The 'Green Food Diet'

Our Top 7 Green Foods For Good Health

At The Emergency Dentist Sydney we believe in holistic oral health care. General daily care, such as brushing and flossing, go a long way to your overall oral health but there's a lot more you can do to ensure a healthy smile. After 10 plus years in dentistry we know prevention is the best medicine. In fact, what we do or don't eat can be very important when it comes to your smile.

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So, we say scrap the White Food Diet, green is the new white this St Patrick's Day. We have our top 7 picks for the most super duper green foods to keep your oral health and general health looking as good as your four year old self the first time you found a four leaf clover.

1. Green Tea
We recommend a good cup of green tea after any meal. Green tea is great for controlling bacteria in your saliva and lowering the level of acidity in it, which can cause cavities. It's also works great as an anti-inflammatory which is particularly useful in the control of periodontal (gum) disease. To top off green tea as a great choice for your oral health, it is also associated with good breath! We believe this is likely because the microbes that make our breath bad are broken down by the tea.

2. Snap Peas & Green Beans
The high fibre content of these crisp green vegetables help scrub your teeth, which breaks up the biofilm and plaque buildup on your teeth. This all happens while you chew, mimicking a toothbrush or flossing. The extra effort you put in to chewing these veggies speeds up saliva production, which keeps your teeth strong and helps digest your food. Overall, a great snack to help boost your smile.

3. Kiwi Fruit
Kiwi fruit has the highest concentration of vitamin C (along with strawberries). Vitamin C helps to prevent collagen in your gum tissue from breaking down and without collagen your gums become tender and open to disease and infection, such as periodontal (gum) disease. They're also a yummy fruit snack too.

4. Green Apples
One of your oral health's best friends. Green apples are a water rich food which stimulate saliva production and and keep your oral bacteria looking pretty good. Not only that, green apples are also a high fibre food which create a brushing or scrubbing effect when biting. This quite literally cleanses the surface of your teeth as you eat, wiping away bacteria. Ahh that fresh feeling after eating a green apple.

5. Celery
Similar to the kiwi fruit, celery is packed with Vitamin C. It's great to help fight against inflammation of your gums. The texture of the celery stick is also another great green food that acts as a mother nature's brush, cleaning your teeth as you chew.

6. Broccoli
Broccoli does two great things for your teeth, whiten and protect. A bad cook will serve you over cooked broccoli, boiled for too long. The key to this vegetable is to steam it. This cooks it just long enough for the florets (they're the dark green tops) to heat but also retain all of their vitamins. Broccoli contains vitamin C (see Kiwi Fruit), vitamin E, which helps aid the body in healing and has a good source of vitamin b2 and calcium, which help keep your teeth strong and white.

7. Avo
Who doesn't love an avo! Avocado's are great for helping your body absorb all of the good nutrients you need from all foods to help maintain good overall health. Not only that but they contain a great level of calcium, helping your teeth strong and vitamin B6, another essential nutrient which is good for your overall oral health.

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The #EmergencyDentist Says:

We always recommend a well balanced healthy diet full of a variety of foods. If you're planning on celebrating St Patrick's Day this year have a Guiness on us and remember The #Emergency Dentist Sydney is always open for dental emergencies.

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What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?

What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?

At the Emergency Dentist Sydney we got to talking about our habits as children and what we might say to our younger selves. When it comes to dental care and oral hygiene we know now how important it is to begin good habits from a young age. Not everyone is knowledgable on the effects of poor oral hygiene on quality of life in your later years.

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Toothache or pain and loss of teeth, resulting in the inability to chew comfortably can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, weakening of the immune system and infection. As we age we notice the obvious stuff like wrinkles and hair loss but we may not be as aware of changes in our teeth and mouths.

We asked ourselves the question, what advice would you give your younger self about oral hygiene and dental care? These are our top responses:

1. Don’t smoke, if you do, stop, yuk!
2. Stick to the food pyramid when it comes to eating. Eat a variety of food, eat food which is full of vitamins, minerals and fibres and get lots of variety where you can.
3. Visit a dentists regularly for checkups, no excuses.
4. Learn how to floss properly and do it daily.
5. Brush twice daily, regardless of how tired you are at night or how busy you are in the morning.
6. Rinse your mouth with water during the day when you’ve eaten processed foods, sweet foods or foods and drinks that can stain the teeth.
7. Don’t put off dental problems. If you have concerns make sure you see your Dentist and avoid long-term complications.

You may think it doesn’t really matter, you can just get dentures, veneers, browns or crewed in teeth when you’re older, but this comes at some loss to your long term health.

Well looked after teeth are a reflection of your general health. Retaining your real teeth means better health long term. The American Journal of Public Health reports that ‘chewing with removable dentures is at least 30 to 40 percent less efficient than chewing with natural teeth. Persons with extensive or complete tooth loss are more likely to substitute easier-to chew foods such as those rich in saturated fast and cholesterol for foods high in carotenes, vitamin C and fibre’. Poorly looked after gums also comes with an array of long term side effects.

These are a few of the more common side effects of poor oral health:

1. Loss. To the structure of your jaw and face.
2. Cardiovascular Disease. Bacteria from inflamed mums and periodontal disease can enter your bloodstream and travel to your arteries in the heart. This can then cause such things as heart attack or stroke resulting in an endocarditis or myocarditis.
3. Dementia. Bacteria from gingivitis may enter the brain and can lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Respiratory Infections. The Journal of Periodontology warns gum disease can cause infections in your lungs, including pneumonia. This isn’t always an instant infection but, imagine breathing in bacteria over time from infected teeth and gums.
5. Diabetic Complications. Poor oral hygiene can make it harder to control your blood sugar. This can increase the symptoms of diabetes and make them worse.

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The #EmergencyDentist Says:

The the beauty of hindsight means we can see how things could be. With the knowledge of what can very well happen, we think sticking to these 7 tips will keep your oral health and your general health kicking strong in to the future.

Dental Phobia Fears? 'GO TO SLEEP!'

Dental Phobia Fears? 'GO TO SLEEP!'

Is Dental Phobia a big fear of yours? Then ask for Dental Sedation at The #EmergencyDentist Sydney. Sedation is also known as ‘twilight sedation’ and is a state of being in-between awake and asleep. Sleep or sedation dentistry allows you to 'sleep' whilst undertaking your dental treatment. Sleep dentistry, or sedation dentistry, is a dental solution designed for patients who dread going to the dentist. Many people feel afraid or uncomfortable when they are placed in vulnerable positions like the dental chair, and may experience dental anxiety as a result.

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What is it?
Sleep dentistry, or sedation dentistry that allows for pain free dentistry, is a dental solution designed for patients who dread going to the dentist. Many people feel afraid or uncomfortable when they are placed in vulnerable positions like the dental chair, and may experience dental anxiety as a result. Sleep dentistry is requires special skills and a highly trained team. This team consists of the sedationist, the sleep dentist (a pain free dentist) who is a very gentle dentist and specially trained nurses.

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What happens during sedation dentistry?
Initially the sedation dentist will put you to sleep. During the procedure, patients aren't unconscious, but mentally "detached" from what's going on, and before they know it, the sedation dentist will be telling them the dental procedure is over and they can go home. The sedative effects of the medication last up to 24 hours, so patients will likely need to relax for the rest of the day after their dental procedure(s) and must be sure not to operate a motor vehicle after the sedation dentistry.

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The #EmergencyDentist Says:

If visiting the dentist is a fear of yours or someone you know, take New York Housewife, Bethenny Frankel's advice. Call us to discuss...

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Emergency Dental Care Tip #006

How To Treat Severed Gums, Lips or Mouth

Injury to the soft-tissue, which includes your tongue, cheek, gum and lips will result in bleeding. There are some basic things you can do to help control the bleeding. Follow this treatment guide:

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1. Rinse your mouth. Where possible, use warm water with salt and gently rinse. This process will help cleanse the injured not stop the bleeding.

2. Apply pressure by holding a moistened cloth to the area for 15 minutes. Ideally use a gauze or even a tea bag for this. This will help stop bleeding.

3. Next hold a cold compress to the outside of your face on the opposing side to the injury for 5 to 10 minutes. This will help control bleeding and relieve pain.

4. If the bleeding doesn't stop please call The #EmergencyDentist Sydney on 02 8283 6493. Repeat steps 2. and 3. until you are treated.

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The #EmergencyDentist Says:  

Handle with care and call us!

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Oral Health Tip #01 – Brushing

Effective bushing

Brushing your teeth effectively is important to making your twice daily brush count. You may have never been shown how or you might be in need a refresher.

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When should I brush my teeth?

Simple rule, when you wake up and before you go to sleep.

Mornings. There is debate as to wether you should brush before or after breakfast. The evidence is bacteria grows while your asleep and responds to the food and their production of acids after you have breakfast. As such, the teeth are softened by the reaction taking place in your mouth. Brushing after this process will remove substances however, brushing before eating will remove most bacteria before this takes place. Best practice is to brush before and rinse after if you feel you need to.

Night time. It is very important to brush before you go to sleep. If you don't, particles from food or drink are left in contact with the teeth and have the whole night to cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums. Brushing before sleep ensures the best possible conditions for your mouth to protect your teeth while you sleep.

How do I brush correctly?

1. Start on top. First brush the insides. Technique: Circular and forward motioning.

2. Then brush the outside. Technique: Circular motioning with a mix of soft and hard pressure.

3. Next brush the biting surfaces. Technique: Firm pressure, back and forth motion.

4. Repeat these three steps.

5. Lastly brush your tongue. Technique: Side to side, back and forth.

How long do I brush my teeth?

4 minutes. Most dentists, including The #EmergencyDentist Sydney, agrees 4 minutes of brushing is optimum. Be practical, divide your time between your teeth. 2 minutes for the top, 2 for the bottom. Then, 1 minute each for the back and for the front.

Do I brush first or floss?

We say, floss first. Everyone has a different opinion on this, we take a practical approach.

When you floss you are cleaning in between your teeth and, in most cases, you are moving particles of food from between your teeth to the inside of your mouth or the surfaces of your teeth. We therefore would recommend brushing after doing this. We like to compare it to cleaning under your nails vs washing your hands. Most people would want to wash their hands after removing dirt or other nasty things from under their finger nails. That's our theory.

But there is no concrete evidence to support either order of brushing vs flossing. As long as you are disrupting the happy lives of bacteria who build little communities and multiply on and in between your teeth, you are doing the right thing.

If you do prefer to brush before flossing, we recommend thoroughly rinsing after flossing.

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The #EmergencyDentist Says:

Brush before breakfast –  It doesn't really matter if your brush before or after you floss

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Emergency Dental Care Tips: Dislodged Teeth, Tooth

The Importance of Cosmetic Dentistry

Wether the tooth or teeth have been knocked out, have become displaced (moved forward or backward or have been pushed in) or have been chipped, there is a risk of permanent damage. Nerves may be exposed and aesthetics may be compromised. As such we may need to see you to reduce sensitivity, minimise or stop bacteria infecting your nerves and restore aesthetics.

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What are my treatment options for broken, cracked or dislodged teeth?
The general treatment options available for broken, damaged or cracked teeth are:

• Porcelain Crowns or Veneers

• Temporary braces or brackets

• Teeth Whitening

• Removal of the teeth or Extractions

• Gum Treatment or Periodontal Treatment

We will discuss your dental history and then have a consultation with you to discuss possible treatment options. X-rays or other tests to your mouth, gums or jaw may need to be performed. Don’t hesitate to contact us at anytime to discuss your emergency.

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Emergency Dental Care Tips for Dislodged Teeth, Tooth Knocked Out
1. Gently sit the tooth back in socket it has come out from, do not push it in with force, to avoid touching the root. 2. Alternatively place it between the cheek and teeth, away from the affected area, to keep it warm and moist. 3. You can also place it in a container of milk until you see us. (Note: Avoid touching the socket with your tongue)

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Dental Care 101: Playing Sports

Mouthguards Are Your Best Friend

One of the most common causes of dental injuries comes from contact sports. Sports and active lifestyles are an important part of many people's lives and proper prevention and protection practices should be number one.

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The injuries our beloved contact sports cause are often very painful and can require expensive treatment. Our Dentists can fit you or your family members with custom moulded mouth guards, you can contact us to find out more. These are just some of the benefits of wearing a custom fit mouthguard:

• A custom fit will enable the best possible speech and breathing.

• The tailored shape means a snug and uniformed fit to your teeth, enabling best possible protection.

• The quality of the material we use in the mouthguard are the strongest grade possible, while still being relatively thin.

• They come in a range of colours, you can match it to your sporting team or keep it clear or plain.

For more on prevention practices view our TOP 10 Prevention TIPS List.

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The Price of Emergencies

How Much Does It Cost?

This depends on your emergency. There is no additional fee for the time of day or night our Dentist treats you. You will pay for the consultation with the Dentist and then any subsequent treatment required. Payment facilities are available for patients with private health cover to receive instant rebates.

• Standard Consultations - $100
• Extractions - From $250
• Laser Root Canal - From $550
• Dental Bonding (Broken Teeth) - From $250

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Emergency Dental Care Tips: Cracked Teeth, Tooth

Emergency Dental Care Tips for Toothache

(Including Severe or Acute Pain to the Tooth, Teeth, Gums & Mouth)

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Our general advice:

1. Rinse out your mouth with warm water to cleanse it.

2. Take x2 Nurofen, Advil or Ibuprofen then wait 3 hours.

3. Then take x2 Panadol or Paracetemol then wait 3 hours and repeat step 2.

4. You can repeat the above steps until you see us, on most occasions you will see us well before you have to do this. (Note: Do Not Apply aspirin directly to the source of the pain)

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Emergency Dental Care Tips: Toothache

Emergency Dental Care Tips for Toothache

(Including Severe or Acute Pain to the Tooth, Teeth, Gums & Mouth)

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1. Rinse out your mouth with warm water to cleanse it. 2. Take x2 Nurofen, Advil or Ibuprofen then wait 3 hours. 3. Then take x2 Panadol or Paracetemol then wait 3 hours and repeat step 2. 4. You can repeat the above steps until you see us, on most occasions you will see us well before you have to do this.

(Note: Do Not Apply aspirin directly to the source of the pain)

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