It’s the stuff of dentistry nightmares and the guilty pleasure of so many Australians. Consumption of sugary soft drink. And though some common myths about certain soft drinks being able to dissolve coins has been subsequently debunked, there’s no denying that regularly consuming sugary drinks can have. Detrimental effect on our dental health. We know it’s bad but we do it anyway. So really, surely there’s some way to stem the effects of soft drink on teeth. Some magic cure or special tool at the dentist’s office that can undo a lifetime of bad beverage habits? Let’s investigate.   What are the effects of soft drink on teeth? These drinks are very high in sugar. This sugar interacts with the bacteria already in your mouth to form acid that then goes on to attack your teeth. This is a damaging reaction and, depending on how often you indulge, can have some fairly catastrophic effects. The enamel (the hard, protective layer that forms on the top of your teeth) is attacked by the soft drink. Over time, you’ll see the development of tooth decay as well as dental cavities. It’s not looking too good for those soft drinks, is it? When you take into account the predilection of younger people to consume a lot of soft drink, it seems like this is a problem that’s targeting the young and impressionable members of our society.   What’s to be done? So is there a quick fix? A special toothpaste? Perhaps a magic wand? The answer is no. The ONLY way to fix or reverse the damage that soft drink can have on teeth is to stop consumption in its tracks and replace bad habits with appropriate dental care.   What needs to be done? Arranging a check-up and clean with your dentist and dental hygienist is the first step on the road to teeth recovery. Ensuring that you are brushing your teeth appropriately (at least twice a day for two minutes each time) is an excellent place to start. Regular flossing will also improve the health of your teeth as you stage an oral comeback. Avoiding sugary drinks and replacing them with (chiefly) water will help to cut down on the chances of nasty bacteria forming inside your mouth.   Speak to the Gentle Dentist. If you’re concerned about your oral health, make an appointment at Robert Duhig Dental...

There’s no denying it – your child has a tooth cavity and the damage looks pretty bad. You can’t help but feel terrible. Weren’t you doing everything to help keep their mouth healthy? Brushing, flossing, reducing sugar: you did all the right things, but your child still managed to get a hole so big they now need crowns on their baby teeth. Well, you can set aside the parental guilt, as tooth decay in children is incredibly common – the World Health Organization estimates that between 60-90% of school-aged children worldwide have cavities. And while it sounds like a crown is an extreme course of action for a tooth that will fall out soon anyway, it’s actually quite necessary.   Why would a child need crowns?   There are several reasons a child would need a crown on their baby teeth rather than just a filling or removing the tooth altogether. The tooth may be so damaged that a filling is not enough to save it, or it is broken, making filling it impossible. In these cases, it is important to have a crown fitted so the tooth remains strong, durable, and the decay does not spread further into the tooth or the surrounding teeth. Baby teeth are essential for the healthy eruption of adult teeth, and a tooth that is weakened or removed will interrupt the growth of the permanent tooth, impacting the child’s oral health, speech development and ability to chew. A crown on baby teeth will protect the tooth that is left and will fall out naturally when the time comes. It will also help preserve the space for the adult teeth, which may not come through until their teens (depending on the tooth).   What’s involved in fitting crowns on baby teeth?   Putting crowns on baby teeth is a relatively simple procedure, but it can take a little while. We first numb the area, isolate the tooth to protect the surrounding teeth, gums and cheek, and then remove the decay using a special drill. During this time, we will shape the tooth and prepare it for the crown. We then fit the crown snugly on top so that it is stable.   What to expect after the crown is applied   After the procedure, the child must avoid sticky food but can otherwise eat normally (being careful not to bite their numb lips and cheeks!), and it’s perfectly fine to brush their teeth as usual. During brushing, the gum may bleed slightly or even appear blue: this can be the shadow of the metal under the gum tissue and not a cause for concern. The area will regain normal feeling in a few days....