Teeth - Orthodontic Treatments

Orthodontic treatment is often recommended to correct abnormalities in jaw and tooth position, such as an overbite or protruding teeth. An overbite is when the top teeth bite over the bottom teeth more than normal. In extreme cases, the edges of the front teeth can damage and strip away the gum and loosen the lower teeth or the edges of the lower teeth can cut into the roof of the mouth.

Protruding, or ‘buck’ teeth is when the front teeth are positioned further forward than normal. A person with protruding teeth is more susceptible to tooth loss from accidents and may suffer from speech or eating problems. Many people also choose to correct protruding teeth for cosmetic reasons.

These problems should ideally be corrected in adolescence. Ask your dentist to recommend an orthodontist for advice on these conditions.

Checking for these conditions

Overbite
With your teeth closed, look at yourself in the mirror face on and check whether you can see your lower teeth. Normally you would expect to see about half of your bottom teeth. If you see less than half, you may have an overbite.

Protruding teeth
Look at yourself in the mirror from the side and see if your teeth (either top or bottom) stick out more than normal.

What orthodontic treatment involves
The orthodontist will take detailed records of your teeth and jaw, diagnose the problem, plan the treatment and carry out the care.

Treatment usually includes fixed braces followed by a retainer plate. For adults, fixed braces are often needed for two to three years, followed by a retainer (plate) for up to two years. This is generally longer than the time needed for adolescents.

Costs vary
Costs vary depending on the type and severity of the problem and the amount of treatment needed. On average, expect to spend about $4000 to 5000 over the treatment period.

Where to get help

· Your local dentist

· Dental Health Services Victoria Tel. (03) 9341 0428, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday; Tel. (03) 9341 0345 after hours

· Royal Children's Hospital Tel.(03) 9345 5344, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday; Tel.(03) 9345 5522 after hours.

Things to remember

· Orthodontic treatment corrects conditions such as an overbite or protruding teeth.

· Ideally, corrective work should begin in adolescence. However, orthodontic treatment is effective for adults as well.

· If you think you or your child has a problem, ask your dentist to refer you to an orthodontist for advice or treatment.

Source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/

Calcium - Children

Calcium is an important part of the daily diet, especially for children. It is essential for the growth of strong bones and teeth. Dietitians and dentists recommend that children should meet their calcium needs by eating dairy foods and having a well balanced diet.

Severe calcium deficiency can result in diseases like rickets in children and osteoporosis later in life.

Bones need calcium
Calcium is the most common mineral in the body. Around 99 per cent of the calcium in the body is found in the bones or skeleton; the rest is in teeth, soft tissues and blood. The skeleton is a living tissue and acts as a calcium reservoir, which needs to be topped up daily. A high intake of dietary calcium is essential for growth of strong bones and teeth.

Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D work together in the body to achieve the right calcium levels that your body needs. Dietitians and dentists recommend that children should get calcium from eating dairy foods and having a well balanced diet.

A low calcium diet in childhood may be linked with osteoporosis later in life. Osteoporosis can lead to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures.

Milk promotes calcium absorption
Dairy foods are the richest source of calcium in the Australian diet. Calcium absorption is helped by the milk sugar (lactose), which seems to assist in uptake of calcium by the body. Vitamin D and phosphorus also help the body absorb calcium.

Don’t offer too much milk
Too much milk can cause problems. Drinking more than 600ml to 800ml of milk a day may decrease your child’s appetite. They may eat less of other foods and it may affect how their body absorbs iron.

Children who don’t drink milk
If your child refuses to drink milk, calcium can be obtained from the following foods:

• Cheese, yoghurt or milk-based custards.
• Sardines and other fish that contain fine bones that can be eaten.
• Nuts (such as almonds) have moderate amount of calcium and protein; however nuts are not suitable for very young children.
• Leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and bok choy.
• Some breakfast cereals are fortified with calcium – read the label carefully.
• Some soy drinks are fortified with calcium – read the label carefully.

Reduced fat milk
Milk is a major energy source during the rapid growth experienced by young children. Reduced fat milk is only suitable for certain age groups.

• Children one to two years – low fat milk is not suitable; they should have full fat milk and dairy products.
• Children over two years – can consume reduced fat milk and dairy products.

Recommended amount of dietary calcium for children
Babies, children and teenagers require the following amounts of calcium:

• Babies – 0 to 6 months (breastfed) at least 210mg per day. (Bottle fed babies require more than this amount as the calcium in infant formula may not be absorbed as efficiently as that found in breast milk.)
• Babies – 7 to 12 months (breastfed) at least 270mg per day, (bottle fed) at least 350mg per day.
• Children – 1 to 3 years 500mg per day.
• Children – 4 to 8 years 700mg per day.
• Children – 9 to 11 years (girls and boys) 1,000mg per day.
• Children and teenagers – 12 to 18 years (girls and boys) 1,300mg per day.

If children consume around the amount recommended for their particular age and gender, and they are generally healthy, it is unlikely they will be calcium deficient.

Best sources of calcium in food
Breast milk and infant formulas are the main source of calcium for children under one year of age.

The current recommendation for children aged four to 11 years is to eat two to three servings of dairy products per day.

Foods that provide a good source of calcium include:

• Milk – whole milk, one cup – 295mg calcium
• Milk – reduced fat, one cup – 350mg calcium
• Cheese – cheddar, one slice (20g) – 155mg calcium
• Cheese – cheddar reduced fat, one slice (20g) – 170mg calcium
• Yoghurt – one tub (200g) – 300mg calcium
• Cottage cheese – two tablespoons – 27mg calcium
• Spinach – half cup, cooked – 36mg calcium
• Sardines – with bones (60g) – 230mg calcium
• Salmon – canned with bones (60g) – 240mg calcium
• Almonds – one tablespoon (15g) – 31mg calcium
• Soy drink – with added calcium, one cup – 300mg calcium
• Soy drink – no calcium added, one cup – 33mg calcium.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Previously it was thought that pregnant and breastfeeding (lactating) mothers needed to consume higher levels of dietary calcium to cover their own needs and those of the growing baby. This advice was revised in 2006. Although a developing baby needs a lot of calcium and this is taken from the mother’s bones, most women rapidly replace this bone loss once the baby has stopped breastfeeding.

There is no additional dietary calcium requirement for pregnant or lactating women. All adult women under 50 years of age need 1,000mg per day, while adolescents require 1,300mg per day. You should seek medical advice before supplementing your diet with calcium tablets.

Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is usually a temporary, acquired condition in young children; it often follows acute gastroenteritis. It is common in Asian communities (80 to 90 per cent), but is less common in adult Caucasians (10 to 20 per cent).

There are a variety of low lactose milks, fortified soy drinks and formulas available for children with lactose intolerance so that calcium intake is not reduced.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Your dentist
• Your Maternal and Child Health nurse
• An accredited practicing dietitian (APD) www.daa.asn.au
• Royal Children's Hospital Tel. (03) 9345 5522
• Dental Health Services Victoria Tel. (03) 9341 1000

Things to remember

• Calcium is essential for the development of strong teeth and bones.
• Milk and dairy products are the best sources of dietary calcium.
• Soy drinks are not a natural source of dietary calcium.

Source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/

Dental Checks - 0 to 6 Years

Children’s teeth should be checked early. The Child Health Record currently recommends two checks before the age of three and a half years. This will help in early diagnosis and prevention of dental disease.

It is recommended that your child have a dental professional (dentist or dental therapist) examination as early as possible. A Maternal and Child Health nurse or paediatrician may also do a mouth check. They will be able to identify obvious dental disease. Information on dental care will be given to you at this time.

Any signs of disease should be referred to a dental professional. The Maternal and Child Health nurse may refer you to a dentist or your local Community Dental Clinic or School Dental Service.

Recommended mouth checks
Mouth checks with your Maternal and Child Health nurse are currently recommended at the ages of:

• 18 to 21 months
• Three to three and a half years.

Caring for your child’s teeth

Six to eight months
Good dental care starts as soon as your child’s first tooth appears. To help prevent oral health concerns:

• Avoid adding sugar, salt and fat to solid foods.
• Do not use lemon juice to relieve teething pain. The acid can damage erupting teeth.
• Avoid using a bottle or breast as a comforter.
• Clean the teeth from as soon as they appear in the mouth (usually between six and nine months). Use a damp piece of clean gauze or face washer; wrap it around a finger and wipe each tooth front and back. Continue this as new teeth erupt.
• Clean your child’s teeth with a small, soft toothbrush and water, from 12 months of age.

18 to 21 months
To help prevent oral health problems:

• Try to wean your child from bottles and dummies from 12 months.
• Encourage water as the preferred drink when thirsty.
• Encourage nutritious foods as snacks and drinks.
• Ask a dental professional for advice about fluoride supplements if your water supply is not fluoridated.
• Continue to clean your child’s teeth with a small, soft toothbrush. Introduce low-fluoride toothpaste at 18 months of age. Smear a pea-size amount across the toothbrush. Encourage children to spit out toothpaste after brushing.

Three to three and a half years
At this age:

• Your child should have visited a dental professional for a check-up.
• Continue brushing teeth using a small, soft toothbrush with a pea-size smear of low-fluoride toothpaste. From about three years of age, children should be encouraged to brush their own teeth, with adult help, to develop tooth-brushing skills.
• Try to discourage any thumb or finger sucking habits, which could lead to orthodontic problems if they continue.

School age children
At this age:

• Visit a family dentist or the School Dental Service every one to two years.
• Visit your dentist if your child has toothache, persistent bleeding of the gums or dental trauma (such as injuries to the face and teeth).
• Ask your dental professional about fissure sealants – a clear or white coating that can protect grooves in teeth and inhibit plaque.
• Brush teeth at least twice daily, after breakfast and before going to bed.
• Adults should continue to assist children to brush their teeth until eight years of age.
• Encourage your child to eat nutritious snacks without added sugar.
• Encourage your child to drink water, not sugary drinks, when thirsty.

Daily flossing of children’s teeth by an adult can reduce the risk of decay between the teeth. Ask your dental professional for advice.

Dental services available for children in Victoria
You can seek professional dental care for your child through:

• Private dentist
• Public dental services.

Private dentists
To find a private dentist, you can:

• Search by category in the Better Health Channel’s Services Directory
• Look in the Yellow Pages under ‘Dentists’
• Contact the Australian Dental Association.

Public dental services
Victoria’s public dental services include:

• Early Childhood Oral Health Program – children of pre-school age are eligible for dental care. Charges apply for people who do not hold a concession card (a pensioner concession card or healthcare card). Your Maternal and Child Health nurse or public dental clinic (see below) can advise you of your nearest clinic.
• School Dental Service – offers regular dental care for all primary school age children, as well as dependants of concession card holders in Years 7 and 8. Care is offered every 12 to 24 months, depending on treatment needs. Charges apply for non-concession card holders.
• Youth Dental Program – provides regular dental care for concession card holders and their dependants in Years 9 to 12, and for school leavers under 18 years of age.
• Community Dental Program – offers emergency, general and denture services to concession card holders and their dependants. The charge depends on the type of treatment required.
• Royal Dental Hospital Melbourne – offers an after-hours emergency dental clinic. General and specialist services are also offered to pensioner concession and healthcare card holders.

Where to get help

• Your local dentist or dental therapist
• Maternal and Child Health nurse
• Dental Health Services Victoria Hotline Tel. 1300 360 054 – for information about public dental services
• School Dental Services Tel. 1300 360 054
• Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Tel. (03) 9826 8318

Things to remember

• Children’s teeth should be checked early.
• Regular mouth checks with your Maternal and Child Health nurse are recommended.
• The recommended ages for mouth checks are listed in your Child Health Record.

Article source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/

Dental Care - Tips If Teeth Are Knocked Out

If permanent teeth are knocked out, there is an excellent chance that they will survive if they are immediately placed back in the tooth socket and dental advice is sought straight away. Every minute the tooth is out of the socket, the less chance it has of surviving.

First aid for permanent teeth
If your child has a permanent tooth knocked out:

• Handle the tooth by the crown not the root.
• Gently rinse the tooth in milk or normal saline solution if it has debris on it. Rinse for a few seconds only.
• Replace the tooth in its socket, if the person is conscious - make sure it is facing the right way around.
• Hold the tooth in place with some foil or by getting the child to gently bite on a handkerchief.
• Contact your dentist immediately.

If you can’t put the tooth in its socket
If you can’t replace the tooth:

• Wrap it in glad wrap or store it in milk or normal saline solution.
• Contact your dentist immediately.

What not to do
Do not try and clean the tooth with vigorous scrubbing or cleaning agents.

Why you shouldn’t replace milk teeth
You should not attempt to put a milk tooth back in its socket because:

• It may fuse to the socket, which leads to difficulties when it is time for the tooth to be shed.
• It may damage the permanent tooth underneath the socket.

Where to get help

• Your dentist or dental therapist.

Things to remember

• Permanent teeth should be replaced in the socket as soon as possible.
• Every minute counts when trying to save a permanent tooth.
• Always seek immediate advice from your dentist.
• Milk teeth should not be put back in their socket.

Article source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/