which are small hollow tubes or canals. When the dentin loses its protective covering, the tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth. This causes hypersensitivity and occasional discomfort. Fortunately, the irritation does not cause permanent damage to the nerve. Dentin may be exposed when gums recede. The result can be hypersensitivity near the gum line.
Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing gums from receding and causing sensitive-tooth pain. Sensitive teeth can be treated by using a desensitising toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpastes require several applications before the sensitivity is reduced. Home application of Tooth Mousse can also improve the quality of the enamel.
If you brush your teeth incorrectly or even over-brush, gum problems can result. If a large amount of dentine is removed, this can lead to permanent damage to the nerve. This can be easily corrected with a white composite filling that restores the contour and protects the tooth from both tooth brush abrasion and acid erosion.
We may also recommend in-office techniques involving the application of a desensitising agent, fluoride varnish or fluoride gel.
Sedation – Sleep Dentistry
If you fear the dentist, you’re not alone! You can finally put all of your dental anxieties aside in our office. Here at Cosmic Smile Dental, we offer Sedation Dentistry which makes fear of coming to the dentist a thing of the past as the sedation technique completely removes all feelings of anxiety and apprehension.
You will not be unconscious, just deeply relaxed and drowsy. You will be able to respond to the doctor and his team members. Sedation dentistry is for the anxious, fearful or very busy patient. This treatment has an amnesic effect and also a compression of time effect; meaning there is little or no memory of your visit and a two hour appointment seems like a 10 minute appointment. We can correct years of embarrassing problems in as little as one or two appointments!
Sedation dentistry really works and it’s safe. Our registered anaesthetist will be there for the entire procedure.
Your total comfort, peace of mind and guaranteed satisfaction is our number one priority. With sedation dentistry you can kiss your fears goodbye and totally relax under our comfortable conscious anaesthesia and anxiety-free techniques. To see if sedation dentistry is for you, please call to schedule a complimentary consultation. We will gladly answer all your questions.
