Causes, Risks and Management of Dry Mouth
A Decrease in Saliva Flow Can Impact Your Oral Health.
Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, can happen at any age and can be caused by simple
things like not drinking enough liquids or from side effects of a medication or illness. Whatever the
cause of your dry mouth, if left unchecked it can put you at an increased risk of tooth decay and gum
disease. The increased risk of dental issues is due to a lack of saliva, or the right quality saliva, in your
mouth to fight bacteria.
Everyone will experience a dry mouth at some point, upon waking after fasting all night, or after
drinking beverag…
The Benefits of Cleaning Your Tongue
Clean Your Tongue as Part of Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Hopefully, you’ve got a really good dental hygiene program in place brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, but have you ever thought to clean your tongue? Bacteria can live and build up on your tongue just as it can on your teeth and if you don’t address the issue, this can lead to illness and bad breath.
Bacteria can hide on your taste buds and crevices of the tongue and with the constant array of foods and liquids passing through, these bacteria can multiply. If not cleaned, your tongue can build up a white film called a bio…
Holiday Hydration For Kids
With the weather heating up it’s time to start taking extra precautions for our little ones as the temperatures rise.
Living in Queensland has made us all very “Sun Smart” but don’t forget to ensure you are keeping your kids hydrated!
Did you know that good hydration is vital in maintaining healthy teeth?
We have put together tooth friendly tips on keeping your children hydrated this summer.
Tips for keeping hydrated in summer
1. Drink mostly water. Sportsdrinks, soft drink, and juice are all packed full of sugar, which will only dehydrate little bodies even further. Water is by far…
Are your new year’s resolutions doing more harm than good?
With 2020 underway, it is an excellent time to reflect on how those new years resolutions are progressing. For many people the beginning of a new year often means the start of a ‘New Year New Me” mindset, which often includes a change in diet, starting or increasing an exercise regime, or the addition of ‘healthy practices’ into our lives. While these are all fantastic endeavours, the focus most often rests on the health benefits or physical changes, perhaps without consideration of this may impact your teeth. Below are some helpful hints to ensure that your mouth stays healthy this ye…
Dentistry for Coeliacs
The incredible advancement of technology has allowed for many discoveries in health care, resulting in improved understanding of previously unrecognised diseases and eased suffering of countless people. Coeliac Disease is one particular example of this, where people who may have endured unexplained or misdiagnosed symptoms for years without relief, can now manage their condition far more successfully.
The term ‘Coeliac Disease’ (CD), associated with the common food ingredient, ‘gluten’, is an autoimmune disease that causes a multitude of uncomfortable gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symp…
Are antibiotics the answer? Why you should always consult a healthcare professional before taking antibiotics.
What do you do if you have a splinter in your arm that is causing redness, swelling and pain? Would you see your Doctor expecting they would write you a script, or would you prefer they removed the source of infection? There are times when taking antibiotics is not the final solution, and the following article discusses how this is relevant to dentistry, and why our Dentists at Medland Dental take the time to address the sources of infection, instead of doing a ‘quick fix’ and offering a script.
Antibiotics are a drug used to treat bacterial infections. They can work in different ways and…
Ensure you only create happy memories on your holidays
Over the years we have seen many people return from overseas after having had a dental “holiday” and we have helped them through the associated problems that have unfortunately occurred with their treatment.
Recently there was a lot of media attention regarding the introduction by a major Australian health fund of dental and medical tourism packages for Aussies to have their healthcare undertaken overseas, and it is not uncommon to open the weekend papers and see an advertisement. It is a growing industry with people attracted to the idea of having a ‘free’ holiday whilst having their den…
Focus on: That Sugar Film
With Easter on our doorstep, maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet often hops out the window along with the Easter bunny!
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) urges all Australians to watch “That Sugar Film”, which aims to raise awareness of the effects of a high sugar diet on a healthy body.
“That Sugar Film” sees Damon Gameau embark on a 60 day experiment to consume the equivalent of 40 teaspoons of sugar each day – the average amount of sugar consumed by Australians daily. However, he must consume foods that have ‘hidden sugars’ – that is sugars found in commonly per…
Life Stages: 65yo+ Smile with Confidence
Tooth loss is no longer an inevitable part of the aging process. Australians who maintain a healthy balanced diet and practice good oral hygiene are keeping their natural teeth for much longer than even 20 years ago, often their entire lives. Unfortunately the prevalence of dental problems such as decay, gum disease and oral cancer is much higher in older people, necessitating that they take extra care.
The Link Between Dental Health and General Health
Research has shown a direct connection between dental and general health, and that infections in the mouth may be associated with heart diseas…
Focus On: Reflux
Do you, or someone close to you, regularly suffer from heartburn or reflux? Do you regularly use antacids? You may have a condition called Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD).
What is GORD?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is a digestive condition affecting the lower ring of muscle that acts as a valve connecting the oesophagus with the stomach. In those suffering from GORD, the ring of muscle opens spontaneously or doesn’t completely close, and the stomach’s content including food and digestive juices rises up into the oesophagus and the mouth.
Occasional reflux is common, ho…