Wishing all our Smile Central family a merry and safe Christmas spent together with family and loved ones!
We close on Friday 18th December and will reopen in the New Year on Monday the 11th of January.
We will be monitoring the practice voicemail during this time, so do not hesitate to leave a message if you have any queries. In case of a genuine dental emergency Dr Lauf can be reached on 0427921144.

* image attribution freepik.com

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Have you heard the saying… “gain a child, lose a tooth”?
Or horror stories about how pregnancy severely damages women’s teeth?

Please don’t worry! The Smile Central team is here to support you through a happy and healthy pregnancy.

During pregnancy, while you can be at a higher risk of dental disease due to the effects of pregnancy hormones on the gums and teeth, the good news is that these potential problems are preventable and manageable. We can give you all the information, tools and support you need to confidently keep that smile gorgeous and healthy!

If morning sickness or reflux is making brushing your teeth difficult, we can help you with tips and tricks. Don’t suffer alone, call us!

Gum disease:

Because gum disease is often painless, many people don’t even realise that they have it.

If you find that your gums become inflamed, tender, red, swollen, or bleed when you’re cleaning your teeth, you may be suffering from gum disease.

The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. While gingivitis is reversible, if it is not treated it can quickly progress and have long-term consequences to both your health and to your pregnancy.

Periodontitis:

Untreated gingivitis can progress and slowly start to cause damage to the jawbone which supports your teeth. This is the second stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis.

Unfortunately, unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is irreversible and once the bone is lost, it cannot be grown back. Long-term, this means that the teeth can become mobile (wobbly) if left untreated.

Maintaining good oral hygiene and having regular professional dental cleans is very important.

Research has also linked periodontitis to an increased risk of premature birth or lower birth weight, which is a complication best avoided.

Please don’t be alarmed, but it is important to see your oral health professional, who will be able to identify if you have gum disease and treat it quickly.

Gestational Diabetes:

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes which can develop when you are pregnant. For that reason, some people refer to it as pregnancy diabetes.

This condition is characterised by reduced insulin resistance and secretion. Commonly after your pregnancy this condition resolves.

However, if you have pregnancy diabetes it can increase your risk of developing gum disease. So, maintaining good oral hygiene and regular check ups becomes extra important!

It’s important to let your oral health professional know if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Dental Decay:

Unfortunately, pregnancy cravings and increased snacking tendencies can take a toll on the teeth and increase your risk of decay.

It is important to be mindful of what you are consuming and how often. This is because the bacteria which live in the mouth, feed from the sugary and acidic foods we eat and drink, and create an acidic by-product known to damage the enamel of the teeth.

Teeth naturally try to repair themselves through a process known as remineralisation. However, when we snack it limits the potential for this process to occur and increases our risk of dental decay.

Dental Erosion:

Acid reflux and morning sickness, causing nausea and vomiting, results in acidic bile from the stomach to come into direct contact with the mouth. When this happens, it can cause irreversible damage to the teeth.

As acid can erode and soften the surface of teeth, over time this can make your teeth sensitive, increase risk of decay, and make you more prone to tooth wear.

For this reason, after an episode of morning sickness or acid reflux you should not brush your teeth straight after. Rather you should wait at least 60 minutes until you do.

Brushing against the softened enamel straight away, will further erode the teeth with your toothbrush.

So, if you are someone who suffers from morning sickness or reflux during your pregnancy, please keep reading as we will discuss a few other ways that you can help to protect your teeth!

SMILE CENTRAL’S TIPS TO KEEPING YOUR MOUTH HEALTHY DURING PREGNANCY:

Given many dental diseases are preventable, while you are pregnant and your risk factors for dental disease are higher, it is important to give your oral health a little more attention.

At Smile Central, we recommend:

• Practice good oral hygiene habits:
  • Toothbrushing at least twice a day with a soft brush
  • Clean in between your teeth at least once a day (e.g. flossing)
  • Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste
• After acid reflux or morning sickness:
  • Rinsing thoroughly with water immediately after
  • Waiting at least 60minutes until you brush your teeth
  • Using a bicarbonate mouth rinse to help neutralise the pH
  • After 30 minutes chewing a sugar-free chewing gum
  • Limiting your intake of sugary, acidic and sticky foods and drinks
  • Trying to reduce snacking and choosing tooth-friendly foods, like cheese or nuts.

“Brushing my teeth makes me feel sick!”

This is a common complaint, and there are a few reasons why.

Some women find brushing difficult to tolerate during pregnancy as it triggers their gag reflex. Others experience a heightened or altered sense of taste and smell, making it hard for them to tolerate the flavour or smell of toothpaste.

The team at Smile Central have come up with a few extra tips:

• Try using an electric toothbrush or a small-headed toothbrush (try children’s sized)
• Reduce the amount of toothpaste on your brush, so it does not over froth
• Try different brands and flavours of toothpastes – as some are not as intense as others
• Ask your oral health professional about other products which you could try to use to help strengthen and protect the teeth, such as GC Tooth Mousse.

DENTAL VISITS DURING PREGNANCY:

“Is it okay to go to the dentist when you are pregnant?”

YES! It is advisable and safe to go to the dentist when you are pregnant.

At, Smile Central, we like to focus on prevention and gentle, minimally invasive treatment. We have been taking care of thousands of pregnant patients and their children since 1999!

By coming in regularly it means that any changes in your mouth are detected early, before they become problematic.

However, there are a few things which we may do differently when you come in for your appointment if you are pregnant. For example, we may limit or not take radiographs (x-rays).

So, please if you are pregnant, let us know… even if it is early days.

And also let us know if you are considering trying for a baby. That way we can plan your treatments in advance and help get your oral health into great shape ahead of time.

If you have any questions or concerns about how you can best care for your oral health during pregnancy, please do not hesitate to contact the team at Smile Central on 07 3263 1310.

References and Additional Resources:

1. Australian Dental Association. Pregnancy. 2016. URL: ‘https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Health-Week-2016/Women-and-Oral-Health/Pregnancy’. Accessed September 2019.
2. Dental Practice Education Research Unit, ARCPOH. Pregnancy: oral health during pregnancy [pamphlet]. Adelaide: University of Adelaide Australia. Available from:‘https://www.adelaide.edu.au/arcpoh/dperu/special/pregnancy/pregnancy_DL.pdf’. Accessed October 2019.
3. Diabetes Australia. Gestational diabetes. URL: ‘https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/gestational-diabetes’. Accessed September 2019.
4. Mater Mothers Hospital. Dental health and pregnancy. Mater Mothers. URL:‘http://brochures.mater.org.au/home/brochures/mater-mothers-hospital/dental-health-and-pregnancy’. Accessed October 2019.
5. Queensland Government. Oral health and pregnancy: keeping teeth and gums healthy during pregnancy. URL: ‘https://www.health.qld.gov.au/oralhealth/healthy_smile/pregnancy’. Accessed September 2019.

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Getting to the Root of the Problem 

Teeth are very complex structures with multiple layers surrounding the nerve inside. In a healthy mouth, the outer enamel layer is strong and acts as a barrier between the inner dentine layer and the outside world. The dentine layer is highly porous and contains little micro-channels leading directly to the nerve of the tooth. Sensitivity occurs when the enamel layer is compromised, leaving the dentine layer exposed. When hot, cold, sweet and/or acidic substances come in contact with the dentine, it can interact with the tooth’s nerve through those micro-channels, leading to that sharp shooting pain some of us are all too familiar with. 

While enamel covers the crown portion of your tooth, it is the job of your gums to protect the tooth’s root. Similar to when the enamel is affected, gums can become compromised too, leaving exposed dentine at the tooth’s root.

What Causes Exposed Dentine?

• Caries: Tooth decay starts in the enamel and will continue to progress into the dentine if not caught early. 
• Overzealous toothbrushing: Brushing too hard with your toothbrush can wear away at the enamel of your teeth as well as cause your gums to recede away from the root.
• Bruxism: Grinding or clenching your teeth can cause tooth on tooth wear, leading to enamel loss.
• Cracked tooth syndrome: Even the smallest of cracks in a tooth can allow stimuli to pass through the enamel and into the dentine. 
• Diet: A diet high in acidic foods such as citrus or soft drink can erode away the enamel.
• Gum disease: As gums become inflamed and detached, the roots of the tooth can become exposed.

 Preventing Tooth Sensitivity

• Avoid dental caries and gum disease by practising good oral hygiene and reducing sugar intake.
• Brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush or switch to an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor!
• Avoid foods that are acidic (Citrus, soft drinks, alcohol)
• If you clench or grind your teeth, wear a splint at night to protect your teeth from wear.   

Finding Relief From Symptoms

One thing you can do at home to relieve the pain associated with sensitive teeth is to start using a sensitive toothpaste. Sensitive toothpaste is specially formulated to calm the nerves of the teeth and form a protective barrier over the exposed dentine. Try switching out your regular toothpaste for Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief or Sensodyne Rapid Relief. Avoid rinsing your mouth out with water after brushing so that the ingredients have time to act.

While you might find fairly quick relief, tooth sensitivity generally requires ongoing management. An accurate diagnosis is key to eradicating the problem long term. Come in and see us at Smile Central and we will run some tests and figure out exactly what is causing your sensitivity. From there we will be able to come up with a plan of attack and get you back to enjoying your ice-cream once again!

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Follow these tips to keep your breath fresh:

Practice good oral hygiene

The number one way to keep your breath fresh is to practice good oral hygiene. Odour producing oral bacteria thrives on food debris in your mouth, therefore ensuring that your teeth and tongue are clean is a necessity.  Brushing your teeth twice a day as well as flossing is the best way to ensure a clean oral environment and will help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. 

Eat healthily

Oral bacteria loves sugar! A diet that is high in sugar and starch will only exacerbate these symptoms, so try switching to healthier food choices. Additionally, be aware of short term diet-related causes of bad breath. Garlic, onion, coffee and strong spices are common foods that have a strong, lingering odour. Tobacco and alcohol consumption is to also be avoided. 

Stay hydrated

When we are dehydrated, the body produces less saliva causing our mouths to dry out. This is not ideal as our saliva contains components that naturally keep the bad oral bacteria under control. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will ensure adequate saliva flow and keep everything healthy! If you find that your mouth is still dry, you may suffer from xerostomia which can lead to other issues such as tooth decay – come in to see us, and we can help identify the problem and personalise a plan of attack for you. 

Chew gum

The mechanical action of chewing gum helps to stimulate saliva production, wash away leftover food particles, and neutralise the acidity of your mouth. Always choose a sugar-free gum and chew it after meals for best results.

Use the right mouthwash 

When selecting a mouthwash, it is important to pay attention to the ingredients – alcohol containing mouthwashes are not ideal as they can dry out your mouth and actually worsen your breath overtime. Mouthwash that contains oxygenated ingredients such as sodium chloride or chlorine dioxide are the best way to go. Using a mouthwash can be very effective in relieving bad breath, however these generally only work as a short term solution. Your dental professional might recommend an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the bacteria in your mouth.

Have regular check-ups and cleans

When it comes to bad breath, there can be a number of underlying factors contributing to the problem – and no two mouths are the same. If bad breath is something you are suffering from, you are not alone! See our team at Smile Central and we will work with you to identify the cause and figure out a way to best treat the problem. We recommend coming in every 6 months for a check-up and clean. During these appointments, we identify any potential problems early to avoid serious health issues down the track.

So, if you have any other concerns about your bad breath please call us on (07) 3263 1310 to make an appointment with our Oral Health Therapist who can give you more specific advice tailored to your needs.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. 

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Dental treatment restrictions have been eased to level 1 since 11th of May 2020, meaning we can now perform all dental procedures with enhanced screening if you do not have COVID-19, show symptoms of COVID-19, have travelled internationally or interstate in the last 14 days or have been in contact with a suspected COVID-19 case. If you meet any of these criteria, your appointment will need to be rescheduled.

Smile Central will continue to maintain the enhanced protective measures during we have implemented during COVID to ensure that clients are receiving the care that they need in a safe and protected environment. Our approach has been adapted to every step of care.

We will continue to ask all clients to remain in the comfort their car on arrival under our new solar shade structure, sanitise their hands with the provided hand sanitiser on arrival and maintain social distancing in the indoor and outdoor lounge and front office.

We look forward to seeing you soon. To make an appointment or reschedule your booking, please book via our website or call 3263 1310.

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At Smile Central, we hold the health of our patients, staff and community as our top priority. For this reason, effective immediately, we are implementing the new level 3 restriction in our practice as advised by the ADA.

What This Means For Our Patients

As of today, all non-urgent dental treatment will be deferred until further notice. This includes:

• Routine check-ups and cleans
• Cosmetic procedures
• Fillings for minor decay
• Extractions for asymptomatic teeth
• Crowns
• Routine orthodontic adjustment visits (we are still seeing patients for appliance breakages)

We are currently contacting our patients with non-urgent appointments and deferring treatment until the restrictions are lifted.

Please do call us if you have dental pain or an emergency, we will not leave you to suffer! Our doors remain open (our opening hours are reduced at this time,) for all urgent dental treatment and dental emergencies. If you are experiencing any form of dental pain please do not hesitate to call our reception on 32631310 or send us a message through our website www.smilecentral.com.au and we will organise to see you ASAP. If you reach the voicemail box, please leave a detailed message outlining the nature of your enquiry along with your name and preferred daytime contact number, and we will promptly call you back.  If your upcoming appointment has not been cancelled, it means that Dr. Lauf has deemed your treatment as urgent and we will still treat you adhering strictly to ADA guidelines.

All patients visiting Smile Central are pre-screened to ensure adequate health and safety measures are determined. In addition, we are undertaking the following steps to minimise infection risk.

Maintaining Social Distancing

Following Government directions, we are fully complying with social distancing requirements.  We have implemented a new check-in system; our waiting room is closed and we ask that you remain inside your vehicle in our carpark until your scheduled appointment time. Upon your arrival, please phone reception and our friendly staff will escort you inside to your clinician.  

Infection Control 

Our qualified clinicians and staff always have and will continue to adhere strictly to the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines on the Prevention and Control of infection in Healthcare. Our clinic is certified accordingly. Not only is hand sanitiser available at the door of the clinic, we are now temperature testing all patients and staff on arrival.

If you have any further questions or concerns we encourage you to call us on 3263 1310

Let’s work together to keep our community safe!

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Wishing all our Smile Central family a merry and safe Christmas spent together with family and loved ones!
We close on Friday 20th December and will reopen in the New Year on Monday the 6th of January.
We will be monitoring the practice voicemail during this time, so do not hesitate to leave a message if you have any queries. In case of a dental emergency up until the 24th of December and after the 2nd of January 2020, please call Todays Dentistry at Chermside on 32632667.

* image attribution freepik.com

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