Educating kids on good oral hygiene and helping them brush their teeth are key priorities.

Yes, baby teeth eventually fall out to make way for adult teeth but that doesn’t mean cleaning them isn’t important. If decay causes them to be removed, it can cause crowding problems with their adult teeth emerge. So ensure they brush their teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, which they shouldn’t swallow, remembering to brush for at least two minutes at a time.

Contact South Yarra Family Dental Care Today

•            Call us on 03 98671151

•            Email us at info@syfdc.com.au

Pop in and see us at unit 2/ 137 Osborne St , South Yarra, Melbourne.

 *   Sweet biscuits and cakes
  *   Lollies and chocolate
  *   Ice cream
  *   Jam, honey, and sweetened spreads
  *   Sweetened cereals and cereal bars
  *   Dried fruit and muesli bars

Contact South Yarra Family Dental Care Today

•            Call us on 03 98671151

•            Email us at Manager@syfdc.com.au

Pop in and see us at unit 2/ 137 Osborne St , South Yarra, Melbourne.

 These strategies will help you reduce grinding:

1.  Occlusal splint: a custom-made acrylic guard that is designed to fit over the top or bottom teeth and is worn before bed. An occlusal splint does not stop you from grinding or clenching however it does guide the jaw into a neutral position which relieves some of the pressure on the jaw joint and protects your teeth from damage.
  2.  Have a warm shower or bath before bedtime: warm water helps relax jaw muscles.
  3.  Relax yourself before bed: as stress and anxiety are major causes of bruxism, unwinding and calming down before bed can help reduce grinding.
  4.  Diet choices: Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes before bed.
  5.  A massage: massages help relax your muscles; a gentle jaw rub will help reduce tension.
  6.  Therapy: as depression and anxiety are linked to bruxism the use of a psychologist or psychiatrist may help alleviate that, which in turn may reduce grinding.
  7.  Be self-aware: some people tend to grind or clench during the day. Be mindful of your mouth if you feel your jaw clenching, drop your jaw down, let your muscles relax, and try to maintain that position. Aim to keep your lips closed but teeth apart, they should only touch while eating.
  8.  Keep hard and chewing food to a minimum: hard and chewy foods can cause extra pressure on your teeth and jaw, keeping them to a minimum will help ease tenderness and give your jaw a rest.
  9.  Only chew food: biting your nails and chewing on pens can enable your jaw muscles to get used to clenching, making you more likely to grind your teeth.

 A snail’s mouth is no larger than a pin head, but they have the most teeth of any animal. A garden snail has about 14,000 teeth while other species of snails can have over 25,000. Their teeth are not like regular teeth and are arranged in rows on their tongue.

. Brush twice a day using fluoride Toothpaste.

. Clean between your teeth once per day.

. Consume no more than 6 teaspoons/24 grams of added sugars per day.

. Visit your dentist regularly.

Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:
*             Wash your hands frequently: Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with soap and water to kill viruses that may be on your hands.
*             Maintain social distancing: Keep at least 1-meter distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. A cough or sneeze sprays small liquid droplets into the air which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the illness.
*             Practice respiratory hygiene: Follow good respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
*             Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth: Our hands touch many surfaces and can pick up germs. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the germs to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
*             Dispose tissues into a closed bin immediately after use: Droplets spread viruses. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
*             If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early: Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
*             Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider: Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority, or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
*             Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell: Even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, until you recover. Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses. If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travellers.

Wash your hands:
*             After you cough or sneeze
*             When caring for the sick
*             Before, during and after you prepare food
*             Before eating
*             After using the toilet
*             When hands are visibly dirty
*             After handling animals or animal waste

Clenching or grinding your teeth on occasion typically shouldn’t cause damage. However, when done regularly, it can harm to your teeth and cause other oral health problems. The most common symptom of teeth grinding is a headache, other symptoms include muscle aches, abnormal tooth wear, temporomandibular joint discomfort, enlargement of facial muscles, stiffness of the shoulders and neck and ear pain. Bruxism can be a result of stress, anxiety, depression, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, caffeine and sleep disorders. Grinding normally occurs during sleep, so it can be hard for people to tell whether they have bruxism. The best solution to aid in protecting your jaw and prevent tooth wear and fracture is to wear an occlusal splint. They are custom made, specially fitted acrylic mouth guard that fits over the top or bottom teeth and are usually worn before bed.