Is the taste of ice cream or a sip of a hot drink sometimes a painful experience for your child? Does tooth brushing or flossing make them wince occasionally? If so, your child may have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the layer of a tooth underneath the enamel (called the dentin) or the layer covering the root (called cementum) is exposed along the gum line due to receding gums. The exposed [...]
Tooth brushing every day can help with removing most dental plaque, however brushing alone cannot remove plaque in places a toothbrush cannot reach, especially in between teeth. By flossing your teeth, you reduce the amount of dental plaque in between your teeth and help reduce your risk of dental decay (holes on teeth) and gum disease. Gum disease can cause bleeding when flossing your teeth. Bleeding should be a warning sign that [...]
Whether your child is wearing fixed metal braces or a removable appliance, proper cleaning of their teeth and gums is essential. So what can you be doing to make sure your child is keeping their oral health in check while they’re wearing braces? Best tips for your child Careful cleaning is required with braces, as plaque bacteria are easily trapped inside and around them. Take off elastics and any other removable parts [...]
Tooth decay (dental caries) is a diet-related disease. Sugars in the food and drinks you consume are broken down by germs (bacteria) in the plaque that produce acids. The acid attacks the outer layer of the tooth (enamel) causing it to soften resulting in tooth decay. These attacks can last for up to 20 minutes after sugary food and drinks are consumed until your saliva can start to remineralise the enamel and allow [...]
Oral health is essential to general health and well-being at every stage of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines oral health as “a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual’s capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial wellbeing.” All lifestyle choices have a significant [...]
How to encourage good oral health with your children As any parent knows, it’s easy to second-guess yourself when it comes to the best way to care for your child. There’s a wealth of information out there on everything from how much screen time they should have to the best diet and educational tools. One thing that isn’t spoken about much is how best to encourage good oral health attitudes and habits for [...]