Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

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!

Can the wire in my teeth be removed?

Fixed Retainers After Orthodontic Treatment

Many people have a small wire attached behind their teeth after finishing orthodontic treatment. These wires are called fixed retainers. In most patients, they help keep the teeth in their new positions because teeth often try to move back after braces or aligner treatment.

How Long Should Fixed Retainers Stay In Place?

A fixed retainer usually stays in place for several years after orthodontic treatment. It should not be removed until growth has finished — usually around age 20 for women and 25 for men. Once growth is complete, Dr. Daniel Kaufman can check whether your fixed retainer is still needed.

When Should a Fixed Retainer Be Removed?

There are several reasons you might need to remove a fixed retainer:

Common Reasons for Retainer Removal

• The retainer wire has fractured or come loose
• The wire has bent or become distorted
• Teeth have started to move even though the wire looks fine
• There is a higher risk of gum disease
• Food gets trapped around the wire, causing inflammation

What Happens If the Retainer Is Removed?

If the wire is removed without another retainer, teeth may start to shift again. To find out whether your upper or lower fixed retainer should be removed, book an appointment with Dr. Daniel Kaufman. We will examine your fixed retainer and explain whether it is still necessary or if adjustments are required to keep your smile healthy and stable.

 

Do wisdom tooth eruption lead to crowded teeth?

Crowding of the lower front teeth is a common problem for adults, regardless of whether they have undergone orthodontic treatment during their youth. Around the time when crowding begins to develop, wisdom teeth also start to erupt. For this reason, it has often been suggested that the eruption of wisdom teeth, or third molars as they are called in professional literature, is a cause of this crowding, claiming that as wisdom teeth erupt, they push other teeth, leading to crowding.

Research conducted in 1961 by Bergstrom & Jensen found that patients who had wisdom teeth on only one side showed more crowding on that side. Later, in 1982, another study showed that removing wisdom teeth from one side reduced crowding on that side in 70% of patients compared to the side where wisdom teeth were present. These findings point to wisdom teeth removal as a potential solution for crowding.

However, other studies found no significant link between third molars and crowding. These studies compared patients who had orthodontic treatment with or without wisdom teeth and concluded that crowding occurs regardless of third molar presence and does not significantly influence tooth position changes after orthodontics.

A comprehensive review published in 2020 found only a minimal change of about 1mm in crowding after wisdom teeth removal. Therefore, it concluded that removing wisdom teeth solely to prevent crowding is not justified.

In summary, many factors contribute to crowding in adults, including diet, jaw growth, tooth shape, and orthodontic treatment techniques. To prevent or treat lower incisor crowding, a thorough examination by Dr. Daniel Kaufman is essential. Please feel free to contact us for advice regarding your wisdom teeth and crowding concerns. We will gladly assess your wisdom teeth position and discuss any risk of front teeth crowding.

Association between gum disease and severity of COVID‐19 infection in Glen Iris

A recent study published in February 2021 (DOI link) found that gum disease or periodontitis is linked to the severity of Covid-19 complications.

According to the authors,  this research explored the role of gum disease as an exacerbating factor in severe Covid-19 outcomes. Since systemic inflammation is also a key feature of periodontitis, the connection between periodontitis and COVID‐19 complications has been investigated.

Periodontitis is a chronic, non‐resolving gingival inflammation causing bone loss and tooth detachment. It has been linked to other medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, renal disease, pneumonia, and cancer.

The study analyzed 568 Covid-19 patients. Out of those, 258 had periodontitis. Among them, 33 experienced Covid-19 complications, whereas only 7 of the 310 patients without periodontitis had such complications. The study concluded that patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis had a significantly higher risk of COVID‐19 complications compared to those with mild or no periodontitis. Possible reasons for this connection include periodontal pockets acting as viral reservoirs and the aspiration of periodontal bacteria worsening COVID‐19 virulence.

Gum disease is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide but remains preventable and treatable. Maintaining good oral health, especially healthy gums, can significantly reduce the risk of serious medical conditions, including coronavirus complications. Signs of gum disease include bleeding during brushing or eating and bad breath. Since symptoms often aren’t painful, many ignore them, increasing the risk of tooth loss and medical complications.

To prevent gum disease, brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, clean gently along the gum-line, and floss regularly. Regular dental visits are essential for assessing oral health and receiving professional cleaning. For more information or concerns about gum disease, please contact our practice to schedule an appointment.

Why do I have a black line at the base of my crown in Glen Iris?

Over time, it is common for black lines to form at the base of a crown or become visible on the gums surrounding your crown. Typically, this is a cosmetic issue and usually causes no pain.

If you do experience pain, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Black lines can appear on crowns for several reasons, whether it’s an individual crown or one placed after root canal treatment:

  • Having a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown. As your gums recede over time, the metal portion at the top of your crown may be exposed.

  • Staining caused by the metal on your PFM crown where the gums meet the metal.

  • Cavity formation between the crown and gums.

Dr. Daniel Kaufman can assess the cause and recommend an appropriate solution, which may include:

  • Replacing an old crown with a fully porcelain crown to eliminate black lines and stains.

  • Treating any cavities promptly to avoid further complications.

All treatments should be supported with good dental hygiene at home and regular check-up and hygiene appointments at the dental practice. If you noticed a black line around your crown, schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Daniel Kaufman.

Caring for Your Child’s Teeth in Glen Iris: Common Questions Answered

Caring for Your Child’s Teeth: Your Most Common Questions Answered

Parents often have many questions about how to properly care for their children’s teeth. At Tooronga Family Dentistry, we’re here to make oral health simple and stress-free. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you keep your child’s smile healthy from the very beginning.

When Should My Child Start Brushing?

Dental hygiene should begin even before the first tooth erupts.

  • Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a damp washcloth to introduce the idea of oral care.

  • Once teething begins, offer a small, soft toothbrush for your child to rub along the gums.

  • As soon as the first teeth appear, help your child brush twice a day using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Good habits start early—your support makes all the difference.

When Should Kids Have Their First Dental Exam?

Your child should have their first dental visit before their 1st birthday.

During this appointment, we:

  • Explain what we’re doing in a gentle, child-friendly way

  • Count and examine their teeth

  • Look for early signs of decay or developmental issues

Avoid waiting for pain, sensitivity, or brown spots—early prevention keeps smiles healthy.

When Can Children Start Brushing on Their Own?

Children can begin brushing with assistance as early as 1 year old, but they require close adult supervision.

Here’s what we recommend:

  • Brush twice a day for two full minutes

  • Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste

  • Brush your own teeth alongside your child to show good habits

  • Let them choose a toothbrush with a fun character

  • Play a 2-minute song to help them brush for the correct time

After they finish, an adult should always check for missed spots and help clean them.

When Should Kids Start Flossing?

Flossing becomes necessary as soon as two teeth touch, which typically occurs around 16 months of age.

When teeth contact each other, they create small spaces where bacteria can hide and cause cavities—flossing keeps these areas clean.

Need More Help?

If you have more questions about your child’s oral health or would like to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Daniel Kaufman and our caring team at Tooronga Family Dentistry. We’re here to support you and your family every step of the way.

Understanding Inflammation and Oral Health: A Glen Iris Dental Guide

Understanding Inflammation and Oral Health: What Glen Iris Patients Should Know

The concept of inflammation has been recognized since ancient Egyptian and Greek times. Today, we understand inflammation as the body’s natural defense mechanism—its way of protecting and healing itself from harmful stimuli. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can cause long-term damage to your health, including your gum and oral health.

At Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris, we regularly help patients understand how inflammation affects the mouth, particularly the gums.

What Causes Inflammation?

Inflammation occurs when the body responds to something harmful or irritating. It does not always mean you have an infection.

An infection involves bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
An inflammation may result from:

  • A foreign object (like a thorn)

  • An allergic reaction

  • Trauma or irritation

  • In rare cases, the immune system reacting to its own tissues

The five classic signs of inflammation are:

  1. Swelling

  2. Redness

  3. Increased warmth in the affected area

  4. Pain or tenderness

  5. Reduced function of the affected organ

These symptoms signal that your body is attempting to defend and repair itself.

Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation

When you have an injury or wound, acute inflammation helps initiate the healing process.
Without it, infections or wounds would not resolve.

However, when the body cannot eliminate the cause of inflammation, it becomes chronic—lasting months or even years.

Chronic inflammation can become self-perpetuating, meaning the inflammation itself triggers more inflammation. In severe or prolonged cases, it may contribute to autoimmune conditions.

Common examples of chronic inflammatory conditions include:

  • Asthma

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Chronic sinusitis

  • Periodontitis (gum disease) — one of the most common conditions we see in Glen Iris patients

Chronic Gum Inflammation in Glen Iris

Chronic gum inflammation, known as periodontitis, is common among adults in Glen Iris.
It occurs when dental biofilm (plaque) is not fully removed, allowing harmful bacteria to irritate and inflame the gums.

Symptoms can include:

  • Persistent gum redness

  • Bleeding gums

  • Bad breath

  • Gum recession

  • Loose teeth in advanced cases

To resolve chronic gum inflammation, the underlying cause must be treated. For periodontal inflammation, this means professionally removing the dental biofilm and maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home.

Learn more on our periodontitis and chronic sinusitis.

Healing Requires Eliminating the Cause

Once the irritant—such as dental biofilm—is removed, the inflammation naturally subsides and the healing process begins.
This is why regular check-ups and professional cleans at our Glen Iris clinic are essential.

If you’re noticing persistent gum swelling, redness, or bleeding, schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Kaufman at Tooronga Family Dentistry so we can assess and resolve the issue.

Healthy Crunchy Foods for Strong Teeth: Glen Iris Dental Advice

Crunchy Foods and Your Teeth: What Glen Iris Families Should Know

We all know the old saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples aren’t just good for your general health—many crunchy foods can benefit your teeth as well. But not every crunchy snack is tooth-friendly.

At Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris, we help families choose foods that support stronger, healthier teeth. Here’s what you should know about good crunches and harmful crunches.

The Good Crunch: Tooth-Friendly Fruits and Veggies

Crunchy fruits such as apples and pears require a lot of chewing, which has two big dental benefits:

  • They help wipe away plaque and bacteria from the tooth surfaces

  • They provide vitamins and antioxidants essential for overall health

Crunchy vegetables like:

  • Carrots

  • Cucumbers

  • Celery

help stimulate saliva production, which acts as a natural defence system. Saliva is rich in minerals and antibodies that:

  • Protect against cavities

  • Defend against gum disease

  • Help neutralise harmful acids

High-fibre fruits and vegetables also support healthy digestion—another win for Glen Iris families working to stay healthy year-round.

The Harmful Crunch: Snacks That Damage Teeth

Not all crunchy foods are friendly to your enamel. Some snacks are so hard that they can cause physical damage, while others break into small pieces that harm your teeth in different ways.

Crunchy foods that can be harmful include:

  • Hard candy

  • Chips

  • Crackers

  • Pretzels

  • Pork crackling

These snacks can:

  • Cause cracks and fractures in teeth

  • Wedge tightly between teeth or fillings

  • Leave behind carbohydrates that convert into sugar, feeding bacteria

  • Produce acids that erode enamel and dentin, leading to cavities

We often see patients in Glen Iris with cracked fillings or new decay caused by these types of foods.

If you’re concerned about erosion or chipped teeth, visit our  General Dentistry page

Healthy Glen Iris Snack Tips

At Tooronga Family Dentistry, we encourage patients to choose:

  • Crunchy fruits

  • Fresh vegetables

  • Nutritious whole-food snacks

These options satisfy the craving for a crunch while keeping your teeth strong and cavity-free.

If you have questions about tooth sensitivity, cracks, or the best diet for dental health, schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Kaufman

Vitamin Deficiencies and Oral Health in Children: Glen Iris Dental Advice

How Vitamin Deficiencies Affect Your Child’s Oral Health in Glen Iris

Children need a wide range of vitamins and minerals while growing up. These nutrients help develop bones, muscles, organs, immunity, eyesight and, importantly, healthy teeth and gums. When the body does not receive enough vitamins, the mouth is often one of the first places to show warning signs.

Because the mouth is constantly exposed to bacteria — and provides ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive — vitamin deficiencies often present early through oral symptoms. At Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris, we frequently see children with issues linked to nutritional deficiencies.

Common Oral Symptoms of Vitamin Deficiency in Children

If your child is lacking essential vitamins and minerals, they may develop visible and uncomfortable signs, including:

  • Cracks at the corners of the mouth

  • A dry or smooth tongue

  • Gums that bleed easily

  • Ulcers on the gums

  • Increased susceptibility to oral infections

These symptoms should never be ignored. For many Glen Iris families, these are the first noticeable clues that their child is not getting the nutrients they need.

The Best Sources of Vitamins and Minerals for Growing Children

Children absorb nutrients best from real food, not supplements. A balanced diet ensures steady growth, strong teeth, and a resilient immune system.

Make sure your child eats a variety of:

❖ Vegetables

Rich in vitamins A, C, K, and essential minerals

❖ Fresh fruit

Important for immunity and gum health

❖ Grain foods

Bread, rice, pasta, cereals — excellent sources of B vitamins and energy

❖ Reduced-fat dairy

Milk, yoghurt, and cheese provide calcium crucial for strong teeth and bones

❖ Protein sources

Meat, chicken, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, peas, and chickpeas
These provide iron, zinc, and B-complex vitamins

A balanced, varied diet helps maintain healthy gums and prevents the early signs of oral deficiency we frequently see in Glen Iris children.

When to See a Dentist in Glen Iris

If your child shows any of these symptoms:

  • Gum ulcers

  • Cracked corners of the mouth

  • Bleeding gums

  • A dry or smooth tongue

  • Recurring oral infections

…it’s important to schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Kaufman at Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris as soon as possible.

During a comprehensive dental examination, we will:

  • Identify the cause of the symptoms

  • Check gum and soft tissue health

  • Look for signs of nutritional deficiency

  • Provide tailored guidance for improving oral and overall health

You can book online or 👉Call

Broken, Chipped or Cracked Teeth – What Glen Iris Patients Need to Know

Tooth enamel is one of the strongest materials in the human body, but even strong enamel can break, chip or crack—especially with some of the crunchy foods we love around Glen Iris. Crunching down on hard foods like pork crackling, ice or candy is one of the most common causes of cracked teeth. A fall while walking around Gardiner’s Creek Trail or a sporting knock at TH King Oval can also lead to sudden tooth damage.

If a tooth already has decay, is weakened by grinding, or has an old restoration, it is even more likely to fracture.

A cracked or broken tooth may not always hurt, especially if the tooth has already had a root canal treatment. More commonly, pain appears while chewing, when pressure causes the cracked sections of the tooth to move. You may also notice sensitivity to heat or cold if the nerve inside the tooth is irritated or exposed.

When left untreated, a cracked tooth can allow bacteria to enter deeper layers of the tooth, the root canal system and even the bone—leading to serious infection and possible tooth loss.

Below are the common types of tooth fractures that we treat every week at Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris, and the treatments most often used.

Minor Cracks

Small surface cracks in the enamel—often caused by tooth grinding, clenching or hard foods—are very common.
At Tooronga Family Dentistry, these are often resolved with a simple polish to remove rough edges and improve comfort.

A Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth is at high risk of breaking apart.
If the crack runs through a tooth with a filling or decay, we will:

  1. Remove the old filling and any decay

  2. Rebuild the tooth using a strong composite restoration, which holds the cracked segments together

This restores strength and prevents further fracture.

Tooth Chips

Small chips can usually be repaired with a composite filling to prevent the damage from worsening.
If the chip is tiny and does not affect your smile, we may simply polish the area.

Large Fractures

When a large portion of the tooth breaks away, it often means the crack reaches the nerve. This can cause severe sensitivity or pain.
In these cases, treatment usually involves:

  • Root canal therapy

  • A custom crown to protect the weakened tooth

Split Tooth

If a crack runs vertically and the tooth is separated into two sections, treatment options include:

  • Root canal treatment, if the split is limited

  • Extraction, if the split is too deep to restore

If You Break, Chip or Crack a Tooth in Glen Iris

If you notice a crack, chip or break—even if it doesn’t hurt—it is important to see Dr Daniel Kaufman at Tooronga Family Dentistry as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

You can book online or 👉Call.
📍 Conveniently located for families in Glen Iris, Tooronga, Malvern and Hawthorn East