Dr. Stephan Horwitz (BDS(Wits)) Chewing sugar free gum for 20 minutes after meals and snacks has been shown to significantly reverse early signs of tooth decay. Stimulated saliva contains a higher concentration of the same types of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl ions that occur normally…
Dr. Anna-Paula de Freitas Concerns of Parents and their growing children: Signs or habits that may indicate the need for an early orthodontic examination: – Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of…
Dr Geoffrey Melman BDS MSc(Dent)(Witwatersrand) Speciality in Paediatric Dentistry (U.K.) The premature loss or unsightly appearance of grossly decayed primary anterior teeth (nursing bottle caries) fig. 1 (“baby” or “milk” teeth) may physically handicap, embarrass and psychologically traumatise a young child.1,2,3,4 Left untreated, decayed teeth…
Dr Sameera Yusufmia (Bchd, Dip Clin Dent) Bruxism is defined as the involuntary grinding of teeth especially at night. It results in wear of tooth surfaces due to tooth to tooth contact i.e. attrition. How can I check? You will either notice the noise created by the child grinding…
Dr. Bradley Selvan BDS(Wits) The incidence of dental trauma, to a child’s front teeth (usually upper teeth) has increased over the last few years, due to accidents, sport related injuries and violence. Protruded upper incisors and insufficient lip closure may be predisposing factors. Knocked out…
Dr. Bradley Selvan BDS(Wits) Dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during participation in sports; the majority of these dental injuries are preventable. A sportsman/woman is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when notwearing a protective mouthguard. The…
Dr Janet Gritzman BA, BDS(Wits), P.D.D.(PTA)Dip Odont Endo(PTA), Dipl.Dent (Conscious Sedation & Pain Control)(UWC) Why is it important to clean my baby’s mouth and teeth? Cleaning a baby’s mouth and teeth is important for the preservation of healthy teeth and gums, and maintaining the general health…
Dr Janet Gritzman BA, BDS(Wits), P.D.D.(PTA)Dip Odont Endo(PTA), Dipl.Dent (Conscious Sedation & Pain Control)(UWC) Rinse the mouth with warm salt water. Place a cold compress on the face if it is swollen. Give the child paracetamol (Panado) for pain. Do Not – place asprin on the…
Dr. Stephan Horwitz (BDS(Wits)) A fissure sealant is a resin which is placed in the grooves and fissures on the biting surfaces of molar and premolar teeth in order to form a protective barrier in areas where the end bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach.…
Dr Janet Gritzman BA, BDS(Wits), P.D.D.(PTA)Dip Odont Endo(PTA), Dipl.Dent (Conscious Sedation & Pain Control)(UWC) At what age should a child have his/her first dental check-up? Early visits to the dentist have been strongly recommended to help reduce the number of infants and children who suffer from…
