Tips

Mouthguards

Posted on 04.13.16 By Alf Le

Why should I wear a mouthguard?

Mouthguards should be used by anyone — children and adults — who not only participate in full contact sports like football and boxing but they are also recommended for lesser contact sports like soccer, basketball, and hockey.

When should I wear a mouthguard?

Mouthguards should be worn at all times during games and training for any sport that may involve contact to the face.

What does a mouthguard do?

Mouthguards are worn as a preventative measure to minimise the effect of trauma. They are made of a flexible material that is fitted to the upper teeth. Whilst being worn you mouthguard provides protection to the jaw, teeth, gums, lips and face. By dispersing and absorbing the force of a blow.

What types of mouthguards are available?

1. Stock mouthguards are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting goods stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit, they are bulky, make breathing and talking difficult, and hence provide very little or no protection.  

For this reason they will often spend more time out of your mouth than in it. Dentists including us at Redcliffe Smiles do not recommend their use.

2. Boil and bite mouthguards do work better than plain stock mouthguards and also can be bought at many sporting goods stores.  

The “boil and bite” mouthguard is made from a mouldable material.  It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth with your fingers. Although their fit is better than a plain stock mouthguard their bulkiness often makes them difficult to wear.

3.Custom-fitted mouthguards

At Redcliffe Smiles we recommend all players especially those playing in contact sports, wear a custom made and fitted mouthguard. These are individually made, to fit you perfectly to ensure that they provide the best possible protection and are comfortable.

Our dentist’s Redcliffe Smiles are committed to providing the best fitting, affordable mouthguards possible.

We can personalise your mouthguard with almost unlimited colour options, decals and graphics.

Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League ClubAs proud sponsors of the Redcliffe Dolphins RLFC all Dolphins, all senior and juniors receive 20% off all Custom fitted mouthguards.

So call us on 3203 7177 for more information or visit us at www.redcliffesmiles.com.au.

Why is a professional clean so important?

Posted on 01.29.16 By Alf Le

Here at Redcliffe Smiles we are passionate about sharing valuable information about preventative dental care. This helps ensure that our patients have the best possible understanding on how to maintain good oral hygiene in between dental visits.

Why is a professional clean so important?

tidy-teeth-1-1425487 (1)Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day it important but this alone will not completely care for your teeth. Food and debris can become trapped under your gums where your toothbrush and floss cannot reach. If left untreated, over a period of time this can cause problems such as decay or periodontal (gum) disease.

Signs of bleeding while brushing and flossing are indicators of unhealthy gums. The gums become inflamed and irritated. This is caused by a build-up of bacteria in the crevices and gaps surrounding your teeth and beneath your gums.

To avoid gum problems and cavities it is recommended that you see a dentist once every six months for a professional clean and evaluation.

At Redcliffe Smiles we use specialised tools designed to remove plaque and bacteria above and below the gums. This helps to maintain optimum oral health and minimise the potential for expensive dental procedures in the future.


How can I care for my teeth after my professional clean?

Are you aware that there is a correct way to brush? Brushing correctly takes at least two minutes, most of us don’t even come close to that time. Tilt the brush at a 45 degree angle against the gum line, flick away from the gums and use short, gentle strokes. Make sure to pay extra attention to the gum line itself and hard to reach areas in the mouth (such as back teeth, crowns or any other restorations).

  • Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
  • Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth
  • Clean the chewing surfaces
  • Don’t forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and to freshen your breath.

What Type of Toothbrush Should I Use?

Choosing the right toothbrush is extremely important, a soft-bristled brush or powered toothbrush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, since they can get the hard to reach areas of the mouth.

How important is the Toothpaste I Use?toothpaste-1-1414249

If you look in the shops for a toothpaste you will notice there is a wide variety to choose form. Each may be designed for specific uses including, cavity protection, protection from gingivitis, whitening, stained teeth and sensitivity.

During your general check-up and clean our dentists can assess your mouth and can recommend the best toothpaste option based on your dental needs.

How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush when it begins to look worn or every three months, whichever comes first.

By maintaining a consistent oral health regime, practising proper cleaning techniques and visiting us for your regular clean and oral evaluation, you’ll be well on the way to maintaining a healthy smile and keeping your teeth for a life.

Do I really have to floss my teeth?

Posted on 12.16.15 By Alf Le

Dental Floss

Brushing your teeth twice a day is important for maintaining good oral hygiene, but did you know that daily flossing is equally important?

Dental floss helps to prevent gum disease and tooth decay by getting rid of food and plaque from between your teeth. Areas that are inaccessible to your toothbrush.

How to use dental floss

There are many different types of floss that you can find at your local supermarket or pharmacist. Essentially there is no real difference in their effectiveness. It comes down to proper technique. Follow your dentist’s advice about using dental floss. If you use dental floss incorrectly, it can damage your gums.

Here are some tips

  1. Use a piece of floss about 30 cm long. Winding it gently around the middle fingers of each hand.
  2. Hold the floss with your thumb and forefinger of each hand so that the floss between your hands is about 2-5 cm long.
  3. Gently guide the floss up and down against the sides of the teeth and under the gum line stopping when you feel gentle resistance against the gum.
  4. Make sure you floss between every single tooth concentrating on sliding the floss along the sides of both teeth. Not just passing the floss through the gap.
  5. Flossing at night is better than flossing in the morning

What if my gums bleed?

Initially your gums may be tender and bleed a little as you start to get rid of any plaque build-up. Continue flossing your teeth and the bleeding should stop, as your gums become healthier.

If you notice continued bleeding after a few days, please don’t hesitate to call us on 1300 428 715, we will be more than happy to assist you with any questions that you may have.

Floss HolderWhat if I find flossing difficult?

If you find holding the floss difficult, you could try using a floss holder. Floss holders hold the floss making it easier to reach more difficult areas. You can buy these from pharmacists, supermarkets or come and see us at Redcliffe Smiles. We have a vast range or oral hygiene products that will help keep you smiling for life.

How your diet affects your teeth

Posted on 11.9.15 By Alf Le

saladThere are lots of things we can do that help maintain good oral health. But did you know that the food you eat also has a big impact on your teeth?

We all know that sugary foods like lollies are a major cause of dental decay. But that doesn’t mean they have to be cut out of your diet altogether. Moderation is the key, and combined regular brushing, flossing and scheduled six monthly dental checks. The occasional snack is unlikely to cause major issues.

There are certain things we need to be mindful of.

Fruits

Citrus fruits although a rich source of vitamin and nutrients—are good for you in many ways, but not when it comes to your teeth. They are highly acidic and can erode tooth enamel over time.

lollies-4-1057255Lollies and Sweets

Foods that take a long time to chew or that you hold in your mouth (such as sticky lollies) can damage teeth as they retain sugar in the mouth longer than other foods.

The more sugary the food the more damage it can cause. Bacteria feeds off this sugar to make acid. This dissolves the protective layer of tooth enamel and is the cause of tooth decay.

Hard Lollies have the added risk that they can chip your teeth.

Soft Drinks

It’s no secret that drinking sugary soft drinks can cause tooth decay. What’s less well known is that the acids found in these drinks can harm teeth even more than the sugar. So even sugar-free soft drinks like Diet Coke are bad for your teeth because they erode your tooth enamel if consumed in large doses.

Sports Drinks

Unfortunately sports drinks won’t do your teeth any favours either. They are highly acidic too, and are potentially even more damaging to teeth. Leaving your teeth sensitive, weaker and more prone to decay.

Remember that timing is everything

A diet that promotes good oral health is not just about the foods you eat or avoid. When and how you eat is equally important. Set meals rather than snacking all day is far better for you. It means less time that food is in contact with your teeth and less opportunity for the bacteria that causes decay to damage them.

fruits

 

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