Oral Health Posts

Mini Dental Implants: All You Need To Know

10 09 , 2020 No Comments

In case you are unaware of what dental implants are, here is a quick overview. Dental implants are titanium pins that are screwed into a person’s jawbone and these act as solid anchor points for prosthetic teeth. Dental implants have been around for a few decades, and this is regarded as a permanent solution to missing teeth. While implants are not cheap, they should last a lifetime.

Mini Dental Implants
Image Source : Freepik

Mini Dental Implants

Originally designed to anchor a lower set of dentures, mini dental implants are also recommended for people with a reduced jawbone, as the pins are much smaller in diameter than regular dental implant pins. Always go to an established dental clinic and after an initial examination, the dentist can make a recommendation, which might be mini dental implants.

Small People

As you would expect in a small person, their attributes are slightly less and regarding the jawbone, very often the best solution is to use mini dental implants, as they are thinner in diameter, although they are the same length.  

Bottom Denture Fixing

The bottom gum begins to fade when the teeth have been removed, and this ridge that usually holds the bottom set of dentures recedes to the point where the dentures are no longer anchored. Mini dental implants can be fitted into the jawbone and they fit directly to special fixings in the denture, thus holding them in place firmly. Many people wear traditional dentures on the top set, with mini dental implants that hold the lower set of dentures firmly in place.

The Benefits Of Mini Dental Implants

When you have mini dental implants fitted, the healing time is very little. In most cases, the lower dentures can be fitted at the same time the mini dental implants are fitted. Mini dental implants are less invasive than regular implants, as they do not require surgery, hence the downtime is minimal. If you think you are a candidate for mini dental implants, make an appointment with a dentist that has considerable experience working with mini dental implants, who can give you a professional assessment. For safe and reliable dental implants in Auckland or anywhere else outside the area, a Google search will help to locate a suitable clinic.

Crowns & Bridges

Mini Dental Implants
Image Source : Freepik

When a person has a tooth break off and the roots are healthy and intact, a crown would be the best treatment, which involves grinding the tooth down to a post, then fitting a prosthetic tooth. A bridge can be used with one or more missing teeth, using the teeth either side as bridge anchors. The dentist would discuss possible treatments with the patient before choosing the best way forward.

The mini dental implant is the perfect solution for fixing bottom set dentures, and this non-invasive treatment has almost no downtime. The treatment is very affordable when compared to regular dental implants. Whether to anchor the bottom set of dentures, or instead of regular dental implants, mini dental implants are an affordable alternative to their larger cousins.

When to Get Braces for Kids

25 07 , 2020 No Comments

When to get braces for kids? Is this the problem you have right now? Do you know as a mom of a kid who is 7 years old, I have the same question right now. Yes I also in doubt thinking whether my kid needs braces or not. This is why I wanted to find out more details on how to straighten kids teeth and when to get braces for kids.

When to Get Braces for Kids

As I found some interesting and valuable details I want to share all these as my new blog post. I am sure you will find this information as helpful.

Most parents worry about their kids’ teeth problems. Crooked teeth or if the teeth are not straight it is time to think about orthodontic treatment. Don’t worry.You can expect straighten teeth with braces if you take action at the right time without waiting.

However you cannot decide whether your child needs orthodontic treatment or not. Even if your child needs to wear braces to straighten teeth you have to seek advice from a professional orthodontist. In this way you will get the right decision and treatment.

Does your child need braces?

Well, how to you tell if your child needs braces?

If you suspect that your child has an issue with teeth and teeth are not straight then it is recommended to visit an orthodontist.

Usually you can achieve better results if you visit an orthodontist at his early age.7 years is an ideal age to visit an orthodontist.

If you notice any crowded or misplaced teeth or if you notice the teeth and jaws are not in correct shape or not in appropriate proportion then these are signs to visit an orthodontist.

Some other signs include chewing difficulties of kids, finger sucking, abnormal or misaligned teeth and mouth breathing.

If you notice such signs then make an appointment with the orthodontist and he will recommends if the child needs braces.

Does your child need braces?

The right time to wear braces for kids

Usually orthodontic problems can solve at any age. However it is recommended to visit an orthodontist at early stage. Between 10-14 years is known as the ideal time for wearing braces for kids. Before placing the braces it is also important to discuss with your child and let him know the importance of wearing it.

This age can be very sensitive and due to different appearance it may not comfortable for him to wear it.It is good to share information with the child about braces and how it improves the smile.

Types of braces for kids

Types of braces for kids

There are different types of braces for kids.

Metal braces are more popular for many years. Kids can even choose different colours for metal braces. With improvements Metal braces are known as comfortable to wear for young kids compared to other available braces for kids.

Tooth coloured braces which are made of porcelain are suitable for teenagers as these are less noticeable compared to metal braces. However these porcelain braces needs more time to clean.

In below video Dr.Kevin Lee from Pacificwest Dental explains the different types of braces. It is worth watching to have more understanding about the braces for kids.

video by Dr.Kevin Lee

After all, if you suspect that your child has an issue with his or her teeth and if you suspect the teeth are not straight then don’t wait. Book and appointment with an orthodontist in your area and seek his professional advice.

My Kid Has a Loose Tooth – What is Next?

31 07 , 2019 No Comments

Last week my son told me that he was feeling uncomfortable while eating. He said he feels his teeth are aching. He is almost 6 years old now and I can see his kindergarten friends with lost teeth when smiling. So sweet their smiles are! 🙂

But, if not my friend called me the previous day, I never think of any signs of losing milk teeth. I may run to the doctor or dentist to check what happened to his teeth.  🙂

My Kid Has a Loose Tooth

Luckily my friend called me the previous day. Her son also in same age as my kid. She told about his son’s lose tooth story. So, I got the idea. I checked my kid’s teeth and finally found that one of his milk teeth is wobbly!

My feelings are mix of happiness and sadness. This wobbly tooth is a sign of he is growing to a big man. He is no more a baby. I am going to be a mom of a growing adult.

But,I am also with some scary feeling. How will be his new adult teeth? Will he own a beautiful smile as he has now? How to take care of his teeth when some teeth start wobbly? It is difficult to brush the area around the wobbly tooth properly.

Interesting findings

My kid is almost 6 years old when he has his first loose tooth.

His first loose tooth is same as his first baby tooth. One of two bottom teeth.

Girls in his kindergarten have already started losing their baby teeth. Now it is time for the boys of same age.

My kid is so excited to have a loose tooth simply because his friends have.

My Kid Has a Loose Tooth
He makes funny faces when I want to capture a photo with his loose tooth. 🙂

He is asking to prepare a coin to give him once the tooth is fallen, because his other friends got such a coin from parents. Well, as a Sri Lankan I don’t have such experience in our culture. We just throw the fallen tooth to the roof asking a squirrel to take it and give a new tooth in return. 🙂

Anyway, below are some of the details and tips I gathered around the web which are helpful for taking care of kid’s teeth. If your kid has a wobbly tooth, then these tips may helpful to keep his oral hygiene to the best.

Tips when your kid has a loose tooth

Keep the loose tooth clean

This is the hardest part. When the tooth is wobbly, it is hard to brush it properly. But I help my kid to brush his teeth well after meal gently and carefully.It is good to keep good oral hygiene throughout the days.

Don’t pull the loose tooth

I’ve read some articles about pulling the loose tooth. I am not a dentist. However with my experience and learning from childhood, it is better not to pull a loose tooth. Allow it to fall naturally. And wait for a beautiful adult tooth.

Talk with your kid about his adventurous experience

Well, I learned this from my little son. Every day he tells me about his friends who has loose tooth or who already has fallen tooth. He is really excited with this new experience. Therefore I encourage him talking about his new experience. It will ease his pain and even he will be more knowledgeable in taking care of the tooth.

Read books about loosing teeth

we are reading stories about loose tooth experiences. 🙂

It is exciting to read more adventurous stories about tooth fairy and loose tooth.There are interesting books for kids.It is always a good way to bond with the kid.These days we are reading stories about wobbly tooth and tooth fairy. 🙂

Get ready to reward him

Yes,I want to treat him with a coin or another reward when he loose his first tooth.I am still thinking of ideas. 🙂

Do you have similar experience with your kids? When they started falling teeth? Please share your thoughts. Let’s talk.

How to Prepare your Child for the First Dental Visit

04 08 , 2019 No Comments

Do you have a kid who is curious about everything around him? Or does your kid show signs of stress when he hear that there will be a dentist visit soon? Regular dentist visit is important for kids from their young age in order to keep the oral health.

As a mom of a kindergartner, I am preparing for his first dental check .He is bit excited and even curious. Therefore here are some of the tips that I use to make him prepare for the first dental check. If you look for preparing your kid for the dentist check, I am sure these are helpful tips for you too.Oh,my kid has a loose tooth too. 🙂

How to Prepare your Child for the First Dental Visit

Understand the Right Time

It is recommended to visit the dentist as soon as the baby is 6 month old or when you see his first tooth appear. We even checked this Raleigh, NC Dentist for professional advice as they offer child’s first dental visit programs.

However in our case, we didn’t visit the dentist at that young age, but I was sure to follow good oral habits from his infant age. Therefore, our kid didn’t have any issues with his oral health.

However, as a parent, you should decide the right time to visit the dentist as it is a start of healthy lifestyle.

Prepare at home before the visit

You can talk to your kid about the dentist, where he is located and what to expect in the dentist visit. However be sure not to mention about tools that he may use. Your kid will get scared even before his visit the dentist.

Role playing as a dentist and making it a fun play at home is an excellent way to prepare the kids for their first dentist visit. Kids love pretend playing. Therefore help him to act as a dentist by surrounding the necessary toys. Your kid will be ready fast!

Be positive

From making an appointment with the dentist to the first dentist visit, keep everything positive. If your kid is young and easily understand what is going around, he will start getting worried. Therefore talk with him in positive way to prepare for the first adventure with the dentist.

Most dentists are friendly with kids and they know how to do necessary procedure and checkup without making kids stressful. Therefore, don’t worry. Prepare your kid for the dental visit making it a fun experience periodically. For dental needs in Raleigh you can always contact the family dentistry in the area.

Why do kids teeth not come in straight?

13 07 , 2019 No Comments

I am sure you worry about your kid’s teeth after they’ve fallen. This is why you have doubt about why do kids teeth not come in straight? Did you ever think like that? It is same with me although my kid still has his beautiful baby teeth!

kids teeth not come in straight

Most of the parents take good oral care of their kids’ teeth. They start practicing good oral hygiene habits even before the first tooth appear on their baby. However there are situations that children do not get straight teeth after milk teeth fallen down.

As a mom I always take good care of my kid’s tooth and even more I try to teach him good oral habits.

Now he is nearly 6 years old. I can see most of his kindergarten friends experience losing of milk teeth. So, he will lose his first teeth soon. Then, why I worry? Most of the kids do not get nice straight teeth back.

When their permanent teeth come in, these teeth may not come straight. Therefore, these days I am reading more on kids’ teeth issues and how to correct or prevent those.

Why do kids teeth not come in straight?

This is a common issue among many kids. Their adult teeth do not come in straight. What are the reasons for this?  According to Dr. Jason Gladwell who is popular for Raleigh Braces there are many reasons for this issue.

This can be due to hereditary factors and also due to habits. Some of the hereditary factors include missing teeth, small jaws, large teeth and wide spacing. Tongue thrusting is one of the common habits that can cause teeth issues. If your kid continues with thumb sucking, it is time to stop him doing that if you want to see straight teeth on him. All these habits and hereditary factors result in crowded teeth.

 How to straight your kid’s teeth

straight your kid’s teeth

There are orthodontic treatments to correct teeth. However before you come to this step it is important to prevent any habit your kid continues which can cause teeth issues. Correct the bad habits from the small age. It is also a known factor that use of pacifier for many years can cause teeth growing incorrectly. Visit your dentist periodically. Make it a habit to visit dentist from the kid’s young age. Then you can easily follow his advice for the appropriate age. If the teeth are not straight, an orthodontist can do treatment such as use of braces. Invisalign or invisible brace can be the best option if you think you want your kid to enjoy his smile than wearing a traditional brace. For invisalign in Raleigh, NC you can always contact Dr. Jason Gladwell. He is an expert for orthodontic treatments.

Are Dental Implants Safe For Kids?

06 07 , 2019 No Comments

As parents we always think of take caring of kid’s teeth. This can start from good oral care habits. However there are situations that kids may lose their tooth. This is a situation most mommies and daddies worry about. However don’t worry. Nowadays with advancement of science, there are ways to keep your kid’s smile beautiful!

Dental Implants Safe For Kids

Dental implants are a popular solution for missing teeth however if you look for dental implants for your kid then you should consider many facts. Kids may lose a tooth during play or even due to accidents. However when you contact a professional and well experienced dentist in your area, treating it is not too complex. With dental implant facilities your kid can avoid embarrassment or even low self-confidence status when you help him or her to get the tooth back.

However, most parents are doubtful of such dental implants for kids. They worry thinking ‘are dental implants safe for kids’? If you are one of such parents, here are some information which may help you to take decision.

Is it safe for kids to undergo dental implants?

Are Dental Implants Safe For Kids

As per many professional dentists, yes, it is safe for kids to undergo dental implants if they are qualified for it. As per Dr. Brian Levitin of Mile High Smiles who is a dental expert for Lakewood Colorado Dental Implants, kids can undergo such treatment if they are at least 18 years old. But, it is also say that girls should be minimum of 15 years old and boys to be minimum of 17 years old to receive such treatment. However this age limit is just an indication only. Most importantly the kid should have proper jaw development in order to undergo a dental implant. Therefore the age range can be varied too.

If the kid is with right jaw development and he is able to take care of the tooth after the medical procedure is done, there shouldn’t be a problem. However you need to contact your dentist for further advice. If you think your kid is in right age and it is necessary to do a dental implant, check with your dentist. He will check and advice you in further steps!

Oral Care: The Key to a Healthy Body

16 10 , 2018 No Comments

Ask any dentist and they will tell you that good oral health is an essential component of physical well-being. If, for example, a person had a gum infection, this would seriously affect the body’s ability to ward off germs and bacteria, as your antibodies are tied up with the gum infection. Bad brushing habits can quickly lead to tooth decay, which also affects the physical equilibrium, not to mention the damage it causes. If you have noticed a rough area on one of your teeth, this could be the onset of tooth decay, as the roughness of the tooth surface aids bacteria as it looks for an anchor point. Once it does create a foothold, the decaying process begins and the sooner you see your dentist, the better.

Oral Care

Image Source: Storyblocks

Correct Brushing

This is a critical part of good oral hygiene and if you are unsure about the effectiveness of your brushing technique, a quick Google will provide you with a tutorial that uses images to describe what happens when brushing. Due to the shape of our teeth and the way they are connected, there are lots of tiny closed off spaces, and if your brushing does not reach these regions, tooth decay will come visiting.

Regular Flossing

Flossing gets in between the teeth and removes any trapped particles of food, which would provide a platform for decay if allowed to remain. Next time you visit your Sydney dental clinic, you can ask your dentist about flossing and they will likely stock good quality floss, and once this becomes a part of your daily routine, it will become second nature. You should floss after every brushing session, especially before going to bed. Those hours of sleep can provide bacteria with enough time to get established, so it is vital that your mouth is clean prior to retiring for the night.

A Reflection of Good Health

Your overall well-being could be measured with an oral examination, and if a person is not feeling well, this could spark a gum infection. Oral issues could be a symptom of something else, and with regular oral examinations, your dentist can remedy any problem as it first arises, rather than treating it when it is established. We should all establish best practices with our oral care. Brushing, flossing and daily use of an antiseptic mouthwash will all help to ensure good oral health, and watching what you eat and drink will minimise the risk of tooth decay and discolouration.

Cause Tooth Discolouration

Make it a Family Outing

If you, your partner and the kids make appointments on the same day, then everyone can have an oral examination, something that should happen every 3 months. Children are especially vulnerable to tooth decay – due to the many sweet things they ingest – and once a child learns best oral hygiene practices – they will rarely require treatment.

If you have just relocated and are looking for a good family dentist, a Google search is the best way to go about sourcing a local clinic, and with a yearly schedule, you can all enjoy the benefits of good oral hygiene and minimise the risk of dental issues.

How To Deal With Tartar Build-Up On Your Teeth

11 07 , 2018 No Comments

Plaque and tartar are something that everyone has to deal with, and for some people, they can be a serious problem threatening the health of their teeth and gums. So what are they? Plaque is a sticky substance made up of bacteria that covers our teeth, especially along the gum line. If the teeth are not cleaned properly, and the plaque is not removed, it can calcify and turn into tartar, which is a hard material that also affects the colour of your teeth. So what can you do about it? The first step to visit your dentist, and then you will need to instil the correct dental hygiene routine to help keep plaque and tartar at bay.

How To Deal With Tartar Build-Up On Your Teeth

Take A Visit To Your Dentist

If you do not have a regular dentist that you visit, then you will quickly find a reputable dentist using the internet. If you live in an area such as Mitchelton, all you need to do is type “Mitchelton dentist” into your favourite search engine and take a look at the results for your nearest dentists. Choose one and make an appointment for a check-up, as well as a scrape and polish. The dentist will carry out what is known as scaling, which is where the teeth are scraped clean, or an ultrasonic device is used to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth. Once your teeth are nice and clean, you then need to ensure that you take care of them and maintain a good oral hygiene routine.

Brush After Every Meal

When we eat and drink, there is often residue and fragments of food left over in our mouths. The acid in the food and drink that we consume attacks the enamel of our teeth, and can also lead to staining of them too, so it is vital that we brush our teeth thoroughly after each meal that we eat. If it is not possible to brush your teeth, you should at least try rinsing your mouth out with water thoroughly to try and get rid of any food particles and reduce the acidity in your mouth. At your earliest convenience, you can then brush your teeth and help keep your smile shining white.

Do Not Forget To Floss

Another part of dental hygiene that is essential is making sure that you floss your teeth at least once a day. Brushing often leaves small particles trapped between our teeth, and the most effective way of combating this is flossing your teeth daily. Once you get into the routine of flossing your teeth, the process will only take you a couple of minutes and the time it takes will be worth the effort when you see how you can maintain a beautiful smile.

Eat A Healthy Diet

Many things are in our daily diet which stains our teeth and stops them from appearing as white as they should. These can include foods and beverages such as;

  • Coffee & Tea
  • Red Wine
  • Chewing Gum
  • Candies
  • Carbonated Drinks

These and many more can stain your teeth, and smoking is also something that has a notable effect on the colour of your teeth. Try and avoid these things, or at least brush your teeth as soon as you have finished consuming them, and you will help to keep your teeth in excellent condition. You can also get plenty of excellent advice on reliable dental health websites which will help you to keep that winning smile for years to come.

A Guide to Knowing When You Need a Dental Crown

21 06 , 2018 No Comments

Dental crowns are a usual tooth restoration procedure for patients. It is a common solution to a few dental problems. However, it can cost a few hundred dollars to have a crown operation, even with insurance cover, and so a question that we’re often asked is: “Do I really need a crown, or can I get by without it?”

Knowing When You Need a Dental Crown

We’re here to iron out some of your queries about getting dental crowns Gold Coast patients prefer, including reasons why they are necessary, how long they last, and any other options. Before getting any crown procedure done, you can understand all your choices and if a crown is really necessary.

Is a Crown Completely Necessary?

Crowns are usually required for tooth cracks. Whilst your teeth are similar to other bones in your body, once you have a crack, the fracture will not heal. In this case, getting a dental crown is absolutely necessary to avoid pain and also limit infection.

You can usually tell if your tooth is cracked as you will experience pain when you bite down. Clearly, this would be a problem every time you eat food. If you have a vertical crack that reaches your gums, you may need a full-coverage crown. Indeed, if the crack goes beyond the gum line you may require root canal surgery, or possibly even tooth extraction. In this case, it is best to treat the problem early on with a crown before it develops into something worse.

However, you should make sure that your tooth really is cracked before applying a crown. Your tooth could just be ‘crazed’, which is not harmful. Craze lines are just simple stress lines and do not affect the structural integrity of your tooth. There are other options to fix them that do not require a crown.

Are There Alternatives to Getting a Crown?

In some instances, a crown may be one of several options. For example, you could go for a filling instead. However, bear in mind that if you do opt for a filling, it may not stop you from needing a crown at a later stage. Also, if you need a big area of your tooth to be filled, the better option is indeed to fix a crown. This is because fillings simply do not give you the same level of protection as a crown does.

Furthermore, if the filling you need is too big, it can cause the tooth to break, which cannot be repaired. In this case, getting a crown as early as possible is definitely the better option.

Do I Need to Get a Crown Immediately?

If you don’t get a crown when you need one and wait to have the procedure done, here are some of the possible outcomes:

  • Nothing will happen – the best possible scenario.
  • Your tooth may chip, which means a simple repair.
  • Your tooth may crack, which would result in definitely needing a crown anyway.
  • Your tooth may split, in which cases you’d end up needing to get crown lengthening or extraction.
  • Sometimes, you may wait too long, and the situation requires you to have root canal surgery.

With all these scenarios, we’d simply recommend getting a crown fitted as early as possible. If there is a chance you need a crown, it is best not to wait and see if the problem develops into anything worse. In most cases, you’d need to get a crown anyway, so it’s probably best to get a dental crown sooner rather than later if there is a chance you might need one.

Breastfeeding a Teething Baby : What You Need to Know

04 12 , 2017 No Comments

Teething pains aside, there’s nothing more charming when your little one opens his or her mouth and gives you a gap-toothed smile. There’s just something about those little baby teeth as they come in one at a time, providing your bouncing babe with charm and personality like nothing else.

It’s generally recommended that, if you are breastfeeding, that you provide your child breastmilk for up to the first 2 years of his or her life. As most infants begin teething around their first year, it’s almost inevitable that your little girl or boy will be breastfeeding with growing teeth.

Breastfeeding-guide

Despite this, many mothers who breastfeed their children are wary of when their kid’s teeth start growing in. There are plenty of fears – many unfounded – about how breastfeeding while a baby’s teeth are growing will affect a child’s development. Here’s what you need to know about this hot-button issue.

No, It Doesn’t Hurt – Probably

Breastfeeding a Teething Baby

“Well, this is going to hurt now, isn’t it?” Almost every new mother has the same thought once their baby’s first few teeth come in. The truth is that no, a nursing baby whose teeth are coming in doesn’t hurt – as long as they’re latched on properly. Of course, the truth is that a child that’s not latched on is going to do a number on your nipple whether he or she has teeth or not.

It’s all in the positioning. When your baby is latched on to your breast properly, it’s physically impossible for him or her to bite you – your nipple is protected by the baby’s gums and tongue. However, if your child shifts positions while you’re breastfeeding them – possibly because they’re uncomfortable because they’re teething – this can lead to some discomfort or even pain from biting.

Tooth Decay Can Happen to Breastfed Babes

Once your baby begins developing teeth, this means that you’ll have to provide those teeth extra care while breastfeeding. In fact, it doesn’t matter if you breastfeed directly, if you pump and fill a bottle, or if you bottle feed from formula – new teeth need to be taken care of to prevent oral issues such as baby-bottle tooth decay (BBTD).

Breastmilk in itself doesn’t promote BBTD. However, baby-bottle tooth decay can occur when new baby teeth are habitually exposed to any liquid besides water. If your child typically falls asleep while nursing – and he or she falls asleep with breastmilk still in their mouths – this puts them at risk for BBTD as much as if they’re bottle-fed before bed. Removing your breast from your baby’s mouth if he or she falls asleep nursing is more than enough to help prevent BBTD.

Never Too Early for Good Oral Hygiene

Even if he or she is breastfed, once your baby does start getting teeth, it’s a great time to adopt some early oral hygiene habits. In fact, you can even start before the first tooth erupts, by wiping your baby’s gums with a damp cloth or a piece of gauze daily from birth. Once your baby starts teething, continue to wipe after feedings and before bed for best results.

Eventually you do want to switch to using a toothbrush and a reasonably small amount of toothpaste, possibly once your child grows enough to begin brushing with your aid. Worried about whether you should begin using fluoridated toothpaste on your child’s teeth? Be sure to contact your family dentist. He or she will be able to recommend whether you need to – and how much you should use – in order to provide the best oral hygiene for your baby.

 

 

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