Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Why does my new crown hurt when chewing in Glen Iris?

Pain or Discomfort After a New Dental Crown

It is not uncommon to experience soreness or discomfort when biting down on a tooth after a new crown has been fitted. However, persistent pain or sensitivity after a dental crown is not normal and should be assessed by Dr. Daniel Kaufman . There are several possible reasons this might occur.

Common Causes of Pain After Getting a Crown

  1. Crown height or bite alignment issue
    The most common reason for pain is that the new crown sits slightly higher than adjacent teeth, causing excessive pressure when you bite or chew. The solution is to adjust and reduce the crown height to align with surrounding teeth for an even bite.

  2. Underlying tooth decay
    If decay was present beneath the tooth before placing the crown, bacteria may remain trapped beneath it. In such cases, the crown may need to be removed so the tooth can be properly cleaned and restored. Leaving the infection untreated can result in swelling or abscess formation near the affected tooth.

  3. Cracked or fractured tooth
    If the tooth covered by the crown is cracked, pressure while biting may cause the crack to open slightly, resulting in sharp pain. This often requires further dental treatment to repair the fracture.

  4. Gum inflammation or infection
    Soreness or tenderness around the crown can also be caused by gum irritation or infection. This may feel worse when brushing or eating and needs professional evaluation to treat the area and promote healing.

  5. Inflamed or damaged nerve
    If the nerve inside the crowned tooth was not removed during treatment, it may become inflamed or infected, leading to persistent discomfort or sensitivity. Root canal therapy may be necessary to relieve the pain.

  6. Loose crown
    A crown that does not fit securely can move slightly while chewing, irritating the tooth and gums underneath. Tightening or re-cementing the crown can usually resolve the problem.

When to See Your Dentist

If you notice pain, sensitivity, or soreness in a tooth that has been recently crowned, do not ignore it. Schedule an examination , ask Dr. Kaufman a question or schedule an appointment online today.

Why do the gums bleeding around my veneers in Glen Iris?

Gums bleeding around veneers.

Gum Inflammation After Veneers: Causes and Treatment

After veneers are bonded to the teeth, some patients may notice gum redness, swelling, soreness, or bleeding during brushing or flossing. While mild sensitivity can occur initially, persistent gum inflammation is not normal and needs professional assessment.

Common Causes of Gum Inflammation Around Veneers

  1. Poor veneer fit
    For veneers to function properly, they must fit snugly against the teeth. Poorly fitted veneers can leave small gaps where food particles and bacteria accumulate, leading to gum inflammation and even tooth decay beneath the veneer.

  2. Violation of the biologic width
    If a veneer margin extends too far beneath the gum line, it can disrupt the natural attachment between the tooth and gum tissue. This irritation commonly leads to chronic inflammation and discomfort.

  3. Excess bonding material
    Veneers are attached using a dental adhesive or resin. If adhesive residue is not properly removed during placement, it can irritate the gums and cause inflammation or gum recession over time.

  4. Pre-existing gum disease
    If gum disease was present before the veneers were fitted and not treated beforehand, it may worsen after placement. This can result in bleeding, tenderness, and potential damage to both teeth and veneers.

  5. Aggressive brushing or abrasive toothpaste
    Using a hard toothbrush, applying too much pressure, or using abrasive toothpaste can cause trauma to the gums around veneers, leading to inflammation and bleeding.

Why Gum Health Is Critical After Veneers

Healthy gums are essential for the long-term success of veneers. Untreated gum inflammation can result in bone loss, decay, and veneer failure. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve both oral health and aesthetic outcomes.

If you are experiencing sore, swollen, or bleeding gums around your veneers, schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Daniel Kaufman.

The Right Fit: Why SureSmile® Clear Aligners are a Trusted Option

As dental technology evolves, so does our practice and Dr. Daniel Kaufman is proud to offer SureSmile® Clear Aligners to our patients. Advanced treatment planning and proven materials combine to give you a personalised plan with predictable results. More than 1,000,000 patients have trusted SureSmile® technology to straighten their teeth.

Getting Started with SureSmile® Clear Aligners

On your first appointment Dr. Kaufman will examine the condition of your teeth, take photos and a digital scan of your teeth to assess how clear aligners will work best for you.

  1. Developing your treatment plan: Dr. Kaufman will instruct the technicians at the SureSmile® Digital Lab, how to move each tooth for optimal movement.
  2. Once your plan is ready, Dr. Kaufman will explain to you the planned treatment.
  3. If you have happy with the plan your smile journey will begin: You will get your SureSmile® Clear Aligners and you’re on your way to a smile you’ll feel confident about.
  4. Periodically Dr. Kaufman will make sure everything is on track during routine check-in visits.

 

Everyone’s journey is different, and Dr. Kaufman wants to make the process is comfortable and rewarding at every step of the way. Let us know how we can support you or make an appointment to start your journey!

Mouthguards and Dental Checks: Essential for Glen Iris Kids Playing Winter Sports

As pre-season training kicks off for winter sports in Glen Iris, parents and caregivers are busy fitting children with new boots, helmets, and protective gear. But don’t forget—a dental check-up is just as important as new sports equipment! Kids may need a new mouthguard to protect their growing smiles.

Professor David Manton, Chair of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Oral Health Committee, emphasizes: “Children’s teeth and jaws grow every year, just like their feet. It’s crucial to see your dentist in Glen Iris to ensure their mouthguard still fits correctly. An ill-fitting mouthguard could do more harm than good.”

Why Choose a Custom-Made Mouthguard?

The ADA strongly advises wearing a custom-fit mouthguard professionally made by your dentist. These offer superior protection for teeth and jaws compared to store-bought or ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards, which often provide little to no real safety.

‘No Mouthguard, No Play’ for Glen Iris Youth Sports

Sports Medicine Australia and the ADA have partnered to promote a “No Mouthguard, No Play” policy, which many schools and sporting clubs in Glen Iris and across Victoria are adopting.

“The most important requirement for a mouthguard is that it stays in place during impact—fit and resilience are vital for real protection,” adds Professor Manton. While some parents worry about the cost of a custom mouthguard, think long-term: repairing traumatic dental injuries is far more expensive than investing in professional protection up front.

Mouthguard Benefits

  • Properly fitted mouthguards absorb and spread the force of a blow to the face, helping prevent injuries to teeth, gums, and jaws

  • Each year, preventable dental emergencies happen because children wear the wrong type of mouthguard—or none at all

What is a harmonious bite in Glen Iris?

What Makes a Bite Healthy?

A healthy bite can best be understood by how well your teeth function together. Each type of tooth plays a unique role in eating, speaking, and maintaining oral balance. When teeth are properly aligned, they work harmoniously to support chewing, speech clarity, and jaw comfort.

The Different Types of Teeth and Their Roles

1. Incisors – Cutting and Speech

Incisors are the eight teeth located at the front of your mouth. They are responsible for biting into food and play an essential role in speech. For proper biting, the upper and lower incisors need to meet evenly.

If the incisors are positioned too far forward or backward, biting becomes difficult, and speech articulation may be affected. The relationship between the incisors, lips, and tongue influences how words are pronounced—when misaligned, it can sometimes cause lisping.

2. Canines – Tearing and Guidance

Canines sit at the corners of the mouth and are the sharpest teeth. They help cut and tear food much like a pair of scissors. For them to function correctly, the upper and lower jaws must meet in a balanced relationship.

When the canines are misaligned or crowded, they cannot guide the bite effectively, often leading to wear of the incisors and even jaw joint problems over time.

3. Premolars – Tearing and Chewing

Premolars serve a dual purpose: tearing and grinding food. Since they erupt later than many other teeth, lack of space is common and can cause crowding. Crowding not only affects appearance but also makes cleaning teeth more difficult, increasing the risk of decay and gum problems.

4. Molars – Grinding and Stability

Molars are strong, broad teeth at the back of your mouth that handle the grinding of food. For proper function, the pointed cusps of the upper molars should fit neatly between two lower teeth.

If the upper jaw is too narrow or too wide, this alignment is lost and a crossbite may occur. A crossbite happens when the upper teeth overlap the lower ones incorrectly. This makes chewing inefficient and can even contribute to indigestion due to poor food breakdown.

Why a Proper Bite Matters

When the bite is balanced, teeth experience even pressure, the jaw joints function comfortably, and digestion begins effectively through proper chewing. Crooked teeth and misaligned bites can lead to excessive tooth wear, gum disease, and even strain in the jaw or neck area.

If you believe your bite is not aligned correctly or want to learn more about how your teeth function, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

 

 

How Dental Health Reveals the Body’s Hidden History in Glen Iris.

A groundbreaking study published in the magazine Science found that one of history’s worst epidemics may have been caused by a common microbe. Researchers made this discovery using the pulp—the soft tissue located inside teeth—to identify bacteria present in the body at the time of death.

The DNA extracted from ancient teeth revealed that indigenous inhabitants suffered from a salmonella infection thought to have been introduced by Europeans into the local water systems. This finding connects dental tissues directly to historical patterns of disease and infection transmission.

Teeth: The Gateway to Understanding Health

This discovery highlights the deep connection between the inner tooth chamber and the rest of the body. The pulp inside teeth contains vital blood vessels and nerves that communicate with broader body systems.

When oral infections develop, they can spread through the bloodstream, potentially contributing to infections or inflammation in other organs. Conversely, certain systemic diseases can also exacerbate or manifest through dental symptoms.

The Link Between Oral and General Health

Scientific research increasingly supports the idea that oral health is a key indicator of overall wellbeing. Uncontrolled dental infections may contribute to or worsen several systemic conditions, including:

  • Heart disease

  • Diabetes

  • Respiratory infections

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

The mouth serves as both a mirror and a gateway to the body’s health, making regular dental care essential for early detection and prevention of diseases.

Protecting Your Health Through Dental Care

Maintaining oral hygiene is not just about keeping your smile bright—it is about safeguarding your total health. Regular dental checkups ensure that issues like decay or infection are caught early before they can affect other parts of the body.

If you’d like to learn more about the relationship between your dental and general health, please ask Dr. Kaufman during your next visit.

Understanding Gaps Between Teeth (Diastemas) in Glen Iris

Many people experience gaps between their teeth, known as diastemas. These gaps can appear between any two teeth, though they are most common between the upper front teeth, often creating a visible dark space that many find aesthetically unappealing.

What Causes Gaps Between Teeth?

Several factors can contribute to the formation of diastemas:

  • A mismatch between the size of your teeth and jawbone.

  • Missing or undersized teeth.

  • An enlarged frenum (the tissue connecting your lip to your gums) keeping teeth apart.

  • Habits such as thumb or dummy sucking.

  • Misalignment or incorrect bite relationships between the teeth.

  • Periodontal disease causing teeth to loosen and drift apart.

  • Poor eruption or positioning of certain teeth preventing proper alignment.

Identifying the cause is the first step to choosing the right treatment approach.

Why Should Gaps Be Treated?

Although diastemas are not harmful by themselves, they may indicate underlying dental issues.
When gaps result from gum disease or oral habits, they often worsen over time, making treatment more complex later. Closing a diastema not only improves the appearance of your smile but also helps maintain better teeth alignment and gum health.

Treatment Options for Closing Gaps

Depending on the cause and the size of the gap, several options are available:

1. Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment is often the most natural and long-lasting solution. By gradually moving the teeth into their proper positions, gaps can be closed permanently, restoring a balanced smile while maintaining your own teeth.

2. Resin VeneersGap closed

Resin veneers can make teeth appear slightly larger, closing small or moderate gaps. Veneers can be created in a single visit and provide an immediate cosmetic improvement, although they may chip or discolor over time.

3. Crowns or Bridges

For larger gaps or when one or more teeth are missing, crowns or dental bridges can be used to restore aesthetics and function. These options also help protect neighbouring teeth from shifting.

4. Dental Implants

When a tooth is missing entirely, placing an implant restoration can provide a long-term solution. A dental implant replaces the missing tooth root and supports a natural-looking crown to fill the space seamlessly.

Get a Professional Opinion

At Tooronga Family Dentistry, we assess the cause of spacing issues and help you choose the treatment that best fits your dental health and aesthetic goals. If you have a diastema or gaps in your teeth, ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation today.

 

Mouth Breathing and Its Impact on Dental Development in Glen Iris

When we are born, our natural instinct is to breathe through the nose. The nasal passages filter, warm, and humidify air before it enters the lungs. However, when nasal obstructions occur, breathing shifts from the nose to the mouth. While this may begin as a temporary adaptation, prolonged mouth breathing can have lasting effects on both oral and facial development.

How Mouth Breathing Affects Jaw and Facial Growth

When the nose is underused, its structures do not develop properly. The same applies to the upper jaw, which becomes narrow and underdeveloped. As a result, the upper jaw may appear sunken, and the lower jaw tends to hang open so air can pass through more easily. Over time, this posture weakens facial muscles and elongates the lower facial structure.

The Role of the Tongue

The tongue greatly influences how the upper jaw and base of the skull develop. Ideally, the tongue should rest against the roof of the mouth during both rest and swallowing.

In mouth breathers, however, the tongue remains at the floor of the mouth and does not make contact with the palate. This absence of upward pressure leads to inadequate upper jaw growth and commonly results in bite misalignment and crowded teeth, particularly in children.

Long-Term Consequences

If mouth breathing persists, it can permanently alter the shape of the face and dental arches as a child matures. These structural changes often cause functional issues such as difficulty breathing through the nose, speech challenges, and an increased risk of orthodontic problems.

Early identification and intervention are crucial to prevent these effects from becoming permanent.

Treating Mouth Breathing Early

Mouth breathing should be addressed in childhood through a combination of dental, orthodontic, and medical approaches. Treatment may include:

  • Identifying and removing nasal or airway obstructions

  • Encouraging proper tongue posture and nasal breathing habits

  • Orthodontic therapy to guide jaw and bite development

If you or your child are mouth breathers or have misaligned teeth, it is important to have the condition assessed as early as possible. For professional evaluation, ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

How to fix Tooth cross bite?

What Is a Crossbite?

A crossbite occurs when the teeth do not align properly. In a normal bite, the upper teeth slightly overlap the lower teeth both at the front and back of the mouth. When the upper and lower rows of teeth meet incorrectly, this is known as a crossbite, and it should be treated as soon as possible.

Crossbites can affect the way you chew, speak, and smile, and may lead to further oral health problems if left untreated.

Consequences of an Untreated Crossbite

When the bite is misaligned, several issues can develop over time:

In growing children, untreated crossbites can also affect facial development. The imbalance may cause the face to grow asymmetrically, potentially leading to teasing, reduced confidence, and emotional distress.

Treatment Options for a Crossbite

The best time to correct a crossbite is during childhood while the jaw and teeth are still developing. However, effective treatments are also available for adults.

Crossbites often result from a narrow upper jaw, and treatment focuses on gently repositioning the teeth and expanding the dental arch through orthodontic methods.

1. Palatal or Maxillary Expander

An orthodontic device that fits over the upper teeth and gradually widens the upper jaw. It is particularly effective in children and adolescents.

2. Removable Expander

A device worn at night to widen the upper palate when only minimal expansion is necessary. This is a less invasive option suitable for mild cases.

3. Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE)

In adults whose jaws have stopped growing, a surgeon can perform a minor procedure to separate the upper jaw bone slightly. A custom-made expander is then used to widen the upper arch.

4. Braces

Braces may be used as a standalone treatment or following expansion to align the upper and lower teeth correctly, creating a balanced and healthy bite.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Correcting a crossbite early helps prevent structural damage to the teeth and jaw joint while improving facial symmetry and function. Left untreated, a crossbite can cause:

  • Tooth wear

  • TMJ discomfort

  • Gum recession

  • Chronic tension in facial muscles

If you or your child show signs of misalignment, it’s important to have the condition evaluated promptly.
For professional advice and treatment options, ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Why Your Dental Implants need to be Cleaned like Your Teeth?

Dental implants offer a long-lasting, aesthetic, and functional solution to replace missing teeth, but maintaining them properly is essential for their success. Despite implants being made from materials like titanium or porcelain, the natural gum and bone tissue surrounding them can still be vulnerable to infection, such as peri-implantitis, caused by plaque buildup. Unlike natural teeth, implants lack the periodontal ligament, which normally helps protect the bone from bacterial infiltration, making good daily oral hygiene critical.

To care for your dental implants effectively:

  • Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste, carefully cleaning all implant surfaces.

  • Floss daily using implant-specific floss or interdental brushes designed to remove plaque in hard-to-reach areas without damaging tissues.

  • Consider using water flossers or antimicrobial mouth rinses as recommended by your dentist.

  • Avoid smoking, as it increases the risk of implant failure and gum problems.

  • Maintain regular dental visits, typically every three to six months, for professional cleaning, implant stability assessment, and gum health evaluation.

  • Follow any specific aftercare instructions provided by your dental professional, especially during the healing phase.

Early detection of swelling, redness, or bleeding around an implant is important. If you notice these signs, promptly consult your dentist for examination and treatment to prevent further complications.

Good oral hygiene and regular professional care can help your dental implants last for decades, ensuring a healthy, confident smile.

For personalized implant care advice, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment.