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Have you ever woken up in the morning with a really dry mouth, had a sip of water, and still felt that your mouth was parched like a desert? Or that no matter how much water you drink, you’re still needing more? If that’s the case for you, don’t worry, you’re not alone. These signs could be an indication of xerostomia, or more commonly known as a “dry mouth,” and is very commonly overlooked by many people. While it may seem to be a minor inconvenience, having a dry mouth could be an indication of underlying health conditions, and can negatively affect your oral health, digestion and quality of life. But what causes it, and what can you do to help?  

To start with, xerostomia occurs when your salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep your mouth hydrated and moist. Saliva is an incredibly important component in keeping your mouth healthy, it helps to wash away excess food, neutralize acidic foods and acids, and prevents infection. When we start to have less saliva and eventually, a dry mouth, it could lead to higher chances of decay, changes in taste, and bad breath to name a few concerns. Common causes of a dry mouth can be the result of many factors, namely: 

Dehydration 

You can look for signs of it when waking up in the morning and noticing that your saliva is consistently thick or lacking. Many people may have excess sweating during the summer or become sick during winter, which may lead to potential xerostomia. 

Mouth breathing 

Many people naturally breath through their nose, but when your nose is congested, long term mouth breathing can occur. If you haven’t spoken to your doctor about it, please have a chat with them whenever you can, as it could be linked to bad breath and difficulties sleeping at night. Mouth breathing is important to prevent in young children especially as it can affect facial development and dental alignment, along with higher chances of dental decay. 

Polypharmacy 

Taking multiple medications at once or, taking medications with side effects of a dry mouth. These drugs include antihistamines, Ventolin puffers, medications for an overactive bladder, antidepressants and blood pressure medications to name a few. 

 Underlying medical conditions and medications 

• Diabetes, when poorly controlled, can lead to frequent feelings of dehydration and reduced saliva production. People diagnosed with high blood glucose (sugar) can also have altered saliva composition, which can increase the risk of oral infections. These symptoms can be presented as difficulties speaking and swallowing, burning sensations, increased plaque and potential higher risks of periodontal disease.  

• Sjogren’s syndrome is a condition that targets the salivary and tear glands in our bodies, leading to severe affects of a dry mouth and eyes. 

• Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of our airways, leading to difficulties breathing. While asthma itself does not directly lead to symptoms of a dry mouth, many people can experience it due to the medications they take.  

• Antihistamines may also cause symptoms of xerostomia due to reduced mucus and fluid secretions, which can affect the salivary glands.  

Cancer treatment 

Individuals who undergo radiation treatment in their neck and head can have damage or destruction of salivary tissue, which could lead to permanent reductions in saliva. Cancer around the neck and head is usually the result of frequent and long-term use of tobacco and alcohol but can also arise from damaged skin from sun exposure, HPV infections, family genetics and weakened immune systems.  

Lifestyle habits 

Smoking, drinking, vaping and excessive caffeine consumption can lead to prolonged periods of a dry mouth, but can be quickly resolved by cutting down on those lifestyle habits.  

Why does it matter? 

Now that we’ve spoken about quite a few factors that can cause xerostomia, what are the affects of it, and why does it really matter? When it comes to dental issues, dry mouths can lead to increased risks of tooth decay, periodontal disease, oral infections and also bad breath. As we mentioned earlier, saliva is critical in washing away excess food stuck on our teeth that bacteria feed on, neutralizes acids after we eat, and additionally contains minerals (all the good things like calcium and phosphate) that helps to remineralise our enamel, the outermost layer of our teeth.  

When we start having less saliva in our mouths, acid remains on our teeth for longer, leading to potential acid eroded teeth that are thinner and easier for harmful bacteria to penetrate; these same bacteria remain and thrive, which leads to an overgrowth of plaque too, that can lead to gum disease and oral thrush (which can make your breath smell). Lack of moisture can also lead to discomfort and difficulties swallowing, especially for our seniors with dentures.  

Having xerostomia can also lead to your overall health being affected. It becomes more difficult to chew and swallow, meaning foods like crackers, carrots and meat can be hard to manage. It may even change how food tastes, and irritate your mouths when having especially spicy, salty, sour or dry foods. As a result, it can lead to people having an increased risk of malnutrition as they start to avoid certain foods, eat less or avoid meals in general. Unintentionally, this may lead to weight loss of nutritional deficiencies, which can exacerbate other known or underlying health problems.  

How to fix it  

Now that we’ve spoken on how and why having a dry mouth can impact your health, we’ll give you a few tips and products to try at home: 

• Hydration 

• • As many people would assume, the first step in trying to help your try mouth would be to drink more water. Having more frequent sips of water throughout the day (even when you’re not thirsty), and drinking small amounts before and after eating helps with chewing and swallowing. Have a water bottle with you, invest in one if that helps, and have a sip when you’re hungry or craving something, you might just be thirsty.  

• Stimulating your saliva naturally 

• • The next easiest recommendation after drinking lots of water would be chewing sugar free gum with xylitol, sucking on sugar free lozenges and eating lots of crunchy foods. This helps to activate your salivary glands and produce more saliva. 

• Stimulating your saliva with substitutes  

• • If you like using mouthwash, look for alcohol free substitutes that contains xylitol. That way, the alcohol doesn’t dry your mouth and the xylitol increases saliva production. If you can find one with fluoride, it will also have the added benefit of reducing dental decay. 

• • Brands like Biotene and Oral7 are specifically catered to help with symptoms of xerostomia, with options of sprays, gels, mouthwashes, and toothpastes containing fluoride. Try out a few of their products and see what helps for you!  

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco 

• • These substances can lead to less fluid promotion and dry your mouth. Tabacco can even damage tissues, which increases your risk of gum disease, oral infections and even cancer.  

 It’s important to remember that while trying to help your dry mouth, maintaining good oral hygiene and seeing a dental professional regularly can help. By flossing your teeth and brushing twice a day with fluoridate toothpaste, it will help reduce bacteria build up and keep your mouth fresh. When seeing your dental professional, let us know if these are symptoms that you commonly face, and we will do our best to help you through it.  

 Our team at True Smiles Dental are committed to providing the best care we possibly can, we advocate and are committed to providing you with the tools and support necessary to maintain a healthy and bright smile. If you would like to know more about your dry mouth, have any questions, or concerns you would like to address, book your appointment with us today: 

 📞 Call us on (02) 7228 7272 

🌐 Online at https://truesmilesdental.com.au/appointments 

📧 Email us on info@truesmilesdental.com.au 

 Thank you for your time, we hope you learnt something with today’s blog, and we’ll see you in the next one!  

How often should I change my Toothbrush?

Hello everyone! Thank you for tuning back in for another post where this time we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about brushing your teeth with the right toothbrush and toothpaste, and how often you should be changing your toothbrush. At True Smiles Dental, we believe that caring for your teeth starts with preventative care and patient education – what you do at home matters. Which is why when coming in for your regular check ups and cleans, we take our time learning  

So, let’s start with a few questions, when was the last time you changed your toothbrush? Have a good look at it, do your bristles fan out? Is there a thin layer of debris from where the bristles start? And have you been sick recently? If you answered yes to any of those questions, it’s probably time for you to change your toothbrush.   

If you think about how often you brush your teeth and all the germs and bacteria that sit in your mouth after a whole day of eating, imagine how well your toothbrush is cleaning everything! But, just like a sponge when you wash the dishes, it gets dirty over time. Bacteria builds up, and your toothbrush wears down over time, meaning it doesn’t do a good job of brushing your teeth as it should – which could lead to more plaque buildup, higher chances of gum disease and more chances of holes to form in your teeth. If you’ve had a tooth filling or deep clean for your gums before, it probably wasn’t the best experience, so to reduce the chances of this happening again, let’s start with the basics. 

Cleaning in-between your teeth 

Before brushing our teeth, we should start with cleaning in-between first. Reason being, food tends to get stuck between our teeth that our toothbrush and toothpaste can’t reach. Holes commonly form in between our teeth too, so it’s important to floss or use pixster brushes before brushing to get the food out, and let our toothpaste get in. If you tend to have tighter teeth and no implants, we’d recommend flossing your teeth. If you have a history of gum disease, have a wire to hold your teeth, an implant, bridge or wider gaps in your teeth, an appropriately sized pixster brush (recommended by your dentist or Oral Health Therapist) would be best. 

How often should you brush your teeth? 

Twice daily – after waking up and before going to bed  

• Why brush in the morning? 
  • During the night, we have bacteria that builds up in our mouths. If you ever notice that your breath stinks in the morning AKA “morning breath” – that’s plaque! And a simple brush in the morning before breakfast can help to reduce that bad breath and plaque build up  
  • Additionally, our toothpaste contains a variety of ingredients that help protect our tooth enamel from stains and plaque. So, if you often have coffee in the morning, it’s best to brush your teeth before having breakfast. 
•  Why brush at night? 
  • After a whole day of eating and drinking, there’s plaque that builds up along your teeth that attracts bacteria to the tooth, which could potentially lead to decay.  
  • Plaque over long periods of time can also lead to calculus, or tartar buildup (the hard yellow bits that usually forms in your lower front teeth), which can’t be removed at home and requires a professional clean to be removed. Calculus can lead to eventual gum recession and loose teeth if left untreated for years.  

What toothpaste should I use? 

You can’t go wrong when you choose a normal toothpaste from Oral B, Colgate or Sensodyne. For adults, if you tend to have sensitivity, we’d recommend a toothpaste labelled for sensitive teeth, but otherwise, make sure that the concentration of fluoride listed on the packaging is anywhere from 1000-1500ppmF.  

Toothpaste that we recommend staying away from is anything that contains charcoal. It tends to dry our teeth out and cause more abrasiveness, which could harm our gums and cause recession. Whitening toothpaste too, tends not to whiten our teeth but remove micro layers of stain while potentially causing sensitivity and gum abrasion.  

For kids, we recommend following the guidelines listed on the box unless a higher concentration is recommended by your dental practitioner.  

So, when should you change your toothbrush? 

To put it simply, you should be changing your toothbrush: 

1. Once every 3-4 months 
2. After getting sick from a virus, disease or infection  
3. And, when you start noticing that your bristles flare out  

As we mentioned earlier, we generally recommend changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months as your toothbrush wears down and bacteria starts to visibly build and form on the base of the brush. If you notice the bristles flare out before and during the time you need to change your toothbrush, you might also be brushing too hard. Flared bristles tend to do a poorer job of brushing your teeth and may additionally irritate your gums and cause inflammation. It’s important to change within the 3-4 month time period as your toothbrush gradually becomes less effective at removing plaque on your teeth. This increases your risk of potential gum disease and decay, meaning more unpleasant visits to the dentist. 

So now that you’re changing your toothbrush, what should you change it to? There’s a few things to consider but our golden rule is: always stick with a soft toothbrush. Soft toothbrushes are the best for removing plaque without traumatizing and damaging your gums. While a medium and hard toothbrush can be better at removing plaque, the damage done to your gums is irreversible and, unfortunately, that gum recession doesn’t grow back. Over time, gum recession can lead to increased sensitivity and discomfort from cold drinks and food – so try and go with the softest toothbrush available, either a manual or an electric toothbrush is fine, they both perform well when used properly. When changing the head for your electric toothbrush, make sure to look out for the sensitive or gum focused range. For our regular toothbrushes, try stick to the normal ones with no plastic in the head, the more bristles there are, the more likely it can reach in-between your teeth for a proper clean.  

If you would like more information regarding whether you should use a normal or electric toothbrush, please check out or other blog, “Are Electric toothbrushes or manual toothbrushes better?” for further insight.  

Otherwise, if you’re uncertain about the best toothbrush or oral hygiene tools for your needs, your Marrickville Dentist or Oral health therapist at True Smiles Dental can help provide the best advice. During our hygiene appointments, we adopt a Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) protocol which means we plaque disclose your teeth to identify missed areas of plaque and biofilm in your mouth prior to a professional clean with our EMS airflow. This helps to tailor our oral hygiene advice specifically to each individual as needed. 

Contact the team at True Smiles Dental, Marrickville today for an appointment on (02) 7228 7272 or book online today at https://truesmilesdental.com.au/appointment to make an appointment. 

Hello everyone! Thank you and welcome back to another blog from the True Smiles Dental Team where this time, we’ll be discussing why it’s important to look after your teeth and gums while pregnant, and tips for you to share with any expecting mothers. We understand that for a lot of women, going through pregnancy is a very tough period with many lifestyle changes. You might be waking up with morning sickness, diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and having frequent mood swings – we wouldn’t want you to be dealing with any dental issues either.  

So, let’s start with the basics. Just like normal, we recommend flossing or using pixster brushes before brushing your teeth, and to continue brushing your teeth twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. We highly recommend still coming in for your routinely 6 months check-up and clean, just so we can monitor any changes in your teeth and gums, and to let you know whether you would need more frequent appointments to monitor and maintain your oral health. We try not to take any x-rays while pregnant unless necessary, so after giving birth, come back when you’re ready for a full check-up.   

Morning Sickness 

During the first trimester of pregnancy, many women who experience morning sickness may also have acid reflux, nausea and vomiting. We recommend that if this is a common occurrence, have a bucket with a cloud of tissues ready at your side – we wouldn’t want you to chip your teeth on the toilet rim when you start vomiting unexpectedly. We’d also encourage you to rinse your mouth with a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, try and get rid of any residual acid or food out of your mouth, and DO NOT brush your teeth. The acidity in your mouth may still be present and brushing your teeth after vomiting can cause the enamel to wear away, leading to acid eroded teeth. Over time, acid erosion can cause your teeth to become thinner, more brittle and fragile – leading to higher chances of tooth fracture and breakage. Instead, we recommend that you wait at least an hour after vomiting to brush your teeth and, to drink more water.  

 

Changes in your Mouth – What to Expect  

While pregnant, many women report their gums feeling weaker, sensitive, sore and easily irritated. Some women may experience pregnancy-induced gingivitis during the second trimester and onwards, an inflammation of the gums resulting in more swollen, inflamed, and prone to bleeding gums. If left unmonitored and uncared for, it may progress to periodontitis – gum disease, or for women already diagnosed with periodontitis, it may exacerbate further and result in further breakdown of supporting bone and gums around affected teeth. Over time, this can lead to generalised recession, sensitivity and possible tooth loss. So, don’t forget, lightly massage your gums while brushing your teeth, and try to floss every night. 

During the second trimester, small red and purple lumps may appear, usually in between teeth, that are non-cancerous pregnancy tumours. This is perfectly normal to expect due to fluctuating hormone levels and will usually resolve after giving birth. If you’re concerned about any lesions, let your dental professional know so we can monitor it, if the lesions are still present after giving birth, we’ll be sure to provide you with the correct pathways if we think it’s a lesion of concern. It’s perfectly normal to expect some changes in your mouth while pregnant, so try and visit us every 6 months so we can keep your mouth and teeth healthy and bright!  

The Untold Link: How a Mother’s Oral Health Affects Her Child’s Well-Being 

When we think about the health and well being of a mother, we often discuss topics related to their mental well-being, what she’s eating, and how often she might be exercising. But, did you know that a mother’s oral health can play an important role in their child’s oral health?   

• Pregnancy induced gingivitis
• Gums feel tender  
• Periodontitis – may be associated with preterm births and lower weight babies  
• Oral health status of a mother is also closely related to the dental disease burdens on her children  
• Study showed that severe dental decay prevalent In mothers was associated with double the decay prevalence and severity  
• Prevention and maintenance is critical  

Pregnancy Lesions 

• Tumours that form in the mouth only during pregnancy – benign doesn’t cause harm 
• Will disappear after giving birth 
• Otherwise monitor  

Diet  

• Stay off high sugar diet  
• Cut down on sugary drinks  

If you have any concerns or questions, please let us know during the appointment so we can provide you with the best possible treatment.  

Scared of the Dentist? Here’s how we can Help 

Hello readers! Welcome back to our blog, in this issue we’ll be trying to help out our friends with a bit of dental anxiety by providing you with ways to manage and overcome your fear. We understand coming to the dentist can be a tough battle for many people, especially if you’ve had unpleasant experiences in the past when you were younger, and we’re here to help as best as we can! Remember, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety is estimated to affect as many as 36% of the global population, with 12% having a very severe fear of the dentist. Avoiding the dentist can have serious consequences to not only your dental health, but your overall health. More recent studies show that our whole body is connected to our overall well-being, so anything that can happen to your heart, mind and body can also affect and reflect the state of your teeth. So, tell us your story, let us know how we can help you calm down, and we’ll try to come up with some ways to make your appointment as relaxing as possible.  

Before the appointment  

Before booking your dental appointment, take a moment to think about how you can best be supported. Have a chat with a trusted loved one, discuss what makes you anxious, and build strategies together to help better your stress and anxiety. If you would like for your loved one to attend with you, we have a seat next to the chair and ready for them to provide some emotional support. Make sure to get enough sleep the night before. We want to make sure that you’re well rested and prepared when you come in for your appointment. Having less sleep can trigger feelings of anxiety, frustration and emotional instability, so try to get to bed early and sleep well for your appointment. We would also encourage you to avoid caffeine on the morning of your appointment, especially for people that are caffeine sensitive, as it may increase your feelings of anxiety. 

When booking your appointment, we recommend having it booked early in the morning, if it’s your first task of the day you can relax for the remainder if needed. Late afternoon appointments can sometimes give you stress throughout the day, especially if you’re thinking anxiously about it and waiting for your appointment, so we recommend early bookings to best comfort you. Additionally, if you’re calling us over the phone, let us know you’re anxious. We can reserve more time for you to settle and talk so nobody feels rushed. It sometimes helps to bring something that can distract or comfort you in moments of anxiety, so a fidget toy or stress ball is perfectly okay to have! We also have entertainment in the form of a TV available for you on the ceiling of our clinic, if there’s a podcast, show or movie that you like or helps calm you, let us know and we can pop it on. If you don’t like the sounds of our machines while we’re looking after your teeth, you can also bring your noise cancelling headphones or earbuds to the appointment, just try to make sure you can still hear our voices (just in case we have to ask you to open wider).  

During the appointment 

Now that you’re here, we recommend having a chat with your dental professional, let us know that you’re anxious. We’ll walk you through all the steps, explain things more thoroughly for you, and try to create a relaxing environment. We can create a signal together, like raising your hand, so that if you feel overwhelmed or would like a break, we can know immediately. We understand that during the appointment there will be moments of discomfort and sensitivity, so we encourage you to take deep breaths and relax your muscles as best as you.  

After the appointment 

Going to the dentist can be a challenge so reward yourself. It’s difficult to confront something you’ve been putting on hold for a while, so give yourself a pat on the back and maybe a cheeky snack. Don’t forget to think about what you’ve achieved, remind yourself that it’s a necessary task to keep yourself healthy and out of pain, and try to come more often to the dentist. By coming more often, we can monitor and ensure that there are no abnormal changes in your mouth, so we generally recommend all our patients come back every 6 months for a general check-up and clean. Sometimes if we have any concerns, we might recommend that you come in every 3 months to monitor, or if you’d like to have your teeth cleaned more regularly.  

For our young ones: 

If you’re a parent with an anxious child, we encourage you to bring your children to the dentist more often, even if it’s just to sit on the side during your own appointments, so they become more use to the dental environment and won’t be too scared when it’s their own turn. We want kids to feel comfortable — not afraid — at the dentist. Traumatizing experiences are something we work hard to avoid, so, something that you can do at home that helps us out is playing dentist at home! Let them know what going to the dentist feels like, count their teeth, use an electric toothbrush and clean their teeth, have them try and be the dentist – make it a fun experience. That way, they can come back happy and excited for another sticker.  

Severe Dental Anxiety: 

Sometimes, despite all the strategies we try and the breathing exercises we practice, deep-rooted fears can take time to work through. If you or anyone you know struggles with severe dental phobia, past abuse, and mental health conditions that significantly impact daily life, seeing a mental health professional can also greatly assist you in daily needs. For our patients requiring treatment, we may be able to offer treatment in chair or we can refer you towards the correct pathways with treatment options that include: 

• • Anti-anxiety medication to be taken prior to the appointment 
  • Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) for mild to moderate sedation and quick recovery 
  • IV sedation for significant procedures or severe anxiety 
  • General anesthetic, for rare and extreme cases with complex dental procedures 

If coming to the dentist is something you struggle with, we’re here to help. If you have any concerns, questions, or would like to extend your appointment to better help your anxiety, book your appointment today by contacting us on the lines below:  

📞 call us on (02) 7228 7272 

🌐 online at https://truesmilesdental.com.au/appointments 

📧 email us on info@truesmilesdental.com.au 

 We thank you for tuning in for another blog, and hope to see you in the next one!  

Whether it be shooting goals on the field, throwing punches in a ring or shielding points from a fling, protecting your smile can be as easy as popping on your mouthguard. Many sports are more physical than they appear. While helmets and padding are often worn, mouthguards are frequently overlooked — yet they’re just as essential in reducing and preventing serious injuries. From knocked out teeth, jaw fractures and a concussion, these split-second collisions can be painful, costly, and sometimes even irreversible.  

 In Australia, around 89% of people aged 15 and over participate in at least one sport or physical activity per year. Within that group, going to the gym, playing soccer, basketball and netball were the most popular sports – all with potentials to harm your teeth. According to a 2022 survey from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, a quarter of people participating in outdoor team sports were injured, with the most common injured areas being the head and face. We understand wearing a mouthguard can be quite uncomfortable, breathing isn’t as easy as without one, but these injuries can be as minor as a cut on your lip and can be preserved with a mouthguard, so let’s get into the benefits.

Protecting your Teeth: for Athletes and Casuals Sport Players

Just as you’d expect, wearing a mouthguard can help protect the state of your teeth and reduces the chances of your teeth getting chipped, cracked or knocked out. Depending on the types of cracks, you may be lucky enough to not require any treatment, but unfortunately for others, those larger cracks may require fillings, crowns and potential tooth loss if it can’t be saved. A mouthguard can also help greatly in absorbing and distributing the force to your face, it minimises not only the risk done to your teeth but also your gums and cheeks. Some studies suggest that wearing your mouthguard can reduce the risk of concussions by absorbing and dispersing impact forces, especially in contact sports. Earlier, we mentioned the rates of incidences and how common head and face injuries were for our little athletes. Accidents happen, a stray elbow to the face, a sudden trip and a flying ball can cause serious damage. So, avoid costly damages to your smile and wear a mouthguard. 

Clenching During Weightlifting: A Hidden Risk

If you’ve been to the dentist recently and was informed that you may be clenching or grinding your teeth, and you aren’t doing it throughout the day or at night, chances are, it could be happening when you’re lifting heavy weights. For people who go to the gym regularly within the last 5 years and lift heavily, research shows that compared to non-exercises, there was a higher prevalence of teeth clenching habits and significant differences in biting force and degree of cracks. It’s a subconscious and involuntary response often as a result to physical exertion, especially during high-intensity or resistance-based activities like weightlifting. We want you to perform at your best — without worrying about subconscious clenching. If you suspect clenching while lifting, let us know, we can create a custom mouthguard just for you. Many studies suggest that when wearing an appropriate mouthguard, athletes perform optimally and more comfortably, knowing that their teeth are safe guarded.

Types of Mouthguards 

Protecting your smile can be difficult, especially when there are several mouthguards you can choose from, all ranging from different costs, fits, and comfort. We’ve done the research for you to keep it simple and easy to choose from. 

• Stock Standard Mouthguards  

1. • These mouthguards come in different sizes for both adults and kids, made to the standard mouth shape and can’t be moulded.  
   • Cheapest option and always readily available in supermarkets and chemists 
   • Due to the inability to mould, can be uncomfortable, bulky, and may not fit in your mouth. 

• Boil and Bite 

• • Similar to a stock, standard mouthguard, these can be moulded when placed in boiling hot water  
  • Similar pricing to the stock but a bit more expensive 
  • Better fit and comfortability than the stock 

• Custom  

• • A mouthguard custom made and fitted to your mouth by a dental professional, either through an impression or digital scan of your teeth 
  • Most expensive, requires time for our lab to create  
  • Best fitting, most comfortable, and offers the best protection to your teeth 

It’s important that once you have your mouthguard, you wear it. We understand it can be uncomfortable at times, breathing can be a bit more difficult, but the more wear in the mouth guard, the more comfortable it will feel. Having a custom-made mouthguard guarantees the best comfort, it’s made just for you after all, but if you would like to purchase the store-bought ones, having a mouthguard is better than none! 

If you’ve had a mouthguard before and found it thick and difficult to wear, let us know. If you would like a custom made one that feels thinner, we can place a special order in for you to have it made slightly thinner, with no reduced benefits of safeguarding your teeth.  

It’s a requirement for many sports organisations that when engaging with a physical contact sport, wearing a mouth guard is a must, so whether it be a custom made one, or one that you can get from the stores, wearing your mouthguard can save your smile. Many studies unanimously agree to the benefits of wearing a mouthguard, within sports that already require one, it was reported that the rate and severity of injuries dramatically decreased. We recommend you wear it anytime you engage in a physical sport, whether it be training sessions or game day, just to make sure no accidents happen. Your smile is one of your greatest assets — protect it every time you play. A small piece of plastic today can prevent lifelong dental problems tomorrow: 

Play smart. Play safe. Play with a Mouthguard. 

At True Smiles Dental, we firmly believe in prevention over treatment. We advocate for your dental and overall well-being always, and are committed to providing you with the tools, information and support necessary to keep your smile healthy, bright and protected. Wearing a mouthguard even when it feels uncomfortable can save you and your teeth unnecessary costs and damage. Your teeth never truly feel the same after you lose it. 

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to have your custom mouth guard made for you, book an appointment with us today:  

📞 Call us on (02) 7228 7272 

🌐 Online at https://truesmilesdental.com.au/appointments 

📧 Email us on info@truesmilesdental.com.au 

Thank you for reading another one of our blogs, we hope you enjoyed your time and learnt something valuable. We’ll see you in the next issue!  

Welcome to True Smiles Dental Blog where we explore educational content on teeth and health! As part of improving the health of the Marrickville community and patients we serve, we are going to focus on the most common chronic conditions affecting Australian population: Diabetes Type 2, and its interesting relationship with our oral health. This connection is often overlooked yet vital to understand so that we cannot only benefit from our dental health but our general health.

 

What is Diabetes?

Before delving into the relationship and its intricacies, let’s understand diabetes as a condition. Diabetes is a chronic health condition, meaning it is a long-term condition that affects the body and its ability to turn food into energy. In Australia, approximately 1.2 million people live with Diabetes. There are two main types:

• Type 1: inherited or due to cellular changes where the pancreas (the organ responsible for energy production and sugar absorption) cannot produce its own insulin
• Type 2: due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack of exercise and where the body does not have sensitivity or reaction to insulin.

As a side note, insulin is a hormone that binds onto receptors of our cells to allow sugar to be absorbed into the body which then starts the process of energy production.

For both types of diabetes, it is generally characterised by the excess amount of glucose within the blood serum rather than within cells, muscles and organs where they should be. This is where those who suffer from diabetes that are not well-controlled leading to symptoms of extreme hunger and thirst, increased urination and excessive fatigue. Typically the treatment for type 1 is to introduce insulin within the body whereas type 2 is where those who are affected are to take medication to modify the sensitivity of the insulin receptors so that they are able to allow sugar to enter in the cells. Type 2 patients are also encouraged to improve their lifestyle factors such as increasing frequency of exercise and healthier diet.

Now because there is excess sugar within the blood serum, this can also trigger inflammatory responses within the body and lead to an increased risk for other chronic conditions such as hypertension, impaired bleeding (taking longer to stop bleeding) and lowered immunity.

 

Gum Disease – in detail

Now some of you reading this may already have a general gist and understanding of gum disease but for formality, let’s delve into some detail about it. At True Smiles Dental, our team of dentists and oral health therapists may have discussed briefly with you some signs of bleeding, pocketing (refer to our pocketing blog) or tenderness when we poke around your gums. These are symptoms of gum disease.

There are two main types of gum disease: Gingivitis and Periodontal disease. In this blog post, we will not delve into the specific drivers but the main common one we see is affecting the population is plaque-induced.

To briefly mention, gingivitis is a form of acute gum disease where it purely affects the gum tissue only – there is usually signs of bleeding, puffy gums, persistent bad breath and some soreness of the gums. Periodontal disease or periodontitis is where there are all the symptoms of gingivitis but now affecting the bone that is underneath the gum. The reason why we stress on the bone health as well because it is what holds the teeth securely. If there are signs of bone loss, this where the stability of the teeth gets compromised

Now in order for any form of gum inflammation to start, it is due to the lack of disruption of plaque and our body’s response to the plaque that causes the symptoms as aforementioned above to occur. This is why we stress on the importance of proper flossing daily and twice daily brushing in order to disrupt the plaque regularly and not allow the inflammatory response to go out of hand to lead to problems to the gums.

Although optimal oral hygiene can do well to control and prevent deterioration of gum health, uncontrolled diabetes can cause the gums to be more sensitive to changes in the level of plaque and when gum disease is uncontrolled, the diabetes can be more difficult to control. Let us delve into some of the science to better understand this bidirectional relationship:

 

• Chronic inflammation: chronic inflammation refers to the inflammation that is ongoing with episodes of remission (quiet periods) and acute flare ups (symptoms particularly noticeable). Although healthy practices can help maintain at this level of remission which is our aim for your gums for those affected with periodontal disease. Now in diabetes, the high sugar levels in the blood trigger systemic inflammation throughout the body and causes changes to blood vessels such as increased blood flow and migration of immunity cells including the gums. This explains why the gums can be more sensitive to even minimal plaque level changes making them more susceptible to gum bleeding and pain.

 

• Glycation: Increased levels of sugar in the blood can lead to the process called glycation. This describes the process of glucose molecules binding to the protein and lipids forming Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs, for short). Given that it is in its unnatural form, it becomes slightly foreign, incompatible with the normal humanly function and thus, triggers multiple immune cells creating an overstimulated and overactive response leading to a heightened immune response. This then leads to the increased production of destructive enzymes and molecules which are called, inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and certain interleukins. In this process, not only does it destroy some of our good cells but it also decreases our immune threshold meaning typically a certain amount of plaque that would not warrant any signs of gum inflammation and tissue damage would now due to this lowered threshold.

 

• Altered Immune Response: As mentioned above, due to the multiple levels of triggering the immune system due to its lowered immune threshold from chronic inflammation and AGEs also leads to the decreased effectiveness to counteracting bacteria that can worsen gum disease. It creates an environment favouring the pathogenic bacteria, namely Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is a cornerstone for the process of periodontal disease. Although our focus is in the mouth, this same process is happening everywhere in the body which can lead to worsen bodily function such as neuropathy (nerve), retinopathy (eye) and diabetic foot.

 

Bidirectional relationship between Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Now that we understand some basic science of both conditions, there has been established evidence from systemic reviews and meta-analyses that indicate that periodontal therapy has led to the significant reduction in HbA1c levels (average blood sugar levels over months), as well as individuals with poorly controlled diabetes with 2 to 3 times more likely to develop periodontal disease compared to well-controlled diabetes. A systematic review also found that approximately 60% of people with diabetes will experience some form of gum disease. Interestingly, diabetes is a modifying factor to the rate of periodontal disease progression which we use as a diagnostic key in determining this. Therefore, it can be commonly seen that the severity of diabetes can be one of the determining factors to the severity of gum disease and vice versa.

 

Recommendations from True Smiles Dental

At True Smiles Dental, our team of oral health therapist and dentists understand the importance of improving and maintaining not only your oral health but your general health in ways we can. Based upon scientific understands and putting it into practice, here are some recommendations to our diabetic patients:

 

• Regular monitoring of glucose levels: keeping a close monitor of your blood sugar levels fasting and non-fasting and providing this information to your general practice doctor can be useful in determining the level of controlled.

 

• Optimal oral hygiene: brushing twice daily, flossing or using interdental brushes regularly to enhance mechanical removal of plaque can ensure minimal amount of plaque and triggers to the immune system and thus, minimising tissue damage. In your hygiene appointment at True Smiles Dental, your oral health profession can provide you more detailed advice and instructions on how to maintain optimal hygiene.

 

• Nutrition: In terms of diet tailored to glycaemic control which will benefit regulating blood sugar levels but also periodontal health. Generally, whole foods rich in complex carbohydrates, fibre and vitamin and minerals particularly vitamin C has been particularly helpful in promoting healthier gums and oral microbiome which can be protective against pathological bacterial species.

 

• Regular maintenance visits: As periodontal disease can be more susceptible in those with diabetes, it is best recommended to visit our oral health therapists regularly for your hygiene maintenance visits. Whether it be 3 monthly or 6 monthly, this is best determined by your oral health therapist. The main goal is to ensure there is minimal inflammation of the gums and optimal oral hygiene is best kept at home between the visits.

 

At True Smiles Dental in Marrickville, we are passionate about providing comprehensive care that puts the mouth back into health. As discussed, the relationship between diabetes and gum disease is prevalent, and understanding both can lead to better management of both conditions. Contact our team today on 02 7728 7272, email us on info@truesmilesdental.com.au or book online at truesmilesdental.com.au for your hygiene appointment to get started on improving and maintaining your dental health. Let us start your journey together towards health 😊.

If we think about the whole body as one circulating machine, the energy to power the machine has to start from somewhere. Our mouth is responsible for holding and breaking down the foods that enter our system, but if we don’t look after it, our bodies start to show signs of breaking down. Over time, more research comes out with links that our heart, lungs, and mental health is connected to our overall well-being – this is no different with our oral health. In today’s blog, we’ll be discussing the common health risks that manifest and go hand-in-hand with our oral health and give you tips and recommendations to help keep your overall health – healthy!

 

Diabetes and Smoking

As dental professionals, one of our main concerns is not only the health of your teeth but also your gums. Gum disease, otherwise known as periodontitis, is a common chronic disease that leads to the destruction of supporting structures of your teeth – your gums and bones. According to the National Institute of Health, periodontitis and diabetes is a two-way relationship. The risk and severity of a person’s gum disease is often higher for individuals with uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes. Gum disease can also occur for healthy individuals that have a family history of such, individuals with poorer oral health maintenance, and particularly for people who smoke.

 

Heart Disease

Over time, more and more research has been released linking the occurrence of poor oral health, such as gum disease or tooth loss, with heart disease, strokes or attacks than with those with good oral health. While the main cause is still being speculated upon, main theories point towards the bacteria in our mouths that cause gum disease travelling to other parts of our bodies and blood vessels, causing inflammation and damage such as miniscule blood clots that lead to heart attacks and strokes. Other factors may also include smoking, poor lifestyle habits and diets.

 

Looking after your Lungs

Having a nice smile isn’t the only benefit of keeping your teeth shiny and healthy! Similar to how bacteria in your mouth can travel through your blood vessels, poor oral hygiene can lead to harmful bacteria building up and potentially being inhaled into your lungs. This can result in lung infections, such as pneumonia, and can worsen existing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary heart disease (COPD).

 

For individuals who use inhalers for their lung conditions, they may experience side effects such as a dry mouth and an increased risk of dental decay. Saliva is vital in reducing the risk of dental decay due to its remineralising nature, ability to neutralize acids, and antimicrobial properties. To reduce your risks of decay we recommend staying hydrated throughout the day, using a spacer with your inhalers, and rinsing your mouth with water after use. Mouth breathing additionally leads to feelings of a dry mouth, if you or a younger child has habits of mouth breathing, please consult with your GP or dental professional.

 

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

According to a large recent study conducted by the National Institute of Aging in 2020, they found that older adults with signs of periodontitis and other mouth infections were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. People suffering from dementia and reduced cognitive function are also more likely to endure poor oral health, leading to higher risks for dental decay, gum disease and other related health problems. Dentures, when not cleaned properly, are also at risk of causing infections inside the mouth. To clean dentures effectively, we first recommend leaving your dentures out when not in use, and to not wear them at night. Additionally, soaking them in a solution of equal parts warm water and white vinegar once a week for 30 minutes, and having it left to dry when not in use. Please bring your dentures when visiting the dentist too, so we can check that it still fits perfectly!

For aged adults, we strongly recommend a soft toothbrush with larger handles, some of them come dual ended to help clean dentures, or an electric toothbrush.

 

So, what can you do to stay healthy?

 

~ Smoking

Firstly, quitting any habits of smoking or vaping. Decades of research have come to show us the risks and consequences of long-term smoking being linked with lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory issues. We understand habits are hard to break, so please consult with a health professional for any support or resources that you might need.

 

~ Annual health Check ups

Next, it’s important to know how healthy your body is overall. We would encourage you to visit your GP at least once a year to regularly watch and check for any concerns, and to follow the health advice of your doctor. For individuals with diabetes, whether it be taking medications or changing your lifestyle, trying to control the sugar in your blood and regularly monitoring the BGL count would be beneficial in keeping your body healthy! Additionally, letting your dentist or oral health therapist know that you or your family have a history of diabetes, heart disease, or any other conditions so we can closely monitor the health of your gums and teeth at every appointment.

 

~ Looking after your teeth

Just like getting your over health checked on, we would love for you to visit the dentist every 6 months for your checkups and cleans. That way, if we have any concerns about certain teeth or areas in your brushing that need improvement, we can catch it early and treat it while it’s small and able to be saved. When maintaining your oral hygiene, we generally recommend that everyone brush their teeth twice every day, and floss every night before brushing. When brushing, either a soft manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush is fine, with normal fluoridated toothpaste. No need for mouthwash, unless prescribed by your dentist, and after brushing – spit, don’t rinse! It might feel a little strange to begin with but that extra fluoride in your teeth will help reduce the chances of decay from occurring in your teeth.

 

Contacting us 😊

At True Smiles Dental in Marrickville, we try our best to support and maintain your dental well-being. We are continuously committed to providing you with the necessary tools and support for maintaining a healthy smile. If you’re concerned about the impact of smoking, the status of your gums, or how your oral health is connected with your overall health, please schedule an appointment with us today by calling (02) 7728 7282, email us at info@truesmilesdental.com.au or book online at https://truesmilesdental.com.au/appointment/.

 

Thank you for checking out our blog today! We hope you enjoyed the read, if you would like to know more about your teeth, have a browse over our other blogs where we discuss topics like the importance of teeth grinding in kids, breathing through your nose, why we need to take regular x-rays, and many more.

Together, we can work towards ensuring your smile remains bright and healthy for years to come.

Quick! If you’re clicking onto here because someone just knocked out a tooth, find it immediately, hold it by the crown (don’t touch the roots) and rinse it with water before placing the tooth back into its original position (even if it’s bleeding). Have their mouth closed with a clean cloth, napkin, or gauze to keep the tooth in place, and remain calm. The best chance of saving a tooth is within the first 20 minutes. If you can’t put the tooth back into its original position, submerge the tooth into a liquid – preferably the person’s saliva, but water, milk, coconut water or saline is fine. DO NOT leave the tooth in the mouth, it might get swallowed, and if it’s a baby tooth – do not put it back in! See a dentist as soon as you can.

 

Okay, now that we have the emergency sorted – take a deep breath. Hello! Welcome to another blog from True Smiles Dental where this time, we’ll be discussing how to handle a dental emergency, what to expect after, and how to look after your tooth. Pain comes in many different forms, but the best way to save your tooth starts with seeing a dentist early. If you start having pain persistently – don’t brush it away, have it checked first. Try to remember when the pain started, what type of pain it is, and if it’s prompted by something – the more information you can tell us, the more accurate our diagnosis will be.

 

What to look out for

To check if something you or someone else is experiencing is abnormal, here are a few signs to lookout for:

• Severe, persistent pain:
  • If you feel a cold sharp pain spontaneously throughout the day, when you’re eating or biting – see a dentist.
  • If you have a dull throbbing sensation on your tooth – see a dentist as soon as you can. It might be an indication that your tooth is infected or the nerve is dying.
• Broken or cracked tooth
  • If there is a physical crack on the tooth or pieces of your tooth that have chipped off – save the pieces and see a dentist soon. The longer you leave it the less likely you can save it. We may be able to attach it back to the tooth.
• Facial swelling
  • If you notice facial swelling in young children with a history of reported intense pain, fever and/or difficulty breathing – please see a dentist or a dental hospital immediately. Facial swelling in young children is critical, due to their small bodies it may spread quickly to critical organs and lead to life threatening conditions.
  • For adults, facial swelling could be an indication that an infection is occurring from a tooth. Have a dentist look at the tooth at your soonest convenience so we can determine if you require antibiotics and the treatment necessary to reduce and stop the swelling.
• Abscess or pimple-like bump
  • We recommend regularly checking your kids’ teeth, not only to see if they have done a good job brushing their teeth, but for any signs of lumps or pimples on their gums. If you do notice these lesions – see a dental practitioner as soon as you can, this is an early sign of an infection that could potentially lead to facial swelling and other severe consequences if left for too long.
  • In adults, pimple-like lesions should be notified to your dental provider for monitoring, especially if you have a history of smoking, erupting wisdom teeth, or pain associated with a lesion. Try to remeber if you had these lesions for a while, or if they have only recently appeared – it helps us figure out what it might be!
• Difficult breathing or swallowing
  • If the person of concern has any allergies and may have recently eaten something they may be anaphylactic to, immediately find an EpiPen. Orang to the thigh – blue to the sky and call an ambulance for help.
  • For children with signs of facial swelling, they may also experience difficulty swallowing or breathing as a result of an infection spreading. Once again, please see a dental professional immediately.

 

What to Expect During the Appointment

To help us diagnose what sort of pain you might be having and what we can do to help, we recommend not taking any pain relief before the appointment. Some of the tests we run to investigate the root of your pain may require you to let us know which tooth is in pain, if you aren’t able to feel much it makes our diagnosis a little more difficult. If your appointment isn’t until a few days, take some pain relief, but just not in the hours leading up to the appointment. We’ll be asking you a few questions too, so please let us know if you have any concerning medical conditions and what medications you’re currently taking.

When figuring out what the pain may be, here’s what we might do:

• Take x-rays and photos
• Examine and poke your teeth and gums
• Tap on your teeth
• Apply a cold object temporarily
• Bite down on plastic

Based on the information we collect; we’ll be able to provide a prognosis and plan for how to (hopefully) fix your teeth.

 

What to expect after

If your dentist has prescribed you any medication, don’t save it for next time and finish the course of antibiotics. If the bacteria aren’t entirely eradicated from your body, it may come back stronger and will require a stronger course of antibiotics to be properly treated. Occasionally after having your tooth treated, possibly with a filling, pain and sensitivity may still be present for a few days – that’s normal. If the pain is still present after two weeks, see your dentist again for a review. If your tooth has been dislodged or moved from its original position, it’s vital to attend recall appointments to allow us to monitor the tooth and make sure we can catch any early interventions or referrals early.

How to contact us

At True Smiles Dental, we try our best to keep you happy and to keep your smile bright and healthy. We believe that the chances of having to visit the dentist in pain can be reduced with preventative treatment, such as fissure sealants in young children, and mouthguards to wear while playing sport.  If you’re ever in pain, please your local dentist or dental hospital as soon as possible – the earlier we see you, the more help we can give you. Please contact us on (02) 7228 7272, if you have any questions or concerns, or book online at https://truesmilesdental.com.au/appointments.

Thank you for tuning in today! We’ll see you next time for another blog.

Ensuring most optimal oral hygiene home care is imperative to your overall health, and choosing the right toothpaste is an essential element to ensuring your daily oral care is at its best. Whether you’re in the means to control the rate of dental decay and/or manage sensitivity, selecting the right toothpaste can make the difference. At True Smiles Dental in Marrickville/Dulwich Hill, we want to ensure that you make informed decision that lead to positive health outcomes. In this blog, we will delve comprehensively into factors to consider when choosing the right toothpaste for your needs.

Understanding Toothpaste Ingredients

Before diving into your specific needs, let’s discuss the common ingredients found in toothpaste and their respective benefits:

1. Fluoride

Fluoride is the active ingredient in most toothpastes that helps to prevent cavities. It strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends fluoride toothpaste for everyone aged 18 months and older, as it has been clinically proven to reduce the rate of cavities significantly. If you’re shopping for children’s toothpaste, consider fluoride options that are suitably formulated for younger age groups. Typically, kids toothpaste (under age of 6), they are under 500 ppm of fluoride and adult toothpaste (above age 6) is 1000-1450 ppm of fluoride.

2. Abrasives

Toothpastes often contain mild abrasives, such as silica, calcium carbonate, or baking soda, that help scrub away plaque and surface stains. While abrasives are essential for cleaning, it’s critical to choose a toothpaste with the right level of abrasiveness. Overly abrasive toothpaste used for long period of time can wear down dental enamel, resulting in increased sensitivity and a greater risk of cavities.

3. Humectants

Humectants, such as glycerin and sorbitol, are present in toothpaste to help retain moisture and prevent it from drying out. These ingredients contribute to the smooth consistency of the paste and improve its application experience.

4. Flavouring Agents

Flavourings improve the taste of toothpaste and encourage regular brushing, making the experience more pleasant. Sugar-free options are preferred since they do not contribute to tooth decay. Common sugar substitutes include saccharin and sorbitol. Some non-mint toothpaste options with adult concentrations can include Maxam Kids’ toothpaste and HiSmiles toothpaste range containing 1100 ppm of fluoride.

5. Whitening Agents

Although “whitening toothpastes” containing active bleaching ingredients within their composition, the extent of changing tooth shade colour is very highly unlikely. This is because of the very low concentration within the toothpaste and minimal time of exposure the chemical is on the teeth. Legally speaking as well, the term “whitening” used in toothpaste describes the ability for stain removal rather than changing the shade of the tooth. Changing the shade of the tooth is referred to as “bleaching”. Consider this when next time buying your toothpaste!

6. Desensitising Agents

Individuals with sensitive teeth may benefit from toothpaste. Many traditional (some even new toothpaste) containing potassium nitrate or strontium chloride as a way to minimise sensitivity by reducing the threshold for the nerves being triggered by cold and air sensitivity. Newer ingredients and technology work by blocking the tubules that contain the nerves within to reduce sensitivity along with other therapeutic benefits such as balancing pH and reducing nasty bacteria that causes tooth decay. These include Stannous fluoride (found in Oral B Toothpaste) and Arginine (Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief). Sensodyne has a unique ingredient (NOVAMIN – Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate) when contacted with saliva, causes the calcium and phosphate ions to precipitate into the tooth and dentine to form calcium hydroxyapatite (original compound the tooth is made of) which makes it more resistant to cavities and sensitivity. Everyone has varying levels of benefits from each toothpaste.

Identifying Your Specific Needs

Now that you understand basic toothpaste ingredients, it’s crucial to identify your specific needs. Here are several considerations to help you determine which toothpaste is best for you:

1. Cavity Prevention

If your foremost concern is preventing cavities, opt for toothpaste that contains fluoride. It not only reduces the risk of decay but also serves to remineralise enamel already affected by early stages of decay. Most conventional toothpaste brands in Australia offer fluoride formulations, making it a common choice. Depending on your needs, your dental profession at True Smiles Dental Marrickville may suggest a higher concentration toothpaste such as Neutrafluor 5000 or 3M Clinpro 5000 toothpaste to help maximise the amount of fluoride to strengthen the teeth and prevent rate of decay. 3M Clinpro 5000 contains an additional ingredient called ‘tri-calcium phosphaste’ which is binded in a stable formula with fluoride. Once it contacts with saliva, it dissolves and the calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions diffuses within the tooth structure to strengthen it. The calcium and phosphate ions are not within Colgate Neutrafluor 5000 toothpaste.

2. Sensitive Teeth

Do you frequently experience discomfort when eating or drinking cold, or sweet substances? If so, you’re likely dealing with sensitive teeth. For individuals grappling with this condition, consider purchasing toothpaste specifically designed to alleviate sensitivity. Products containing potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride, calcium sodium phosphosilicate (NOVAMIN – exclusive to Sensodyne) or arginine help to soothe sensitive areas of the teeth over time. They work in different ways as some occlude or block the tubules where the nerve endings lie, and others decrease the threshold for the nerves to get triggered and become sensitivity. Always consult your dental profession at True Smiles Dental if you’re uncertain about your sensitivity issues as times this could also be a problem for something more serious.

3. Staining and Discolouration

Regularly consuming coffee, tea, or wine can lead to tooth staining. If you’re concerned about the discolouration of your teeth, you might consider a whitening toothpaste to reduce the amount of stain molecules sticking to the teeth. Be sure to choose whitening products that use safe, mild abrasives that will not damage your enamel. For more significant results, explore professional whitening treatments (includes take-home and in-office whitening options) provided by dental professionals, such as those at True Smiles Dental.

4. Gum Health

Individuals with gum issues, like gingivitis or periodontitis, should select toothpaste that explicitly targets these conditions. Look for products containing specific anti-plaque agents or essential oils known for their anti-inflammatory properties. These formulations often support gum health while promoting complete oral care. Many toothpaste brands with the ADA have been tested for effectiveness in improving gum health.

5. Children’s Toothpaste

For your little ones, choosing the right toothpaste is essential. Look for children’s toothpaste that is lower in fluoride and specifically designed for their dental needs – such as ones 500 ppm and under. Fun flavours and appealing packaging can motivate children to brush their teeth regularly such as Hello fluoride toothpaste or Colgate Strawberry toothpaste. Remember, children under six years old should use only a smear to pea-sized amount of toothpaste depending on age, and adult supervision is crucial during brushing. In some cases, with child patient who are at a risk or are at a high risk for dental decay, adult strength fluoride toothpaste may be recommended with adult supervision and by doing so, will supplement the at-risk teeth with more fluoride to strengthen the teeth.

Analysing Toothpaste Claims

When examining toothpaste options, you’re likely to encounter various claims on packaging. Understanding these claims can help guide your choice:

1. “Whitening”

Toothpastes labelled as “whitening” typically include mild abrasives that help remove surface stains. However, such products might not significantly change the colour of your teeth; for noticeable results, professional treatments may be necessary which is known as teeth bleaching (either take-home or in-office).

2. “Tartar Control”

These toothpastes work to prevent the formation of tartar, a hardened form of plaque. Usually containing special agents, such as pyrophosphates or zinc citrate, they are beneficial for individuals prone to tartar buildup.

3. “Enamel Protection”

Toothpastes with this claim are aimed at providing benefits to your dental enamel. They often contain specific ingredients designed to help strengthen or remineralise the enamel.

4. “Natural” or “Herbal”

Toothpastes labelled as “natural” or “herbal” generally incorporate organic ingredients and may exclude certain conventional chemicals. While these products can be appealing, ensure they effectively meet your needs, particularly regarding cavity prevention.

Tips for Choosing the Right Toothpaste

As you navigate the aisle of toothpaste options, consider the following tips to help simplify your decision-making process:

1. Consult Your Dental Profession

One of the best ways to find the right toothpaste for your individual needs is to consult your Oral Health Therapist or Dentist. At True Smiles Dental, we can assess your oral health, discuss your specific concerns, and recommend suitable toothpaste options tailored to your needs.

2. Read the Label

Always read the ingredient list and claims on the toothpaste packaging. Look for products that have the ADA logo which indicates clinical testing for safety and efficacy.

3. Test Different Products

Finding the right toothpaste may take some experimentation. Be open to testing different toothpaste options until you discover one that suits your preferences in terms of flavour and effectiveness.

4. Consider Your Personal Preferences

Take your taste preferences into account when selecting toothpaste. Opt for flavours that you enjoy, such as mint, cinnamon, or fruit-flavoured options, to create a more enjoyable brushing routine such as ones from HiSmile and for kids Hellosmile is a fun unicorn themed toothpaste. The only precaution to take is flavoured toothpaste such as ones from HiSmiles have slightly suboptimal levels of fluoride (1000ppm whereas optimal level should be 1450ppm) which then can teeth are risk for tooth decay.

5. Stay Consistent

Whichever toothpaste you choose, consistency is key. Make it a habit to brush your teeth at least twice a day and maintain regular dental appointments for check-ups and cleanings at True Smiles Dental.

Recommendations from True Smiles Dental

At True Smiles Dental, we frequently recommend several reputable toothpaste brands known for their high-quality formulations. Here are some reliable options you may consider:

1. Colgate Total: A comprehensive option that provides protection against plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath. This fluoride toothpaste has many formulations to target different needs.
2. Sensodyne: Specifically designed for individuals with sensitive teeth, offering soothing relief while ensuring adequate cavity protection.
3. Oral-B: This toothpaste offers a dual-action formula that combats plaque buildup and provides gum care, making it ideal for comprehensive oral health. They are known for their stain-free stannous fluoride.

Additional Considerations for Maintaining Oral Health

While choosing the right toothpaste is crucial, your overall oral hygiene routine is essential as well. Here are a few extra tips to maintain your oral health:

1. Brush Twice Daily

Make it a habit to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. This practice effectively removes plaque and food particles.

2. Floss Daily

Flossing removes debris and plaque from areas brushing can’t reach. Using other flossing aids such as flossettes can assist in reach most back areas that can be difficult to reach at times with normal string floss.

4. Regular Dental Check-ups

Establish regular dental visits to monitor your oral health. Dental professions can catch potential issues early and provide personalised recommendations. It is best recommended to come between 3-6 monthly which will be determined by your Oral Health Therapist or Dentist at True Smiles Dental depending on your needs.

5. Maintain a Healthy Diet

A balanced diet low in sugar can significantly contribute to better oral health. Consider foods rich in calcium and phosphorus, as they help to strengthen teeth.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right toothpaste is an essential step in maintaining oral health and hygiene. By understanding your unique needs, carefully reading labels, and consulting professionals like our dedicated team at True Smiles Dental, you can find the best toothpaste for your routine.

Your toothpaste should not only meet your dental needs but also enhance your brushing experience. Remember that a consistent oral hygiene routine, including proper brushing and regular dentist visits, will help you achieve the radiant “True Smile” you desire.

Contact True Smiles Dental today to schedule your next preventative appointment by calling(02 7728 7272), emailing info@truesmilesdental.com.au or book online at https://truesmilesdental.com.au/appointment/.  Take the first step towards a lifetime of healthy.

https://www.shutterstock.com/shutterstock/photos/2487669809/display_1500/stock-photo-toothbrush-and-heart-drawn-with-toothpaste-on-turquoise-background-2487669809.jpg

Table of Contents

1. What Are Veneers?
2. Benefits of Veneers
3. Potential Downsides to Consider
4. Are Veneers Right for You?
5. FAQs

What Are Veneers? Veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth, improving their appearance. They are typically made from porcelain or composite resin and are bonded to the teeth to create a natural, aesthetically pleasing look. Veneers are commonly used to address issues such as discolouration, chipped or broken teeth, misalignment, or gaps between teeth. The process involves minimal tooth preparation, making it a popular cosmetic dental solution.

Benefits of Veneers Veneers offer numerous benefits, making them a popular choice for those looking to enhance their smile. They provide a natural appearance, as they mimic the light-reflecting properties of real teeth. Additionally, they are stain-resistant, making them an excellent option for those who enjoy coffee, tea, or red wine. Veneers can also strengthen weak or damaged teeth, offering a long-lasting solution for cosmetic and functional concerns. With proper care, veneers can last for over a decade, making them a worthwhile investment in your smile.

Potential Downsides to Consider While veneers offer many advantages, there are some factors to consider before making a decision. The procedure is irreversible, as a small amount of enamel must be removed to accommodate the veneer. Additionally, veneers can be costly, and not all insurance plans cover cosmetic dental procedures. They may also require maintenance over time, as they can chip or wear down. Some patients may experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods after getting veneers, although this usually subsides after a short period.

Are Veneers Right for You? Determining whether veneers are the right choice depends on your specific dental needs and goals. If you have healthy teeth and gums but want to improve their appearance, veneers may be an excellent solution. However, those with severe dental issues, such as decay or gum disease, may need to address these concerns before considering veneers. Consulting with a professional dentist will help you make an informed decision and explore alternative treatments if needed. At True Smiles Dental, we offer personalised consultations to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

FAQs

• How long do veneers last? With proper care, veneers can last 10–15 years or longer.
  
• Do veneers require special care? Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are essential to maintaining veneers.
  
• Can veneers be whitened? No, veneers do not respond to whitening treatments, so it’s best to maintain their colour with good oral hygiene.
  
• Are veneers painful to get? Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, and local anaesthesia is used for comfort.
  

Our practice is situated at 235 Marrickville Road, Marrickville NSW 2204. We offer flexible appointment times, including Saturdays, to accommodate your schedule.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Contact Us:
Phone: (02) 7228 7272
Email: [email protected]

Book Your Appointment Today! Visit our website or call us to schedule your visit and experience top-quality dental care near Dulwich Hill.

True Smiles Dental
Dentist Marrickville | True Smiles Dental
True Smiles Dental is the dental practice you’ve been looking for. Our highly trained Marrickville dental team will have you grinning from ear to ear.