Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Recent study found link between gum disease and hypertension

On March 2021, Dr. Francesco D’Aiuto, head of the periodontology unit at University College London Eastman Dental Institute, published a study outlining the association between severe gum disease and high blood pressure. According to these findings, a person experiencing an advanced stage of gum disease is significantly more likely to develop high blood pressure.

Dr. D’Aiuto explained that “evidence indicates that periodontal bacteria cause damage to the gums and also trigger inflammatory responses that can impact the development of systemic diseases including high blood pressure.”

The study analyzed data from 250 adults with severe periodontitis and 250 adults without gum disease. All participants were otherwise healthy. The findings revealed that participants with gum disease were twice as likely to have high systolic blood pressure (140 mm Hg or more) than those with healthy gums (14% vs. 7%, respectively). The results suggest that 50% of adults could have undetected high blood pressure due to gum disease and consequently many individuals may be unaware they are at increased risk of heart-related problems.

The author noted that “oral health strategies such as brushing teeth twice daily are proven very effective in managing and preventing the most common oral conditions, and our study’s results indicate they can also be a powerful and affordable tool to help prevent hypertension.”

Please contact the practice if you have any questions regarding your health condition.

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.

Healthy Easter Smiles: Glen Iris Dental Tips for Enjoying Sweets Without Overloading on Sugar

Easter in Glen Iris means hot cross buns, cookies, pies, and chocolate at every turn. While a little indulgence is all part of the fun, it’s important not to go overboard on sugar. Here’s how your local Glen Iris dental team recommends protecting your teeth while still enjoying the holidays:

Smart Ways to Limit Sugar at Easter

  • Start with healthy foods:
    At festive meals, put nutrient-rich options on your plate first, then add a portion of sweets on the side—just as much as you actually want to eat. One plate is enough; skip going back for seconds.

  • Keep fresh, healthy snacks handy:
    Stock your kitchen or party table with a visible cookie jar filled with fruit or veggies. When convenient choices are healthy, you’re less likely to grab sugary snacks.

  • Bring better options to gatherings:
    When heading to an Easter event in Glen Iris, consider offering healthy desserts—like dark chocolate-dipped strawberries, homemade pumpkin pie, or refreshing fruit tarts.

  • Wait before dessert:
    Allow 20 minutes after your main meal—your brain needs time to realize you’re full. Try going for a family walk; by the time you return, you may crave less dessert. Walking also helps boost your metabolism.

The Tooronga Family Dentistry team wishes our Glen Iris community a bright, happy, and healthy Easter with your loved ones!

Wisdom Teeth Facts: Glen Iris Dental Guide to What You Need to Know

There are plenty of myths and urban legends about wisdom teeth. If you’re in Glen Iris and wondering whether you have them, what their purpose is, and if removal is required, here are the facts:

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are just like any other tooth—the third molars, located at the very back of your mouth. They usually begin to erupt around age 18, but can appear later. Most people grow all four, but some only develop two or three. The presence and position are best checked with a large dental x-ray (OPG) typically around ages 15–17.

Why Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems?

Since they come in later than other teeth, wisdom teeth often don’t have enough space to emerge properly. This can lead to:

  • Tilting or becoming impacted (stuck below the gum)

  • Crowding existing teeth

  • Damage to nearby teeth

  • Trapping food and bacteria, increasing the risk of decay

Misaligned or impacted wisdom teeth can result in tooth decay, swelling, tenderness, and bad breath. Extraction is often the safest solution for these issues.

When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

Ideally, removal should be planned early—before problems develop. Extracting wisdom teeth at a younger age is generally easier, as roots are not fully formed and bone is less dense.

If you live in Glen Iris and want to find out more about your wisdom teeth, contact our dental team for a thorough check. The first step will be an x-ray; then Dr. Kaufman can suggest the best approach for your oral health.

Dairy-Free Diets and Oral Health: Glen Iris Advice on Calcium & Vitamin D

Many people in Glen Iris choose to cut dairy from their diet—whether for personal preference, allergies, or other health concerns. While avoiding dairy is common, it’s important to remember that dairy is a major source of calcium and other nutrients vital for healthy teeth, bones, nerves, muscles, and even cell function. Calcium is also essential in your saliva for preventing tooth decay.

How to Get Enough Calcium Without Dairy

Calcium can’t be made by your body—it must come from your food. If you’re dairy-free, focus on these sources:

  • Dark leafy greens (bok choy, broccoli)

  • Foods fortified with calcium (orange juice, cereal, soymilk)

  • Nuts, especially almonds

The recommended calcium intake for adults is around 1,000 mg per day. Make sure you’re reading labels and planning your meals accordingly.

Why Vitamin D Is Just as Essential

Vitamin D is needed for your body to absorb calcium effectively. You can get Vitamin D in two main ways:

  • Sun exposure (your skin makes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight)

  • Dietary sources like seafood (mackerel, salmon, tuna) and fortified foods (orange juice, cereal, soymilk)

Adults typically need about 600 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D daily.

Healthy Teeth and Bones in Glen Iris

By ensuring your diet provides enough calcium and vitamin D, you’re strengthening your teeth and bones and supporting your overall wellbeing—even without dairy.

If you have questions about nutrition for strong teeth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Kaufman.

What Is Fluorosis? Glen Iris Dental Guide from Tooronga Family Dentistry

What is fluorosis?

During the formation of our teeth and bones fluoride can become embedded in them as part of their mineral content. Normally the mineral content of the teeth and the bones is hydroxy apatite which is made of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl ions. But if fluoride ions are present, during the formation of these tissues, they can replace the hydroxyl ones and form a crystal called fluoro-apatite, which can interfere with the proper formation of the teeth and bones. This the reason why ingesting high doses of fluoride will lead to the formation of floor-apatite in the teeth.

When we are born our “baby” and permanent teeth are already forming under our gums in the jawbone. An overexposure to fluoride during the pregnancy or during the first eight years of life, will lead to changes in the formation of the teeth and the appearance of stains – these stains are called fluorosis. There can be different stains ranging from yellow to dark brown and there can be pits and surface irregularities depending on the severity of the affliction.

How to prevent Fluorosis?

The introduction of fluoride to drinking water is one of the great preventive disease programs of the 20th century. But the addition of fluoride to the water can make any additional fluoride ingested a risk factor for fluorosis. That is why other sources of fluoride in the diet need to be checked for their fluoride content, these are tooth paste, seafood, fruit juices, formula milk and tea. Since all the ingested fluoride can add up, it is important to know how much fluoride your child consumes. To prevent fluorosis your child should not consume more than the daily amounts a person can safely ingest.

Here are the safe limits for daily consumption as published by the National Health and Medical health council:

For infants:

0-6 months 0.01 mg/day
7-12 months 0.50 mg/day

For children

All
1-3 yr 0.7 mg/day
4-8 yr 1.0 mg/day
Boys
9-13 yr 2.0 mg/day
14-18 yr 3.0 mg/day
Girls
9-13 yr 2.0 mg/day
14-18 yr 3.0 mg/day

For Adults:

Men
19-30 yr 4 mg/day
31-50 yr 4 mg/day
51-70 yr 4 mg/day
>70 yr 4 mg/day
Women
19-30 yr 3 mg/day
31-50 yr 3 mg/day
51-70 yr 3 mg/day
>70 yr 3 mg/day

Treatment
Since fluorosis affects the structure and appearance of teeth. It will cause unsightly stains and may result in cavities . As a result, the treatment for fluorosis is to remove the surface of the stained areas and restore the teeth with resin restorations or veneers.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have more questions about fluorosis or to make an appointment to see Dr. Kaufman Daniel at Tooronga Family Dentistry to have .