The TMJ—or Temporomandibular Joint—is located just in front of each of your ears. Basically, it’s a fancy technical term for the jaw joint. This joint is actually quite a unique part of the body because it contains both a hinge and sliding motion. This unique functionality allows us to open and close our mouths and slide our jaw forwards, backwards and to the side.
Not to get too technical again, but the TMJ sits in the hollowed area of the skull called the fossa, and it has a disk to cushion the bone and assist with movement. In order to have movement, the joint has a number of ligaments and muscles. Read More…
For those of us who aren’t naturally morning people, waking up at any time that ends in AM can be awful! But for those who grind their teeth at night, it can be even worse!
Grinding teeth while you sleep can cause a lot more than just an infuriating noise for those who share your bed/room. You could wake up with a sore jaw or—over time—you might grind down your teeth to stubs.
What causes teeth grinding?
Commonly known causes of teeth grinding – which is also known as bruxism – are stress, anxiety, tension, anger and frustration. Read More…
There are very few things upon which the whole of humanity can agree. But our revulsion towards bad breath can certainly be counted as one.
No one wants bad breath and no one wants to be around someone with bad breath. But is there anything you can do about it? To find out, let’s start at the beginning.
What is bad breath?
Bad breath, or halitosis, is mostly the product of sulphur-producing bacteria, normally living on the surface of the tongue or the throat. The bad odour is caused by the bacterial wastes left in the mouth, as well as decaying food particles and other debris in your mouth. Poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, disease, infection, tobacco use and severe dieting can all contribute to halitosis too, but fortunately, while unpleasant, halitosis is not infectious. Read More…
We’ve all seen those airline ads: a glamorous passenger lounging in her First Class seat, being waited on hand and foot. For most of us, however, we tend to turn right upon entering the plane to face the endurance test of playing squashed sardines for hours, trapped in an aluminium canister with hundreds of strangers.
Try as you might, kicking the seat in front of you isn’t going to help your legroom situation. And unless you want to start doling out money for expensive eye masks, good quality noise-cancelling earphones, personal beanbag or blow-up pillows, or dragging along spare clothes to change into upon arrival, it’s hard to land at your destination feeling like anything other than a dishevelled old rag.
Luckily, the dentists at Dental O So Gentle has some good air mileage between them and can offer some handy tips for walking off the plane feeling refreshed. Believe it or not, it’s all about the mouth. Read More…
Have you ever wondered what colour lipsticks and glosses make your teeth look whiter and brighter?
Choosing the right lipstick shades can make all the difference when it comes to enhancing the colour of your teeth – be it white or yellow! So here’s a few tricks of the trade to help create that A-list-worthy smile for any occasion. Read More…
In mid-November 2015 Ronda Rousey, the undefeated UFC fighter, fought and lost in a now infamous match against Holly Holm, in Melbourne. Rousey’s loss was made all the worse by having some teeth knocked loose and suffering such dental sport injuries that she has not been able to fight since, and won’t be able to until her injuries heal.
Every year, we witness professional athletes make headlines due to dental sport injuries. Sure, these traumatic incidents make for good viral videos, but the result is clearly painful and rather serious for the athlete. Dental sport injuries commonly sideline sportspeople for extended periods of time.
Take Damian Martin, the Perth Wildcats’ captain, for example; after breaking his jaw late last year, he had to have his teeth splintered and two metal plates surgically inserted into his jaw before he could play again!
We know better than most, just how far dentistry has come in treating dental sport injuries, but the fact remains that prevention is always better than a cure. The best way to avoid dental sport injuries during sport is by wearing a professionally made, custom mouthguard. Designed specifically to lessen the impact of blows to the teeth and skull, wearing a professional mouthguard can significantly reduce trauma to your teeth in the event of an accident. Read More…
Everyone wants a whiter, brighter smile and everyone is looking towards teeth whitening for a dental miracle. With the popularity of teeth whitening soaring, there are a few questions that are often asked. Who is allowed to do perform teeth whitening? What are the dangers involved if someone who isn’t properly qualified treats you?
Let’s start with the basics… Is it dangerous?
According to The British Dental Association (BDA) Teeth Whitening is perfectly safe if carried out by a registered dental professional. However, the BDA warns that someone who does not have the right training and knowledge could cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums. For example, if the mouth guard containing the bleaching gel does not fit properly over one’s teeth, the gel may leak and cause painful chemical burns. In extreme cases, swallowing the bleaching product has resulted in illness. The BDA also states that beauticians, who aren’t properly trained, may not be able to determine if someone is suitable for teeth whitening based on their medical history. Read More…
We love helping people smile! Not just by helping people be proud of their pearly whites but also by giving back to less fortunate communities. That’s why we’re supporting the non-profit organisation in Uganda helping marginalised African communities, called Tikkun-Uganda.
Tikkun-Uganda is committed to “repairing Uganda” and works closely with local communities to develop sustainable villages by improving the standard of living, empowering and educating the youth. Tikkun-Uganda, with help from Dental O So Gentle’s donations, has established the first Medical Clinic in Putti. Read More…
It’s a stressful time of year! Work has the added burden of the pre-Christmas break deadline, the kids are about to finish up the school year and there are the holidays to plan! You might be having house guests, cooking an important family meal (catering for everyone’s tastes and dietary requirements) buying gifts – carefully balancing the budget with the perfect representation of how much the recipient means to you and if your NOT hosting – the drive from place to place catching all the friends and relatives. It’s a wonderful time – but pulling it all together can take a lot of time and effort, which many of us just don’t have to spare. This can lead to stress, and stress can be really bad for your health. Read More…
