In this article, Dr Ping Ping discusses when you should take your child to visit an orthodontist.

Dr Ping Ping Yeoh, interview by The Age.

The post Pays to act on early orthodontic care first appeared on Specialists In Orthodontics.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to erupt. Most people have four wisdom teeth. However, they are the most commonly missing teeth. They usually erupt in the late teen years or early twenties. By the time the wisdom teeth erupt, there is usually insufficient space to accommodate them comfortably. Therefore, often times, the wisdom teeth become impacted, or stuck.

Do I need to remove my wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth that are healthy and properly positioned can be left in place. However, if your wisdom teeth are impacted, difficult to clean or growing in the wrong direction, you may consider having them removed. Removal of wisdom teeth is preferably performed before the age of 25, as the risks of surgery increase slightly after this age.

If your wisdom teeth are completely covered by bone and are healthy, chances of the wisdom teeth undergoing pathological changes is rather low. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2000 and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) in 1999 established well-defined criteria for removal of problematic wisdom teeth and concluded that, given the surgical risks involved, removal of asymptomatic wisdom teeth is not indicated.

If your wisdom teeth are partially covered by gums or bone, they may impose a risk of infection. In such circumstances, you may discuss with your dentist or oral surgeon about the risk and benefits of removing your wisdom teeth.

Contact Specialists In Orthodontics for a FREE orthodontic consult with our registered specialist orthodontist today.

The post What about my wisdom teeth? first appeared on Specialists In Orthodontics.

I Brush My Teeth, Therefore, I Don’t Need to Floss?

Almost half the surface area of your teeth are in contact with the adjacent teeth. These are areas where toothbrush can’t reach. Plaque contains acid-producing bacteria which can cause dental decay. Even if you do the best job in brushing your teeth, the plaque trapped between your teeth will stay on your teeth after brushing. Flossing will help remove food particles between teeth that can contribute to plaque build-up.

Are Floss Only For Cleaning Between Teeth?

Flossing is a great way for cleaning in between your teeth. Not only that, it is also great for cleaning the gumlines (the area where your teeth and gums meet). Food particles or plaque are often caught in the space between the teeth and gums, resulting in the development of gum diseases. Therefore, it is important to make sure the gumlines get cleaned properly while flossing.

My Gums Bleed and Hurt Whenever I Floss

There is a misconception that flossing can be painful and it can cause bleeding gums. In most cases, bleeding gums is a sign of gum disease. Healthy gums should not bleed while flossing. Another possible reason for gums to be painful and bleeding while flossing is incorrect flossing technique. If you are experiencing bleeding and painful gums while flossing, you may consult your orthodontist or dentist about gum diseases and how to floss with braces.

Should I Floss After Brushing?

It doesn’t really matter whether your floss before brushing or vice versa. Different orthodontist will have different techniques. It is wise to follow instructions given by your orthodontist.

What Type of Floss Should I Be Using?

There are several types of interdental cleaning tools available in the market. Floss is one of them, and they come in different forms and shapes. The three most common types of interdental brushing tools are Superfloss, conventional floss used with a threader, and interdental brushes.

Superfloss are thicker and stiffer on one end, hence making it easier to thread under the orthodontic wires.

Conventional floss are too soft to thread under the orthodontic wires. By attaching the floss through a floss threader (much like needle and thread in sewing), you may use the threader to guide the floss under the wire. Once the floss is under the wire, you may then floss as normal.

Interdental brushes are shaped like little Christmas trees. These are useful in cleaning between teeth with bigger gaps between them. They are also great for cleaning the space between your teeth and the orthodontic wires.

How To Floss With Braces?

1. Rinse your mouth with water to flush out any big and loose food particles
2. Use a interdental brush under the orthodontic wires
3. Thread floss under the orthodontic wire
4. Slowly slide floss between teeth in a zigzag motion
5. Make a C shape with the floss as you wrap it around the tooth
6. Gently move floss towards the gumline until the floss couldn’t travel any further
7. Clean all food particles out and away from your gumline
8. Repeat on the adjacent tooth
9. As you move from one tooth to the next, use a fresh section of floss
10. Repeat the flossing process until all teeth are cleaned
11. Brush teeth with a soft-bristle tooth brush and fluoridated toothpaste
12. Rinse your mouth with water

Flossing may seem tricky for those who are not used to it. However, practice makes perfect. Start flossing today. Be prepared to spend a longer time on your oral care while you have braces on your teeth. Don’t worry, it’s worth the time. If you don’t pay attention to your oral hygiene during your orthodontic treatment, your risk of having dental decay and gum disease is increased.

Learn more about the importance of flossing.

The post How to floss with braces? first appeared on Specialists In Orthodontics.

So, many wonder, why does my dentist always nag me about flossing? Why is flossing important? Let’s find out.

Why is flossing important?

Flossing helps prevent decay in between your teeth

Almost half the surface area of your teeth are in contact with the adjacent teeth. These are areas where toothbrush can’t reach. Plaque contains acid-producing bacteria which can cause dental decay. Even if you do the best job in brushing your teeth, the plaque trapped between your teeth will stay on your teeth after brushing. Interdental cleaning is proven to help remove food debris between teeth that can contribute to plaque build-up.

Flossing prevents gum diseases

Removing plaque that are attached to the gums can reduce inflammation caused by the bacteria. Gum inflammation is a sign of gum disease. Gum diseases may present themselves as redness of the gum, swollen gums, bleeding gums, bad breathe, loose teeth or a combination of these symptoms. One of the reasons people experience gum bleeding and pain during flossing is because of gum disease. Flossing daily with the appropriate techniques should reduce the gum bleeding and pain overtime.

Low cost, great benefits

Dental floss is inexpensive and easy to find at any chemist. And it only takes a few minutes and—for most people—is relatively painless.

Floss everyday

Flossing should be part of your oral hygiene routine along with brushing. You should be flossing once a day, for at least two minutes.

Do children need to floss?

Flossing is not only for adults. Children should start cleaning between their teeth as soon as they have two teeth in contact but until the age of 10, it’s best if the parent does the flossing as younger children don’t have the manual dexterity needed to floss effectively.

The post Why is flossing important? first appeared on Specialists In Orthodontics.

It’s summer time and the sun is burning bright in the sky. School holidays, christmas holidays, and taking time off are on our mind for many of us. Let’s share some dental tips for summer that will help protect your teeth this holiday season.

Tip 1: Drink water

On a hot summer day, it is important to drink plenty of water not just for your overall health but also for your oral health too. A dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay, so please keep hydrated by drinking water. Try to stay away from sweet or acidic drinks which can lead to tooth decay. Besides water, chewing on sugar-free gum can stimulate the production of saliva which can help prevent tooth decay.

Tip 2: Protect yourself from the sun

Slip Slop Slap! Protect your skin from the harmful effects of the hot summer sun. Use sunscreen but don’t forget your lips. Remember the lips are very susceptible to sun burn, so please use lip gloss or balm. These products can help with reducing the risks of skin and oral cancer.

Tip 3: Good oral hygiene

Summer is no different to any day in the year when it comes to keeping your teeth clean. Brush twice a day and floss daily. And similarly, if you haven’t visited your dentist for a while, please make an appointment for a check and clean.

Tip 4: Healthy diet and snack wisely

A healthy diet is important not only for a healthy body but also for your teeth. Stock your kitchen with healthy choices including fruits and vegetables. It may be hard to control snacking all day but at least try to limit the snacks (e.g. cookies and ice-cream) and drinks (e.g. acidic soft drinks) with high sugar content. The key is to keep to 3 healthy meals a day and control the temptation to consume unhealthy snacks in between.

Tip 5: Before you head off on your holiday trip

If you plan to go away during your summer holiday, it may be a good idea to visit your dentist if you haven’t recently. One of the worst things that can happen during your holiday is a toothache. If you are feeling the symptoms associated with a toothache, see your dentist immediately for some advice. Besides packing your toothbrush and floss into your travelling bag, consider taking a dental first aid kit along. Dental first aid kits are often small and inexpensive, and most of them contain what you need in case of a dental emergency.

Summer holidays can be challenging especially if you plan on going away. Don’t forget the importance of staying healthy and keeping your teeth clean. Remember these dental tips can help you maintain a great dental health. Now, let’s all have a fun and safe summer!

The post Dental Tips for Summer first appeared on Specialists In Orthodontics.