Due to the hard work that the masseter muscles have to perform while clenching they undergo, Hypertrophy, which may lead to the appearance of a severe square jaw.

The teeth can be protected overnight with the use of an occlusal splint or a night guard. But botulinum toxin, or more commonly known as botox, can effectively control the uncomfortable symptoms instead of an occlusal splint for some patients.  Dr. Kaufman provides a treatment with Botulinum Toxin Type A., to relieve the symptoms of jaw soreness, headaches, and other unpleasant problems associated with Bruxism. Botulinum toxin treatments for Bruxism can also soften the appearance of the jaw line. The effects of Botulinum toxin used for treating Bruxism typically lasts for three to four months.

Don’t  continue to suffer from sore head, jaw and neck muscles or wait for the teeth to chip and break please make an appointment to see Dr. Kaufmam to have the condition assessed.

Anterior crossbite is relatively a common presentation in the mixed dentition stage. It happens when the upper incisors develop behind the lower incisors. When the child is young, it is relatively easy to guide the erupting teeth to their correct position with a simple appliance. As shown in a completed treatment by Dr. Kaufman.

Don’t wait for the malformations to be more entrenched and difficult to treat. If you feel that your child’s teeth are starting to erupt in the wrong way or there are any missing teeth, please make an appointment to see Dr. Kaufman to have them checked.

Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer is used to describe a lesions that start in the mouth lesions. These most commonly occur on the lips, tongue and floor of the mouth but can also start in the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tonsils and salivary glands.

What to look for?

• a swelling or a sore on your lip that won’t heel for more than 2 weeks
• lump in your neck
• difficult or painful swallowing
• bleeding or numbness in the mouth
• white or red patches on the mouth, tongue or gums
• unexplained weight loss.
• Loose teeth

Common reasons for mouth cancer.

In the past the common reason for oral cancer was smoking and consumption of acohol. Since today less people smoke it became apparent that there are other risk factors for most mouth cancers:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
• family history of mouth cancers
• poor oral hygiene and gum disease

This Saturday the 10th of August 2019 between the hours of 12pm and 3 pm Dr. Kaufman will be providing free oral cancer examinations at the Amcal+ Pharmacy Tooronga. Please come and have your mouth checked.

Plaque forms every day in our mouths from the food left there after eating. The bacteria in it produce acid, which can erode tooth enamel and cause tooth decay or infect the gums and cause gum disease.

Twice daily plaque removal with brushing and interdental cleaning keeps bacteria growth under control, so a quick swish of your toothbrush across your teeth won’t be enough. The soft, sticky consistency of plaque enables it to hide in hard to reach places below the gum line, irregular biting surfaces, or under overhanging restorations.

Because plaque has a color similar to your teeth, it’s hard to tell if you’ve successfully removed it. That’s where disclosing agents can help. These are solutions, swabs or tablets, with a dye that temporarily stains plaque while not staining tooth surfaces. Dr Kaufman uses them to show patients where they’re missing, when brushing and flossing, but you can also use them at home to see how you’re doing.

To find out if there is plaque after brushing and flossing, chew the disclosing tableting for example or swish the solution around your mouth for about thirty seconds and then spit it out. The dye will stain the plaque in a bright red color. There are even disclosing solutions that can display older plaque in a different color from newer plaque.

Once noticing the stained plaque in a mirror, brush and floss until you don’t see it anymore. The red stainig dye is safe in the mouth, but you should avoid swallowing or getting it on your clothes. Any dye on your lips, gums or tongue will eventually wear off in a few hours.

If you would like more information on how to perform effective oral hygiene, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

But lets look at the facts, activated charcoal  is a fine grain powder made from wood, coconut shells, and other natural substances that are oxidized under extreme heat. Its main property is being extremely abrasive.

A review in the British Dental Journal from early 2019 found that charcoal provides little protection against tooth decay, and there is limited scientific evidence to support the other health claims. In fact, adding powdered charcoal to toothpaste can actually make things worse, by stripping the enamel layer which is the part of the tooth making its color more light. So if you’re using a charcoal-infused paste, you should be brushing very gently to avoid wearing down the surface enamel, which can make teeth more prone to staining in the long run.

In addition in an article in the BBC it was reported that charcoal tooth paste” When used too often in people with fillings, it can get into them and become difficult to get out,” making the fillings go dark.  “Charcoal particles can also get caught up in the gums and irritate them.” In addition it is important to point out that many charcoal-infused and natural toothpastes are formulated without fluoride, which is strongly recommended for preventing tooth decay.

In summary :

• Charcoal toothpaste is too abrasive for everyday use.
• Most charcoal toothpaste brands don’t contain fluoride.
• It may cause staining on some teeth.
• Charcoal’s effect on dental restorations can be detrimental.

If you would like to know more about whitening your teeth or whitening tooth paste, please make an make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman to learn about the best options for you!

Standard (non-organic) toothpaste usually contain:

• Abrasives to clean bacterial film and debris from your teeth. The common abrasives used are, Calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, hydrated aluminum oxides, magnesium carbonate, phosphate salts and silicates. Silica is usually the whitening ingredient in most whitening toothpastes.
• Detergents for cleaning and the foamy sensation we expect from toothpaste. The common ones are, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-Lauryl sarcosinate.
• Fluoride – in different concentrations, toothpaste for children will have less fluoride than in the adult toothpaste.
• Flavoring compounds including sweeteners such as saccharine.
• Special ingredients that are aimed at different oral conditions, such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate for tartar control, potassium nitrate or strontium chloride to reduce tooth sensitivity, Stannous fluoride and triclosan for reducing gum inflammation and removing plaque.
• Moistening compounds to keep the toothpaste moist and easy to extrude from the tube. The common ones are, glycerol, propylene, glycol and sorbitol.
• Binders to prevent the various ingredients from separating. The common ones are, mineral colloids, natural gums, seaweed colloids or synthetic cellulose.

Organic toothpaste tends to be paraben free, sulfate free, and do not contain Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate, and artificial colors or flavors or sweeteners. It may contain natural preservatives. If you tend to get of small pimples or rashes around your lips, or canker sores inside your mouth you may want to try an organic toothpaste that does not contain Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate. There are people with an allergy to these compounds.

Do I have to use tooth paste to clean my teeth?

Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless biofilm of bacteria and sugars that is constantly being formed on our teeth. Dental plaque is acidic, it will break down tooth enamel and dentine to cause cavities. Dental  plaque can also irritate your gums, causing gingivitis, infections and eventually tooth loss. Brushing your teeth with a product designed to make your mouth feel fresh is a pleasure. But from a practical standpoint, that tasty paste is unnecessary. You can remove food debris and plaque from your teeth without using toothpaste.  Just a soft toothbrush and good brushing techniques will remove plaque. Flossing, limiting sugary food and drinks, and regular checkups and professional cleanings should keep your teeth in top shape.

The easiest way to find out what is the right way for you is make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman. After a thorough examination he can tell you if braces or aligners are the best option for your condition and he can address any other concerns you may have.

How much will it cost? In general traditional metal braces will likely be the less expensive option, but there are other choices that are more costly and less noticeable. You can look into clear ceramic braces, which are still worn on the front of teeth, but blend in with the color of your teeth. Or invisible aligners, where a series of clear removable aligners are worn.

How long will the treatment take? Treatment for adults typically takes longer than it does for children. On average, most adults will have the orthodontic treatmen for a year and a half to three years.

If you want to start on your way to a straight smile this year, make an make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman to learn about the best option for you!

• Oral cancer is on the rise among young people. , Previously, oral cancer was thought to affect only smokers and those who drink much alcohol. However, more and more young women and men are being diagnosed with oral cancer. It is thought that this is linked to the human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can lead to oral cancer. If you are between ages 25-50, you could be at risk.
• Screening is quick and painless. An oral cancer examination takes less than 5 minutes and consists of a simple visual check of your mouth, lips and face for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions. If symptoms are discovered, further diagnostic tests will be done. It is important to get screened at least once a year, Dr. Kaufman performs this examination routinely during your annual dental check up and cleaning.
• Prevention and early detection is key a good outcome. Lifestyle choices are the main reason oral cancer develops. Smoking, using chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, prolonged sun exposure, and contracting HPV can all increase your risk. The good news is that when detected and treated early, the oral cancer survival rate increases to about 80%.

Schedule an appointment to get an oral cancer screening today!

Who can benefit from Cosmetic Bonding?

Cosmetic bonding can be used to treat a variety of problems including, tooth decay, discoloration, chipped and cracked teeth, misshapen teeth, and more. It’s an ideal solution for teeth that cannot be whitened any further using the whitening gel. Cosmetic bonding is also great for patients experiencing receding gums, because the composite can protect the exposed portions of the root and close the black holes created between the roots.

How is Cosmetic Bonding Done?

The treatment can be done in 1-2 dental appointments. It begins with polishing and roughening the tooth surface. This surface allows the resin material to properly bond to the natural tooth. The next step is applying a solution that will attach the composite to the tooth and curing it with a special light. Then composite is layered in different shades to achieve a beutiful natural outcome.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Cosmetic Bonding?

Creating a beautiful smile with composite is similar to having a tooth restoration. There are no serious medical risks in having dental cosmetic bonding done. Since the composite is not as strong as your tooth, the bonding may chip. For this reason, composite restorations are mainly recommended for those seeking small repairs. For larger, fractures we may suggest a more sturdy solution such as a veneer or crown.

There is no special treatment required after receiving the composite veneer. Regular flossing and brushing are needed to maintain a good oral hygiene. It is recommended that one does not bite into hard objects like ice or candy for example, or chew on pens or fingernails.

If you have more questions or you think cosmetic bonding may by the right option for your dental needs, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for an examination.