People of all cultures have been chewing gum-like substances for thousands of years. The Ancient Greeks used resin of the mastic tree, the American Indians used resin from the sap of spruce trees, and some other cultures used plants and grasses. The modern form of chewing gum, developed in the 1860s, used chicle, a natural […]
Tuesday February 9 is World Toothache Day – this does not mean that you should expect to wake up with a toothache nor does it mean you should wait until this day rolls around each year to get your toothache professionally examined. Instead, it’s a reminder to put off ignoring a toothache and investigate the […]
Australians like a drink. And we especially love a drink or two (or more) during the summer festive season. Not surprisingly, beer and wine are the two most popular alcoholic beverages for holidaying Australians. Whereas, the non-alcoholic drinks of choice to quench a summer thirst are soft drinks and canned iced teas. But unfortunately, these […]
Unfortunately, the difference is not immediately obvious. So is there really any difference in seeing a specialist dentist? Well, in a word, yes. Newly qualified graduates in Dentistry, leave dental schools with a basic skill set. They can manage most general day to day dental problems. Dental specialists on the other hand concentrate on specific areas of dental […]
A little know fact about smoking is that it tends to disguise the damage being done to teeth and gums. The damage Usually infected gums are red, swollen and bleed easily when they are brushed. Smokers’ gums are not like this – they are pale and thin and do not bleed readily. This can hide […]
Good parenting starts by leading by example. My 14 month old watched me brush my teeth and now wants to do the same. He enthusiastically points to the tooth brush whenever he is in the bathroom. He may not be effectively cleaning his teeth but the habit is being established. Brushing teeth after meals, regular […]
As summer temperatures rise so will people’s thirst. Unfortunately, many people will grab a carbonated drink or iced tea instead of water. It isn’t just coke’s empty calories – about 150 per 350ml can – you should worry about. Many of these beverages harm enamel, the protective shell around teeth. Exposing dental enamel to carbonated […]
At school, children should rinse their mouth with water after meals, leaving their teeth free of sugar and acid. At home, encourage children to drink tap and avoid bottled water where possible. Use a straw when drinking soft drinks to keep sugar away from teeth. If you purchase bottled water, be sure that it is […]
Yes! Tooth decay in infants and young children most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but also may affect other teeth. Parents may not realise that a baby’s teeth can decay soon after they first appear. The decay may even enter the underlying bone structure, which can hurt development of the permanent teeth. This […]
Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child’s teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant’s teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria in plaque. Every time a child consumes […]
