This year, Dental Health week is ran from August 6th – 12th and  focused on overall oral health. It has been a reminder to everyone that oral health does not just involve your teeth and gums, but your whole mouth including cheeks and tongue. We depend on our mouths to speak, smile, smell, chew and swallow- so it is important to be knowledgeable and keep it healthy.

The Importance of Dental Checks

Many people do not realise that when you attend your general dental checks, your Dentist is not only examining your teeth, but your whole mouth. Your mouth, gums and teeth and tongue need regular checks by a Dentist, as any changes may signal minor or serious health problems.

Lesser Known Oral Health Issues

You may be wondering, if your teeth are fine, what other oral health issues are there? Periodontal or gum disease is a bacterial infection which is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. It is caused by a build up of plaque which leads to gum inflammation, or gingivitis. Signs include bleeding while flossing are brushing your teeth and sensitivity when chewing.You can treat and prevent periodontal problems by practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular dental checks and cleans.

Your Dentist will also be looking out for early symptoms of more serious issues, such as oral cancer. Let your Dentist know if you have any unusual bumps or lesions in your mouth.

Your Dentist will also be able to detect if you clench or grind your teeth, which can lead to issues such as jaw pain and headaches.

We often hear about the effects of alcohol on our overall health, but what are the effects specifically to our oral health?

Oral Cancer: Not many people are aware that after tobacco, alcohol is the second highest contributor to oral cancers. When both substances are in play it is particularly risky, as alcohol drys the mouth and leaves it more vulnerable to the carcinogens in tobacco. People who use both tobacco and alcohol may increase their risk up to 15 times than those who do not.

Chronic Dry Mouth:. Many of us experience dry mouth when drinking alcohol every so often. However, when consumed regularly and in large amounts, it may cause your salivary glands to swell and lessen the production of saliva. If this occurs frequently, a chronic dry mouth can cause tooth decay and allow the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.

Erosion & Discolouration: Many alcohols, such as wines contain acids that can erode and discolour your teeth, increasing their sensitivity and altering their appearance. Other alcohols contain large amounts of sugar which can lead to tooth decay and cavities.

So, what can we do to lower the risks?

Drink Water in Between Sips: This will help wash away any acids or sugars from the mouth and assist in preventing erosion and tooth decay. It will also help keep you and your mouth hydrated.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Throughout the night, chewing on sugar-free gum can assist in saliva production, which will help to fight any acids and sugars in the mouth.

Dental anxiety is very common and nothing to be ashamed of. Many people put up with a great deal of pain from their gums and teeth, in order to avoid visiting the Dentist. Skipping your regular dental check-ups means that you may miss out on detecting issues early, which can lead to more extensive and costly treatment in the long term.

We understand that dental visits are a serious concern for some patients, and it is important to be aware of the different options available to you, in order to put yourself at ease.

Some methods for controlling dental anxiety include;

Communication- communication between yourself and your dentist is very important in overcoming dental fears. You are welcome to voice any of your concerns to your Dentist. It may help if you ask them to talk you through the treatment as they perform it.

Medication- sometimes pre-sedative medication can be taken an hour before an appointment to help you with relaxation, this should be something you discuss with your Dentist in your initial appointment.

Happy gas- an option for more severe anxiety is to use nitrous oxide (happy gas) during treatment. This is an analgesic, that will relax you during treatment. Let your Dentist know if you would like to 

IV Anaesthesia- when all other options have been explored with no succes, intravenous anaesthesia allows patients to be almost, but not quite, asleep throughout the whole procedure. This option requires an advance booking as it needs to be administered and monitored by a specialist aneasthesist.

We’ll look after you.

5 million teeth are knocked out each year, many of these are due to sporting injuries.

Don’t become a statistic this season and book in to get a custom-fitted mouthguard! A direct impact to the front of your face with no mouthguard can fracture your front teeth, or even knock one or more of them out. A hit to your lower jaw can slam your jaws together, not only putting a huge amount of stress on your teeth, which may cause cracks and breaks but it can also cause jaw fractures, damage joints or result in concussion.

Sporting injuries account for almost 40% of dental trauma in kids

If you have braces or your child is an orthodontic patient, the trauma from a sporting injury can not only damage teeth but also the sensitive soft tissue inside the mouth.

How Do Mouthguards Work?

Mouthguards are similar to airbags.  They work by absorbing the impact and dispersing the pressure around the material of the mouthguard, rather than throughout your teeth and jaw. Because of this, wearing a mouthguard can drastically reduce the chances of incurring an injury such as knocked out teeth or a concussion.

Custom-fitted mouthguards are the best option when it comes to protection against trauma and concussion. Studies have shown that custom-fitted mouthguards reduce your chance of concussion by more than 50%. There are many other benefits of custom-fitted mouthguards in comparison to regular, store-bought versions, including;

Less bulky shape and appearance

Easier to speak while wearing

Easier to breathe while wearing

Very durable

Range of custom colours to choose from

How Do I Get a Custom-Fitted Mouthguard?

Simply book into an Aim Dental practice and we will take an impression of your teeth, this will only take about 10 minutes. We will then make your mouthguard for you and it should be ready in about a week.

Wisdom teeth are the third molars that normally erupt in late teen years or early twenties. They are usually the last permanent teeth to appear, although they do not emerge for everyone.  It is normal to have four wisdom teeth (one at the back of each corner of the mouth), although some people may have more or less.  Most people only find out about their wisdom teeth once they start to cause some pain. However, it’s is best to evaluate your wisdom teeth when you are in your late teens. If wisdom teeth do need to be removed, recovery is often much easier during this time. As you age, the roots of your teeth may grow deeper and the bone surrounding the tooth becomes more dense making removal more difficult and healing time a lot longer.

ISSUES WITH WISDOM TEETH

When a wisdom tooth does erupt, it may do so in the wrong direction (also known as impacting), they then may become easily infected, cause food to get stuck leading to decay and cause crowding in the mouth. Wisdom teeth are generally harder to keep clean as they are so far back in the mouth and prone to decay.  

In these cases, removal of the wisdom teeth may be the right option for you.

OTHER SYMPTOMS

Aside from pain in the jawbone or pain from infection, there are other symptoms you may need to look out for. If you are experiencing any of the following it may be time to visit your dentist and have your wisdom teeth checked!

Swelling of the gums

Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw

Bad breath

Jaw stiffness

Headaches

If you would like to book a wisdom tooth consult, or would like more information, please contact an Aim Dental practice. 

Bruxism (teeth grinding) is a disorder that affects a large proportion of the adult population. It is characterised by involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth that can cause severe wear of the teeth, headaches, neck pain and muscle pain.

To prevent further wear of the teeth, it is often advised to wear an occlusal splint in order to even the force from grinding and clenching, protect the teeth from further wear and relax the jaw muscles.

Another lesser known treatment option is remedial massage. Studies have shown that remedial massage to the neck, shoulders, face and jaw in combination from treatment from your dentist can improve the jaw function and reduce pain in these areas.

At our newly opened Aim Cosmetic & Wellness Centre, our qualified massage therapist Marianne, combines her knowledge of anatomy from her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science degree to apply a range of specialised techniques to treat the symptoms of Bruxism. Intra-oral massage and pressure point therapy are just some of the techniques used by Marianne to provide effective relief from tension and pain caused by Bruxism.

If you would like to incorporate remedial massage into you Bruxism treatment, or would like to know more, please contact our friendly team at Aim Cosmetic & Wellness Centre.

Most of us would like to think that we keep on top of our oral health but in reality, with busy schedules, this often falls down on our priority list. For dental health week, we have put together our list of 5 main oral health tips for people with busy routines

#1 Keep up with Active Maintenance Appointments

Ensuring you keep up with your active maintenance appointments is important in maintaining your oral hygiene. Aim Dental offers after hours and weekend appointments at each practice to suit varied schedules!  

#2 Carry a Travel Size Hygiene Pack

Carrying travel sized dental hygiene products means you will be able to look after your mouth no matter when or where you are. You will receive a free hygiene pack with any Aim Dental active maintenance appointment.

#3 Prepare Health Dental-Friendly Snacks

Preparing healthy snacks in advance will make you less likely to buy sugary snacks impulsively. We recommend cheese or chopped vegetables :)

#4 Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum is a quick and simple way to neutralise any acids in you mouth and prevent health issues as well as keeping your breath fresh :) /p>

#5  Rinse with Water

Rinsing your mouth with water after eating is an effective way to wash away debris and acids.

With Easter just around the corner, it’s time to talk all things sugar! Don’t worry, we’re not going to tell that you’re not allowed any chocolate this weekend, but we will give you some tips on how to prevent decay and cavities forming!

Most of us have been told from a young age that sugar is harmful to our teeth, but do we know why? Oral bacteria feed on the sugars you consume and become acids that can dissolve and cause damage to our teeth!

Here are our five quick tips on how to minimise the negative effects of sugar on your teeth:

1. Drink plenty of water while you’re eating your sweets. This will help to neutralise any acids produced.

2. Swish water in your mouth afterward. Not only will this help with neutralising acids, it will also help to dislodge any sweets stuck in your teeth.

3. Don’t snack all day. If you are going to eat sugary products and expose your teeth to acids, it is better to do so in one sitting rather than snacking throughout the day or over a longer period of time.

4. Wait to brush. It is better to wait at least half an hour after eating sweets to brush or floss your teeth so that you are less likely to brush with acids produced and end up wearing away at the enamel of your teeth.

5. Beware of sticky candies and chocolate bars. It’s these types that can get stuck in your teeth and eat away at the enamel.