Archives for October 2019

Consumption of sugary drinks leads to overconsumption of calories, weight gain and obesity. In children it reduces milk consumption potentially leading to calcium deficiency with associated increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Sugary drinks contain high levels of sugar and may also have high levels of acid. They can significantly contribute to tooth decay and erosion in children and adults.

Facts

• There are 16 packs (teaspoons) of sugar in one 600ml bottle of regular soft drinks
• There are 9 packs of sugar in one 600ml bottle of sports drink
• 47% of children (2-6 years old)consume a sugary drink every day
• Consuming 340ml of sugary drink a day increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by 22% compared to drinking one ca a month or less.

Sugary drinks and your oral health

• Frequent consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to increased rates of tooth decay and erosion
• Even though diet soft drinks are sugar free, they have similar acidity to sugary carbonated drinks and can still cause erosion
• Sugary drinks frequently contain caffeine which can negatively affect fluid balance and lower pH and buffer capacity of saliva, adversely affecting your oral health
• Frequent, prolonged exposure of baby’s teeth to sugary drinks has been linked to early childhood caries.

Tips to help you cut back

For you

• If you are thirsty, have some water first
• Carry a water bottle instead of buying a drink
• If you order a fast food meal, see what other options are there for drinks apart from default sugary drink
• Be smart with the drinks you buy – they are made to sound healthier than they are, always check the nutrition panel for the sugar content
• For alcoholic sugary beverages, find out if there are lower sugar options
• Try and stay away from the soft drink aisle in the supermarket or specials at the checkout as they are often sweet
• Try to minimise the amount and number of times per day you drink sugary drinks:
• Only have it at meal times
• Use a straw where possible
•  Brush your teeth straight away
• Avoid swishing the drink around the mouth

For your children

• Give your child a water bottle to carry to school
• Avoid flavored milk if possible
• Check fruit juice packaging to ensure there is no added sugar
• If there are vending machines with sweet drinks at school, discuss the possibility of having them removed with the school

For your baby

• If your baby has teeth, don’t settle them to sleep with breasted milk, bottled milk, flavored milk, cordial, fruit juice or soft drink
• If your baby likes sucking on something before sleep, offer them a water bottle or a dummy

*By Dr Ksenia Fedorova, ADAVB Oral Health Committee

A study showing that tooth decay in Logan-Beaudesert children has dropped 19 per cent since the introduction of fluoridation has been backed by the Australian Dental Association of Queensland (ADAQ).

The University of Queensland (UQ) School of Dentistry study, led by Emeritus Professor Kim Seow and Professor Laurence Walsh, ran over three years and involved 457 children aged four to nine.

“Prior to the introduction of fluoridation in 2008, six-year-old children in the Logan-Beaudesert region had a tooth decay rate two-and-a-half times the national average,” Professor Walsh said.

“At that time, only five per cent of Queensland children had access to fluoridated water, but that figure is now 80 per cent.

“the consequent reduction in tooth decay certainly adds credence to the fluoridation initiative.”

Produced in conjunction with Queensland Health, the full findings are published in the journal of Caries Research.

The UQ study also showed the relative risk of decayed, missing or filled teeth reduced by 54 per cent overall. ADAQ President, Dr Ralph Kelsey said the molar tooth surface most at risk – outer facing surface of the primary molars – returned a significant reduction of 26 per cent of observed decay on dental X-rays.

“This positive scientific report confirms what dentists see every day,” Dr Kelsey said.

“I trust this latest research will be useful to those local councils in Queensland still having doubts about the benefits of fluoridation.”

Community water fluoridation is one of several interventions the UQ research group has evaluated.

Targeted telephone interventions around oral health, again in the Logan-Beaudesert region, have also been completed with encouraging results.

Not everyone’s teeth are suitable for whitening. If the teeth and gums are not in healthy condition before whitening, the procedure may cause more harm than good. Even if there is nothing wrong with the teeth there may be other reason why whitening will not work.

The safest way to work out if teeth are suitable for whitening is to see a dentist first. Dentists are the only people trained and qualified to make an accurate assessment of the teeth and gums before whitening.

What should a proper dental assessment include?

A dentist will check for things like enamel thickness, receding gums, existing restorations (e.g. fillings, crowns and veneers), and any other oral diseases or conditions. The cause of discoloration will be assessed, (e.g. diet, ageing, antibiotics etc.) and whether it is on the surface or inside the teeth. A tooth that has been discolored from root canal treatment may be whitened from inside the tooth; this is called non-vital bleaching. Only a qualified dentist is able to carry out these checks and then recommend a suitable whitening treatment.

How does teeth whitening work?

The process of teeth whitening involves oxidising agents such as hydrogen peroxide which alter the tooth surface to change the way it reflects light. When used repeatedly and in inappropriate dosages for long periods of time, it may cause irreparable damage to teeth.

There are usually two methods of application:

• A professionally made tray used at home to apply the whitening agent; this may involve applying the agent for a short period of time regularly over 1-2 weeks
• Application of the whitening agent by a dentist in the dental chair; this may involve one or two visits which can take up to over an hour and sometimes involves heat or light to accelerate the whitening process

A dentist will advise which method is most suitable. The agent used in the dental chair is usually of a higher concentration and may potentially cause more tooth sensitivity and other side effects.

What will be felt during and after the procedure?

Some people notice a ‘bubbly’ sensation on the surface of their teeth, or periods of sharp pain inside the tooth while the bleaching agent is in contact with their teeth. Others notice an achy feeling in their teeth for a few days following the treatment and temporarily heightened sensitivity when biting into certain foods and consuming cold beverages. Any painful; sensations should be reported to a dentist.

What can go wrong?

For many people teeth whitening poses no risk if done correctly. However, there are a number of potential side effects from teeth whitening. Some will be temporary but some can be permanent; if the teeth react badly to the treatment they may never be able to go back to the way they were. Some of the effects of teeth whitening can include:

• Heightened tooth sensitivity
• Alteration of the enamel surface (the effect of hydrogen peroxide on tooth enamel is irreversible)
• Reduced strength of resin-based filling materials
• Damaged and inflamed gums
• Chemical burns
• Blistering of mouth and gum tissues
• Uneven colored teeth (existing fillings, crowns and veneers will not change color)
• Severe irritation or burns if the bleaching agent is exposed to the skin or eyes
• Irritation to the esophagus and stomach if the bleaching agent is swallowed, which can result in bleeding

It is important to know how concentrated the whitening agent is before starting the procedure as the concentrations can range from 3% to 35%!

What results can be expected?

Depending on the cause of the discoloration results can range from impressive to disappointing so it’s important to understand what can reasonably be achieved before going ahead with any whitening procedure. The reality is that most people will achieve a one or two shades change but many will see no change at all. What works for one person will not work for another.  Again, a dentist’s advice is needed on this.

How to reduce staining:

Extrinsic stains are superficial stains found on the surface of the tooth, which are caused by dental plaque, tars (in tobacco), tannin, colored foods and frequent use of certain mouthwashes. Common foods and beverages that stain teeth include:

• Herbal and black tea
• Coffee
• Red wine
• Spicy foods like curries

Smoking cigarettes also causes stains on teeth, which can be extremely difficult to remove. Most extrinsic stains on the tooth’s surface can be removed by a dentist performing a professional scale and clean.

Teeth Whitening Checklist

• First try other ways to whiten teeth without using a chemical treatment, like having a professional scale and clean by a dentist and maintaining good oral hygiene and diet habits
• Consult a dentist to assess the suitability for teeth whitening
• Have a dentist recommend a course of action or specific treatment
• Make sure the treatment method, side effects and potential results are fully understood before applying any whitening agent at home or in the dental chair.

*By Dr James Fernando, ADAVB Oral Health Committee