Should you ignore or seek treatment for your kids snoring? The problem could be more serious than you think. Kids snoring? Don’t ignore the snore Snoring can be a problem for families and couples. It’s the source of many restless nights – particularly if you’re the person who has to hear it! But is there a hidden danger in our kids snoring that we’re not aware of? What are the medical risks associated with kids snoring? A recent study conducted by the Monash University of Melbourne at the new Monash Children’s Hospital sought to examine the health consequences associated with snoring in childhood. Alarmingly, it was revealed that the older children in the study (those aged 7-12) for the most part exhibited increased blood pressure levels. The kids snoring also showed increased levels of poor behaviour than their snore-free peers as well as lower levels of intellectual ability. The study took place over a four-year period so the more far-reaching impacts of childhood snoring aren’t yet known. Based on these figures, however, it appears that the physical changes the brain experiences during snoring mean it can only access lower levels of oxygen. This can have lasting impact on cognitive and physical function. How do I treat my kids snoring? If your house is full of kids snoring, it’s best to seek treatment sooner rather than later. A visit to your GP is recommended as a first port of call. It’s there that you’ll receive a referral to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialist. There are a few options for treatment depending on the severity of the problem. Some snoring issues may be solved with a course of steroids. Nasal spray is usually preferred as a treatment for children as opposed to tablets which can be quite harsh. Skin prick testing to see if the cause is allergen-based may also take place. For more severe cases surgery on the tonsils or adenoids may be the outcome. Why are my kids snoring? There may be a number of reasons why your children are snoring which will be explored by your medical professional. Some of these may be hereditary or environmental. A calm, considered approach on the advice of your doctor will be able to unpack the cause and determine best...

It seems that the old adage that “straight teeth in your mouth is more important than the words that come out of it” remains true – at least when it comes to job interviews and promotions.  A recent study by the The British Dental Association found that bad teeth can dramatically hinder job applicants at interview.  When surveyed, 83% of respondents agreed that visibly decayed or missing teeth and bad breath would disadvantage applicants to a client facing role (eg.  customer service, reception, solicitor).  In fact, respondents would rather see an interviewee looking unkempt than lacking in dental hygiene.  Bad teeth and breath were found to be the biggest hurdles to career advancement. Bad teeth and career prospects The report found that: 70% rated visibly decayed or missing teeth as a hindrance to gaining employment in client facing roles 62% rated bad breath as a hindrance to gaining employment in client facing roles  83% agreed that these factors are disadvantageous in a job interview for these roles 62% agreed that these factors would harm an interviewee’s chance in any role 60% agreed that these factors would hinder promotion prospects   Options for improving your smile, and your career prospects! If you’ve got a “bad smile” it’s likely that you feel self conscious not just in job interviews but in everyday interactions.  So many of our cosmetic dentistry clients come to us because they want to feel more confident in social situation, first dates and when interviewing.  Luckily dental technology has made leaps and bounds in recent years and there are some quick, simple fixes available. Crowns and Veneers Dark teeth  and teeth that have suffered such decay that they cannot be saved by fillings… these are the main hindrances to climbing the corporate ladder.  Veneers are placed in a cosmetic procedure called a “smile makeover”.  Your new look tooth is colour matched to your existing teeth and bonded to the discoloured tooth.  A crown is a ceramic or metal “tooth cover” that gives at flawless look – so it’s ideal for teeth front and centre of your smile.  Learn more about cosmetic dentistry. Implants, Bridges and Dentures Implants replace missing teeth for a smoother smile, and for easier chewing!  They’re tough and permanent.  Bridges are also permanently placed but may need further maintenance in the future.  Old fashioned dentures (or false teeth as they’re commonly known) are the most affordable option but can be fiddly and inconvenient.  They’re also prone to making existing mouth issues worse.  Learn more here. Zoom Whitening Attention coffee addicts and cigarette smokers!  Zoom Whitening is ideal for removing “lifestyle stains” from your teeth.  If you don’t want to advertise that you smoke a pack and drink five cups a day,...

There is such an incredible amount to learn in that first year as a parent even when your baby is healthy, it gets just that much harder when he or she is not well. This can be very daunting for first time parents, as this may well be one of the first times they have seen their child upset and uncomfortable is when teething starts. Some kids are born with erupted teeth which can cause problems with breast feeding but for many the first teeth come through – and this varies a lot at about six months. These are the middle incisor teeth (let’s agree to call these the ‘A’s) at the bottom. These are closely followed by another two incisor teeth (B’s) on the bottom and the middle upper incisor teeth (A’s). Eventually a total of five teeth in each quarter of the mouth will erupt, which, when they are all through, we will call, from front to back: A, B, C, D,  E. Just to confuse you they don’t come through in this order, it is usually as pictured below: Frequently ask questions: Parents often ask “Why, if my child is X months old, have they not got any teeth?” The key point though, is that in each child they erupt at different times and some vary a lot from the norm, so in the vast majority of cases there is absolutely nothing to worry about if teeth are a little slow coming through. Another common question is “Is my child teething?” Let us help you distinguish the Teething Symptoms: Drooling, Gum rubbing, Mouthing/ biting, Irritability, and Low grade fever. Not teething symptoms: Loss of Appetite, Vomiting, High Fevers, Cough, Rash, Diahorrea, and Difficulty Sleeping.   What can I do about Teething? – Use Child formulations of Paracetamol or Ibuprofen – Textured and cold Teething Rings Common Teething Treatments that can be Dangerous – TO AVOID Anything containing Local Anaesthetic: Lignocaine or Benzocaine for eg SM33. The anaesthetic can impair the gag reflex increasing the risk of choking. It is easy to lose track of how much is enough and for the baby to be given far too much. Other possible complications, especially with over consumption, include heart rhythm disturbances, epileptic seizures and methaemoglobinaemia.   Teething Remedies: Such as BONJELA. The active ingredient is Choline Salicylate but babies have been hospitalized with toxicity as a result of Salicylate overconsumption.   Homeopathic Gels and Tablets: The gels are made from diluted poisons such as belladonna which can lead to toxicity. Homeopathic Tablets can pose as choking risk, some tablets are made of Lactose which might put the baby at risk of tooth decay.   Amber Beads: They are a choking hazard. The...

Ever wanted straighter teeth without all the hassle and high visibility of braces?   Invisalign is a modern approach in orthodontic treatment offered by Robert Duhig Dental at Sandgate that will transform your smile without proclaiming the process to the world or requiring much change in your lifestyle. The invisalign system of comfortable aligners is nearly invisible while gradually moving teeth to the ideal projected position. The system is great alternative to braces for slight overcrowding, teeth straightening and closing gaps between teeth. Invisalign also has the added bonus of being completely removable for easy teeth cleaning therefore allowing you to eat and drink what you like.   Fixed or Non -fixed that is the question?   Traditional braces, on the other hand, while recommended for more complicated mouths, typically make use of metal wires with metal brackets and wires to tighten.  The fixed system can be more uncomfortable and definitely requires much more effort with brushing and flossing. This is a direct result of the permanent nature of wire braces promoting calcified plaque build up and associated staining and discolouration (the reason why there are many food restrictions with this method). Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of clear, computer-generated trays which are custom-made specifically for you and are updated roughly every two weeks, based on the exact movements we have planned out for you. The smooth comfortable trays are worn at least 22 hours a day until your treatment is complete which typically takes anywhere between 6 and 15 months. Many of our adult patients have never considered traditional braces but are now happily and comfortably improving their smiles with the Invisalign system. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth!     For more information book a free consultation with Rob at Robert Duhig Dentist in Sandgate to discuss your smile possibilities...

Bad Breath Treatment The first, and often the hardest step for many people in getting treatment for your bad breath is actually just booking the appointment. Once you’re booked in you just need to remember – for an accurate reading you mustn’t eat, drink or smoke (or chew chewing gum) for 4 hours before the appointment. Water is okay to have up until 1 hour before your appointment. A simple way round this is booking an appointment late in the morning or afternoon and having breakfast or lunch at the normal time. If you eat, drink or smoke (other than water) in the 4 hours preceding the test, it is not worth doing as we can’t trust the results. When you come in we will ask you to fill in a Questionnaire which can help us in the diagnosis of your problem. The Breath Test is very simple and easy to do. We put a syringe (there is no needle attached) into your mouth while you breathe normally through your nose. It stays in your mouth for a minute then we suck up the Breath sample which is then injected into the Oral Chroma Breath Testing Machine. It takes about 5 minutes to analyse the sample after which we can show you the results and even print them out for you to take home. The Oral Chroma or simply known as “The breath testing machine” The Oral Chroma tests for 3 Volatile Sulphur Gases all of which are the end products of bacterial metabolism; Hydrogen Sulphide. The bacteria which grow on the upper surface of your tongue generate this gas. It smells like rotten eggs. The removal of these bacteria can be achieved in mild cases with tongue scraping or brushing. In more severe cases a probiotic is needed as well. Methyl Mercaptan. The bacteria which grow round the gums generate this gas. It smells like faeces. The removal of these bacteria is achieved, again in mild cases, with a complete removal of calculus (tartar) by the Dentist or Hygienist, and daily at home use of floss or interproximal brushes as well as thorough at home brushing. In more severe cases a probiotic is again needed. Dimethyl Sulphide. The bacteria that generate this gas grow round the throat, sinuses and nasal passages. A sinus rinse can help, a probiotic can help and you possibly may need to see an ENT Specialist if we can’t resolve the problem using the sinus rinse or probiotic. Probiotic’s for the mouth.. One of the miracles of the Bad Breath Treatment is the use of the K Force Probiotic developed by Blis Technologies. I have provided a link below to the Blis website. Blis...

Preparing your Child for their First Dental Visit If you’re an anxious patient, you may be anxious about your child’s first dental visit. It’s difficult to avoid passing on your phobias to your child – luckily, we’re here to help. If you have any questions or concerns at all, please simply get in touch now. First a few tips about taking your child to the dentist for the first time: · Don’t mention pain. Instead talk about the positive aspects like healthy teeth and gums · Do prepare them for what will happen by reading them stories and discussing the tools a dentist uses. Tell them about the uber cool chair! · Do make a game of opening your mouth very wide and show them how you can see all the way to their back teeth · Encourage your child to look at her teeth and to count them · Do book in for a suitable time in your child’s routine to avoid them being overly tired at the time of the appointment · Book a check-up first. We don’t want to do anything that may be upsetting on their first visit to the dentist! Jack’s First Trip to the Dentist – A Social Story Social stories are “fictional stories” around a child’s experience. They’re recommended by Paediatric Occupational Therapists to help children to understand situations around them in a familiar way. One of our young patients agreed to let us tell his story about his first dental visit. Please use this to prepare your child for what will happen when it’s their turn. This is a story about a boy named Jack. Jack was excited to be leaving daycare and heading to big kid kindy. His mum said “Jack, if you’re going to be a big kid, you’d better do what big kids do” Jack asked “What do big kids do?” His mum said “Well, big kids tidy their rooms, share with their bay sisters, take out the garbage and they go to the dentist.” “Well”, said Jack, I don’t like those things. I pick going to the dentist.” Mum and Jack practiced opening their mouths very, very wide. They counted their teeth and made ridiculous faces. Mum had a tooth with a filling in it. She said that she had to get a filling because she didn’t brush her teeth enough. Jack brushed his teeth very carefully – mum was very impressed. The next day Jack was very excited. Only big kids go to the dentist. His mum left his baby sister at daycare and Jack went to the dentist. Babies can’t go to the dentist. Only big kids. When they arrived there was a crazy dental...