Atlas Smiles Dental Wheelers Hill Dentist - Dental Health

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Most people have two sets of teeth during their life: a set of primary or 'baby' teeth and the permanent or 'adult' teeth.

Besides helping children chew and pronounce words, the primary teeth hold a place in the jaws for the permanent teeth which begin to push through the gums as the primary teeth are shed.

While most children have 20 primary teeth - 10 in each of the upper and lower jaws - these teeth eventually are replaced by 32 permanent teeth, 16 in each jaw.

Permanent Teeth

The first permanent molars usually erupt between ages 6 and 7 years. For that reason, they often are called the 'six year molars'. They are among the 'extra' permanent teeth in that they don't replace an existing primary tooth. These important teeth sometimes are mistaken for primary teeth. However, they are permanent and must be cared for properly if they are to last throughout the child's lifetime. The six year molars also help determine the shape of the lower face and affect the position and health of other permanent teeth.

Most children have 28 of their permanent teeth by age 13 years. These include four central incisors, four lateral incisors, eight premolars, four canines and eight molars.

Third Molars - Wisdom Teeth

The last of the permanent teeth to appear are called 'third molars' or 'wisdom teeth'. They usually begin to erupt pushing their way through the gums between ages 17 and 21 years. Because they are so far back in the mouth, third molars often are not needed for chewing and are difficult to keep clean. smile.com.au dentists may recommend their removal to prevent potential complications when third molars are erupted partially or are impacted.

Heredity and other factors may influence the approximate ages at which children's primary teeth shed and their permanent teeth emerge.

Oral Care for Permanent Teeth

Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) from the smooth surfaces of teeth. But toothbrush bristles can not reach into the pits and fissures (depressions and grooves) of the chewing surfaces to remove food and plaque.

Dental sealants protect these vulnerable areas by sealing out debris and plaque bacteria. A sealant is a plastic material that usually is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth - premolars and molars - where decay occurs most often. The plastic resin bonds into the pits and fissures of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids.

Protect permanent teeth by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has an ADA seal of acceptance, cleaning between teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner and scheduling regular dental visits.

If you are a patient with certain kinds of heart disease or a special heart condition, or you've had a joint replaced, taking good care of your teeth and gums is a must not just for a healthy smile but also for your overall health.

Bacterial Endocarditis

Our participating dentists or a physician may recommend that you take antibiotics before your dental appointment because bleeding sometimes occurs during dental treatment and bacteria from the mouth possibly can enter the bloodstream. It is possible that these bacteria could work their way to the heart. This presents a risk for some people with cardiac abnormalities because the bacteria may cause bacterial endocarditis, a serious inflammation of the heart valves or tissues.

Certain heart conditions are associated more often with endocarditis than are others. To determine if an existing heart condition poses a risk, our participating dentists need complete health information on your medical history form. The form also should include the name and address of your family physician or cardiologist as well as the names and dosages of all medications that you take.

Do any of these apply to you?

• Heart surgery within the past six months
• Pacemaker
• Vascular surgery (replaced artery) within the past six months
• Artificial heart valve
• History of rheumatic fever
• History of heart murmur (mitral valve prolapse)
• Previous bacterial endocarditis
• Systemic pulmonary shunt
• Congenital heart defect
• Acquired valvular dysfunction

If you have any of these conditions, if you have been diagnosed with other heart ailments or if your health status has changed since your last dental visit, tell our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne.

Joint Replacement Infections

It also is possible that the bacteria commonly found in the mouth may travel through the bloodstream and settle in your artificial joint. This increases your risk of contracting an infection. our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne and your orthopaedic surgeon, working together, will develop an appropriate course of treatment for you.

For everyone who has received a total joint replacement, antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for the first two years after the replacement. After two years, only high-risk patients may need to receive antibiotics for high-risk procedures.

Do any of these high-risk situations apply to you?

• Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus or other medical conditions that cause you to be immunocompromised or immunosuppressed
• Immunosuppression caused by drug or radiation treatment
• Malnourishment
• Hemophilia
• HIV infections
• Insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes
• Cancer

All patients in these high-risk categories may need antibiotics for all high-risk dental procedures.

Antibiotics to Help Prevent Infection

Our Atlas Smiles Dental dentist or a physician may prescribe antibiotics for dental procedures that would result in bleeding from the gums or mucous membranes in the mouth. If you are taking new or different medicine (prescription or over-the-counter drugs) since your last dental appointment, advise our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists so that your medical records can be updated. If you have developed allergies to any medicine since your last visit, advise our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne. Your Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne may consult with your physician, cardiologist or orthopaedic surgeon to determine which antibiotics you should take before your dental visit. If you are taking antibiotic pills orally, be sure to fill your prescription before your next visit. Carefully follow instructions for the dosage and frequency.

Choose Training Cups Carefully, Use them Temporarily

Tooth decay can occur as soon as a baby's teeth appear. One of the risk factors for early childhood caries (something called 'baby bottle tooth decay') is frequent and prolonged exposure of a baby's teeth to liquids containing sugar including milk, formula, and fruit juice.

Because decay can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child, parents should encourage their children to drink from a cup by their first birthday.

As you make the change from baby bottle to training cup, be very careful about:

• What kind of training cup you choose
• What goes into the cup
• How frequently your child sips from it
• Not allowing your child to carry the cup around

Selecting the Right Training Cup

The best training cup for your child is one with no valve. Stores offer a large and often confusing variety of training cups (also called 'sippy cups' or 'tippy cups'). Many if not most of these are 'no-spill' cups nothing more than baby bottles in disguise. 'No-spill' cups include a valve beneath the spout which does stop spills. However, cups with valves do not allow your child to sip. The only way your child can get liquid from a cup with a valve is by sucking (as from a baby bottle). This defeats the purpose as it prevents your child from learning to sip.

When shopping for a training cup, avoid those that have no-spill valves. A useful training cup will have a snap-on or screw-on lid with a spout. If you can find a cup with two handles, that may be best. A useful cup also may be self-righting, with a weighted base that pulls the cup upright when it tips, keeping spills to a minimum.

What and How Often Your Child Should Drink

Do not let your child constantly sip liquids containing sugar (including milk and juice drinks) because that encourages tooth decay. Offer these liquids only at mealtimes understanding that mealtimes for little ones may be more frequent than the standard three times a day for adults. (Saliva production increases during a meal and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.) If your child is thirsty between meals, offer water in the cup.

Do not let your child carry the training cup around or get into the habit of keeping it within reach while riding in a car or stroller. At-will, frequent sips of sugary liquids encourages tooth decay. Another problem is that toddlers often are unsteady on their feet. They take an unnecessary risk if they try to walk and drink at the same time. Falling while drinking from a cup can injure the mouth. Do not let your child walk or run around with a training cup.

A training cup should be used temporarily. Once your child has learned how to sip, the training cup has achieved its purpose. It can and should be set aside when no longer needed.

A child's primary teeth, sometimes called 'baby teeth' are as important as the permanent adult teeth.

Primary teeth, which often begin to appear when children are about 6 months old, help them chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are developing under the gums.

Eruption Baby Teeth

The front four teeth usually erupt first, beginning as early as 6 months after birth.

Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of 3 years. The primary teeth generally begin to shed, or fall out, at about 6 years of age. The first of 32 permanent teeth begin to appear about the same time.

Baby Teeth and Oral Care

Begin brushing your child's teeth with a little water as soon as the first tooth appears. If you are considering using toothpaste before the child is 2 years of age, ask your Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne or physicians first.

Supervise toothbrushing to make sure children older than 2 years of age use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and avoid swallowing it. Children should be taught to spit out remaining toothpaste and rinse with water after brushing. Most children will be able to brush on their own by the age of 6 or 7 years. Parents should be using floss or an interdental cleaner on their children's teeth as soon as any two teeth touch. Cleaning between the teeth is important because it removes plaque where a toothbrush can not reach. Brush your child's teeth twice a day unless your Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne recommends otherwise.

Babies and Dental Visits

The Australian Dental Association recommends that a child be seen by a dentist as soon as his or her first tooth erupts but at least no later than her first birthday. A dental visit at an early stage is a 'well baby check up' for the teeth. Besides checking for tooth decay and other problems, our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne can demonstrate how to clean the child's teeth properly and how to evaluate any adverse habits such as thumb sucking.

As the permanent molars appear, dental sealants may be recommended. Sealants form a thin barrier that helps protect the chewing surfaces from the effects of decay-causing bacteria.

Oral Health Tips for Babies

Help your children maintain a lifelong healthy smile by providing them with a well-balanced diet, limiting snacks, ensuring that they brush twice per day and floss once per day, and scheduling regular dental check ups for them. 

A child's primary teeth, sometimes called 'baby teeth' are as important as the permanent adult teeth.

Primary teeth, which often begin to appear when children are about 6 months old, help them chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are developing under the gums.

Eruption Baby Teeth

The front four teeth usually erupt first, beginning as early as 6 months after birth.

Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of 3 years. The primary teeth generally begin to shed, or fall out, at about 6 years of age. The first of 32 permanent teeth begin to appear about the same time.

Baby Teeth and Oral Care

Begin brushing your child's teeth with a little water as soon as the first tooth appears. If you are considering using toothpaste before the child is 2 years of age, ask your Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne or physicians first.

Supervise toothbrushing to make sure children older than 2 years of age use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and avoid swallowing it. Children should be taught to spit out remaining toothpaste and rinse with water after brushing. Most children will be able to brush on their own by the age of 6 or 7 years. Parents should be using floss or an interdental cleaner on their children's teeth as soon as any two teeth touch. Cleaning between the teeth is important because it removes plaque where a toothbrush can not reach. Brush your child's teeth twice a day unless your Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne recommends otherwise.

Babies and Dental Visits

The Australian Dental Association recommends that a child be seen by a dentist as soon as his or her first tooth erupts but at least no later than her first birthday. A dental visit at an early stage is a 'well baby check up' for the teeth. Besides checking for tooth decay and other problems, a smile.com.au dentist can demonstrate how to clean the child's teeth properly and how to evaluate any adverse habits such as thumb sucking.

As the permanent molars appear, dental sealants may be recommended. Sealants form a thin barrier that helps protect the chewing surfaces from the effects of decay-causing bacteria.

Oral Health Tips for Babies

Help your children maintain a lifelong healthy smile by providing them with a well-balanced diet, limiting snacks, ensuring that they brush twice per day and floss once per day, and scheduling regular dental check ups for them.

We don't usually think of a newborn as having teeth. However, at birth the crowns of the 20 'baby' or primary teeth are almost completely formed and they are hidden from view in an infant's jawbones. The primary teeth gradually erupt through the gums during the first 2 ½ years of life.

The four front teeth - two upper and two lower - usually erupt first beginning as early as six months after birth. Most children have a full set of primary teeth by the time they are 3 years old. The child's jaws continue to grow making room for the permanent (adult) teeth that will begin to erupt at about 6 years of age. Primary teeth begin to shed between ages 2 and 7 years. This process continues until about age 12 years.

The Importance of Primary (Baby) Teeth

Primary teeth may be temporary but they deserve good care. A child needs strong, healthy primary teeth not only to chew food easily but to pronounce words properly.

This first set of teeth also holds a place in the jaw for the permanent teeth which move into place as the primary teeth are shed. Primary teeth should be kept clean and healthy so that a child can remain free of cavities and oral pain. Infection from decayed primary teeth can damage the permanent teeth developing under them.

Primary Teeth Decay

Parents and other caregivers may not realise that primary teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers sometimes is called early childhood caries, baby bottle decay or nursing mouth syndrome. This condition can destroy teeth. It occurs when a child's teeth are exposed frequently to sugary liquids for long periods.

Preventing Primary (Baby) Teeth Decay

You can help reduce the risk of tooth decay. Never allow your infant or toddler to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juices or sweetened liquid. Don't dip a pacifier in sugar or honey. If your infant or toddler needs a comforter between regular feedings or at a bedtime, give the child a clean pacifier recommended by our dentists or pediatrician.

Wipe your child's gums with a wet washcloth or a clean gauze pad after each feeding. Begin brushing your child's teeth with a little water as soon as the first tooth appears. Supervise toothbrushing to make sure that children older than 2 years use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and avoid swallowing it. Children should be taught to spit out remaining toothpaste and rinse with water after brushing.

The human body is made up mostly of water and depends on water to keep organs and systems functioning properly. Water regulates body temperature, helps remove waste, cushions the joints and transports nutrients and oxygen to billions of cells. Increasing water intake sometimes can help alleviate a condition called dry mouth (xerostomia). And water that contains an adequate amount of fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and builds strong teeth.

Health experts generally recommend consuming eight to 10 cups of water a day. The amount may vary based on body size, physical activity and exposure to hot weather.

More health-conscious consumers are sipping bottled water. Some even forgo fluoridated tap water in their homes for costly bottled water. A recent American study showed that Americans consumed more than 5 billion gallons of bottled water in 2000, more than double the amount from a decade earlier. Some predict that bottled water soon may become America's second most popular beverage after soft drinks. It could be suggested that a similar trend is occurring in Australia.

Bottled Water and Fluoride

If bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay.

Water fluoridation is a community health measure that is recognized widely for its role in preventing tooth decay. In areas where natural fluoride occurs in water below the optimal level, many communities add a minute amount of fluoride to the water supply to make certain that residents receive the benefits of fluoride.

While the fluoride content of bottled water varies greatly, the vast majority of bottled waters do not contain optimal levels of fluoride. Some contain no fluoride. When water is treated before it is bottled, fluoride may be lost. For example, many popular brands of bottled water undergo reverse osmosis or distillation. These treatments remove all of the fluoride from the water.

Bottled Water and Recommendations

How can you make sure you and your family especially children are getting the right amount of fluoride protection in bottled water? Answer: Check the label for fluoride content.

Contact the company if the fluoride content is not shown on the label and ask what level of fluoride the water contains. Amounts of fluoride are the same whether they are reported in parts per million or milligrams per litre. To help prevent tooth decay, water should contain 0.7 to 1.2 ppm of fluoride. One ppm is equal to 1 mg/L. Consider:

• How much bottled water do you (or family members) consume each day?
• Is bottled water also used for meal preparation and added to canned or powdered soups, juices, and other drinks?
• Is another source of drinking water used during the day such as an optimally fluoridated community water supply at day care, school or work?

Don't overlook your home water treatment systems such as reverse osmosis and distillation units which may remove the fluoride from water supplies. It's a good idea to look at the manual for these devices or to contact the manufacturer if you can't determine their effect on fluoride levels.

For most of us, thorough daily oral hygiene lays the groundwork for a healthy smile. Just a simple routine of brushing and flossing, in addition to regular dental check ups, can be enough in most cases to help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.

Brushing Up on Technique

Since there are various techniques for brushing your teeth, it's a good idea to ask your Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne which one to use.

Here are a few tips to help you develop a good brushing routine:

• Brush twice a day
• Use a fluoride containing toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay
• Place your brush at a slight angle toward the gums when brushing along the gumline
• Use a gentle touch it doesn't take much pressure to remove the plaque from your teeth and a vigorous scrubbing could irritate your gums
• Concentrate on cleaning all the surfaces of the teeth
• Brushing your tongue gently can help remove bacteria that cause bad breath

The Importance of Flossing

Cleaning between your teeth is every bit as important as brushing.

• Since brushing can't effectively clean between teeth, it's important to use floss to get to those areas.
• Other items also are available to help you clean between your teeth. Ask your Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne which one to use.
• Clean between your teeth once a day.
• As with brushing, use a gentle touch to avoid injuring your gum tissue.

Oral Care Products

Sometimes just walking down the oral health care aisle in your local chemist is enough to make your head spin. With so many choices, how can you choose which products are best for you?

Here are some quick and easy ways to narrow your selection:

• Look for the Australian Dental Association seal of acceptance your assurance that products have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.
• Ask your Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne to help you choose the best products for your needs. Because there are distinctive oral hygiene routines and techniques, some products seem to work better for some individuals than for others. The best brush or interdental cleaner you can buy is the one you will use regularly and properly.
• Talk to your Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne or dental hygienist about your home care routine and technique he or she can help you get the job done properly.

Planning a wedding? There will be plenty of details that demand your attention. Besides the dress, the flowers and the food, there is one thing that everyone will notice on your special day: your smile. Dr. Audrey Seng, our Atlas Smiles Dental cosmetic dentists can help you make your smile as radiant as possible.

Achieving a Bridal-White Smile

Professional cleaning. A professional cleaning in a dental practice before your wedding can help remove stains that might otherwise make your smile less than bright. If food, beverages or tobacco have caused the discolouration, your smile may benefit from a tooth whitening treatment from Dr. Audrey Seng, our Atlas Smiles Dental cosmetic dentists.

Whitening. Whitening (also called bleaching) is a procedure that brightens teeth that are discoloured or stained or have darkened in colour because of injury.

Whitening can be performed on living teeth or teeth that have had root canal treatment. It may be done entirely in the dental practice (a process known as chairside bleaching) or our dentists may dispense a system for you to use at home (home use bleaching).

Chairside bleaching takes from 30 minutes to one hour per visit. A chemical solution is applied to the teeth to lift out stains. A special light may be used at intervals to help activate the bleaching agent. To complete the process, 2 to 10 sessions one week apart may be required. It is not uncommon for the teeth to become slightly sensitive temporarily after bleaching treatments.

With home-use bleaching, our Atlas Smiles Dental cosmetic dentists creates a custom-fitted mouthguard that holds the bleaching gel. The mouthguard is worn up to two hours daily or at night for a length of time specified by our Atlas Smiles Dental cosmetic dentists. The amount of time per evening for which the nightguard is worn and the treatment duration may vary according to your needs and our Atlas Smiles Dental cosmetic dentists' recommendations.

Other Cosmetic Dentistry Options

Bonding. If your teeth are chipped, broken, cracked or badly stained or have slight gaps, ask our Atlas Smiles Dental cosmetic dentists about bonding. Bonding is a cosmetic procedure that uses tooth-coloured materials that are attached or bonded to the tooth surface. The process can improve unsightly stains from coffee, tea, tobacco or certain medications taken in childhood. Bonding sometimes is used to correct chips or to fill small cavities.

The bonding process involves preparing the tooth surface with an etching solution. The solution allows the bonding material (resin-based composites) to better adhere to the tooth. Resins of various colours are carefully blended to match the colour of the existing tooth. The resin is applied, contoured into the proper shape and hardened using a special light or chemical process. The bonded tooth then is smoothed and polished to appear natural. Bonding usually can be completed in one visit.

Veneers are thin custom-made shells that are designed to cover the front of the teeth. Made of tooth-coloured materials, veneers are used to treat gaps and teeth that are permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Veneers also are used to cover teeth that are chipped, worn or eroded at the gum line.

Learn more about procedure & costs of dental veneers.

Enamel shaping. If your front teeth are uneven along the edges, or your canine teeth are too pointy, our Atlas Smiles Dental cosmetic dentists may recommend enamel shaping to improve their natural appearance. Enamel shaping involves contouring tooth enamel to create a smooth line. The process which often is combined with bonding usually is quick and comfortable. The results can be seen immediately.

Tip for Traveling Brides

If you are planning a honeymoon outside of Australia, make sure you and your fiancé have dental check ups a month or so before you leave. This will lessen the likelihood of having a dental problem while you are enjoying your trip. If your smile could use a little boost before your big day, talk to our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists.

If you use a bisphosphonate medication to prevent or treat osteoporosis (a thinning of the bones) or as part of cancer treatment, you should advise Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne. Here’s why:

Reasons for Bisphosphonate Medication

Some bisphosphonate medications (for example, alendronate sodium are taken orally (swallowed) to help prevent or treat osteoporosis and Paget’s disease of the bone. Others (for example, disodium clodronate are administered intravenously (injected into a vein) as part of cancer therapy to reduce bone pain and hypercalcemia of malignancy (abnormally high calcium levels in the blood), associated with metastatic breast cancer, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma.

Some Effects of Bisphosphonate Medication

In rare instances, some people being treated with intravenous bisphosphonates for cancer have developed osteonecrosis of the jaw, a rare but serious condition that involves severe loss, or destruction, of the jawbone. Symptoms include but are not limited to the following:

• Pain, swelling or infection of the gums or jaw
• Gums that are not healing
• Loose teeth
• Numbness or a heavy feeling in the jaw
• Drainage
• Exposed bone

If you receive intravenous bisphosphonate therapy (or received it in the past year) and experience any of these or other dental symptoms, tell your oncologist and our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists immediately.

More rarely, osteonecrosis of the jawbone has developed in patients taking oral bisphosphonates to prevent or treat osteoporosis or Paget’s disease.

Most cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with bisphosphonates are diagnosed after procedures such as tooth extraction. However, the condition can develop spontaneously. Also, invasive dental procedures such as extractions or other surgery that affects the bone, can worsen this condition. Patients receiving intravenous bisphosphonate therapy should avoid invasive dental procedures if possible. The risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw after dental surgery in patients using oral bisphosphonates appears to be low.

Are You at Risk?

Because osteonecrosis of the jaw is rare, researchers can not yet predict who will develop it. To diagnose the condition, clinicians may use x-rays or test for infection (taking microbial cultures). Treatments may include antibiotics, oral rinses and removable mouth appliances. Minor dental work may be necessary to remove injured tissue and reduce sharp edges of damaged bone. Surgery typically is avoided because it may worsen the condition. The consensus is that good oral hygiene along with regular dental care is the best way to lower your risk of developing osteonecrosis.

Patients who undergo cancer treatment sometimes are unaware that it can affect the teeth, gums, salivary glands and other oral tissues. In some cases, patients delay or stop their cancer treatment because they experience painful side effects in their mouths. To help manage these oral side effects, Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne and oncologists can work together before and during cancer treatment to make recovery as comfortable as possible.

Oral Health and Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can cause several oral side effects:

• Inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes
• Painful mouth and gums
• An increase in the risk of developing oral and systemic infections
• Xerostomia (commonly called 'dry mouth'), a condition in which saliva is thickened, reduced or absent
• Rampant tooth decay
• Burning, peeling or swelling tongue
• Stiffness in the jaw
• Impaired ability to eat, speak or swallow
• Change in ability to taste
• Poor diet because of problems with eating

Before Cancer Treatment

When possible, schedule a thorough dental check up at least two weeks before treatment begins. At this visit, you can update your medical history record and provide the telephone number for the physician who is handling the cancer therapy.

During and After Cancer Treatment

During cancer treatment, you should continue to gently brush twice a day unless your smile.com.au dentist recommends otherwise. You should use fluoride toothpaste.

Patients who receive cancer treatment of the head and neck sometimes discover that they cannot tolerate the flavour of their regular toothpaste. If this happens to you, you can try another flavour that will not irritate mouth tissues.

Continue to gently floss once a day. If the gums are sore or bleeding in places, you should avoid those areas but continue to floss other teeth until the condition improves.

Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne may recommend a mouthrinse in addition to daily brushing. You also may be advised to use fluoride gel at home to help reduce the likelihood of tooth decay.

Rinse your mouth several times a day with a solution of baking soda and salt followed by a plain water rinse. Use one-quarter teaspoon of baking soda and one-eighth teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. This is particularly helpful if you experience vomiting after cancer treatment.

If xerostomia develops, a smile.com.au dentist may recommend a saliva replacement available at chemists. Taking frequent sips of water, sucking on ice chips or sugar-free lollies, or chewing sugar-free gum may provide relief.

Eat a balanced diet. Soft, moist foods such as cooked cereals, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs may be suitable if your mouth is sore.

Avoid using tobacco and alcohol and schedule regular dental check ups. Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne and your physician both want your treatment to be as safe and effective as possible.

Cancer Treatment and Oral Health

Dental care is an important element of cancer treatment. As soon as possible after a diagnosis of cancer is made, your treatment team should involve our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne. If you will undergo treatment, you should do the following:

• Schedule a dental examination and cleaning before cancer treatment begins and periodically during the course of treatment
• Inform Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne that you will be treated for cancer
• Discuss dental procedures such as extractions or insertion of dental implants with your oncologist before starting the cancer treatment
• Ask our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne to check and adjust removable dentures as needed
• Inform our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne and physician about any bleeding of the gums, pain or unusual feeling in the teeth or gums, or any dental infections
• Update your medical record with our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne to include the cancer diagnosis and treatments
• Provide our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne and oncologist with each other's name and telephone number
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene to reduce the risk of infection

About Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome is a painful and often frustrating condition. Some patients compare it to having burned their mouth with hot coffee.

The burning sensation may affect the tongue, the roof of the mouth, the gums, the inside of the cheeks, and the back of the mouth or throat. The condition sometimes is known as 'burning tongue (or lips) syndrome', 'scalded mouth syndrome', 'glossodynia' and 'stomatodynia'.

In addition to the burning sensation, other conditions such as a dry or sore mouth or a tingling or numb sensation throughout the mouth and tongue may occur. A bitter or metallic taste also may be present. This condition can affect men and women but it is especially common in women during or after menopause.

What Cause Burning Mouth Syndrome?

The exact cause of burning mouth syndrome often is difficult to pinpoint. The disorder has long been linked to a variety of other conditions: menopause, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, tongue thrusting, disorders of the mouth (oral thrush and dry mouth), acid reflux, cancer therapy (irradiation and chemotherapy) and psychological problems. Some researchers also have suggested dysfunction in the nerves supplying the mouth and tongue as a possible cause. Strictly speaking, the term 'burning mouth syndrome' should be used only when a definite cause has not been found.

Once burning mouth syndrome begins, it may persist for many years. Patients who have it may awaken with no pain only to find that the burning sensation grows progressively worse during the day. They may have difficulty falling asleep. The discomfort and relentlessness may cause mood changes, irritability, anxiety and depression.

How is Burning Mouth Treated?

Our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne can confirm the diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan. our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne will review your medical history and ask you to describe your symptoms.

First, any oral conditions causing the burning sensations should be investigated. For example, if you have dry mouth, our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne may advise that you drink more fluids or may suggest saliva replacement products that can be purchased at a pharmacy. An oral swab or biopsy may be used to check for thrush which is a fungal infection. Thrush can be treated with oral antifungal medications. Any irritations caused by sharp or broken teeth or by a removable partial or full denture should be eliminated.

Other simple measures may help. Eliminate mouthwash, chewing gum, tobacco and very acidic liquids (certain fruit juices, soft drinks and coffee) for two weeks to see if there is any improvement. Consider trying a different brand of toothpaste.

Look up the side effects of any medications you are taking such as those used to treat high blood pressure. You can ask a pharmacist or use the internet for this information. If any of your medications are reported to cause a burning sensation in the mouth, ask your physician to consider prescribing a substitute medication. Also, some medications can cause dry mouth which might aggravate the condition.

If our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne determines that no oral conditions are causing the burning sensation and the steps listed above do not resolve the problem, disorders such as diabetes, abnormal thyroid conditions, Sjogren's syndrome (a rheumatological disorder), mineral deficiencies or food allergies should be investigated. This usually involves referral to your family physician and the use of blood tests.

Summary

Start with the simple and eliminate various possibilities. Even if a cause can not be found, our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne or your physician may recommend medications to provide relief of symptoms.

Mouth sores can be painful, annoying and unsightly. Some appear inside the mouth on the gums, tongue, lips, cheeks or palate (roof of the mouth). Others can appear outside the mouth such as on or around the lips, under the nose and on the chin.

Here are descriptions of two common types of mouth sores commonly known as 'canker sores' and 'cold sores'.

Canker Sores

Canker sores appear inside the mouth. They usually are small ulcers (minor aphthous ulcers) with a white, yellow or grey centre and a flat red border. Rarely, canker sores can be very large (major aphthous ulcers) with a raised border. There may be one or several ulcers and they often recur at varying periods.

A canker sore usually begins as a red spot or bump. It may produce a tingling or burning sensation before other symptoms appear. Canker sores are painful. Fortunately, most canker sores heal spontaneously in seven to 10 days. If the sore is present longer than two weeks, see our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne.

The exact cause of canker sores is not known. Genetics play a role. White blood cells (lymphocytes) in our immune system may affect the lining of the mouth causing these irritating but harmless, sores. Fatigue, emotional stress and certain foods can increase the possibility of a canker sore for some people. Even biting the inside of the cheek or tongue or chewing a sharp piece of food may trigger a canker sore.

Canker sores are not contagious or precancerous. There is no permanent cure for canker sores: therefore, treatment is for discomfort or pain. Over-the-counter topical medications such as numbing agents or protective ointments and microbial (germ fighting) mouthrinses may offer temporary relief. Avoid hot, spicy or acidic foods and beverages that can irritate the sore. Specific treatment for an attack involves cortico-steroids (prednisone-like medications) in either topical or systemic (table or capsule) form that control the troublesome lymphocytes.

Cold Sores

Cold sores are groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters (often called 'fever blisters'). These unsightly sores usually erupt on the lips and sometimes on skin around the lips. Clusters of small blisters also may occur on the gum tissue near the teeth and/or on the bony roof of the mouth.

Cold sores are caused by herpesvirus Type 1 or Type 2 and are contagious. The initial infection (primary herpes) which often occurs before adulthood may be confused with a cold or the flu. The infection can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the mouth and some patients can be quite ill for a week. Most people who become infected with herpes do not get sick.

Once a person is infected with herpes, the virus stays in the body, where it may remain inactive. Unfortunately, in some people, the virus becomes activated periodically causing the cold sore to appear on the lips or other sites. A variety of irritants wind, sun, fever, stress can cause a flare.

Cold sores usually heal in about a week. An unsightly scab forms once the blister breaks. Over-the-counter topical anesethetics and protectants or inflammatory agents or topical antiviral agents may provide temporary relief for the discomfort but they do little to speed healing. As with the common cold, there is no cure for these viral infections. Topical or systemic antiviral drugs can be prescribed by our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne, but they are ineffective after three to four days of blister formation and usually are not recommended in otherwise healthy patients.

See a Change? Contact Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne.

Not all sores are harmless. Schedule an appointment if you notice any change in your mouth including pain or discomfort, or the presence of sores in the mouth even if they are not painful. A biopsy (tissue sample taken for testing) usually can determine the cause or rule out another disease. Our Atlas Smiles Dental dentists in Melbourne can recognise and often diagnose the type of mouth sore or spot on the basis of its appearance and location.