Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Archives for July 2015

Alternative forms of tobacco and their effects in the mouth.

Use of smokeless tobacco products can present less risks for cardiovascular and lung diseases since there is no burning of tobacco, no tar, and no carbon monoxide exposure. However, users of these products are still exposed to nitrosamines (carcinogens) and nicotine that supports addiction. Chewing tobacco, Snuff, Snus and dissolvable tobacco are all  forms of smokeless tobacco.

It is true and supported by research that smokeless tobacco may be less dangerous than cigarettes, but long-term use can cause serious health problems:

  • Cancer. because these products can contain about 30 cancer-causing substances the risk of certain types of cancer increases. This includes esophageal cancer and various types of oral cancer, including the throat, cheek, gums, lips and tongue. You also face an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
  • Cavities. Chewing tobacco and other forms of smokeless tobacco cause tooth decay because chewing tobacco contains high amounts of sugar, which contributes to cavities.
  • Tooth wear. Chewing tobacco contains coarse particles that can scratch away at the enamel on your teeth, wearing your teeth down and making them more vulnerable to cavities.
  • Gum disease. The sugar, the abrasive particles and irritants cause your gums to pull away from your teeth in the area of your mouth where you place the chew. Over time  it can be severe enough to destroy the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth (periodontitis) and lead to tooth loss.
  • Precancerous mouth lesions. Smokeless tobacco increases your risk of developing small white patches called leukoplakia inside your mouth. These mouth lesions could one day become cancer.

Because smokeless tobacco contains nicotine, you can get addicted, just as you can with cigarettes and other tobacco products. Your body may actually absorb as much nicotine from chewing tobacco or snuff as it does from cigarettes. When you want to stop using it, withdrawal from smokeless tobacco causes symptoms such as intense cravings, increased appetite, irritability and depressed mood. This is why smokeless tobacco may not be the right way quit smoking since you may substitute one addiction for another.

 

Sinus infection can lead to tooth pain.

Our sinus and the nerves relaying pain from our teeth are intimately connected. Sinuses are air filled cavities inside the human skull, with small draining openings. When one develops a sinus infection (sinusitis) these small opening can be obstructed leading to the accumulation of the pus inside the sinus. The pressure of the fluid can lead to a throbbing tooth pain which is referred to, as a sinus toothache, since there is nothing wrong with the teeth. Sinus toothache feels much like common toothache and in some cases it is difficult, to rule out a tooth related ache. But if the pain is relieved by treating the sinusitis and relieving the pressure in the sinus cavities, it is a good indication that the teeth are well.

If you are suffering from tooth pain or would like to get your teeth examined, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.

Nail biting

Nail biting usually starts in childhood or adolescence. It is a universal way of children and adults manifesting their boredom or stress that has given rise to the idiom:” biting one’s nails”. This habit is not that easy to quit given the increased levels of stress in our modern life. It may cause various bite problems like crowding and rotations of incisors and fractures and chips in the front teeth that will increase in size and require treatment. The appearance of bitten-down fingernails can also be embarrassing, which can only add to more anxiety and stress.Research shows that the fingers can introduce more bacteria, like E coli, into the oral cavity and increase risk of oral infections.

Most children eventually grow out of nail biting, for those who still struggle with the habit, some techniques have proven results.

  • Coat the nails with a bitter-tasting nail biting polish. It can be a reminder when reaching for the nail unconsciously and reduce the pleasure associated with it.
  • Keep nails trimmed short. There will be less of a nail to bite.
  • If you get a manicure to keep your nails looking attractive, you’ll be less likely to bite them.
  • Use an alternate technique to manage your stress. Try deep breathing, or squeezing a stress ball to relax you.
  • Use a rubber band around your wrist as a distraction whenever you get the urge to bite your nails.
  • Put self-adhesive bandages on the tips of your fingers so your nails won’t be accessible to bite.

If fingernail biting persists along with anxiety and stress, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.

 

 

Decay and enamel defects in children with Celiac disease

It has been found that the prevalence of enamel defect in children with Celiac disease was significantly higher than their peers. These defects are mainly characterized by pitting, grooving and sometimes by complete loss of enamel. The most affected teeth are incisors and molars. When the possible causes for the changes in the enamel were investigated it has been found enamel mineralization disturbances did not occur before the children started eating gluten. This may point to a possible explanation for the enamel defects. This correlation between gluten in the diet and enamel defects in was found in studies from many countries. The possible explanation could be hypocalcemia or, more likely, a particular genetic condition that leads to a specific immune response to gluten.

It is important to monitor these defects and areas where the enamel does not provide sufficient protection since it can lead to decay. If there are large defects it is advisable to have these teeth treated to restore their appearance and function.

If you find that there are pits and groves in the teeth, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.

Morning Breath – The Solution

Malodour or bad breath results from bacterial break down of proteins. A recent study found that by drinking or rinsing the mouth with water we can reduce the strength of smell by half.

In another study made in Japan it has been found that missing breakfast is one of the most common causes of morning bad breath among teenagers. The study found that almost a fifth of the participants questioned admitted that they had missed breakfast and of these, one in three suffered from bad breath. This was significantly more than those who had eaten breakfast. But only about half of those who presented with bad breath were conscious that they were suffering from it.

The researchers concluded that “Tongue coating, daily tongue cleaning and breakfast are significant factors for oral malodour among adolescents. Proper tongue coating management together with other healthy lifestyle behaviors, especially having breakfast, should be advocated in adolescents’ health education.”

 

Scurvy effects in your mouth

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency can lead to a disease called Scurvy which for adults can lead to bleeding gums and tooth loss, but it is devastating for babies and young children who can suffer complications including stunted bone growth.

Scurvy was the scourge of the Royal Navy for decades, and Captain Cook is widely credited with conquering it. Most people think of scurvy as a disease of the past, when sailors had to spend months at sea without access to fresh fruit and vegetables. While scurvy may be uncommon in modern society, it does still exist when vitamin C is not sufficient in the diet.

I have found many young children to have scurvy. The reason is frequently their dislike of eating fresh vegetables and fruits or not enough of them in their diet. But the condition is not limited to children only, adults who do not have enough fresh fruits and vegetables can develop it too. Since vitamin C is constantly used in our daily metabolism, its absence is soon felt. One of it’s first signs is bleeding and peeling gums, which brings patients to me. As part of my comprehensive examination, I check the gums, where the signs of Scurvy become apparent. Since the bleeding gums cause much distress to my patients, when I tell them that it is Scurvy there is always a sigh of relief.

If you are suffering from bleeding gums or would like to discuss the ways to keep your gums healthy, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.

Probiotic supplement effects on your mouth

The use of antibiotics to treat bacteria infections changes the types and quantities of bacteria in our mouth and digestive system and causes the development of drug resistant bacteria. These unwanted outcomes of the antibiotic treatment have led to the development of alternative antimicrobial approaches where live microorganisms, “good bacteria” are administered to ward off the damages caused by the bacterial composition in the mouth and offer health benefits to the host. The key mechanism by which the probioitic supplements act is by competing with the other bacteria that can cause disease.

The major bacteria groups given in probioitic preparations are Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. Research conducted to establish if bacteria ingested managed to establish themselves in the mouth found that when children are given probiotics, their risk of decay is reduced. This is of importance for children undergoing orthodontic treatment or those at high risk of cavities.For adults who have a high risk for candida infection, the ingestion of probiotics was beneficial as well in reducing the risk of yeast infections by 75%.

If you would like to know more about the effects that probiotic treatment can have on your child or yourself, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.

Wisdom teeth – reasons and treatment

Wisdom teeth are no different to other molars, that start erupting after the age of 6 years old. They are the molars (back teeth) that come through last, usually in the late teens or early 20s. Wisdom teeth can be a blessing, if one of the other molars is not well developed like in MIH (Molar Incisor Hypoplasia) or if they need to be removed due to decay, they can replace them.
In our evolution the size of the jaws is decreasing, leaving at times not enough room for wisdom teeth to come through. Since they will try to erupt, it is usually at an angle, pushing into the gum or the tooth beside it. This is called impaction.
A wisdom tooth on an angle can’t help with chewing, which makes it useless and sometimes painful when bacteria manage to establish themselves around it and cause an abscess. The abscess can be treated with antibiotics. But the infection may keep coming back if food and bacteria can still deposit themselves next to the wisdom tooth. This is usually the reason why so many need to have their wisdom teeth removed. For those who have other health problems like diabetes, heart ailments and especially those with lower immunity, these infections can cause complications.
Since the wisdom teeth are nested in the far corners of the mouth, their removal is more challenging than other teeth. They don’t usually cause any pain until they start to do damage, so it is best to find out if your wisdom teeth are likely to cause problems sooner rather than later. In young adults the roots of wisdom teeth are still forming so it is easier to take them out at this stage. While it may be more complicated if a person waits until later in life, when the roots are fully formed.
Frequently patients come to see me when in pain, to aid them I have purchased the latest ultrasonic surgical system which is much better than the previously used drills. It allows for the immediate removal of the wisdom teeth, which many times is the only solution. For those who are hesitant to have the removal, we can offer sleep dentistry or nitrous oxide sedation. Please contact us to have the position of your wisdom teeth examined and treatment provided when needed.

If your would like to have your wisdom teeth examined, please call Tooronga Family Dentistry, Phone number 98227006.