As a dentists there are few moments we see a parent more distressed than after a sporting accident has cause their child major tooth damage.

It’s a scare tactic – the statistics are in... Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard while playing sport will keep your child is at least 60 times safer.

That’s right – 60 times!

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s new documentary Jamie’s Sugar Rush, which aired late Septemebr in Australia advocates for a sugar tax. Jamie's details the incredibly large role that sugar plays in rising global health problems and tracks Oliver’s lobbying of the British government to commit to positive changes to the food and drinks industry in the interest of improved public health.

A comforting cup of tea brings a smile to most people’s faces.  Now, according to scientists, it might make that smile just a little bit healthier. Researchers have claimed that drinking at least three cups of tea a day can help keep your teeth in good condition and reduce the risk of decay.

Alongside tooth brushing and flossing many people add a mouthwash to their daily routine – but not all mouthwashes are equal!

Scientific studies have determined that Australia’s top-selling mouthwashes can cause oral cancer. The review that was published in the Dental Journal of Australia concluded that there is now sufficient evidence that mouthwashes containing alcohol significantly contribute to the increased risk of oral cancer. Alarmingly, there have been several more supporting studies that confirm an increased risk of oral cancer irrespective of whether users smoked or drank alcohol.

At a very young age, we’re taught the basics of good oral health care: how to keep our teeth and gums clean and free from the accumulation of bacteria and plaque build-up, and for good reasons! Compared to the cost and complications of complex dental treatments such as dental extraction, root canal therapy, and oral surgery, the effort given to keeping proper oral healthcare is practically inconsequential.

Most smokers are unaware of the damage smoking can have on their oral health. Tobacco smoking can cause oral cancer, periodontal disease, halitosis and teeth staining.  

Smokers are four times more likely to develop oral cancer and six times more likely to develop periodontal disease. Smoking also doubles the risk of suffering complications post dental surgery. 

Do you have a child with sleep apnoea?

They may struggle to breathe and have restless sleep. There are often breathing pauses which may end with a gasping or choking noise. As the child struggles to breathe, they may wake up briefly. This may lead to the child sleeping in strange positions. They may sweat a lot when they sleep. In some cases they will wet the bed. In the morning they may wake up with a dry mouth, a headache or confusion.