Food and Drinks The holiday season is a time for family, friends and food. With all the temptations of food, sweets, and alcohol here are some tips on how to keep your teeth healthy over the holiday period. Make sure to keep up with your routine of brushing twice daily and flossing. Drink water between meals or after sweet foods and drinks. If drinking wine or other alcohol, sip on or swish with water after. Acidic drinks can cause dental erosion if consumed frequently or over long periods – give your teeth a few hours rest between drinks. Avoid biting or chewing hard on things like candy canes, peanut brittle, or sticky toffees etc. especially if you have recently had a fillings or crowns
Ben is the owner and principal dentist at Gentle Care Dentistry. We asked him some questions so you can get to know him better! Tell us about yourself - where did you grow up? I was born in Taiwan and did most of my primary school there. Our family immigrated to New Zealand when I was 11 years old, in hope for a better education and environment for me and my brother. During my high school years, I developed a passion for sports, science and arts. After completing high school, I moved to Sydney to continue my tertiary education. What did you study at university? I first completed a degree in Medical Science at the University of New South Wales, majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Our Oral Health Therapist, Maviel, takes you through how to correctly brush and floss your teeth.
What is tooth decay? Tooth decay (dental caries) occurs in specific places on the teeth where plaque and bacteria are not removed, or if there is a problem with saliva. When sugar or other fermentable carbohydrates are consumed the bacteria in the plaque produce acids which attack the surface of the teeth causing white spots at first and potential holes later on. Children usually have their baby teeth up until 12 years old and may be more prone to tooth decay in them as they are smaller and weaker than permanent teeth. Newly erupted permanent teeth are also susceptible to acid attacks in the first few months of appearing. Regular dental appointments are a great way to keep things in check an
How to keep the baby teeth clean when they first erupt: Parents should start brushing their baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts with a wet soft gauze or clean towel to remove soft plaque. Once a few of the baby teeth have come through you can begin to use a soft children’s toothbrush. From 18 months old a kids low-fluoride toothpaste should be used. Parents should help their child with brushing between 3-6 years they have a go themselves. Continue to supervise from 6 years on as they practice and get better at brushing independently. Steps on how to brush your child's teeth correctly: Place a smear or pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste onto a soft children’s toothbrush. S
Why should you bring your baby/child to the dentist? Baby teeth usually begin to appear around 4-10 months. By the age of 3 years, all 20 baby teeth are usually present. We recommend bringing your baby/child for dental visits early on so that they are able to get comfortable and have fun with the dental environment and that healthy habits start from a young age. Check-ups include taking a good look at your child’s teeth, gums, soft tissues and their bite. Detection of the beginning signs of tooth decay or other potential issues can be recognised early on, leading to preventative and easy treatments as opposed to more invasive procedures. Baby teeth are more susceptible and prone to problems
