您的智慧牙有给您添麻烦吗？

什么是智慧牙？

他们是第三个“大”牙，位于牙床的末端。它是最后长出的牙齿。出牙年龄约在20岁左右。我们最多可有4颗智慧牙。两颗在下颚。

为何智慧牙需要拔除？

当我们的牙床不足够容纳智慧牙时，问题就会产生。以下是常见的问题：

• 下颚的智慧牙常常会被前面的牙齿挡住而生不出。这种情况发生时，在下颚的末端会有一种很不舒服的压力感。
• 在被挡住智慧牙四周的牙肉，经常会有食物的碎硝堆积在那里。这会引起牙肉发炎。在发炎时，会感到肿胀和疼痛。
• 令这情况更难受的是，上上面的智慧牙咬到已肿的下颚牙肉。
• 智慧牙和前面的恒齿都会变成蛀牙。往往这类的蛀牙，都是在晚期有牙疼时才被发现。在比较严重的情况下，可能两个牙齿都要拔掉。

为避免以上的问题，适当的治疗时必要的。

发炎的智慧呀怎么处理？

• 您的牙医可能会清洗发炎的地方。如果需要的话，可能会使用些局部的抗炎剂。
• 您的牙医也会给您消炎和止痛药，来帮助您消炎和去肿。
• 如果上颚智慧牙要到下颚的牙肉，上颚智慧牙会被磨短，这样就不会咬到下颚的牙肉。如果上颚的智慧牙是没有用的话，长远来看最好是尽早拔掉。
•  迟些，当炎症受到控制时，那智慧牙就可以拔除了。通常，在智慧牙前，牙医会照一张X光来决定牙齿的形状和位置。

智智慧牙是怎样拔除的？

智慧牙手术是牙医在施以局部麻醉下进行的。局部麻醉会防止任何疼痛的感觉，在手术进行时您只会感觉到一点压力。

手术时，那覆盖着智慧牙的牙肉会被拔到一边。四周的骨组织会被移去。在把牙拿出前，可能需要把过大的牙切分。最后把伤口缝合。

手术后，当麻醉剂消失后，您需服用一些止痛药。您也需服抗炎药以防伤口发炎。颊部微肿四、五天是常有的。颊肿也会使你的口不能完全张开。

约2个星期后，您的牙医为您检查伤口，并把缝线去除。

您的责任

手术前：

•  告诉牙医您曾患上或现有的心脏病或其他严重的疾病。
• 告诉牙医您是否对任何药物有过敏的反应。
• 告诉雇主您需要约5天的病假。
• 好好的吃一餐和刷干净您的牙齿。

手术后：

• 伤口少量的流血是正常的，是意料中的。您可以放棉纱在伤口上，然后咬紧20~30分钟，就可以止血。
• 不要用力的漱口或用您的舌头去碰伤口。这样会造成更多的出血。
• 如果您的伤口流血过多，就应该去看您的牙医。

• 可以放冷冰的手帕或冰袋在脸颊旁，这样会减少肿胀。但千万不要放热布在脸颊旁，这样，只会造成更大的肿胀。
• 按时吃药。止痛药有痛时才吃，但消炎药一定要吃完。
• 吃软的食物。例：粥或豆腐。
• 不要做剧烈运动或粗重的工作。
• 不要抽烟和喝酒。
• 手术后第二天可以在饭后用温盐水漱口，或用牙医所给的漱口剂漱口，也同时可以开始刷其他的牙齿。

Your Child’s First Visit to Dentist

Make It Fun!

Dental professionals today are well equipped to make a child’s dental check up a pleasant experience. Using a show and tell approach, they explain what they are doing in words that fit a child’s vocabulary, e.g. the x-ray machine is a camera and the drill is a fine engine that whistles and squirts water.

Fear of dental care is not instinctive! Children will not fear dental treatment unless they have a bad experience or learn it from someone. What parents say and do can help children have a better experience during their first visit.

When should my child first see the dentist?

Ideally a child’s first visit should be as early as 1 year old and not late than two and a half year when all the milk teeth have grown.

Why start dental visit so early?

There are several good reasons for early dental visits:

·        Parents might not recognize early dental problems.

·        Early dental visits allow your dentist to prevent problems rather than spend time correcting them.

·        If any problems exist, these can be diagnosed early and managed before it gets too complicated.

·        Advice on nutrition and home dental care is provided earlier.

·        Children start to get cavities as soon as the first teeth emerge. Babies put to bed with a bottle of juice or milk are likely to develop extensive decay.

·        Cavities in milk teeth need to be filled- to relieve pain and allow the child to eat, talk and smile confidently.

·        Children can have developmental dental problems like crooked teeth or bad bite. The sooner these are discovered, the better the chances of successful treatment.

·        It is important that the first visit is pleasant, not anxiety-producing. Going to see the dentist only when the child has problems, does not allow this.

How do I choose a dentist for my child?

Ask the following questions when choosing a dentist:

•   Does the dentist seem interested in prevention?
•   Does the dentist recommend sealants (protective coatings applied to the chewing surface of back teeth), provide diet and home care counseling and fluoride treatment?

·        If your child has an unusual problem, you may wish to see a paediatric dentist, i.e. someone who has special training in the care of children. Ask your dentist or your pediatrician for recommendation.

How do I prepare my child for the first visit to dental surgery?

Parents play an important part in getting children started with a good attitude towards dental care.

Be completely natural and easygoing when you tell your child about the appointment. Enable your child to view this as an opportunity to meet new people who are interested in him and want to help him stay healthy.

no more BAD BREATH!

“50% of all

        adults suffer from

            BAD BREATH”

We all suffer from bad breath at some point, and worse still, our sense of smell can undergo an “adjustment” or sensory blockage in the same way that we are unable to recognize 

the fragrance of our won cologne or perfume.

Therefore in order not to offend others with our bad breath we are forced to speak by drawing breath inwards, ie. Without exhaling.

“Don’t BREATHE on me”

BAD BREATH has two different origins

·       Major plaque build up

·       Periodontal problems

·       Xerostomia or dry mouth syndrome

·       Changes in breath fragrance (medication, viriasis, candidiasis, smoking, alcohol)

·       Badly fitting prostheses or deep cavities

·       Highly plaque – retentive tongue

• High amounts of digested bacterial plaque
• Slimming diets
• Heavy meals, tobacco, alcohol, garlic, onion
• Early morning bad breath
• Prolonged intervals without eating
• Medications
• Internal body disorders

Brush Better

Why is brushing essential?

Proper brushing is essential for cleaning the teeth and gums effectively.

How long does it take to properly brush the teeth?

Proper brushing takes at least two minutes. Whether you are using a regular toothbrush or a powered toothbrush, you should spend 30 seconds brushing each section of your mouth (upper right and left, lower right and left.)

What is the right way to brush?

To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or other restorations. The correct tooth brushing steps are as follows:

1.       Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline. Use gentle, short strokes, moving the brush back and forth against the teeth and gums.

2.     Brush inside surface of each tooth in a similar way.

3.     Brush chewing surface of each tooth.

4.    Use tip of brush to brush behind each front tooth, both top and bottom.

5.     For a fresher breath, don’t forget to brush your tongue!

What type of toothbrush should be used?

Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, since they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth.

What is a powered toothbrush and how is it used?

Better results can be achieved with powered toothbrushes that utilize oscillating-rotating technology than with regular, manual toothbrushes. It can do a better job of cleaning teeth, particularly for those who have difficulty brushing. Powered toothbrushes can be used as follows:

1.        Guide the brush head slowly from tooth to tooth, following the curve of the gum and the shape of each tooth. Hold the brush head in place for a few seconds before moving on to the next tooth.

2.  Don’t forget to reach all areas, including the inner and chewing surfaces, and behind your back teeth.

3.  Direct the brush head along the gumline. No need to press hard or scrub. Simply let the brush do all the work.

DO’S and DON’TS for toothbrush care

Bruxism

Do you ever wake up in the morning with a sore mouth or jaw? Have you ever slept over at a friend's house and been told, “You grind your teeth when you sleep”? If so, you might have bruxism.

Bruxism is a condition in which you grind or clench your teeth. It is a habit rather than a reflex chewing activity. If you are bruxist, you may unconsciously clench your teeth together during the day or grind them at night, which is called sleep bruxism.

 

Bruxism may be mild and may not even require treatment. However, it can be frequent and severe enough to lead to physical and oral symtoms are developed. Therefore, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.

 
Effects of bruxism
Symptoms and signs of bruxism, which can vary from mildly irritate to medically dangerous, depending on the severity of the condition.

1.     Physical symptoms

·        Headache

·        TMJ (temporamandibular joint) discomfort

·        Facial myalgia (muscle pain)

·        Ear ache- because of severe jaw muscle contractions, not a problem with your ear

·        Tightness and stiffness of the shoulders

·        Limitation of mouth opening

·        Sleep disruption of the individual as well as the bed partner

2.     Oral symptoms

·        Abnormal tooth wear

·        Fracture of the teeth and fillings

·        Teeth sensitivity

·        Gums damage

·        Excessive tooth mobility 

Fractured tooth

Attrition and dentine exposure

Attrition

Abnormal tooth wear

Who is at risk of from bruxism?


Doctors don't completely understand what causes bruxism.

However, the risk of bruxism is increasing if people with,

• Stressfull  lifestyle
• Another sleep disorder, such as:
• Snoring
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Sleep talking
• Young children- it usually goes away by adolescence

• ·         Stimulating substances

o    Smokers

o    High alcohol intake

o    Drink 6 or more cups a day of tea or coffee

• An uncommon side effect of some psychiatric medications-sleep, depression and anxiety

What Can I Do to Stop Grinding My Teeth?

• ·         Avoid stress - Learn stress management and relaxation techniques. Seek professional counseling if necessary.

• ·         Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverage - it often make the problem worse.

• ·         Wear a mouth guard - to prevent tooth damage caused by bruxism. 

Mouth Guard= habit breaker

Red circle-the spot where the teeth grind

Other tips to help you stop teeth grinding include:

• Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food. 
• Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
• Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.
• Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.

 

口臭!--不是病, 可是真的要人命!

口臭往往让人很无奈，嚼口香糖，茶叶等方式，似乎能让不好的口气暂时缓解，但是不一会的功夫，好像发自身体深处的坏气息，还是会再冒出来，比较糟糕的是，一半以上有口臭的人，可是自己也闻不到。但是，受不了你口气的人，可能只会草草与你结束谈话，却也不知如何提醒你。

要知道自己是否有口臭，可以将左右两手掌合拢并收成封闭的碗状，包住嘴部及鼻头处，然后向聚拢的双掌中呼一口气后紧接着用鼻吸气，就可闻到自己口中的气味是如何的了。

其实口臭不只是让自己的人际关系感到尴尬，同时也意味着健康问题亮起了黄灯。除了因为抽烟或饮酒，喝咖啡以及经常吃洋葱，大蒜，韭菜等辛辣刺激食品等原因外，包括牙龈病变，肠胃机能不佳，肝机能不佳或肝炎，睡眠不足引起的肝火旺（暂时性的肝机能不佳），体质偏酸免疫力低下等问题，都可能引起口臭。

长期口臭问题，首先应该检查本身的牙龈健康，并请牙医检测。患有龋齿，牙龈炎，牙周炎，口腔粘膜炎以及蛀牙，牙周病等口腔疾病的人，其口腔内容易滋生细菌，尤其是厌氧菌，其分解产生出了硫化物，发出腐败的味道，而产生口臭。

有些女性节食减肥，或因病不能进食，妇女或在月经期间出现内分泌紊乱而导致唾液分泌减少，都有可能发生口臭。有些处于青春发育期的女性，卵巢功能不全，性激素水平较低时，口腔组织抵抗力下降，容易感染病菌从而产生口臭。


其实，清晨起床的口臭现象是正常的，因为嘴巴经过一整夜睡觉时间，闷在牙缝及舌头上的有机质会发酵，产生腐臭酸败的味道。不过这种情形可在晚上睡觉前，使用牙线将牙缝中的食物渣滓去除干净，再以牙刷和牙膏确实的刷牙及舌苔后，再入睡。早上起来后，恼人的口臭问题也会减轻许多。加上早上起床后再缺失的刷过一次牙，只要身体健健康康，整天保持好口气，并非难事。

维持良好的口腔卫生，消除牙周疾病，且定期请牙医洗牙、洁牙，都可有效减少口臭。而每天刷两次牙并清洁一次牙缝，若有假牙，晚上必须取下休息，隔天清洁干净后才可戴回，如此口臭的消除都大有助益。