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Maintaining All-on-4 dental implants is essential for their longevity and your oral health. Here are some professional cleaning and maintenance tips:

1. Daily Cleaning Routine:

Use a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush to clean the implants twice daily.
Incorporate interdental brushes or water flossers to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Opt for low-abrasive toothpaste and non-alcoholic mouthwash to avoid damaging the implants.

2. Professional Dental Checkups:

Schedule regular dental visits every 3-6 months for professional cleaning and to monitor the implants' condition.
Dentists can remove plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing might miss.

3. Dietary Considerations:

Avoid hard or sticky foods that could damage the implants.
Maintain a balanced diet to support overall oral health.

4. Additional Care:

If you grind your teeth, consider using a night guard to protect the implants.
Stay vigilant for signs of gum inflammation or discomfort and consult your dentist immediately if issues arise.

These steps will help ensure your All-on-4 implants remain functional and aesthetically pleasing for years to come.

Open Public Holidays without surcharge!

Open public holidays without surcharge for all your dental needs!

If you are experiencing any dental emergency, Ti Rakau Dental will ensure you get it fixed as soon as possible. No matter if it's an unexpected toothache, uncomfortable facial swelling, loose teeth, cracked teeth or a broken tooth, we can help!

Ti Rakau Dental is dedicated to being available all year round to serve our community. We are open for all new or existing patients, don't hesitate to contact us this holidays.

We open 7 days a week without surcharge!

Stay Up To Date on The Latest Developments

The dental field is one that is always evolving and changing for the better. So at Ti Rakau Dental Centre we put a lot of focus on staying up to date on everything as it develops.

Providing our patients with the latest in treatments and technology, we are excited to welcome you to our informative blog. We update it regularly, so you will always find interesting new info. If you have any more questions, please phone our office in Auckland on 09 273 8911 and we’ll be happy to answer those queries as soon as we can!

Retainers after Braces: Types and Maintenance

Sedation for Anxious Patients

Wisdom teeth: Teeth that seem to have a mind of their own!

Why Do We Brush and Floss? How to Brush and Floss Properly
How Can I Have Healthy Gums?
How do I Choose Filling or Crown?
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants Over Other Treatments For a Missing Tooth?
Protect Your Teeth Against Fizzy Drinks

What do I do if I Have Gums Disease?

Restore a Missing Tooth in One Visit----Affordable Resin Fibre Bridge

Denture Instruction

Patient Instructions For Immediate Dentures
Instructions For The Care Of Braces

Instructions for removable orthodontic appliance
After extraction instruction

Loose teeth

8 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Why is your oral health so important?

Bite splint instructions

Crack Tooth Instructions

Retainers after Braces: Types and Maintenance

Once you are out of braces, the journey is not quite complete because now we need to keep your teeth in the right position. Your teeth continue to move throughout your lifetime and wearing your retainer can prevent your teeth from becoming crooked or crowded again.

Clear Plastic Removable Retainer

These retainers slip over your teeth and are almost invisible. They are to be worn usually full time (24/7) for the first 6 months, 12-18 hours/day for the next 3-6 months, and at night thereafter.

They must be removed when eating and drinking hot drinks.

You are to rinse your retainer with water when you take it out of your mouth. Brush the retainer when you brush your teeth with your toothbrush and toothpaste at least twice (2X) daily.

When not wearing your retainer, please store it in a case.

Fixed Wire Retainer behind the lower and/or upper teeth

In our practice, we try to use fixed bonded retainers (a very thin piece of wire that is attached to the back of the teeth) to ensure 24 hour a day retention as very crooked top front teeth have a higher chance of relapse. You will still need to wear the Clear Removable Retainer at home and at night (and as an essential backup if the Wire Retainer is damaged).

Call us as soon as possible if:

You lose your retainer

Your retainer breaks, causes you pain or discomfort, or doesn’t fit right

If you lose your retainer, another retainer must be fabricated to hold your teeth in the right position. If you lose/break the adhesive on your fixed retainer, more adhesive may be needed for stability.

Ti Rakau Dental has proudly served Botany, Dannemora, Howick, Pakuranga, Bucklands Beach communities for more than 20 years. Please DO NOT HESITATE to call 092738911 with any questions or concerns you may have.

Sedation for Anxious Patients

If you have a fear of dentists or of dental treatment, sedation is an option for you. It enables dental treatment to be carried out while you are relaxed and makes your visit much more pleasant.

In our practice, we provide oral and IV sedation to our anxious patients.

Oral sedation is when you will be given a sedative drug called midazolam in a syrup or mixed into a (non-alcoholic) drink. This sedative will make you feel drowsy and have a similar effect to amnesia and you may not remember a lot about the procedure. Although oral sedation cannot relieve pain, you will be relaxed when the dentist administers the local (injection) anaesthetic.

Intravenous Sedation is a technique using midazolam as the sedative drug but is administered directly to the veins to enable a faster and more predictable response. The level of sedation can also be more finely controlled with IV sedation compared to oral sedation. Our intravenous (IV) sedation does not provide pain relief, so an injection of local anaesthetic will also be administered in conjunction with this method of dental sedation.

You will need to tell us of any drugs that you are taking (including recreational drugs and alcohol) or medical problems. This is very important because the failure to notify us of your drug usage may make your sedation unpredictable or ineffective when midazolam is used with certain drugs or medical conditions.

Important: No food or drink should be taken for 4 hours before IV sedation treatment. While you will feel quite alert after treatment, the sedative agents are not completely eliminated from the body hence the need for an escort to drive you to and from your appointment. Be prepared to take the remainder of the day off.

Ti Rakau Dental has proudly served Botany, Dannemora, Howick, Pakuranga, Bucklands Bach communities for more than 20 years. Please DO NOT HESITATE to call 092738911 with any questions or concerns you may have.

Wisdom teeth: Teeth that seem to have a mind of their own!

Wisdom teeth usually appear at the back of your mouth during your late teens or early twenties. Often there is no room for them to come through. A wisdom tooth can erupt partly through the gum or remain trapped below the gum-this is known as an impacted wisdom tooth.

There are a few theories as to why wisdom teeth don’t fit many people’s mouths. Some Experts think genetics may play a part-for example, you may have inherited one parent’s small jaw. And another parents’ larger teeth. Another theory suggests the size of our mouths has decreased over the centuries, because our diet has changed and our jaws don not need to be as large and strong as they were in prehistoric times.

Sometimes the wisdom teeth can be very difficult to clean and are prone to tooth decay, gum disease and recurring infections. Cyst and tumours can develop in tissues around impacted wisdom teeth. Most commonly, impacted wisdom teeth may cause pressure and damage or crowd the neighbouring teeth.

Straightforward removal of wisdom teeth may be done in our own clinic. If your case is too complex, our dentist may decide to refer you to our most trusted oral surgeon after discussing your case among our dentists.

Surgical removal of wisdom teeth can cause more discomfort than routine extractions. You are likely to experience some swelling, minor bleeding and difficulty in fully opening your mouth. These symptoms are temporary and in most cases your mouth will be feeling normal a week after your surgery. Rarely you may experience a change of sensation or numbness of your lip and chin if the wisdom teeth is too close relationship with your nerve, we will discuss with you the risk/benefit ration of your surgery.

Why Do We Brush and Floss? How to Brush and Floss Properly

The places where the gums and teeth meet are where bacteria grow and multiply. Tiny particles of food can get lodged there. Dental Plaque then hardens and fuses to the tooth over time to form tartar/calculus, a thick deposit that only dentist can remove with a scraper. Tartar build-up can lead to gingivitis: red, swollen gums that are the first stage of gum disease. It is also a cause of Bad Breath. If left unchecked, the bacteria-laden tartar and plaque can spread even deeper below the gum line, causing periodontitis: gum disease characterized by severe inflammation. The bone & gum that supports a tooth is eventually destroyed leading to the tooth becoming wobbly & falling out. There is also a direct link between gum infection and diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, pre-mature baby etc.

Your tooth brush cleans the outer and top surfaces of your teeth but does not clean between your teeth. Dental Floss reaches the areas a tooth brush can't reach. If you brush your teeth but do not floss your teeth you are leaving bacteria between your teeth to multiply and cause gum infection gingivitis which can then lead to periodontal disease and eventually premature tooth loss. Dental Bacteria smell - this is why sometimes dental floss smells after flossing.

How Can I Have Healthy Gums?

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, and it also is the most prevalent type of disease in the world. Although it’s true that it’s not as fatal as diabetes or cancer, having no teeth can bring lifestyle and health complications in your old age. If you want to start early and keep your gums pink and healthy, here are eight important tips to follow.

1. Brush as thoroughly as possible.

Brushing twice a day is easy, but do you brush your teeth properly? Some people may be brushing several times a day but only removing minimal amount of plaque and food debris because they brush too fast. The secret of optimal brushing is spending time and covering all areas, especially the back teeth that are most susceptible to cavity formation.

2. Floss regularly.

A lot of food particles can get stuck in between teeth and brushing doesn’t effectively clean these tight spaces. Flossing will be able to clean whatever the toothbrush has left unclean. However, be careful when flossing because applying too much force can cause gum bleeding, and a cut in the gums can increase the risk of bacterial infection.

3. Use interdental brush after consulting with us

Do you sometimes feel a layer of sticky food debris stuck between your teeth? This can be the precursor to plaque. This sticky layer can get into the gums as it gets pushed by chewing motion. Whenever you feel this sticky lining covering the division between your teeth and gums, use a interdental brush to scrape it away as gently as you can to avoid hurting your gums.

4. Eat foods like cheese, apples and celery.

Cheese is a creamy dairy product that contains a lot of calcium. It can help remove plaque from your teeth as you bite on it, and the calcium adds strength to your tooth enamel. Apples and celery are just examples of firm, water-filled raw foods that can exercise the gums, neutralize acidity and rinse away excess food debris inside and around the mouth.

5. Minimize sugar consumption.

Sugar is the food of bacteria, and if you have gum infection, eating sweets can speed up the spread of the infection. Avoid eating sugar-loaded foods like candies, cookies, cakes, pastries, soda and dried fruits. Not only do they feed bacteria, they also leave a film of sugar over your teeth and gums.

6. Visit your dentist at least once every six months.

Regular dental check-ups can effectively track the early signs of gum disease and stop it from spreading before it gets any worse. Your dentist will clean your teeth and gums at every visit, reducing your chances of getting dental problems in the future.

How do I Choose Filling or Crown?

Filling or crown are often options for a damaged tooth. Dentists can fill a tooth, or crown a tooth, but they are two very different processes even though they sound quite similar and may seem the same to a layperson.

‘Filling’ a tooth can be used when the cavity is small and often just involve repairing a small amount of damage rather than rebuilding a tooth. The more damage there is and the more likely a crown or veneer will be needed simply because the filling may not be able to last with large amount of loading force.

When a patient decides they want a damaged tooth strengthened, reshaped or the appearance improved the dentist will very often choose to create a crown or veneer for the tooth or use the ‘indirect’ restoration method. Crowns and veneers are a longer lasting solution for dental repair, replacing more of the tooth and adding more structural integrity.

The dentist in Ti Rakau Dental will talk you through all your options and the different costs of repairing a damaged tooth. Whether a filling or a crown is most appropriate should be a joint discussion between a patient and the dentist.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants over Other Treatments For a Missing Tooth?

A dental Implant is pretty much the next best thing to replace a missing tooth - Once dental implants are fully integrated into your jaw; they function just as well as your own natural teeth: you can eat the foods you want and speak with complete confidence. With dentures, eating hard foods such as an apple can be a problem: either the dentures come loose or patients cannot withstand the hard biting forces as this pressure causes pain as the denture pushes into the gum. Irritation and inflammation of the gums is a common problem amongst denture patients.

Dental Implants are a very predictable way of replacing missing teeth. The chewing capability is similar to natural teeth.

Dental Implants protect and keep your jaw bone healthy and as a result keep your face looking younger. However, if you lose a tooth, you will be left with a hole where your tooth root used to be and the bone around this area will slowly begin to disappear (atrophy) which may change the shape of your jaw. A dental implant placed in this space is the only restorative option that can actually stimulate bone growth and production, preventing loss of valuable bone structure.

Dental Implants just look better - If placed correctly, a Dental Implant should blend beautifully with your surrounding natural teeth.

Improved dental hygiene - Unlike Dental Bridges and dentures, which require special cleaning instructions and extra attention, dental implants just need regular brushing, flossing and hygiene appointments, just like your natural teeth.

No need to drill or remove any healthy tooth structure - When replacing missing teeth with dental bridges, the teeth adjacent to the gap need to be prepared and healthy tooth structure is removed to accommodate a crown or bridge abutment to fit over the top of the tooth. In the future, if one of the supporting teeth is damaged, the entire bridge restoration will also be compromised, whereas with an implant, the restoration is independent of any of your other teeth. By replacing lost teeth with Dental Implants, no support is required of the adjacent teeth, and your natural teeth do not need to be prepared or altered in any way.

Protect Your Teeth Against Fizzy Drinks

Soft drinks are popular beverages. These cool, bubbly drinks are being consumed everywhere. In fact, you may very well have a can sitting next to you as you read this blog. However it’s a tough world for teeth. These modern eating and drinking habits increase the exposure of tooth enamel to dietary acid. The caries from the fizzy drinks is a growing problem that contributes to the everyday teeth problems such as sensitivity, toothache, tooth wear etc.

Lifestyle advice to protect teeth from fizzy Drink
Use a fluoride toothpaste.
Swish out your mouth with water to dilute the sugar and acid.
Use a straw to keep sugars and acids away from your teeth.
Never consume soft drinks or juice at bedtime. (The liquid pools in your mouth and coats your tongue and teeth.)
Read the labels — sweetened drinks are high in sugar.
Get regular dental cleanings to remove plaque (bacteria) build-up

What do I do if I Have Gums Disease?

A beautiful smile begins with a strong foundation of healthy gums. Most people suffer from some form of gum disease and it is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. However, the disease develops very slowly in most people and can be slowed down to a rate that should allow you to keep most of your teeth for life. Early detection and treatment of periodontal disease can help most people to preserve their teeth for a lifetime. Dentists in Ti Rakau Dental offers a comprehensive periodontal disease prevention and treatment program because a solid foundation of healthy gums is essential in protecting your teeth.

The first thing to do is visit us for a thorough check-up. We will measure the gums to see if there is any sign that periodontal disease has started. X-rays may be needed to see the amount of bone that has been lost. This assessment is very important, so the correct treatment can be prescribed for you.

We will usually give your teeth a thorough clean. You will also be shown how to remove plaque successfully yourself, cleaning all surfaces of your teeth thoroughly and effectively.

Once your teeth are clean, we may decide to carry out further cleaning of the roots of the teeth, to make sure that the last pockets of bacteria are removed. Afterwards, you may feel some discomfort for up to 48 hours.

Review the gums after 1 month, the dentist will exam gums condition and evaluate your home care. Refer you to see periodontist may be indicated if the gums condition is not improved.

Regular check-up and clean by the dentist are mandatory to maintain the healthy gums.

In summary, periodontal disease is never cured. But as long as you keep up the home care you has been taught, any further loss of bone will be very slow and it may stop altogether, However, you must make sure your remove plaque very day, and come for regular check-up by us.

Restore a Missing Tooth in One Visit - Affordable Resin Fibre Bridge

Loss of an anterior tooth may be a catastrophic event for patients. An immediate replacement is important to provide a positive psychological approach and to maintain the facial aesthetics and phonetics. Conservation, natural preservation, minimal invasion, aesthetics and cost are some of the important factors that are considered when a missing tooth is replaced. The resin fibre bridges are adhesive, minimally invasive and are economic single unit restorations that can be used for a single visit replacement of a missing tooth.

Check out this great Youtube video here

Denture Instruction

As with anything new, it will take time to adjust to wearing your dentures and requires patience.

Cleaning Dentures need to be cleaned every morning and every evening. Remove debris by brushing with a denture brush. Paste is not required, but if you choose to use it: do NOT use toothpaste, instead use a denture paste or baking soda. Dentures also need to be rinsed after each meal. No matter how well a denture may fit, some food will get underneath the denture as you eat. If it is left there, it can irritate the tissue. So after each meal, remove the denture, rinse out your mouth, and then rinse the denture under running water.

Eating Dentures are very different from your natural teeth; unlike your teeth, dentures are not anchored in bone, but instead rest on top of mobile tissue. This means that the denture, especially the lower denture, can and will move in your mouth when you eat and when you speak. Eating with your dentures will take some getting used, so to help do the following: Start with soft, easy to chew foods such as – fish, cheese, eggs, chopped meat, cooked vegetables, or ice cream. Take small bites. Chew on both sides of your mouth at the same time; this helps to stabilize the denture. Biting into food is difficult with dentures and will tend to dislodge the upper denture. Therefore, foods like apples and corn on the cob should be sliced before eating. Avoid very hot foods and drinks to prevent burns as dentures decrease temperature sensation.

Speaking It is common for patients to have some difficulty speaking with a new pair of dentures. A common pronunciation problem is with words containing “s” or “f” sounds. It is helpful to practice by reading aloud or speaking in front of a mirror. It may also be helpful to swallow before speaking to “set” the dentures in place.

Soreness It is normal for dentures to cause sore spots and require adjustments. Typically, we will see you after 1 week to evaluate the gums and adjust the denture as necessary. Sometimes this is the only adjustment required, sometimes multiple adjustments are necessary before the dentures are comfortable.

Saliva Saliva is very important to wearing dentures: it helps the denture adhere to the underlying tissue, cushions the gums from chewing pressures, and helps swallow food. When you first begin wearing dentures there may be excess saliva in your mouth – this is a natural reaction and will balance out in about a week.

Visit the Dentist To help maintain your dentures and your oral health, annual dental visits are important. These visits will allow us to examine your oral tissues and the fit of your denture, which can change with time as the ridges supporting the dentures continue to change shape.

Patient Instructions For Immediate Dentures

Your immediate denture is not to be removed from your mouth for the first 24 hours. If the denture is removed, swelling may occur that will make it difficult or impossible to replace the denture.

After extractions, do not rinse, spit, smoke or suck on a straw. Do not rinse your mouth vigorously. Do not drink any hot beverages or carbonated beverages.

See Extraction Post Operative Instructions for additional information on care of your mouth after tooth extraction.
Your immediate denture not only replaces your missing teeth, but it is acting to protect the surgical site, control swelling, and control bleeding. The denture needs to be in place to be effective.

The fit of your immediate denture will change as your mouth heals from the extraction of your teeth. As healing occurs, the dental ridges change shape – and they generally shrink in size. An immediate denture is often only a temporary denture which will require replacement or reline after final healing of the mouth.

The dentist will check the wound and adjust the denture the following day.

The immediate denture will need to be adjusted and/or relined to compensate for the changes that will take place in your mouth as the gums heal. You will be instructed by your dentist to return for periodic appointments to monitor your mouth for changes that will require denture adjustments.

After the dental extraction sockets have healed over (two to six weeks) you may find a denture adhesive paste or powder to help stabilize your denture.

Dental extraction sockets take at least 6 months to heal and fill in with new jaw bone. At that time, your dentist will speak to you about replacing your immediate denture with a permanent denture or making a permanent reline.

Instructions For The Care Of Braces

Now that your braces have been fitted:

Your mouth may feel uncomfortable and will take a few days to get used to it
We can provide orthodontic wax to prevent your brackets ( the attachments on your teeth) from the brace catching the inside of your lips and cheeks. This can be placed over the areas that are rubbing and should ease the discomfort.
A mild painkiller such as Ibuprofen or paracetamol and soft diet may help ease discomfort
Most patients find that after a few days/weeks their mouth will toughen up and get used to the brace.
You are required to attend all scheduled appointments so that your treatment would
progress smoothly and quickly.

Missed appointments and repeated breakages will prolong your treatment. To avoid breakages you need to be careful with your diet.

Occasionally, the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate your mouth. Use a

pencil eraser to push the wire so that it is flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved

into a comfortable position, use some relief wax to cover it.

DIET CONTROL:

Avoid eating hard foods such as crusty bread and pizza crust.
If eating foods such as apples ensure they are chopped into small pieces and placed on the
biting surfaces of the back teeth to chew on to avoid any breakages brace.
We do recommend that you avoid foods that contain excess amounts of sugar such as fizzy drinks and sweets.
Recommended drinks are milk and water.
Avoid sticky foods such as chewing gum, lolly pops, toffees, caramel, etc . These must be
avoided as they can damage the teeth and the brace.

BREAKAGES:

To avoid breakages be careful with your diet as mentioned above.
Avoid chewing pens/pencils and biting your nails as these can result in breakages.
If any of your brackets feel loose or have fallen off please contact the practice for advice.
Check your brace every night-if any of the brackets are loose then please contact the
practice as soon as possible.

CLEANING YOUR BRACE:

Use a fluoride toothpaste.
Brush in a circular motion above and under the brace. This should be followed by the use of interdental brushes upwards and downwards in between the brackets and wires.
Also pay particular attention to the gum area. It is important to brush your teeth in the morning, after each meal and before going to bed at night.
We recommend that you use interdental brushes (available at reception) these are designed to help clean under your fixed braces/wires.

Instruction for removable orthodontic appliance

Please keep your teeth clean by brushing 3 times a day if possible. Because your appliance is removable, keep it clean by brushing the appliance and rinse with clear water.Carefully put your appliance back in your mouth. Don't wrap it in napkin, it will get thrown away! Don't put it in your pocket, it will get broken or washed! Don't leave it out, dogs think they are delicious! The sagest place is in your mouth.

Don't flip your appliance with your tongue.

Damaged appliances always mean extra appointments, inconvenience and extended treatment time, so please follow theses instructions faithfully. If your appliance does break, please call us for an appointment.

Keep your lips together and breathe through your nose, This will help your appliance function properly.

Your mouth may feel unusually full, speaking will be awkward, and you may have a little more saliva than normal. A little practice will make you comfortable.

After extraction instruction

The following steps will help healing following dental extractions:

Keep biting on the pad inserted for one full hour.
Avoid strenuous exercise.
Avoid sucking or interfering with the wound.
Avoid hot fluids or food, alcohol and hard foods for 24 hours.
A slight ooze of blood can be expected. If there is more bleeding apply pressure by placing a firm pad of clean gauze or a small handkerchief over the bleeding point and closed jaw firmly for 30 minutes by the clock. Repeat several times if necessary.
DO NOT RINSE MOUTH FOR 24 HOURS. Then, use half a tea spoon of salt in a glass of hot water and SOAK around wound area. Do this four times a day.
Teeth can be and should be brushed carefully the day after extraction.
If excessive bleeding or undue pain or any other complications occur, please contact us 092738911 for advice.

Loose teeth- Affordable solution for loose teeth in one visit with fibre periodontal splint

Loss of tooth-supporting structures results in tooth mobility. Increased tooth mobility adversely affects function, aesthetics, and the patient's comfort. Splints are used to over-come all these problems. When faced with the dilemma of how to manage periodontally compromised teeth, splinting of mobile teeth to stronger adjacent teeth is a viable option. This prolongs the life expectancy of loose teeth, gives stability for the periodontium to reattach, and improves comfort, function and aesthetics.

If you are suffering from loose teeth, we can help you with ever stick fibre periodontal splint. This fibre reinforced splint is a special, comfortable splint that is used to stabilize loose teeth and ensures a more comfortable chewing function.

EverStick is made of glass fibre that is used to reinforce the composite (white filling material), which splints (bonds) the mobile teeth together. The fibres are transparent and unnoticeable when covered with tooth coloured filling materials. It is therefore possible to create an aesthetically pleasing splint on the inside of the mobile teeth.

8 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Take care of your teeth

Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care. Even if you’ve been told that you have nice teeth, it’s crucial to take the right steps every day to take care of them and prevent problems. This involves getting the right oral care products, as well as being mindful of your daily habits.

1. Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth

It’s no secret that the general recommendation is to brush at least twice a day. Still, many of us continue to neglect brushing our teeth at night. But brushing before bed gets rid of the germs and plaque that accumulate throughout the day.

2. Brush properly

The way you brush is equally important — in fact, doing a poor job of brushing your teeth is almost as bad as not brushing at all. Take your time, moving the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque. Unremoved plaque can harden, leading to calculus buildup and gingivitis (early gum disease).

3. Treat flossing or interdental brushing as important as brushing

Many who brush regularly neglect to floss. “Flossing is not just for getting those little pieces of Chinese food or broccoli that may be getting stuck in between your teeth,” says Jonathan Schwartz, DDS. “It’s really a way to stimulate the gums, reduce plaque, and help lower inflammation in the area.”

4. Drink more water

Water continues to be the best beverage for your overall health — including oral health. Also, as a rule of thumb, Schwartz recommends drinking water after every meal. This can help wash out some of the negative effects of sticky and acidic foods and beverages in between brushes.

5. Good sleep

Good sleep improves the immune system to fight bacteria. Studies have shown that the amount of sleep you get every night is directly connected to the onset of periodontitis, which basically is the development of deep pockets between your gums and your teeth. These pockets cause your teeth to loosen and move around and also destroys the bone that holds your teeth in place.

6. Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables

Ready-to-eat foods are convenient, but perhaps not so much when it comes to your teeth. Eating fresh, crunchy produce not only contains more healthy fiber, but it’s also the best choice for your teeth. “I tell parents to get their kids on harder-to-eat and chew foods at a younger age,” says Schwartz. “So try to avoid the overly mushy processed stuff, stop cutting things into tiny pieces, and get those jaws working!”

7. Limit sugary and acidic foods

Ultimately, sugar converts into acid in the mouth, which can then erode the enamel of your teeth. These acids are what lead to cavities. Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee can also wear down tooth enamel. While you don’t necessarily have to avoid such foods altogether, it doesn’t hurt to be mindful.

8. See your dentist at least twice a year

Your own everyday habits are crucial to your overall oral health. Still, even the most dutiful brushers and flossers need to see a dentist regularly. At minimum, you should see your dentist for cleanings and checkups twice a year. Not only can a dentist remove calculus and look for cavities, but they will also be able to spot potential issues and offer treatment solutions.

Ti Rakau Dental has proudly served Botany, Dannemora, Howick, Pakuranga, Bucklands Beach communities for more than 20 years.
Please DO NOT HESITATE to call 09 273 8911 with any questions or concerns you may have.

Why is your oral health so important?

Caring for your oral health has always been stressed to prevent gum disease and any other mouth-related problems. As dentists, telling patients to brush their teeth and floss twice daily to reduce oral health issues is standard practice. But do you know enough about the long-term implications of poor oral health?

Most patients are aware that sugar means tooth decay, and that gum disease is caused by poorly caring for your teeth. But your mouth isn’t the only part of your body at risk of suffering due to poor oral health. Research has increasingly shown a significant connection between oral health and several more severe conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Heart diseases, Strokes, Diabetes and prior mature baby.

Many bacteria are associated with gum disease. It’s strong connected with bleeding gums and chronic periodontal. Bacteria can easily travel into the bloodstream of poor oral health people when bleeding occurs during daily activities such as eating, chewing, and brushing your teeth.

A fascinating study published in Science Advances may provide the answer as to how the bacteria actually reaches the brain. After conducting tests on mice, scientists at confirmed that the toxic protein Gingipain that is released from Porphyromonas gingivalis (main bacteria of gum disease), can travel from the mouth to the brain and destroy brain neurons. In fact, the bacteria can spread anywhere that blood is carried. Subsequently, it can cause blood vessel inflammation in the entire body. As a consequence, the bacteria can cause your carotid arteries to thicken. This increases your likelihood to have a heart problem or stroke, since it can potentially inhibit blood flowing to your brain.

If you have bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth or swelling gums, please contact us as soon as possible because it has the potential to further affect their health later on in life if it is not dealt with appropriately.

Ti Rakau Dental has proudly served Botany, Dannemora, Howick, Pakuranga, Bucklands Beach communities for more than 20 years. Please DO NOT HESITATE to call 09 273 8911 with any questions or concerns you may have.

Bite splint instruction

An occlusal splint is a removable appliance made of acrylic /resin that covers the biting surfaces of

upper or lower teeth. It is indicated for patients who have jaw /muscle pain or headaches; temporomandibular disorders

(TMD)or patients who display excessive wear of their teeth from clenching or grinding(bruxism).

It will allow the jaw to find its best position because the splint prevents the teeth from locking

together, which reduces load on jaw muscles & teeth.

ADVANTAGES

Protects natural teeth from further wear & prevent further cracking of teeth. Protects restorations,

resin fillings, Crowns, Bridges or Implant restorations.

Relieves jaw joint pain, muscle aches in jaw, jaw/muscle related headaches/neck pain.

Stabilises jaw joint

Promotes jaw relaxation in patients with stress -related pain symptoms.

WHEN TO WEAR

If you are aware you grind at night then wear at night while you sleep to prevent this. If you are

experiencing pain in the morning on awakening again this is a sign of night-time clenching so again

wear at night until symptoms subside.

If you find you are clenching during the day then, daytime use is advised. If you are getting pain in

jaw joints or muscles during the day then daytime use is indicated. Some patients require full time

use during initial phases to get pain to subside.

WHAT TO EXPECT INITIALLY

Excess saliva for a few days, this normally subsides after a week or two of continued use.

Once put in feels tight initially for a few minutes, this is normal. It will feel snug against the teeth but

not too tight or uncomfortable. It should not rub the gums.

The jaw position will be unusual at first but after a few days become used to the new position. Pain

if it was a symptom should subside.

Altered speech should return to normal if using it during the day as the tongue adjusts to new

position. Practice reading out load in private before using in public for the first time.

WHEN TO REMOVE

Do not wear whilst eating, it is not designed for this.

Remove while cleaning your teeth, sounds obvious but happens late at night!

Not to be worn during sporting activities, this is not a sports mouthguard.

CLEANING & STORAGE

The splint needs to be kept clean, just as your own natural teeth.

Bad breath & taste will result from inadequate cleaning.

Clean with a soft brush & anti-bacterial hand soap for a minute before & after use.

Rinse & dry then place in storage box provided.

It may be disinfected for 10 minutes periodically in Milton’s Solution once per week to keep microbe

levels down.

MAINTENANCE

Keep appointments for review or adjustments of occlusal splint.

Bring along to EVERY DENTAL APPOINTMENT so this can be checked & adjusted as required.

Do not keep wearing unless you are having the periodic 6 monthly appointments so it can be

checked it is fitting/working properly.

WHEN TO CONTACT DENTAL CLINIC

If pain is not reducing in jaw joints after a several days of continued use.

The bite is not comfortable.

It feels too loose & keeps falling out.

Notice any cracks or damage.

Loss or breakage from incorrect use is not covered.

DO NOT

Clench or continuously bite down on mouthguard

Soak in Dettol/denture cleaning agents /alcohol based mouthwash for long periods

Use toothpaste to clean

Place in hot water

Leave out in direct sunlight

Carry in pocket without being in protective case

Leave out for the dog to chew!

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS

Modified diet, soft diet, to rest jaw & minimise chewing.

Try to chew on both sides & not favour one side.

Avoid extreme movements, yawning and/or opening too wide & don’t talk too much!

Physiotherapy.

Exercises, massage, gentle stretching can be effective in reducing pain.

Hot and cold packs applied to tender areas can be useful in reducing pain

Relaxation & stress management can go a long way to stopping the symptoms.

Medications, painkillers including anti-inflammatories are useful in short term pain management.

Crack Tooth Syndrome

Teeth are fracturing due to longer life spans (older, brittle teeth tend to crack more) and teeth clenching and grinding (higher stress in modern society).

Diagnosis is critical if your dentist can detect a crack while it’s small, treatment can usually save a tooth. However Crack Tooth Syndrome is a real problem that’s often quite difficult to diagnose. The term “syndrome” refers to the association of several clinical signs (discovered by the dentist) and symptoms (reported by the patient), which often occur together. Because the signs and symptoms vary in cracked tooth syndrome, diagnosis , actually pinpointing the problem tooth (or teeth), can be difficult. Sometimes crack detection requires high magnification instruments. Most endodontists (root canal specialists) use microscopes as a routine part of their practice and are very good at detecting cracks and fractures. Endodontists can also assess whether a crack has involved the nerve within a tooth and whether root canal treatment is needed to relieve the pain and symptoms.

Symptoms will vary depending on the location of the crack in a tooth and what other structures are involved. A sharp, intense pain of short duration during chewing and upon release of food usually indicates a crack in a “vital” tooth, in which the nerve has not been affected. If a crack reaches the nerve it will become an avenue for infection. The pulp tissue housing the nerve then becomes inflamed and sensitive to temperature changes. Cracks in teeth without a living nerve give vague symptoms and the origin of the pain is often difficult to locate until the tissues around the teeth are affected. If a crack involves the periodontal structures (the gum, periodontal ligament and bone), symptoms may include tenderness around the tooth, easily identifying what tooth is hurting.

Treatment is always based on a proper diagnosis. It could be as simple as replacing the lost tooth structure, or covering the crack or fracture with appropriate restorative materials. If the nerve is involved, it might mean root canal treatment and protection of the tooth with a crown (cap). Another suggestion your dentist may have, is that you consider wearing an occlusal (bite) guard to protect your teeth from clenching and/or grinding (bruxism) which may very well be occurring subconsciously. At worst, if the tooth is not salvageable it will mean tooth loss and replacement.

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