Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

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98227006
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Suite 1.02, 1 Crescent Rd., Glen Iris 3146
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Archives for June 2015

New study looks to determine Why Teeth Crack

Posted on 06.30.15

Human teeth must last our entire lifetime despite being subjected to significant straining forces. The high resistance properties of dentin in teeth, however, is not fully understood. Now, researchers found that when the tiny collagen fibers shrink in the dentin, the attached mineral particles become increasingly compressed. Dr. Paul Zaslansky from Julius Wolff-Institute of Charite Berlin explains:”The compressed state helps to prevents cracks from developing and we found that compression takes place in such a way that cracks cannot easily reach the tooth inner parts, which could damage the sensitive pulp. In this manner, compression stress helps to prevent cracks from rushing through the tooth.” The research team also analysed what happens if the tight, mineral-protein link is damaged by heating. In this case, the dentin in teeth becomes weaker. Therefore, it’s crucial for the stress between the mineral particles and the collagen protein to be balanced to ensure the long-term survival of the teeth. This also shows why artificial tooth replacements may work well but they’re still not the same as regular teeth.

If you have discovered teeth cracks or would like to know more about how to protect your teeth, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.

loose teeth – reasons and treatment.

Posted on 06.30.15

DSC_691520120815© Dr. Daniel Kaufman All rights reservedTeeth are anchored to the jaw with small fibers that form the periodontal ligament. If they become loose it is either the result of trauma that tears the fibers, gum disease that damages the jaw bone or a combination of the two. In most people lose teeth are an outcome of the combination of gum disease, which leads to bone and tooth loss and overload on the remaining teeth as shown in the image.

To treat loose teeth we need to address both the biologic disease process and the mechanical factor of overload. To address the biological aspect we need to  treat the gum disease first and provide an environment in which the periodontal ligament can heal. Many times treating the gum disease will lead to stronger teeth and more comfort when chewing oDSC_698020120829© Dr. Daniel Kaufman All rights reservedn top of the other beneficial effects for our health. But if treating the periodontal disease does not suffice we need to support the teeth which can be done by modifying the forces applied to the teeth or by joining them together to better withstand the forces applied which is called splinting as shown in the image.

I have been able to help many patients retain their teeth and have pleasure chewing again their favorite food by treating their gums disease and reinforcing their teeth. Please come and see us to have the source of tooth loosening uncovered .

 

Adult teeth erupting behind baby teeth or “Shark Teeth”

Posted on 06.25.15

A baby tooth falls out when the new adult tooth is ready to come in, right? Well, not always, leaving the way blocked for the permanent tooth which tries to erupt. This leads the adult tooth to erupt next to the baby tooth and an unhealthy outcome, since food usually is trapped between the teeth making cleaning difficult  leading frequently to gum inflammation and later decay. Shark teeth can happen during the development of adult teeth from the age 6 to around the age of 11, when the upper  pre-molars appear. The appearance of and adult tooth next to the baby teeth can hint that the child doesn’t have enough room for the permanent teeth, but even when there is lots of room, the new tooth may not always be able to dissolve the baby tooth root fast enough. If a permanent tooth hasn’t come in all the way and the baby tooth is getting progressively looser, there is a possibility that the situation will resolve on its own. But if after 2 weeks the new tooth continues to grow in and the baby tooth doesn’t loosen, you should come and see us.

Risk of heart disease, Diabetes and death can be predicted by the number of missing teeth.

Posted on 06.24.15

Periodontal disease is the main cause for tooth loss and it has been known to cause heart diseaseGum disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, premature delivery and other health problems. A recently published study published in the Journal of Dental Research has found that “Even a few missing teeth may indicate an increased risk of CVD( cardiovascular disease), diabetes, or all-cause mortality. When individual risk factors for chronic diseases are assessed, the number of missing teeth could be a useful additional indicator for general medical practitioners. ”

This is another study demonstrating the significance of gum disease to our health and well-being. You would not ignore bleeding from your eye, so don’t ignore bleeding from your gums. Treating the gum disease and maintaining good oral health need to be an important part of our lives. Please contact us or make an appointment to have the condition of your gums examined.

Unexpected uses for tooth paste

Posted on 06.19.15

I have found an interesting article about the 16 Unexpected Uses for Toothpaste. Thought it was just for maintaining a healthy smile? Guess again! Toothpaste has a host of uses around the house for example take the edge of a sting and clean your sink. To read more click here.

Crumbling Cracking teeth

Posted on 06.18.15

Many people are surprised when a tooth breaks, chips or they find a big piece of it in their mouth. The reasons teeth break in most of the cases are tooth-grinding, amalgam fillings and acid wear or a combination of the three.

Tooth grinding happens in the sleep as an outcome of stress, drugs or problems with the way teeth come together like overeruption. There are several signs that can hint to what is happening at night, you can sometimes see the wear on your own teeth, feel sharp edges with the tongue or the jaw may ache from the clenching. An occlusal splint used at night can relieve the symptoms and protect teeth.

Amalgam restorations have a tendency to change shape and expand. The expansion leads to cracks and then to the fracture of the tooth. To prevent it from happening it is important to monitor the teeth with amalgam fillings and if cracking signs appear we can replace the old fillings with composite restorations.

Acid wear or erosion, of the teeth can be caused by decay, sugary drinks or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and bulimia where the acid from the stomach wears the teeth. Following the exposure to the acid the enamel becomes thin and almost translucent and the dentin, which is the sensitive and more vulnerable part of the tooth becomes exposed.  This process leaves the teeth vulnerable to cracking or crumbling away. But this erosion isn’t normal and can be stopped and reversed.

Since there are many factors that can lead to crumbling teeth we need to identify the causes and prevent them. Once the factors that have caused the damage have been removed we can establish the degree of protection required which can include fluoride supplements,  composite restoration, a mouth guard for example.

Please contact us or make an appointment with us to receive the right treatment for you.

Mouth rinse to help with gum disease.

Posted on 06.16.15

A study explored the impact of mouth rinse containing ozone against the two main bacteria that produce gum disease. Also studied was its toxicity to human oral tissue cells. The researchers found that “NBW3( nano-bubble water) possesses potent bactericidal activity against representative periodontopathogenic bacteria and is not cytotoxic to cells of human oral tissues. The use of NBW3 as an adjunct to periodontal therapy would be promising.”
The first step in the treatment of periodontitis, generally includes the removal of the bacteria and the hard deposits which enables them to attach to the teeth. The second step involves the use of antiseptics and antibiotics to remove any remaining bacterial contamination and support the healing process. Antibiotic therapies have a downside, there is the need to have them ingested which can lead to the development of bacterial resistance and possibly a host reaction. The topical use of a low-cost antiseptic is the preferred option since it does not involve the ingestion of the active ingredient.
The use of active oxygen, in the form of hydrogen peroxide, to prevent and treat gum inflammation has been explored and is widely supported by research.  My experience supports these findings and we have published before that there is a unit that can produce hydrogen peroxide at home for free.

Lump under my tongue

Posted on 06.11.15

Many times my patients are concerned about lumps appearing under their tongue. Since the tongue is surrounded by several anatomical structures, there are many possible sources for the lump. I”ll try to list the major reasons, but it does not replace the need to have an examination by a dentist:

  1. Bone related – exostoses or torus – at times new bone is formed on the mandible, these areas can feel like round small or large hard lumps and they usually grow on both sides of the jaw. These exostoses are benign lesions of little clinical significance, but they need to be regularly inspected.
  2. Salivary gland swelling – Ranula or mucocele – saliva is formed inside small and large glands, but when the tube, that drains the saliva in to the mouth, gets blocked it starts to pool and cause a swelling. These swellings are soft to touch and may vanish if pushed on or the saliva is drained but they re-appear after a while. These lesions usually need treatment or removal.
  3. Connective tissue related – Traumatic fibroma – is an area where the lining of the tongue has become thick, usually due to the rubbing against a sharp edge. This causes the accumulation of connective tissue at the site of chronic irritation.  It is important to remove the cause of these lesions.
  4. An infections or inflammation originating from a tooth with an abscess, a saliva gland or the bone. The infection from these areas can spread and cause a swelling under the tongue. This can lead to a more severe form called “ Ludwig’s angina“. The treatment is to remove the source of infection, which will lead to the disappearance of the swelling.
  5. A cyst – there are cysts that can form under the tongue with the more common one being a lymphoepithelial cyst which develop from entrapped salivary glands. Usually cysts will need to be removed, since they tend to increase in size over time.
  6. Benign or malign tumors – the different tissues around the tongue can give rise to tumors leading to a swelling. It is not possible to list here all the different tumors or their treatment, but it is very important to have them examined as soon as possible and monitored on a regular basis.

For more information about tongue related conditions, please use this link.

It is important to have any swelling under the tongue examined. Please contact us to have an examination.

Gum disease can lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Posted on 06.10.15

Gum disease is an infection caused by bacteria found in our mouth. Porphyromonas Gingivalis( P.Gingivalis) has been known for many years as being one of the bacteria strains closely linked to gum disease. Recently there is mounting evidence that after the bacteria establish themselves in our mouth, they manage to reach other parts of our bodies via the blood stream.

A recent survey of patients with rheumatoid arthritis has found that there is an “an independent relationship between PD(Periodontal Disease) and established seropositive RA( Rheumatoid Arthritis”. This is another example of the large impact gum disease can have on our health and why it is important to stop gum disease, to avoid severe health problems like diabetes, prostate cancer, preterm delivery, stroke and now rheumatoid arthritis.

When I examine each patient I check for the presence of gum inflammation and monitor the changes over time. Please make an appointment to have your gum condition checked.

Mouth lining peeling

Posted on 06.6.15

The lining of the mouth, the oral mucosa, is a protective layer similar to the skin, but it is thinner, delicate and more sensitive. There are several possible reasons why it will peel. Please notice that this text does not replace an examination by a dental professional.

The most common reason for peeling is a heat burnt which can be caused by a piece of hot pizza or a chemical burn from a  mouth rinse. Because the lining is so thin and delicate it easily peels and tears leaving a piece of the lining loose.

But there can be other reasons like an infection with bacteria or fungi commonly called thrush or conditions such as lichen planus occuring spontaneously or as a result of medication and significantly, malignant conditions such as leukoplakia and cancer.

Because there are so many reasons for the lining peeling, it is very important to come and see us so I can examine the condition and take a baseline picture of it.

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