Oral Health
General and Preventative Care
Does your breath smell?
You are probably not the best person to answer this question as many people have bad breath without even realizing it. Somewhere in the region of a third of the population have chronic bad breath and two thirds of the population notice it on other people. Clearly without some attention your breath may be having a negative effect on your social life, career or even on your general health.
Contrary to a general misconception (and despite what you may read in the popular press), the majority of cases of bad breath begin in the mouth and not in the stomach.
What are the main causes?
- Poor oral hygiene – a long way ahead of the rest!
- Gum disease (see below)
- Poor food choices, smoking, fasting
- Ill-fitting crowns, poor designed bridgework
- Cracked, leaking and over-hanging fillings
- Poorly cleaned dentures
What should you do about it?
- Brush your teeth at least twice each day and preferably after every meal. Switch to a soft bristled brush for most effective cleaning.
- Develop the “floss habit” – remember: only floss the teeth that you want to keep!
- Drink plenty of water so that your body remains correctly hydrated.
- The use of gum, mouthwash or mints may appear to alleviate the problem but will never get rid of the underlying cause and may do you harm; others around you will still smell poorly masked bad breath. Try fresh fruit, vegetables, salad leaves or leafy herbs such as peppermint, parsley or sweet basil instead of gum. Such foods will also do wonders for your diet and reduce cravings for sugary snacks between meals.
- Visit your dentist every six months. It may be that your symptoms are related to a dental problem.
Show us your gums!
Just like bad breath, you may not be aware that you have gum disease. In the early stages it may not be painful and there may be no other symptoms visible to the untrained eye; this is another reason to keep up those six monthly visits to your dentist. During a routine check-up, the disease may be detected in its early stages and its effects may be completely reversed.
There are two main types of gum disease:
Gingivitis
When brushing and flossing are not carried out effectively, a soft sticky substance called plaque will start to build up along the gum. Plaque contains bacteria which can irritate and inflame the gums giving them a red, swollen appearance; this condition is called gingivitis and may present symptoms such as bleeding when brushing or flossing your teeth. If ignored, plaque becomes more solid and forms calculus (or tartar) which requires removal by your dentist or hygienist. If the plaque is removed and a strict routine of twice daily (effective) brushing is adhered to, then the gums will recover fully with no further intervention.
Periodontitis
Without attention, gingivitis may eventually progress to a much more severe condition known as periodontitis, which is the main cause of tooth loss in adults. The gums start to pull away from the teeth, allowing bacteria to track into the supporting tissues of the teeth known as the periodontal tissues which include the bone. The teeth become loosened and sensitive, abscesses can form under the gums and teeth may eventually need extraction.
Bleeding gums is not something which you should ignore.
What’s that in your mouth?
Oral Cancer is one of the least understood conditions amongst the general public and yet, each day at least three Australians are being diagnosed with it.
Australian Dental Association Inc.
Don’t assume that this could not happen to you … it is not something which only happens if you have smoked; it is not something which comes only with an unhealthy lifestyle.
Simple checks and early detection could help to save your life – catching it in its early stages can increase your chance of survival to 90% or more.
A thorough examination of your mouth and lips for signs of oral cancer and other abnormalities is an important part of your dentist’s check-up procedure. Another good reason to visit your dentist regularly.
We also recommend that you keep an eye open and have a good look around your mouth for anything unusual such as sores, lesions, blisters, tender patches or pain anywhere in your mouth, throat or face.
Take a moment to visit the Australian Dental Association website on oral cancer at the link below:
http://www.oralcancerfacts.com.au
At this site you will find much more detail concerning symptoms and other abnormalities which may be confused with oral cancer.
Most importantly, do not delay seeking immediate advice from a dentist or medical professional if you notice any unusual symptoms or sores on your lips or in your mouth, especially if they haven’t healed within a week.
Do you grind your teeth?
Bruxism is the habit of clenching or grinding your teeth at times when your mouth is not involved in normal chewing. It may be found in both adults and children and may occur at any time during the day or night. Very often you will not be aware that you are doing it and (like snoring) it is the partner or parent who may be the one who first notices the problem.
The causes of this behaviour are not fully understood, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that stressful events or poor bite geometry may trigger the habit.
The symptoms of bruxism may include:
- Pain in the teeth, jaws or neck
- Worn, chipped or cracked teeth
- Loose teeth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Earache or headaches
If you have any concerns about the symptoms that you or your child may be showing, it is important to discuss them with your dentist. Where it has been stress-related, bruxism may disappear without treatment when the situation eases, but otherwise it is advisable to seek further investigation. There are a number of other treatment options available to reduce the impact or eliminate the habit. Your dentist may be able to make small but significant alterations to your bite and/or recommend a “bite protector” or splint which is similar to a mouthguard but will separate the upper and lower teeth during the night and help prevent continued damage. Further treatment may be necessary to repair the existing damage and other techniques may be used depending on the nature of the condition and its probable cause.
Early assessment and treatment may significantly reduce the potential damage that this condition may cause.
Dry socket
Dry socket is a condition that can occur following tooth extraction and results from loss of the blood clot or failure to form an adequate blood clot. It is more common in the lower jaw where the bone is denser but can happen after any extraction, regardless of the care taken by the dentist. The lack of a protective blood clot allows the bone inside the socket to become exposed, resulting in EXTREME pain. Many patients say it is worse than toothache and painkillers provide little relief. Dry socket is more common in smokers and we strongly advise against smoking for at least 48 hours after extraction.
Dry socket is treated by your dentist placing a medicated dressing in the socket, after which it may take 10-14 days to heal. Evidence suggests that ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT HELP, therefore please contact us rather than your GP.