This is a question we hear frequently at our Kenmore Dental Practice. The simple answer is by the time the child reaches the age of 2, (although guidelines vary with different countries' dental professional associations).

The most important thing is that we get your child used to seeing a dentist in a relaxed manner early on so that we can detect any issues before they start causing pain. Not only that, we can help you with advice and encouragement to ensure that your kids grow up with the best chance of having healthy teeth and gums through good eating and hygiene habits.

Check your child’s eligibility for dental services under the Child Dental Benefit Scheme which can cover part or all the cost of your child’s dental treatment. See here.

Our team of dedicated Dentists at Brookfield Road Dental Kenmore are here to partner with you and your kids to have having healthy, happy smiles.

For more information see here.

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Brookfield Road Dental are excited to announce the addition of Dr Anne Conlan to our dental team of Dr Phil Rigby and Dr Theingi Ma. Dr Anne is a highly regarded dentist bringing a wealth of experience to our practice. Her professionalism is well known to residents of the western suburbs after years of delivering top quality service to her patients in the area.

Dr Anne will be available for appointments on Tuesdays at our Kenmore practice from 9am to 6pm.

Call 3378 4243 or see here.

So it’s that time of the year again where the aspirational among us look to the year ahead and what changes we might like to see and what we can do better.

Exercising more, losing weight and getting more organised often appear at the top of most people’s lists, but a study shows that less than half of those who make New Year’s resolutions are able to follow through.

One resolution you can put at the top of your list this January is to book in for your dental check-up. It may have been a while but it is never too late to get in touch with your dentist and give your teeth the care they deserve.

Our team of dentists at Brookfield Road Dental at Kenmore will put you at ease and ensure that this is one New Year’s resolution that you can actually keep!

Toothpastes containing charcoal as their main active ingredient have been widely promoted in recent times. Using charcoal to clean teeth has been around since ancient times but with widespread advocacy by Instagram influencers and internet bloggers alike, is there substance behind the hype and are these products safe and effective for use by you and your family?

Positive claims include whitening and breath-freshening benefits, remineralization of teeth, stain removal and even detoxifying effects on your teeth and gums. The problem is that claims such as these need to be backed up by solid evidence.

The Journal of the American Dental Association recently conducted a literature review looking at claims made and any proven benefits from using these products and their findings should urge us to be cautious…

“There is insufficient scientific evidence that these products effectively promote tooth whitening, oral detoxification, or provide any therapeutic properties”.

As well as unproven claims of safety of these products, there is no evidence of their ability to promote enamel remineralization as few if any of the charcoal toothpastes contain proven ingredients in this area such as fluoride. Abrasiveness has been noted as another problem, which means that charcoal may remove surface stains but wear on your enamel.

Our team of Dentists at Kenmore will only recommend oral care products of the highest quality that have the backing of solid scientific research. For more information see here.

The joy of expecting a baby is a wonderful time in life. While the focus of a Mum-to-be is understandably on wanting the best for her unborn child her own health cannot be ignored, including dental health.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your teeth, gums and mouth. Gums can bleed more easily, known as pregnancy gingivitis. Morning sickness and intolerance to certain usual foods in her diet can place a pregnant woman at greater risk of dental decay and erosion. Prevention is the key as always to minimising these issues.

Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting; wait at least 30 mins and try to rinse out with water straight away (or water with a quarter teaspoon of baking soda) to help flush away and neutralize acids. Avoid sugary snacks and chew sugar free gum to stimulate saliva. See your dentist for a regular 6 monthly check up and clean. Step up gum care at home with twice daily brushing and flossing.

Your team of Kenmore dentists at Brookfield Road Dental are here to make sure you don’t forget to look after yourself. For more information see here and here.

This Sunday, 14th October is World Cavity-Free Future Day, an alliance of professional and trade bodies to boost awareness and help prevent cavities in adults and children.

Whilst dental cavities can be a minor problem for people who can afford high quality dental care, it is a major burden for those who do not have access dental treatment leading to suffering and loss of quality of life.

You can join the fight by choosing to drink water instead of sugary drinks for a day.

Join the campaign by using the #WCFFDay on 14th October.

Post a photo of your smile on Facebook to @australiandentalassociation, @acffanz or @colgateanz.

Dry mouth or a lack of saliva can sometimes be a temporary problem, such as when we are nervous or dehydrated. Constant, chronic dry mouth becomes a real problem for our dental health when we lack the protection our saliva gives our teeth and gums. This can make us a higher risk of dental decay and gum disease.

Saliva not only helps us to chew and swallow foods but also neutralizes acids, fights against bacteria and viruses and helps to re-harden the enamel on our teeth. Amazing stuff then and definitely missed when we don’t have enough.

Reasons for lack of saliva can include age, medications, mouth breathing, some auto-immune diseases and hormone imbalances amongst other causes. Speak with your doctor to look at strategies which may improve dry mouth from a general health point of view.

Your team of Dentists here in Kenmore can help you with preventive advice to minimize the dental effects. This may include using special toothpastes and conditioners, dietary advice regarding avoiding sugary foods, staying hydrated by sipping tap water regularly and chewing sugar free gum to help stimulate saliva flow.

For more information see here or here.

When visiting your Dentist regularly becomes a habit, not only are you ensuring the best possible outcome for your teeth and gums but also are doing much to improve your general health by ensuring potentially serious conditions do not go unnoticed.

Our team of Dentists at Kenmore ensure that when we see you for your regular comprehensive examination we screen for oral cancers. Your Dentist is highly trained at the detection of oral cancers and this means that if detected early outcomes can be greatly improved.

So don’t delay. For the sake of your dental and general health, book in for your check up today.

For more information see here

It’s Dental Health Week again and it’s a timely reminder to “Watch Your Mouth”. The best news is that you can get your oral health on track by following some simple steps:

*Take your time with tooth brushing

*Be careful with what you eat

*Don’t forget your floss

*Get in touch with your Dentist for a check up

Our team of Dentists here at Kenmore want you to enjoy good oral health that lasts a lifetime. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

For more information check here

Dental erosion happens when the enamel of your teeth is dissolved away by being exposed to acid. This can result from acidic foods and drinks in our diet such as soft drinks juice and sports drinks. What many people do not realise is that our own acid, as a result of reflux or vomiting can play a major role in dental erosion.

This erosion can result in loss of the hard white tooth enamel which can lead to yellowish depressions appearing on your teeth. As well as the cosmetic issues erosion can greatly increase sensitivity of teeth and lead to more complex issues such as the breakdown of teeth requiring complex restoration.

Prevention as always is the best measure. See your Dentist regularly for check-ups. Your Dentist may prescribe tooth conditioners to help minimise the problems of enamel loss and sensitivity. Check with your doctor if reflux and other issues could be the cause. Carefully consider your dietary choices and maximise your hydration with fluoridated tap water.

For more information see here or here.

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Last year we wrote about the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums for those living with diabetes. There is more evidence now of the two-way relationship between Diabetes and gum disease.

Not only can Diabetes Mellitus can increase the development and severity of Periodontal (gum disease), but the presence of gum disease can worsen the ability to control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

It is important that people living with diabetes have a team approach to managing their condition that includes both Medical and Dental specialist and general practitioners.

More information can be found at http://www.scirp.org/(S(i43dyn45teexjx455qlt3d2q))/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=70524

Or speak to your Dentist.

As of 1st February 2018, medicines containing codeine will only be available via a prescription. There are good reasons for doing this, most importantly that there is strong evidence that alternative medicines such as Paracetamol plus Ibuprofen are more effective in controlling strong dental pain.

Added to the problems with codeine such as tolerance (needing a higher dose to have the same affect) and withdrawal issues we need to be careful with what we take for dental pain. Consult with your Doctor, Dentist or Pharmacist to be better informed as to the best option for you.

For more information see https://www.nps.org.au/medical-info/consumer-info/medicines-with-codeine-what-you-need-to-know

It’s that time again when a new year dawns and we cast our thoughts to what we would like to achieve in our lives and changes we would like to make. If Google is any guide it could be anything from losing weight to improving fitness or even quitting smoking.

What are your new year’s Dental resolutions? Is that checkup you were always meaning to do about 3 years overdue? In our busy lives worrying about everyone else we need to take some time out to look after ourselves. A simple idea to reinvigorate your dental care could be as easy as buying yourself an electric toothbrush. Once you get the hang of it brushing with a manual toothbrush will never feel as good.

Book in for a checkup with your Dentist and start devoting a little more time to caring for yourself!

When you come to Brookfield Road Dental to remake your smile you not only benefit from our experience but also the expertise of the artisans at Hade Dental Ceramics.

Using this Australian owned and made dental laboratory not only allows us to seamlessly match your new crown or bridge with your smile but also ensures that every prosthesis fits well and needs minimal chair time to fit.

Brookfield Road Dental and Hade Dental Ceramics, proudly serving the families of the Kenmore and Brisbane for over 20 years.

For more information see http://www.hadedental.com/

or https://www.instagram.com/hadedentalceramics/

Asthma is a growing public health problem and its effects on your dental health can have a great impact on your quality of life. There are side effects of commonly prescribed asthma medications to reopen airways and reduce inflammation which need to be understood so that you can control your asthma but enjoy good oral health as well.

Your teeth may be more susceptible to dental decay and erosion due to the way asthma medication can reduce the flow and quality of saliva which is vital to neutralize acids and provide an antibacterial cleanser for your teeth. This problem is made worse by mouth breathing which dries the mouth.

Some asthma medications are acidic themselves which weakens tooth enamel or in the case of dry powder inhalers or syrups may contain carbohydrates which can directly lead to dental decay.

Being asthmatic may make you more susceptible to gum disease and oral thrush due to decrease saliva flow and suppression of your immune system. This all sounds bad but there are measures that can be taken to ensure your Dental health does not suffer.

Firstly speak with your Doctor and Pharmacist to ensure that your asthma medication is optimised for your situation. See your Dentist regularly for check-ups.Rinse out with water after taking your medication and try to stay more hydrated in general.Chew sugar-free chewing gum.

Prevention as always is far better than a cure, and your team of Dentists here in Kenmore are more than happy to help.

For more information see

ORAL HEALTH MATTERS IN OUR BUSY LIVES

When our days are hectic from start to finish and we collapse into bed late at night, it can be all too easy to forget to take proper care of ourselves. This is most noticeable when we fail to care for our teeth and gums.

Have you noticed yourself racing out the door in the morning without brushing your teeth? Snacking between meals on sugar rich snacks to boost your energy? You are certainly not alone however it only takes a few changes in daily habits to have a positive effect on your dental and general health.

Take the time to brush twice daily for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and soft bristled toothbrush in good condition……….DON’T RUSH IT!

A well-chosen breakfast can keep you fuelled well into the day and reduce the temptation for sugary snacks. On the subject of snacks consider nuts, carrot sticks, cheese or non-sugary yoghurt to keep you going.

Lastly don’t forget to keep up regular hydration with PLAIN water which helps to flush away food particles in the mouth as well as boosting saliva flow.

For more information check out the Australian Dental Association’s Dental Health Week 2017 webpage,

As the average age of the Australian population gets older, this presents new challenges to our dental health that have not been an issue in years gone by. Whereas previously a much greater proportion of older Australians did not keep their natural teeth and wore dentures, these days there is a greater proportion of elderly Australians in aged care who still have their natural teeth and need to care for them to avoid unnecessary discomfort and loss of quality of life.

This need for dental care is further complicated by conditions such as Dementia, with an estimated 900, 000 living with this disease by the year 2050.

Prevention is always the best approach, ensuring our older Australians have access to a nutritious but not decay-causing diet, as well as building and reinforcing good habits with regards to tooth brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, frequent hydration with plain water and regular dental check-ups.

Our team of Dentists at Kenmore have over 20 years’ experience caring for the Dental needs of older Australians. For more information see https://www.ada.org.au/Your-Dental-Health/Older-Adults-65

Only a professionally supplied tooth whitening treatment from your Dentist can ensure your safety and satisfaction. Professional Dental whitening begins with a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to avoid any issues which may complicate the process such as dental decay or chipped teeth.

Only a professionally supplied treatment will ensure your gums are protected by using custom fitting trays, ensuring the peroxide gel does not contact sensitive gums or cause stomach upsets. Over the counter kits with stock trays cannot hope to do this job as well.

Only by receiving a whitening treatment from your registered Dentist can you be assured of the quality of the whitening gel which has been formulated to meet government standards and developed to work effectively whilst minimising any tooth sensitivity.

If you have any questions regarding whitening of your teeth, ask your Dentist.

Many parents can become concerned when they look into their child’s mouth and see adult teeth coming in behind baby teeth. The common term “Shark’s Teeth” does not do anything to reassure!

Children often begin to lose baby teeth and get permanent teeth between the ages of 5 and 7. Usually if the erupting adult tooth is directly under the baby tooth it will cause the roots of the baby tooth to resorb so that it can fall out. If the adult tooth is not aligned so well the baby tooth may remain in place as the adult tooth erupts, giving rise to 2 rows of teeth.

Often the baby teeth will loosen and fall out in time without any outside help. Only if the baby tooth is hardly loose or not loose at all will intervention from your Dentist be required by way of removing the baby tooth. The position of the new adult teeth may improve in time as the tongue and lip work together to align the teeth, however your Dentist may need to monitor the situation for need for orthodontic correction.

Please ask our friendly team of Dentists at Kenmore if you have any concerns regarding your child’s teeth.

A recently published article suggested that there was no health benefit to flossing. Some would argue that we can now get rid of years of guilt because of our irregular flossing and move on to a brave new world of floss free dental care.

Before you all throw a floss burning party there are a couple of things to consider. All Dental professionals agree on the importance of cleaning between your teeth. Physically disturbing the layer of bacterial plaque helps to break it down and keep our teeth and gums healthier. It just so happens that flossing is one of a number of ways to do this. Discuss with your Dental professional whether the alternatives including interdental brushes, water flossers and Waterpiks are suitable in your case.

For more information see http://www.livescience.com/55737-should-you-floss-what-experts-say.htmlor see your friendly team at Brookfield Road Dental at Kenmore.

People who have Diabetes have a higher risk of tooth problems and gum disease. People living with diabetes need to pay attention to their oral health and dental care.

It is important to look after your oral health with regular brushing and flossing and control blood glucose levels to have healthy gums.

Suffering from dry mouth and higher blood glucose can lead to quite aggressive dental decay. This is made especially worse with the intake of sugary snacks.

It is vital that you follow your doctor’s advice about diet and medication to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

And most importantly visit your dentist regularly. Our friendly team of Dentists at Kenmore will gladly answer any of your concerns.

For more information see https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/news/11085?type=articles

The Federal Government's Child Dental Benefits Schedule, providing free basic Dental care to eligible children aged 2-17 is set to continue in 2017. One issue we see at our practice at Kenmore is that so many parents are not aware of the scheme or do not take advantage of it.

Brookfield Road Dental bulk bill all services for eligible children, which means we can provide basic services as checkups, cleans and fillings with NO out of pocket expenses.

Check with the Department of Human Services for your child's eligibility and don't miss out.

Dry mouth is not only an uncomfortable condition to live with but can also lead to more serious issues. Some of the causes can arise from medical issues, medication taken and even treatment for other conditions.

Common complaints are sore dry burning mouth, problems with tasting and swallowing and even bad breath. The dental issues that can result are gum disease, tooth decay and thrush.

Whilst treating the causes of dry mouth can be challenging, practical measures to deal with the condition include staying well hydrated, chewing sugar free gum and using a special artificial saliva to lubricate the mouth. Dietary choices are critical.

Your friendly team of dentists at Kenmore can also advise you with special products designed to protect your precious enamel against tooth decay.

For more information read this fact sheet from Queensland Health.

These days we are bombarded with advertising on the best drink to quench that thirst.

Stop for a second to consider how much sugar it contains and the effects it will have on your teeth and your health.

Professional sports bodies such as Cricket NSW have ditched sports drinks for good ‘ol H2O. Isn’t it about time you did too?

For more information see this article by the ABC.

Next time you see your Dentist, ask whether your dental crown or bridge is made in Australia. Only a Dentist who uses an Accredited Australian Lab can personally vouch that your dental work is made to the highest standards with the best quality materials.

Our dentists at Kenmore only use Australian Dental laboratories. This relationship not only ensures quality and your safety, but also allows us direct communication with the person responsible for your precious dental work to ensure your satisfaction.

Recently celebrity chef Pete Evans has received publicity for his dietary advice and more importantly his objection to water fluoridation.

Water fluoridation has been shown to be both safe and effective at reducing dental decay. There is decades of solid research to back this up.

For more information see this article by the Australian Dental Association.

Are you guilty? Even the super-fit and health conscious among us can cause damage to our teeth by snacking frequently on sugar rich bars and gels and washing them down with acidic sports drinks.

Our team of friendly Dentists at Kenmore can give you advice on how to avoid costly dental decay and erosion.

Bleaching is a great way to improve the appearance of your smile in an easy, non-invasive way. It is very important though to have your teeth checked beforehand to ensure you have no dental issues that will complicate things, such as cavities or cracked teeth.

Your team of friendly dentists at Kenmore will thoroughly check your teeth and mouth before starting any whitening treatment to ensure you get the best possible result.

You can get whitening treatment at Brookfield Road Dental for the new lower price of $290.

Using a fluoride toothpaste twice daily is the most effective means of preventing tooth decay.

Did you know that there are different preparations designed to target the unique dental issues that people might have, from sensitive teeth, gum disease and older adults who are at a higher risk of dental decay due to dry mouth.

Our team of friendly Dentists at Kenmore would be happy to discuss your needs.

We are into footy and hockey season for another year. If you haven’t had a custom mouthguard made up for you it’s not too late.

A custom made mouthguard is a much better choice for protection as it fits more accurately and can spread the impact of a blow much more effectively. It is also far more likely to be worn correctly.

Just because your child may be receiving orthodontic treatment does not mean that they cannot have a custom mouthguard fitted, and we are happy to modify the guard during the course of the season if required at no further expense.

Your team of dentists at Kenmore are happy to discuss your sporting protection needs. For more information see this article by the Australian Dental Association.

Sports drinks, soft drinks, energy drinks and fruit juices can all contain acid and dissolve the enamel off your teeth.

Drink water frequently to keep yourself hydrated and protect your teeth from the permanent effects of acid erosion.

For more information see this article by the Australian Dental Association Queensland.

Most dental extras policies cover a check-up and clean every 6 months. You are paying for this level of cover in your premiums.

If you forget to see your dentist regularly, you’ll feel like a patient we recently saw at our Dental practice at Kenmore who said, “Well, I guess my health fund had a win last year!”

Make sure you and your family are the winners and book in for your regular check-up and clean!