How often should you be changing your toothbrush?

How often should you be changing your toothbrush?

Buying and replacing a toothbrush seems to be something that gets forgotten about from time to time. The recommended life span for a toothbrush is 3-4 months. This can vary depending on usage and personal preference. Usually if the bristles are frayed, it’s a sign that it may need replacing.

Which brush is best? 

There are so many options now for toothbrushes, but there are two main types of brushes to consider when purchasing a new brush: a manual toothbrush and an electric toothbrush.

The manual toothbrush is lighter, easy to travel with and leaves you in complete control of the pressure on your teeth and gums.

An electric toothbrush makes it easier to clean hard to reach places, between the teeth and at the gum line. It is a little bit tricker to transport and most require charging.

At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and what will keep you motivated to brush twice a day, everyday.  The main thing is that your toothbrush must be soft. Not medium or hard.

How to maintain your toothbrush:

 Manual or electric, the key to keeping your toothbrush in a healthy condition is by looking after it. After you have brushed your teeth, be sure to rinse it under tap water to flush away leftover toothpaste and saliva and store it in an upright position, allowing it to air-dry.

 Storing your toothbrush in a container may seem like the most hygienic way to keep it, but being inside of a closed space can create a bacteria breeding ground, so air-drying is best!

Also consider distancing your toothbrush from a sick spouse or child if you keep your toothbrushes together. The bacteria from their illness can latch onto your toothbrush and spread the bacteria to you or you family. Opt for a new toothbrush after being ill.

If you have any questions on your different options for toothbrushes, please contact your dentist. Appointments are available, please call (03) 9687 7786 or book online at www.dental4u.com.au

Dental health during COVID: individual oral hygiene is key

While Victoria, and most other states, are out of the woods after going through an intense lockdown due to COVID - we cannot be certain what the next 6-12 months will bring. Oral care, is as much -if not more- important during this period. At Dental4U we have always advocated that preventative oral care is the right and the smart thing to do to avoid dental health problems, and costly procedures. Prevention is definitely much better than cure.

As restrictions ease and we come closer to the festive season, we encourage everyone to think about their dental management routines, practice better brushing methods, flossing techniques, and diet - to sustain both their oral and overall health.

Some of our top oral hygiene tips:

• Brush twice daily for two minutes, using firm pressure and a soft (not hard or medium) toothbrush

• Take the time to review a good brushing technique - it is not about scrubbing at your teeth and gums, but using circular motions

• Floss, floss, floss to clean in between your teeth. These areas can hold food, debris and bacteria. Remember: if your gums bleed - they need more flossing, not less. Bleeding is a sign of debris and bacteria in between your gums. Healthy gums do not bleed.

• Avoid brushing straight after eating, especially if you eat an acidic food or drink. Ideally wait 45 minutes to allow extra time for the saliva components to break down the food in your mouth.

• Don’t neglect brushing the tongue. Clean the tongue using your toothbrush or a tongue scraper

• Regularly check everything in the mouth looks and feels normal. Look out for random bleeding and texture differences

• Avoid sugar as much as possible. Remember, that fruit also has sugar (fructose) so best to be mindful of what you are eating and reading all labels.

We are open and continue to see patients. For more information on your individualised care, contact us on 9687 7786 or reception@dental4u.com.au

Proper brushing techniques and the right tools can make a huge difference to your oral health.

The Importance of Flossing (every day)

THE IMPORTANCE OF FLOSSING

We get it! Flossing isn’t exactly the most enjoyable task, but it is very important for your oral health.

While daily brushing is essential, you are only cleaning approximately half the surface of your teeth, while the other half is hidden between the teeth.

By skipping this step in your daily oral hygiene routine, you are putting yourself at risk of gum disease, tooth decay and halitosis (“bad breath”) and no body wants any of those things (especially the bad breath!)

HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE

Whether you are an early riser or a night owl, it is best to floss when you have the time to focus on getting the technique right. Fitting a few extra minutes into your oral hygiene routine either in the morning or at night will point you in the right direction for a healthy and happy mouth.

TECHNIQUE

Everyone starts somewhere, and with each floss, it will become easier and quicker to effectively remove any unwanted plaque/food from between the teeth. Follow these easy steps:

1.   Start by winding approximately 45cm of floss around your middle fingers, creating a tight and secure thread

2.   Using your thumb and index finger, guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle movement (it usually works best to start from the back teeth and work your way around, ensuring you don’t miss any gaps)

3.   Using an up and down motion, glide the floss, between the tooth and gum on either side of the gum

4.   Gentle lift the floss out and use a fresh section of the floss for the next gap

If you are still unsure, your dentist will happily demonstrate the correct technique at your next check-up appointment!

WHAT IF USING FLOSS IS TOO DIFFICULT?

Due to reasons such as poor hand/finger mobility, tight/wide gaps, orthodontic appliances (braces/wire), bridges, crowns or dental implants, there are options other than floss that is available to purchase at either your dental practice or pharmacy/supermarket.

These include:

- Interdental brushes: These often look like little bottlebrushes. They come in various sizes, depending on the gaps between your teeth (your dentist can advise which size is best) and are most beneficial for people with gum disease, braces, crowns and bridges, etc. They work by gently pushing the brush between the teeth at the gum line. They are often used in conjunction with flossing.

- Water flossers: This appliance works by spraying water in between the teeth, flushing away trapped food/plaque. It is easy to use and is suitable for all patients, especially patients with a lot of bridge work or orthodontic treatment.

- Floss picks: These little “c” shaped plastic picks have the floss fixed in place and are ideal for patients who find it tricky to floss with regular dental floss, making access easier.

- Superfloss: This kind of floss comes with a slightly thicker and sturdier plastic at one end and a spongy, stretchy like floss, designed to make it easier to thread the floss between gaps. This is ideal for patients with braces/metal wire or bridge work.

Before using any alternatives to floss, please contact your dentist to be advised on which option is best for you and how to use them correctly and effectively.

 Appointments are available at Dental4U, please call (03) 9687 7786 or book online www.dental4u.com.au

The effects of sugar on your oral health

The effects of sugar on your oral health

It is nearly impossible to eliminate ALL sugar from our diets, but it is possible be aware of and limit how much sugar is being consumed day to day.

Tooth decay is a disease that is significantly linked to the foods and drinks that we put into our mouths. The sugar that is present in these foods and drinks latch onto the bacteria lurking on our teeth and gums and begins to turn this sugar into acid, which is then spread onto the tooth’s surface, gradually drawing out healthy minerals from the tooth.

If this happens only once, it’s not a big deal, but if this is continually happening, and nothing is done to stop it, it can and will result in tooth decay, which means a trip to your dentist is needed in the near future!

What is the recommended daily sugar allowance?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that for a healthy adult, sugar intake should be equal to 5% of their daily energy intake (measured in kilo joules (kJ)) the recommended kJ for an Australian adult is 8,700kJ. This is beneficial to not only overall health, but also to minimising the chance of tooth decay.

Calculating 5% of total energy intake (kJ):

5% of 8,700kJ

0.05 x 8700 = 435kJ 

1 teaspoon of sugar = approximately 68kJ

So for an adult with the daily energy intake of 8,700kJ, 5% of this equals 6.3 teaspoons of sugar per day.

Ways to prevent tooth decay:

• Learn how to read nutritional labels:

The sugar content will be listed on the food/drink’s Nutritional Information label, usually located on the back of the product. When comparing the amount of sugar in various foods or drinks, always compare by the 100ml/100g amount. This way you will get a more accurate representation of how which product has less sugar.

Once you have calculated your recommended daily sugar intake, you can use that information paired with the Nutritional Information to start making healthier choices. 

• Be wary of “hidden” sugars!

Companies often disguise additional sugar by listing them as a different name. Below is a list of 60 different names for sugars that you may find listed in the ingredients on the back of your product.

• Drink water, not soft drinks!

Soft drinks, energy drinks, cordial, flavoured water/milk, juice, smoothies, the list goes on! All of these drinks are packed with sugars, which as we now know can result in formation of tooth decay. Not only is water sugar free, calorie free and amazing for your health, in most parts of Australia water also contains fluoride, which helps to prevent tooth decay!

Drinking water after meals can also help to dislodge food stuck between the teeth, which is great news for people who have that work meeting scheduled after lunch!

• Chew on sugar-free gum!

Studies show that chewing on sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating can increase the saliva that is present in the mouth. Saliva is a natural shield for your teeth and can prevent tooth decay by neutralising acid from sugar consumption. So after eating, try and chew on some sugar-free gum.

For more information, please contact your dentist. Appointments are available at Dental4U, please call (03) 9687 7786 or book online www.dental4u.com.au

New Scientific Discovery about Tooth Enamel

Northwestern University scientists have gotten one step closer to figuring out what can compromise tooth enamel. 

Tooth enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth. This tough shell is the hardest tissue in the human body. Enamel covers the crown which is the part of the tooth that's visible outside of the gums. Scientists have now also discovered impurity atoms. The information will enable us to explore how enamel becomes soluble—and also how we can strengthen it.

Here is the original scientific paper should you would like to dive in deeper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2433-3

[Photo by Nhia Moua on Unsplash]

Australian Dental Health Week is coming!

Dental Health Week, which takes place in the first full week of August, is the Australian Dental Association’s major annual oral health campaign. Its aim is to educate Australians about the importance of maintaining good oral health. This year it is on 3-9 August 2020.

Now more than ever, with COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, all Australians are taking care of their health. Oral health is very much part of the overall health and wellbeing.

This year the Australian Dental Association (ADA) is sharing four key messages:
•    Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
•    Clean between your teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes.
•    Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit sugar intake.
•    Visit the dentist regularly for check-ups and preventive care.

This year’s theme is “How Much Sugar is Hiding in Your Trolley?”. For more information about the Dental Health week go to https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Health-Week-2020/About

Ending discriminatory rebates

We’re fighting for an end to discriminatory rebates.

For a system where “same policy, same rebate” is a reality.

Where people are able to see their health practitioner of choice without penalty.

A fundamental benefit of private health insurance is that consumers can choose which health

practitioner they see. However, health funds are interfering in this process by paying different

rebates depending on which health practitioner a consumer sees through their contracted or

preferred provider schemes. For consumers, it means that if my health practitioner is not

contracted to the health fund, I won’t receive the maximum rebate that I could have received

based on the treatment I have received and the policy I hold. This is unfair and un-Australian.

We ask that the Senate:

Amend the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 to make it illegal for health funds to pay different

benefit amounts to customers who hold the same General Treatment policy and receive the

same dental service purely on the basis of the fund-contracted or independent status of the

dental practitioner who has provided the service.

Charcoal-based toothpastes to clean and/or whiten the teeth.

The Australian Dental Association recommends against the use of charcoal-powder or charcoal-based toothpastes to clean and/or whiten the teeth.

These products can be abrasive and damaging to the teeth and gums and many do not contain fluoride, a key ingredient in protecting and strengthening the teeth. These products use consumer-attractive terms such as herbal, eco-friendly, natural, organic and pure— however the health benefits of charcoal-based products remain unproven.

If you have any questions about teeth whitening please ask one of our friendly dentists.

The snow white smile, at what cost?

A growing number of whitening products are being retailed as ‘safe’ and ‘natural’.  But who is regulating the influx of these products flooding the Australian cosmetic market? Are they actually safe?

What you need to know

Three new studies have found that products containing hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient in over the counter whitening products can ‘damage the protein-rich dentin tissue found beneath the tooth’s protective enamel’. Without a professional dental assessment this can cause irreversible damage to the tooth structures.

Some overseas and Australian websites and online sellers are also selling products that do not comply with Australian standards and exceed legal limits of concentration. Young consumers are particularly at risk in this market as they are the least aware of the possible permanent risks.

The ADA have documented its concerns about manufacturers using confusing and misleading statements in a submission to the ACCC.

If you need any advice about whitening procedures and recommended products please see one of dentists.