Monthly Archives

March 2022

Mar 30
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woman drinking water and suffering from Xerostomia

Xerostomia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

By Oral Health No Comments

Does your mouth feel dry, even though you’re adequately hydrated? Then, you might be suffering from a condition known as xerostomia–or dry mouth. This condition can have serious consequences on your mental, social, and oral health.

At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, we understand the frustrations and dangers that come along with xerostomia. So, if you’re ready to get long-lasting relief from dry mouth, then request a consultation online at one of our three New South Wales dental clinics. 

Understanding the symptoms and causes of xerostomia is key to treating the condition. Here, Dr. Arpit Pathak will tell you everything you need to know about dry mouth so you can reclaim your life and oral health.

Xerostomia Explained

Xerostomia is a condition in which the salivary glands produce limited moisture. In turn, the mouth cannot stay adequately lubricated for optimal health and function. 

Dry mouth is extremely common, as research indicates that it may affect over half of the general population. For some patients, it is a minor inconvenience. For others, it can have a tremendous impact on their oral health.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth

As the name implies, dry mouth results in a parched sensation in the oral cavity. However, other symptoms may include:

  • A sticky feeling in the mouth
  • Stringy or thick saliva
  • Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking
  • Changes in taste
  • Issues wearing oral appliances, like dentures
  • A dry or abnormally-textured tongue
  • Hoarseness 
  • A sore throat
  • Bad Breath
  • An oral infection or mouth sores

If you’re suffering from one or all of these conditions, then it’s vital to contact Magic Smiles as soon as possible. Early treatment may prevent significant dental damage.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Many factors can limit saliva production, including:

  • Medications: Antihistamines, pain medications, muscle relaxers, and anti-anxiety medications are just a few drugs that can restrict saliva production.
  • Age: As we get older, our salivary glands struggle to produce sufficient moisture.
  • Nerve damage: Trauma to the head and neck can garble neurological messages sent to the salivary glands.
  • Cancer treatments: A common side effect of chemotherapy is xerostomia.
  • Tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and recreational drug use: These substances have a tendency to cause or worsen dry mouth.
  • Certain health conditions: Autoimmune diseases, diabetes, stroke, and mouth breathing can all affect saliva production.’

Regardless of the cause, dry mouth can lead to extensive dental decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Subsequently, patients should be proactive in seeking dry mouth remedies.

How to Treat Xerostomia

There are several ways you can deal with xerostomia, such as: 

  • Drinking more water throughout the day
  • Limiting caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use
  • Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies and cough drops
  • Using over-the-counter saliva substitutes or a xylitol-based mouthwash
  • Using a humidifier in your home
  • Getting a prescription medication to increase saliva production

Schedule a Consultation for Dry Mouth Today

Addressing dry mouth at a routine dental checkup is a great first step toward treating the condition. Our compassionate team will gladly help you find a suitable, long-lasting solution to increase your saliva production. So, stop living with xerostomia, and start seeking treatment today.

Patients can contact our team online here, or they may call one of our three Magic Smiles locations in:

  • Woolgoolga: (02) 6654-0650
  • Coffs Harbour: (02) 6652-3242
Mar 17
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woman holding head from headache due to teeth grinding

Four Consequences of Teeth Grinding

By Oral Health No Comments

Recently, dentists have noticed a significant rise in teeth-grinding and stress-related oral health problems, such as:

  • Cracked teeth
  • Tender jaws
  • Headaches

Bruxism is the medical term that describes the unconscious habit of clenching or grinding the teeth while awake or asleep. Although mild bruxism may not warrant treatment, severe teeth grinding should be treated as soon as possible. Swift treatment may prevent further permanent tooth, mouth, and jaw damage.

At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, our team of dentists dedicate their time, knowledge, and skills to manage and improve all aspects of oral health. Schedule a consultation so that we can target and treat the source of your chronic teeth grinding.

Aside from potentially disrupting your sleep, frequent or severe bruxism can lead to an array of severe side effects that can destroy your teeth, gums, jaw, and overall wellness. Continue reading to discover four unexpected consequences of teeth grinding and how it may affect your health.

1. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders

Temporomandibular joints are the pair of hinge joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. Precisely, TMJs are the joints that glide and pivot at the front of each ear. They control the mandible (the lower jaw) to help people eat, speak, and complete other tasks that require mouth movements.

TMJ disorders are prevalent among patients with bruxism due to overwork. Eventually, excessive grinding can influence the structure of the muscles and ligaments that form the jaw. This leads to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which can showcase as difficulty talking, chewing, or more.

2. Irreversible Tooth Damage

Unsurprisingly, tooth damage is a leading consequence of bruxism. Continual teeth grinding can wear down the enamel, which can:

  • Increase the risk of decay
  • Cause teeth to be more susceptible to sensitivity
  • Decrease tooth height

Also, incessant stress and pressure can crack, chip, fracture, or even loosen teeth. If you have existing dental work, bruxism can destroy fillings, crowns, or bridges.

3. Gum Recession

Bruxism doesn’t just damage your teeth. Unfortunately, the stress from teeth grinding can also negatively affect your gums. Gradually, bruxism may lead to gum recession. Gum recession can result in:

  • Shifted or loose teeth
  • Gum pockets that trap bacteria
  • Exposed tooth roots
  • Dental sensitivity

4. Headaches and Facial Pain

Headaches are frequently linked with TMJ syndromes, which, as previously mentioned, is a sign of bruxism. Why does this happen? The temporomandibular joint shares a direct relationship with facial muscles.

Bruxism places consistent pressure on the jaw joints and muscles, which may result in inflammation and swelling. This inflammation can travel to the surrounding muscles in the face, head, ears, and neck (resulting in a secondary headache).

Contact Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre for All Your Family’s Oral Health Concerns

If you think that you or a loved one grind or clench your teeth excessively, contact Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre immediately. There are several treatment options for bruxism, such as prescribing oral appliances or orthodontics for bruxism. Furthermore, if you do not respond to mild or moderate treatment, your Magic Smiles dentist can refer you to an oral surgeon for more in-depth treatment.

Every scenario is one-of-a-kind, so schedule a consultation so we can start your journey to better oral health:

Mar 10
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woman holding dental tools as part of preventive dentistry visit

Why is preventive dentistry important?

By Preventative Dentistry No Comments

Generally speaking, the majority of dentists recommend a dental check-up every 6 to 12 months for most cases as part of preventive dentistry. However, in 2017-2018, more than half of Australians had seen a dentist or dental professional in the last 12 months. 

While people have reasons for not visiting the dentist as often as they need to, preventive care is vital for having a healthy and attractive smile. At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, Dr. Arpit Pathak and his team take their time to perform gentle check-ups, dental cleans, and other preventive practices. Connect with our clinical family soon.

By taking care of your oral health through preventive dentistry, you also reap these four benefits:

1. Early Detection

Most dental problems don’t showcase themselves until too late. The simplest way to catch cavities, periodontal disease, oral cancer, and oral health problems is to schedule preventive appointments. 

During your checkup, our dentist will inspect your teeth and gums for indications of bacterial buildup, gum recession, and oral cancer. Also, he or she will scan the jaw area, inside the cheek, neck, and under tongue for lesions, bumps, or anything that appears strange. After, he or she will suggest the appropriate treatment to improve your health and provide education and next steps on how to care for your mouth.

2. Gain Home Care Knowledge

Although you can expect quality care at our New South Wales locations, what happens when you leave the dentist clinic? Most preventive dentistry does not occur in the office but rather in your daily life. 

Home care is essential for preventing oral health conditions, such as cavities. Therefore, we take our time to teach patients of all ages to care for their teeth at home properly. Flossing and brushing daily with the right tools and techniques can save your oral (and overall) wellness.

3. Improves Wellness

Preserving your oral hygiene through preventive methods affects your oral and overall health. Some preventive dentistry methods can strengthen your teeth. However, it’s fairly normal to get tiny cracks and chips from time to time. Often, this damage is undetectable to the untrained eye. Your dentist can identify and correct superficial problems before they worsen with preventive visits. Thereby maintaining the dental appearance and function of your pearly whites.

Likewise, preventing periodontal disease has an impact on your overall health. Did you know gum disease may increase your chance of developing or exacerbating certain medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease?

4. Saves Money in the Long Run

Neglect can lead to cavities, trauma, and other uncomfortable dental issues, which may require costly dental treatments to mediate. Worse still, extensive decay and damage can necessitate pulling a tooth, generating the need for more cosmetic and restorative dental procedures to replace them (plus maintenance). Save some cash and avoid potentially undergoing numerous dental procedures by prioritizing routine dental checkups and cleaning.

Inquire About Preventive Dentistry in Woolgoolga, NSW

At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, our dedicated staff is eager to answer your questions, provide helpful insights about caring for your teeth at home, and provide excellent care. We have a wide range of dental services to support your family’s oral health. 

When was your last dental checkup? If you are due for your next dental visit, consult with us today. Call (02) 6654-0650 or message us online right now.

Mar 07
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male patient holding face and suffering from toothache

Woolgoolga Emergency Dentist Explains What Counts as a Dental Emergency

By Emergency Dentist No Comments

Some people ignore their dental problems and don’t realize that they can worsen when left treated. Dental emergencies are classified as any incident involving the mouth which requires immediate care. Emergency dentist Dr. Arpit Pathak and his team help patients in New South Wales identify the root cause of their oral health problems and treat them accordingly. 

Still, not every situation is considered a dental emergency. To help you understand if you need to take a trip to the emergency room or visit an emergency dentist, ask yourself these five questions. If your answer is “yes” to any of the following questions, schedule an emergency dental appointment as soon as possible.

1. Are you in extreme dental pain?

People should not take toothaches lightly. Dental pain is a red flag. It’s the body’s way of telling us that something is not right in the mouth, such as a cavity, exposed nerves, or a broken tooth.

Until you’re able to visit the dentist, alleviate discomfort by:

  • Using over-the-counter pain medication as directed
  • Rinsing with saltwater
  • Applying a cold compress 

2. Are you experiencing non-stop bleeding from the mouth?

Although irritated gums are not necessarily a dental emergency, gums that won’t stop bleeding may indicate a serious underlying health issue. See your dentist right away if you are experiencing these issues.

3. Do you have sores that won’t resolve themself? 

If your tongue, mouth, or gums are covered with sores that won’t resolve themselves, this could indicate an underlying problem: oral cancer. Annually, approximately 2500 new oral and pharyngeal cancer cases are registered in Australia. See your dentist right away if you are experiencing these symptoms.

4. Do you have an infection or pimple on your gums?

If you notice swelling around your gums with pus coming out, this is a severe tooth infection called a tooth abscess. Don’t ignore it. Unfortunately, this infection can spread into your surrounding tissue and other areas of the body. Visit your dentist before it’s too late.

5. Do you have a dislodged permanent tooth?

Although it’s normal for children to shed their baby teeth as they grow up, it’s abnormal for adults to lose their permanent teeth. Even without discomfort, a loose tooth is alarming and may be linked to:

  • Periodontal disease
  • Trauma
  • Stress-related bruxism
  • Hormonal changes (such as pregnancy or menopause)

Ideally, you should schedule an emergency dental visit as soon as you notice a tooth is loose. Gradually, a loose tooth may worsen and cause damage to the gums and tooth roots, which may lead to infection or even loss. 

Meet with an Emergency Dentist Soon

Now that you’ve answered all of the essential questions and half self-assed your symptoms, you should be able to decide whether you must seek immediate attention or not: 

  • If you are experiencing any common signs indicative of a dental emergency, schedule an emergency dental appointment.
  • If you feel like you are suffering from life-threatening symptoms, please visit the emergency room as soon as possible. Most emergency rooms can provide antibiotics and help with fractured teeth or jaws (when necessary). 

Although comprehensive dental checkups can keep cavities and periodontal disease at bay, dental emergencies happen from time to time. If you are dealing with a dental emergency, it’s time to prevent it from worsening. Contact one of our three Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre locations, including: 

  • Woolgoolga (02) 6654-0650
  • Coffs Harbour (02) 6652-3242