SLEEP DENTISTRY
Dental anxiety is a common experience for most people, after all we would all rather not spend time in the dentist’s chair – even dentists feel this way.
So how do we as dentists manage this problem?
At Richmond Fine Dentistry we have gone to a great deal of effort in:
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Creating a relaxing environment.
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Establishing trusting relationships
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Treating our patients sensitively and gently
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Use of topical anaesthetic and careful local anaesthetic technique
But sometimes more assistance is required for patients who have increased anxiety:
PENTHROX is an inhalational sedative is a convenient and effective adjunct to local anaesthetic and many patients find this takes the “edge” off dental procedures.
HALCION (Triazolam) is an oral sedative which creates a very relaxed and calming effect and it is particularly helpful for longer procedures. The patient needs to be escorted to and from the dental office.
We are able to provide dental treatment under general anaesthetic at Sir John Monash Private Hospital. This is particularly useful for extensive treatment and multiple extractions or/and the patient is extremely anxious. The facilities and care at Sir John Monash is excellent.
Please ask us about these services.
DENTISTS IN HISTORY
Charles Lindbergh was the famous American aviator who was the first person to fly from New York to Paris May 20-21 1927 in the Spirit of St Louis. This dashing and brave pioneer picked up many skills from his grandfather in Detroit. “His grandfather’s laboratory was a magical place for young Lindbergh. Here the ingenious dentist introduced the boy to machines he employed to contrive not only novel dental apparatus but a range of inventions from furnaces to baby rockers.” (Excerpt from Time-Life The Epic of Flight “The Pathfinders” by David Nevin)
AUSTRALIAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
This Month the Australian Dental Association has their annual Dental Health Week. The topic this year is Tooth Erosion, and the following article has been produced by the Australian Dental Association and reproduced with their permission
TOOTH EROSION IN ADULTS AND PREGNANT WOMEN
Tooth erosion is a ‘silent epidemic’ and if you are not having regular dental checkups, it can go undetected, causing significant damage and discomfort to your teeth.
Australian adults today have better oral health than their predecessors and can be expected to keep most of their teeth for life. Ironically, this means their teeth are at risk of conditions like erosion. In adults, tooth erosion is often the result of dietary factors, although a number of influences affect whether a person may be susceptible to it.
Causes:
Diet: Highly acidic foods and beverages attack the surface of the tooth leading to erosion. Acidic foods include vinegars and some salad dressings, pickles and pickled vegetables and citric fruits. Beverages with a high acid level include fruit juices, carbonated beverages, soft and sports drinks, caffeinated drinks, cordial and some alcohol. Many of these drinks are also high in sugar which increases the risk of tooth damage.
Saliva: People who suffer from a dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) are at greater risk of tooth erosion because saliva can assist in ‘buffering’ against an acidic attack on your teeth. Sports people in particular need to avoid dehydration which will cause a decrease in saliva.
Medications: Some medications can have an erosive impact on your teeth either because they cause xerostomia or are in themselves acidic. These include chewable vitamin tablets, frequent use of aspirin, some iron supplements in liquid form, some cough medicines, some types of asthma medication and some antidepressants.
Internal Acids: Vomiting and reflux expose your teeth to stomach acids, which can lead to erosion.
Time and frequency of acid contact: Tooth erosion is exacerbated by frequent acid contact and the greater the length of time of the contact, the greater the erosive damage. Minimising exposure of your teeth to acids is the best way to minimise tooth erosion.
Pregnancy
to help prevent damage to your teeth after vomiting or reflux:
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Don't brush your teeth for at least an hour
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Rinse your mouth with water (preferably fluoridated tap water), which will assist in removing acids
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Chewing sugar free gum can stimulate saliva flow and rinse acids away
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Additionally, you can lightly smear fluoride toothpaste on your teeth or rinse with an alcohol free fluoride mouthwash, which will help to provide additional protection against stomach acids
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Speak to your dentist about other products to protect your teeth during pregnancy
TOOTH EROSION IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS
Australian children and teenagers can expect to keep their teeth for life. The impact of tooth erosion, which is irreversible, can be a lifetime of treatment or discomfort. Therefore, preventing or at least minimising the impact of tooth erosion is paramount from an early age.
Diet is the major contributor to tooth erosion, with soft drink and fruit juice consumption consistently the most common contributor.
Soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices and cordials have high acid levels and play a major role in causing tooth erosion. Consumption of these drinks should be limited and children and teens should be encouraged to drink water (preferably fluoridated tap water) as much as possible.
TOOTH EROSION IN OLDER AUSTRALIANS
While tooth erosion can affect a person of any age, advanced tooth erosion is most commonly seen in the elderly. Dietary acids are the usual causes of tooth erosion in younger people. However as a person advances in years, reduced saliva production can lead to more severe forms of erosion, which can compromise both oral and general health.
Saliva helps to protect against tooth erosion because it neutralises damaging acids in foods and beverages. If saliva production is compromised, these acids have a greater opportunity to attack tooth enamel. Known as xerostomia or dry mouth syndrome, the causes of reduced saliva production are varied. Ageing can cause a dry mouth, as can polypharmacy (the need for the use of several medications at a time).
Causes
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A range of medications can lead to reduced saliva production and can cause a dry mouth:
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Cardiovascular medications (diuretics, calcium channel blockers)
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Antidepressants and antipsychotics
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Sedatives
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Central analgesics
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Anti-Parkinson’s disease medications
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Anti-allergy medications
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Antacids
Preventing or minimising tooth erosion
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Acidic and/or sugary foods and beverages have a role as part of a healthy diet. When consuming them, do so quickly to avoid prolonged exposure to the acids
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Eating cheese or drinking milk following acidic food or beverages can help to neutralise the acids and protect your teeth
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Drink acidic and/or sugary beverages through a straw if possible, to minimise the exposure to your teeth. Additionally, drinking water (preferably fluoridated tap water) following an acidic drink can help wash away acids
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Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after consuming acidic foods and beverages. This allows time for the enamel on your teeth to reharden
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Never stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting with your doctor, however make sure you understand any side effects, and discuss with your dentist the best way to minimise any erosive impact. Your dentist, in collaboration with your prescribing doctor, can assess your medications to see if there are alternatives that you can take, which don’t impact on saliva production. Never stop taking a medication that you’ve been prescribed even if you suspect it is causing a dry mouth.
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Keep well hydrated-take regular sips of water or suck on pieces of ice
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Finish every meal or snack with water to reduce the acid levels in the mouth
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Chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva flow and rinse acids away
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What’s New?
Just So You Know
Last week we farewelled our dental hygienist, Pia Kelly. Pia has been with us for two years and has helped our patients with the maintenance of optimal oral health. We thank Pia for her contribution to Richmond Fine Dentistry and wish her all the best with her new endeavours.
Our hygiene department is being professionally managed by Glenda Cowley and her team of locum hygienists until we find a suitable dental hygienist to join our team on a permanent basis.
After hours Emergency dental care
Our surgery phone system is diverted for after hours emergency care.
Tax relief for dental treatment
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Did you know that you claim a 20% tax rebate for any medical, dental, prescriptions, physio etc of your out of pocket expenses after the first $2,000 spent in a financial year.
We are more than happy to give you a print out of what you claimed and what you paid in a financial year. Contact your pharmacy and medicare office for similar information and present to your accountant.
For more information go to the government website or seek counsel from your tax adviser.
Opening Hours
Dental
Mon: 10am – 7pm
Tue: 8am – 5pm
Wed: 8am – 5pm
Thurs: 8am – 5pm
Fri: 8am – 5pm
Dental Hygienist
Mon: 5pm – 7pm
Tue: 8am – 5pm
Wed: 8am – 5pm
Fri: 8am – 5pm
Cancellation Policy
At RFD we require a minimum of 24hrs notice for cancellations. In the event that less than 24hrs notice is given prior to the scheduled appointment time you may be charged a cancellation fee.
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