Our Top 5 Sydney Spring Summer Events Picks
2018 - 2019
2018 - 2019
Summer in Sydney is great. There’s always so much to do, and sometimes it can be hard to decide which events to attend and which to miss. That’s why we’re here to help. No matter what you’re into, whether it’s music or food or sport, here are the top events to see and be seen at in the coming summer months.
22nd of December, Carols in the Domain
If you love to sing, or just soak up the Christmas spirit, then you need to be at the Woolworths Carols in the Domain. This is an event for the young and the young at heart and will feature some great Aussie talent who will help you sing in the Christmas season.
31st of December, New Year’s Eve Celebrations
New Years in Sydney harbour is iconic, and it’s one of the biggest celebrations in the country. If you like fireworks, people celebrating the possibilities of a New Year, or just want to take part in all the festivities, this is the place to be.
7th - 26th of January, Sydney Festival
Spending time at the Sydney Festival could take up most of your free time in January. With more than 400 performances and 100 events, this event celebrates culture, ideas, style and summer itself. Many of the events are free and you can get a full schedule on the website from the middle of October. There will also be some world famous talents up on the stages, so buy your tickets early if you’re interested in any of these amazing shows.
27th January to 12th of February, Chinese New Year
For the people who just can’t get enough of the New Year’s spirit, here’s a celebration that runs for weeks. There are events all across Sydney, from Martin Place to Chinatown, so you can celebrate the year of the rooster with traditional and delicious food and drinks.
February and March, Mardi Gras
The world can be a scary place sometimes, which is why celebrating pride and diversity is more important than ever before. Show your support for the LGBTQI community and have some fun at the Mardi Gras fair day or the raising of the rainbow flag in February. Marvel at the spectacle of the main parade in March. Or fill up your calendar and be there for all of them.
So there really is no excuse. This Summer, get out and enjoy everything Sydney has to offer. And make this season one to remember.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
If you have a dental emergency over the Summer, contact our Emergency Dentist in Sydney. Our caring and expert staff are available 24 hours a day to help you with all your emergency dental needs.
Easy Ways To Improve Your Dental Health in 2018
Avoid Needing Emergency Dental Care
Avoid Needing Emergency Dental Care
Most of us make resolutions for each new year and chances are at least a few of them are still in effect right now. Sticking to those promises you have made to yourself can be tough, but not impossible if you are serious about them. Take a resolution to keep your teeth healthier for example. Sticking to that need not be hard at all, especially if you follow these basic tips...
Cut Back the Sugar, For Real This Time
Yes, we sound like a broken record on this issue sometimes, but we're OK with that as it is such an important piece of advice for the good of your teeth and gums. And the good of your body overall.
Unlike calcium, or proteins, or even carbohydrates, no-one's body actually needs sugar, we just really like it. It's also very hard to avoid sometimes as it is included in all kinds of processed foods that you'd usually consider savory. But it's terrible for your teeth and pretty bad for your body overall as well.
If you can't imagine life without the occasional sweet treat we do understand; neither can we. But make it just that, occasional, and get into the habit of checking food labels when shopping for added extra sugars that could be avoided by making a different choice.
Commit to Flossing Daily
In case you are questioning if we even need to floss anymore, check out our myth busting article 'The Great Flossgate Debate'. With that out of the way, we know flossing can seem annoying but it doesn't taken that long once you get the hang of it.
To make it easier to do, consider investing in some purse and wallet friendly pre-made flossers from the chemists or, if you want to push the boat out a bit further (and are a bit of a tech head anyway) you can pick up an electric flosser for around $50 from your chemist or dentist.
Learn to Love Your Dentist
Very few people will tell you that a visit to the dentist is at the top of their list of favourite pastimes. But it really isn't as scary, or as much of a hassle, as you think. Modern dentistry focuses around providing great oral care with a minimum of pain and as little fuss and extra expense as possible.
In addition to a six-month regular checkup you could consider making this the year you invest in your smile in a bigger way, whether that means a few whitening treatments or a bit of cosmetic dentistry that makes a bigger difference.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
Resolving to take better care of your teeth in 2018 is a great idea to maintain or improve your oral and general health and to avoid unnecessary dental expenses, such as emergency dentistry. If you are looking for dental advice or considering cosmetic dental treatment, get in touch with us today.
Our Top Picks for A Smashing Sydney Summer
Indoors & Outdoors
Fun Indoors & Outdoors
Do you ever stop to think how lucky we are to live in a place like Sydney? This summer it's the time of year when more tourists than ever flock here from all over the world to marvel at Sydney's sunny beaches, stroll our shoreline and take full advantage of the entertainment, dining and recreational opportunities the city has to offer in the summer. Here are just a few ideas from the team at Emergency Dentist Sydney
Secret Walks
Who wants to be stuck inside when the weather outdoors is gorgeous? But when you do have time to get outdoors why not so a little bit more than hang out at the beach? There are so many great walking trails all over the city, it's a shame not to try out at least one or two. One of our personal favourites is the Secret Sydney walking tour, which offers you the chance to explore the lesser known corners of the city. For instance, do you know where to go in Sydney to find a spectacular Taoist temple? No, neither did we until we tried this trip out.
Scale 'The Coathanger'
Something else we had never done, but can now recommend you do is stop looking up at the Sydney Harbour Bridge and actually climb it. You do have to dress up in jumpsuit that makes you look like you are auditioning for a very low budget remake of Ghostbusters, and yes it's kind of scary, even though you're actually perfectly safe. But as bucket list items go, conquering the maze of steel that makes up one of the most iconic bridges in the world and surveying your city from a completely new point of view should probably be on everyone's.
Sydney's Full of Musical Theatre
Sometimes, we admit, the theatre can be a bit stuffy, but that's rarely the case when the action onstage is a musical. And there are some great ones being staged across the city this summer, and certainly something to suit almost any taste. Over the summer, at various locations across the city you can catch a modern take on The Wizard of Oz, an onstage recreation of the modern classic Muriel's Wedding, a straight from Broadway production of Jersey Boys and, if you really feel like rocking out, American Idiot, the musical based on the Green Day album of the same name and written by Billie Joe Armstrong himself will be making its Australian debut this summer.
A Different Dinner Date With A Difference
Anyone who lives in Sydney knows that this is a city with far more than its fair share of dining options. But this summer why not try something different? For example, ditch the beer for a night and head out to Surry Hills to try out the Absinthe Salon, a recreation of the French drinking dives of years ago that even features gargoyles on the wall.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
These are just a few ideas to get you started. There is so much more out there! And we'd like to hear from you? What are your favourite things to do with your Sydney summer?
The Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Your Oral Health
Indulging in a few too many alcoholic 'refreshers' can leave you with more than just a banging headache the next day...
Be Aware of The Impact
Some might say hot, sunny Sydney days - and nights - and a cold beer were made for each other, especially if you happen to be out with your mates. And as we have no less than fourteen separate wine regions in NSW, a trip out to a vineyard for a tasting is a tempting way to spend a summer's day too. But did you know that indulging in a few too many alcoholic 'refreshers' can leave you with more than just a banging headache the next day, it can also be very bad for your oral health?
Alcohol and Oral Health - Worst Case Scenarios
A number of research studies conducted all over the world have indicated that those who drink alcohol on a regular basis may be up to six times more likely to develop oral cancers than those who do not. Alcohol abuse is also the cause of a number of oral related accidents - chipped teeth, broken teeth, lost teeth, that kind of thing - because, well, drunk people do tend to fall down far more often than others and they can often get a bit fighty too.
Gum disease is another potentially nasty problem that alcohol abuse can lead too, as is tooth decay. The major reason for this is all of the fermented sugars that alcohol contains coupled with fact that alcohol is actually very dehydrating (no matter how refreshing that cold one seems to be) which leads to a very dry mouth. The perfect 'conditions' for the development of both tooth decay and gum disease.
Drinking Responsibly - for Your Teeth
So, are we suggesting that you spend every single summer's day sipping on a oft drink while all around you crack open a celebratory can of beer? Not necessarily, but we are suggesting you drink in a way that is a lot kinder to your teeth and gums. What's the best way to do that? Here's some pointers:
Drink in moderation This really should be a general rule of thumb anyway. Not only is binge drinking or excessive alcohol consumption bad for your oral and general health is there really much point in spending a fortune on booze when you go out if you get so drunk you won't remember anything the next day?
Watch the Sugar Content of What You Drink People tend to forget just how much sugar there is in alcoholic beverages. And in many cases there's a lot, both in beer and in wine and mixed drinks and cocktails can be even worse. Not only is too much sugar bad for your teeth in general if you are drinking all night it's going to be sitting on your teeth getting ready to do some damage.
To help alleviate the problem alternate every drink with one of water (which helps you drink less anyway) as doing so will keep you better hydrated and help prevent dry mouth while also 'washing away' some of that sugary film on your teeth.
Never Go to Bed Without Cleaning Your Teeth No matter how tired you are when you get in after a night out you should never skip cleaning your teeth, especially if you are fond of highly coloured drinks - red wine, those frothy multi-coloured cocktails - that can also stain your teeth easily.
The #EmergencyDentist Says:
Alcohol and teeth are well-known adversaries, especially during the very social Sydney summer season. However, with a little extra care and attention it's OK to indulge once in a while, just don't make a big habit of it.
Top 5 Summer Sports for Sydney Kids
What's the best way to keep the kids occupied in the summer, especially during the long school holiday? We have some answers for you...
Get Stuck In To These
It's an age old question and one that still needs to be answered even in the era of endless video games; what's the best way to keep the kids occupied in the summer, especially during the long school holiday? We have some answers for you.
The Benefits of Organised Sports for Sydney Kids
While you could, technically, let them stay up in their room fighting electronic soldiers/aliens/super-villains all day or watch TV until their eyes take on a squarish shape. However, it is the summer, this is Sydney and the best place for them to be, at least some of the time, is outside and soaking up all of that great-for-them Vitamin D and the best thing for them to be doing is staying active.
Sydney in the summer offers all kinds of outdoor fun for kids and some of the best of it comes in the form of organised sports. According to the experts even little kids can benefit from the physical, mental and confidence boosts that taking part in them can offer, as well as the fun of course.
But just what sport should your kids give a try this summer if they have no plans yet? Here's a look at our personal Top 5 Summer Sports for Kids.
Nippers/Swimming
There’s a lot of water surrounding us here in Sydney and the beach and ocean are a big part of most of our lives in the summer. This means that water safety has to be too. And when it comes to the littlest water babies, Nippers is not only a great way for them to develop the basic skills they need to be safe in the water but also to learn how much fun it can be.
Nippers classes offer children aged 5-13 the chance to learn to swim, how to stay safe in the water, how to help someone else in danger and even how to body board and dolphin dive. Add to that the fact that they’ll also be getting one of the best all-round forms of exercise there is so it’s a win-win for everyone.
Cricket
Summer and cricket in Australia go together like nothing else. But why just let your kids settle for watching on telly and dreaming about becoming the next Steve Smith or Meg Lanning when they can go out there and give it a try themselves? And even if they don’t quite make it to The Sydney Cricket Ground one day the coordination and team building skills, and general cricket know how, it will give them will be invaluable in life.
Tennis
Every summer in January the eyes of the world’s tennis fans turn to Oz as the Australian Open gets the Grand Slam season under way. So what better time than the summer to introduce kids of all ages to the joys of the game? It’s another great hand eye coordination builder, great exercise and a fantastic confidence booster. And if you happen to find you’ve got the next Sam Stosur or Lleyton Hewitt on your hands us Aussie tennis fans aren’t going to complain are we?
Sailing
Your kids don’t have to be in the water to have fun on it. And as home to one of the most iconic harbours on the planet, sailing is certainly in Sydney’s blood. While it’s not perhaps the kids summer sport that spring to mind first, there are some great programs out there, especially those run by Yachting Australia, that teach young kids the basics of what really is a very exciting sport.
Cycling
Finally, here’s a sport the whole family can enjoy together this summer, no matter what their age or general fitness level. All you really need to enjoy a spot of summer cycling with the kids are some good bikes, great helmets and a nice stretch of open road. If your kids want to try something a little more challenging though there’s always the option of finding them classes and clubs to join in with mountain biking, BMX and maybe even motocross activities.
The #EmergencyDentist Says:
Sydney in Summertime is always an adventure. If you find yourself needing after hours emergency dental care we're always here!
Keep Your Family Hydrated This Summer
We know how to take care of our skin but can’t forget to keep your kids hydrated...
Keep Your Family Hydrated This Summer
With summer holidays already here we should be taking extra precautions for our little ones as the temperatures sizzle, especially following the sugary festive season. We know how to take care of our skin but can’t forget to keep your kids hydrated!
Did you know that good hydration is vital in maintaining healthy teeth? We’ve got some tooth friendly tips on keeping your children hydrated this summer.
1. Drink mostly water
Sports drinks, soft drink, and juice are all packed full of sugar (we’ve said this before - sugar is the enemy!), which will only dehydrate the munchkins even further. Water is by far the best option, and it is definitely the cheapest!
2. Use straws and drink bottles
Make drinking water fun with special straws. Even adults can’t deny silly straws are fun! There are lots that go round and round, or do squiggly shapes, or really really long ones that kids will love. Otherwise let them pick a fun, bright water bottle.
3. Make it exciting
If your kids find plain water too boring, you may be tempted to try adding fresh or frozen fruit to their water or even freezing the fruit in the ice-cube tray to make colourful ice-cubes. Whilst this is a fun way to get kids to drink more water it must be kept in mind that fruit still contains sugar and acid and if sipped on throughout the day will contribute to tooth decay.
4. Eat hydrating fruit
Some fruits like bananas and watermelon are very high in water content and are great source of liquid. Keep your watermelon in the fridge, so it’s nice and cold – the perfect refreshing snack! Mmm Mmm
5. Make water readily available
Children will drink when they’re thirsty if there is a drink available. Make sure water bottles are easy to open and within easy reach for kids, and make sure you always pack a water bottle when heading outside. Don’t forget to keep kids hydrated when you’re playing in the backyard, at the beach, or simply catching up with friends.
6. Parents; Set a good example
Teach your kids the importance of drinking water by setting a good example, and keep your hydration levels up. You might want to take regular water breaks together, or try matching water bottles.
The #EmergencyDentist Says:
Getting your kids to drink more water comes down to availability and appeal! Make fresh water available at all times, make it part of your families daily habits. Add ice cubes, fill a special cup with it, add fruit (in moderation)… whatever works.
What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?
When it comes to dental care and oral hygiene we know now how important it is to begin good habits from a young age...
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.
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:
- Don’t smoke, if you do, stop, yuk!
- 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.
- Visit a dentists regularly for checkups, no excuses.
- Learn how to floss properly and do it daily.
- Brush twice daily, regardless of how tired you are at night or how busy you are in the morning.
- 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.
- 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:
- Loss. To the structure of your jaw and face.
- 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.
- Dementia. Bacteria from gingivitis may enter the brain and can lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
The 'White Teeth Diet'
Scrap the Atkins, Raw Food or Paleo Diets, we love the White Teeth Diet. We'd like to share with you how you can eat your self to a whiter smile...
Take It With a (White) Grain of Salt
Scrap the Atkins, Raw Food or Paleo Diets, we love the White Teeth Diet. We'd like to share with you how you can eat your self to a whiter smile.
When considering a diet that is friendly to keeping your teeth white, it is just as important to avoid certain foods as it is to eat others. It's a little crazy but if you want to maintain that healthy white smile you were born with, or paid for, a few simple practices can help you out. There are three factors to keep in mind on this diet, chewing, saliva production and staining They all help to keep teeth healthy and white. Please keep in mind this isn't a whole diet you should live by, it's just a few simple steps you can take to keep teeth white. Let's start:
Do The More Often:
Apples, carrots, cauliflower, green beans and celery. These are the firmer, crunchier foods that require you to chew more. They act similarly to a toothbrush and scrub your teeth while you chew.
Hard cheeses. Similar to crunchy fruit and veg, they help clean the teeth by removing particles and preventing plaque build-up.
Citrus fruits like grapefruit, lime, lemon and oranges help rinse your teeth naturally while you eat, encouraging saliva production which protects the teeth.
Dairy products of course contribute to keeping teeth white. The lactic acid in dairy products will also help to prevent decay.
Water. The purest way to wash away any foods that potentially stain your teeth.
Do These Less Often:
Coffee and tea will stain your teeth.
Soft drink such as Coke and sports drinks will stain your teeth and cause decay.
Red wine is one of the worst for staining your teeth. That red wine smile isn't so cute either.
White wine causes tooth decay. Just like red wine, white wine has higher than normal pH levels which increases your loss of enamel.
Fruits like blackberries, pomegranates and blueberries will obviously stain the teeth.
Sauces like soy or currie will also stain the teeth and aid decay.
- Hot Tip 1. Anything that stains your shirt will stain your teeth.
- Hot Tip 2. If you can't give up your coloured drinks, use a straw.
At The #EmergencyDentist Sydney we couldn't live without wine! #AfterHours of course. Some of us even drink our coffee through a straw, yes it's as weird as it looks. But, drinking in moderation, properly brushing and flossing and regular check-ups will keep your teeth healthy and strong.
The #EmergencyDentist Says:
For those of us who aren't lucky enough to be born with a pearly white smile, and for those who love a diet full of teeth-staining foods and drink, a regular clean or whitening from us can help you out.
Dental Care 101: Playing Sports
Sports and active lifestyles are an important part of many people's lives and proper prevention and protection practices should be number 1...
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.
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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For 15 years, we've had one mission - when Sydney has a dental emergency, Emergency Dentist Sydney is there
We're proud to celebrate 15 years of providing emergency dental services to Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs.