Luminous Dentistry in Long Jetty, New South Wales, Australia | Medical and health

Luminous Dentistry

Locality: Long Jetty, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 2 4334 1383

Address: 1/441 The Entrance Road 2261 Long Jetty, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.luminousdentistry.com.au

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• Medical and health
• General dentist
• Dentist & dental surgery
• Cosmetic dentist

23.01.2022 Let’s talk about those little humans who have a thumb sucking habit! A common question we get a lot in the practice is from patients seeking advice for their child who has a thumb or a finger sucking habit. In saying that, we have also found it extremely common that a child has a thumb or finger sucking habit and the parents aren’t aware of the impact the habit can have on their developing mouth.... We want to start by making a note that thumb or finger sucking is normal for children under three years old and generally will grow out of the habit within their own time, but there are a percentage of children who don’t. It is also important to remember that a child will generally erupt their first tooth around 5-6 months of age, so a sucking habit at a young age can still have an impact on arch development below three years. If we think of the palate or the roof of the mouth as a piece of play dough, and you used your thumb to gently press on the centre of the dough you would notice a depression where your thumb was. This is a similar scenario when your child is thumb sucking, their palate or roof of the mouth is experiencing the same effect, and simply developing and forming around the shape of the thumb. A thumb sucking habit can cause issues with erupting teeth, issues with their bite, high narrow palate, airway problems, sleep problems, mouth breathing habit, gut issues and the list goes on and on. Similarly, there is discussion in the health industry that a thumbsucking habit may be a symptom of an airway issue. No matter which comes first, a myofunctional assessment is a great idea so that we can work with children and their parents, at their own pace, and prevent any issues along the way. A few final points I’d like to finish on! If you’re child is still thumbsucking over the age of 2 now would be a good time to discourage this habit. This can be an incredibly emotional time for children so be soft, and if it causes issues just let it go. If you want to throw the towel in, seek professional help! We have programs tailored for each child that will gently help them cease their habit, in a gentle, kind & fun manner!

21.01.2022 Ever heard of the term MTHFR? Well I’ll try and keep it real simple for you folks, so I can bring to light the importance of understanding this important little gene which is in charge of a very complex process! And why you might consider this not just for your general health but dental health too. Every human carries the gene MTHFR, it can either be normal, or carry a defect. This is referred to as the mutation.... The MTHFR gene is responsible for the process of converting folic acid (or folate) that we receive with foods into methylfolate, the form that our body can use. If the MTHFR gene mutation is present, this conversion is affected, and results in the body having a highly reduced ability to convert folic acid into a usable form and can lead to accumulation of the amino acid homocysteine which is toxic to the body. Folate or Vit B9, occurs naturally in foods, green leafy vegetables, organ meats etc. Folic acid is the synthetic derivative of folate and comes in the form of a food additive or supplement. Folic acid is the main ingredient in the VERY common prenatal supplement Elevit. When seeing pregnant patients, I always conduct a thorough exam and history to ensure that optimal oral health is achieved. As we know pregnancy really affects our gums and teeth, so this is CRUCIAL for our pregnant or planning patients. It is estimated that approx 30-40% of the population may suffer from the MTHFR gene mutation, & this is scary when you consider how many women may be supplementing with folic acid. I couldn’t tell you the amount of times my patients report feeling nauseas after taking a folic acid supplement such as Elevit, & report many other awful side effects. But the important point for me as an oral health practitioner and orofacial myologist, is the new link that the MTHFR gene mutation has to midline deficiencies such as tongue tie & lip ties, cleft palates, cleft lips and submucosal clefts. New research suggests that the high number of ankyloglossia cases may be linked to the folic acid supplementation, as when the MTHFR gene mutation is present, is can interfere with the midline processes & may in fact be causing the ties. I guess for me the issue is easy. Whether you have the MTHFR mutation or not, it would make sense to supplement with folate instead of folic acid, so you can simply avoid the issue altogether! If you’re curious whether you carry the MTHFR mutation, you can have a simple test to determine this. Got a question? Feel free to drop me a line!

21.01.2022 F L O S S I N G ! I’m curious, who here flosses their teeth? Like actually, not just once a week but every day? I’ve had a particular interest in flossing for some time now, and the use of it in treating my periodontally compromised patients.... I’d like to elaborate on a recent debate and discussions around is flossing helpful or not. But before I do, I’d like to do a bit of market research. Do you floss or not? And what you perceive your gum health to be, no matter if you do or don’t. In the meantime enjoy these ridiculous snaps Jenna and I took whilst in the clinic

16.01.2022 A very common question we get asked at Lumi is when should I start bringing my child to the dentist? My answer? The earlier the better! A good rule of thumb is when your child starts to erupt their baby teeth, even if we only go for a ride in the chair, count their teeth or simply meet the little soul and create a positive bond, it makes a significant impact in preventing any dental anxiety that may occur in the future.... Generally by the age of 1.5yrs old is a good guide. But at our practice, many parents bring their child in even as young babies for particular assessments of orofacial issues, tooth decay, and quite often cavity prevention education. Parents today are becoming increasingly aware that tooth decay is largely a nutrient deficiency in combination with other factors, so getting on this early can save so many issues in the future. Not only is it important to get your child comfortable in the dental chair from an early age, but it’s a great way to get your child or baby comfortable with correct brushing, by reinforcing technique, and checking for and preventing cavities. It is equally important to have an early assessment so any early warning signs of crooked teeth, incorrect breathing habits or oral habits can be addressed to have a more favourable outcome on their dental development for the future. I recommend regular six-monthly preventative appointments so no sneaky surprises pop up and if they do, we catch them early. Afterall, prevention is better than cure, right? A few tips for parents regarding how to word discussing and planning a dentist visit! Try to refer to visiting the dentist as visiting the ‘Tooth Fairy’s Best Friend’. When a child walks into my clinic, I always make a fuss and introduce myself as the Tooth Fairy’s Best Friend and they immediately soften to the idea. Don’t just spring it on the child last minute. Building hype and suspense around the visit can be beneficial, and mentally prepare your child for their appointment. It is a reward & novelty! Use it as positive reinforcement. Make it seem as fun as a trip to the zoo! Feel free to ask me a question!

16.01.2022 Ceramic restorations - got you thinking? At Luminous where possible we use materials that are as biocompatible as achievable. The reason we choose these products is to increase the degree on intra-oral stability.... Many of our health conscious patients are aware of a porcelain or ceramic filling benefits already and so they are currently a hot topic of conversation! A ceramic restoration is the strongest and longest lasting choice of restoration and will reduce the chance of your tooth cracking further enabling us to maintain as much tooth structure as possible. It is also capable of simulating the visual character of the tooth. Regular fillings are usually placed with a material called composite, which is a mixture of a ceramic, plastic compound, BPA, and other inorganic fillers such as silicone dioxide (silica). Despite the fact that composite fillings have improved over time, the concern for intrinsic toxicity remains high. When choosing a ceramic restoration you are making an investment for your mouth and furthermore your health. We use the latest technology with our CEREC machine where we design your restoration and the best milling unit to create your required restoration, all whilst you relax in the chair and watch your favourite show in a single appointment. Many clinical studies have commented on the longevity of ceramic restoration versus standard restorations in both their functional clinical longevity and their long-lasting aesthetic advantages. Now is the perfect time to maximise your health fund before the end of calendar year if you have been putting off that restoration for too long. Got a question? Just ask me!

14.01.2022 ONE DAY SMILE MAKEOVER Beautiful case from last week. Our patient chose to create a fresh new youthful look by having one of our same day smile makeovers. We have the best 3D scanner and printer technology which allows us to create a digital model of your teeth, and create the perfect new smile for you on the spot!... Milling time takes only 6-10 mins for us to print each individual new tooth. Which means your new smile can be ready in less than a couple of hours. So what does this mean? Gone are the days where you had to have an impression, temporaries placed and then come back 2-3 weeks later to have it all completed. One of our standout materials we use is a hybrid ceramic, lithium disilicate fused porcelain. This material is incredibly strong and beautifully opalescent to achieve a lovely natural look. So I know what you’re wondering, does this mean it’s a more costly way to do it? The answer is NO! Because we produce this all within our walls we can be flexible with our pricing. Each case needs to be discussed fully and is at the discretion of our clinicians. 8 unit veneers, EMAX BL3 Vita optiglaze. Book in for your free smile makeover consult. Got any questions? Drop me a line below!

12.01.2022 Calling all health fund members For the majority of patients, your dental benefits re-set every year. So that means if you haven’t used those benefits up until now, you’ll want to be sure you do use them before the end of the year. If you don’t, unfortunately you will forfeit those benefits as your health fund rolls over to 2021 ... So, if you have been thinking about those clean white teeth or that new smile makeover now is your time. Be sure to get in quick as appointments are filling up fast. We accept all health funds and you may be eligible for gap-free appointments. We are also a HCF Preferred Provider so your visit with us twice a year will be of no further charge. To secure your appointment you can reach us on 4334 1383 or book online via our website (link in bio)

11.01.2022 Dr Steven presenting on a multidisciplinary approach to dental care. I am proud of the model of care that we have created in our practice. A model that is fast becoming adopted amongst practices around the world. The mouth does not exist in isolation; and we make sure we address the issues presented by including all modalities relevant so that true treatment and prevention can occur.... Functional Dentistry

10.01.2022 Can we heal tooth decay naturally? With all the oral health awareness, knowledge, tooth brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, mouth rinses etc, you would think tooth decay would be a thing of the past. However, nothing could be further from reality. In my clinic I see many families who are touched by tooth decay, and I hate to see the devastation it causes to both parents and children.... If you’ve followed me for a while you would have probably picked up by now that the mouth is an incredible teacher and diagnostic tool for the body. And every tip I talk about with diet, nutrients, oral habits & breathing will help the body move back into balance, and yes may help to reverse cavities in particular circumstances. The concept of reversing cavities isn’t a hocus pocus one. In dental school we are taught that it is possible to reverse decay when certain topical medicaments are placed directly on the cavity. However, I believe if we focus on the cause then we shouldn’t need to turn to these treatment-like approaches. I think we need to start thinking of tooth decay as both a deficiency & imbalance. It’s about understanding the true anatomy and biochemical processes that take place within a tooth. Let’s take a look at some factors. Depth of the lesion: Early or incipient decay is where it occurs in the outer layers of your tooth, enamel & dentine. Enamel is in constant mineral flux with your saliva. It exchanges calcium that is part of a systemic calcium flux occurring throughout the body. If you body is not managing calcium properly in other areas of your body, then you can bet it’s not happening in your teeth. In decay which has reached the inner layers of our tooth, things get a little trickier as this is where the dental pulp can become involved. But like I said, we are taught that in dental school of the ability of teeth to heal themselves. It’s called reparative dentin, the pulp can lay down to protect the pulp after the enamel and dentin have broken down. So can you heal lesions & what happens when you do? ACTIVE lesions: these look light brown in colour and is when it is still progressing. INACTIVE lesions: this is when reparative dentin has been laid down to SEAL off the lesion. These go darker, often black which is called arrested caries. Here’s some simple steps to follow: 1. Reduce all simple carbohydrates incl white flour 2. Boost your fat soluble vitamin intake like organ meats 3. Increase sunlight exposure I believe as a society we need to change the messaging on tooth decay to give people and parents hope that it’s not all doom & gloom. Have you or a family member experienced tooth decay?

10.01.2022 Ok, let’s talk about something; Did you know it’s estimated 50% of people suffer from bad breath? Many people don’t realise how common it is. Do you or a loved one suffer from bad tastes, or odours from the mouth? It can be an incredibly embarrassing and difficult problem to diagnose. Did you know that mouthwashes and chewing gum could be masking a serious health issue and may even be making the problem worse? Today gut health is one of the most exciting areas of healthc...are innovation. Researchers are now finding that nearly every chronic disease has a common source in digestive imbalance. Well, the mouth and your gums are a living and accessible part of a healthy gut. Bad breath could be a sign that you suffer from conditions of the digestive tract. Did you know that the oral microbiome has probiotic species that protect against diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease? There are also bugs that are protective against imbalances that cause bad breath. The most common cause of bad breath begins in the mouth. However, beyond the mouth there are some serious diseases like liver failure, lung infections, and cancer can cause bad breath. Some of the most persistent types of bad breath may be due to an underlying health problem elsewhere in the body. At Luminous Dentistry we’re excited to announce our specialised Bad Breath Clinic is here to solve your bad breath problems. Our clinic is equipped with an Oral Chroma Gas Chromatography machine to help diagnose and pin point the exact cause of your bad breath. It’s also dedicated to healing not only your mouth but your own body. Our bad breath program, will incorporate nutritional analysis, supplementation, with the most cutting edge bad breath technology in Australia. If you or a family member suffer from bad breath , book a consult in our bad breath clinic today. Let’s start talking about bad breath. If you have a question we’re happy to answer them right here or Inbox us for more personal issues!

07.01.2022 MYOBRACE MONDAY! Today is a busy day full of Myobrace appointments including monthly’s and 3 issues for lucky new Myobrace patients! Here is Jenna our senior Myobrace educator preparing for our 2nd issue for today.... If you have concerns about tour child’s teeth crowding, snoring, teeth grinding, small jaws etc then this program may be of great benefit! Enquire today how our tailor Myofunctional programs may be of benefit to you or a loved one.

07.01.2022 WARM LEMON WATER // An increasing number of my patients drink lemon water every morning. And with it's undeniable health benefits why wouldn't you?! But there is a more sinister side to this cute and vibrant fruit, so I want to share with you a few small adjustments that will allow you to continue drinking lemon water, but will help to ensure your enamel stays where it should - on your tooth!... Try using cold water instead of warm, this makes the citric acids less available to your enamel. Consider how much lemon juice you are adding to your water, even a few drops will give you the health benefits. More is not necessarily better, in this case. Also consider the amount of water. Although there is little evidence on this, in theory the more diluted, the better. USE A STRAW! This will bring the juice more toward the back of your mouth away from your teeth. This actually applies to all fruit juice!! Rinse your mouth with water, preferably tap, straight after. This will help normalise your saliva, which will help remineralise your enamel while it's still soft from the acid. DO NOT BRUSH FOR 1 HOUR!!!! This is very important. The pH in your oral environment must neutralise first. Try lemon essential oil instead. It has all the benefits, but the oil is made from the lemon peel, not the fruit. This makes it healthier for your teeth! 1-2 drops in a glass of water is perfect. Be sure to use a therapeutic or medicinal grade oil. I love my Young Living Lemon essential.

07.01.2022 Today I’m seeing more and more kids whose milk teeth aren’t falling out during childhood development. It’s a warning sign because it’s a good marker for a thyro...id issue that is becoming more and more common today. Some are slow to become loose and take months to years to fall out, some will have the adult teeth erupting behind or in front, and some never fall out and trap the adult teeth underneath. During childhood development, the thyroid dictates the ‘rate’ of turnover. Hypothyroidism is associated with delayed dental eruption and milk teeth that don’t fall out. Besides delayed dental eruption, there are other signs: Mouth breathing Malformed enamel Salivary gland enlargement Inflamed red tongue A slow thyroid delays the growth of the jaws and increases rate of crooked teeth and delayed eruption of teeth. Thickening of the lips and macroglossia is due to increased accumulation of subcutaneous mucopolysaccharides i.e., glycosaminoglycans due to decrease in the degradation of these substances. The long-term effects of severe hypothyroidism on craniofacial growth and dental development have also included impaction of the mandibular second molars. Hyperthyroidism may have faster than normal dental eruption where kids teeth fall out faster than average Other signs of an over active thyroid may be: Increased dental decay Burning mouth syndrome Connective tissues like Sjrogen’s Syndrome In the case of kids with hypothyroidism, it’s important to obtain a diagnoses, because if milk teeth aren’t falling out, sometimes extraction can help ‘move’ dental development along. For example, if childhood canines don’t fall out in time, it can contribute to risk of adult canines becoming stuck in the bone and never erupting. The mouth shows us important clues for the rest of the body. Do you or a family member have a thyroid issue? Have they also suffered dental issues?

03.01.2022 This device might not look like much, and in theory it probably isn’t. But this little pocket rocket when incorporated into an individualised program can work some serious miracles. And even then, it’s not so much a miracle to those professionals who understand the mechanics of such an appliance. As when you fully understand the orofacial musculature you see how they can play a major role in developing straight teeth. Crooked teeth is largely considered a developmental norm t...hese days for any child. In the clinic, many parents will say to me oh yep I already know they’ll all have to have braces. It’s crazy how as a society and culture working backwards from crooked teeth to straight teeth has become an accepted milestone and process. But what if I told you that the teeth are crooked not because there are too many teeth, and not because the teeth are too big? What if I told you that in most cases teeth are crooked because the foundations, being the jaws, are too small and so the teeth have no choice but to become crooked and bunch up? In many cases teeth are so severely crooked that some teeth have become block out or ‘impacted’ and are unikely to erupt unless intervention. At Lumi, we love to focus on helping children achieve straight teeth, by ensuring their jaws and ultimately craniofacial structure and airways are developed to their full potential. The appliance pictured is just one tool from our toolbox that we may utilize to achieve this. If you have concerns that your child may be developing or already have crooked teeth then a Myofunctional consult may be a great first point of call. Reach out if you’d like to know if their are like minded functional dental professionals in your area and we will do our best to refer you. Alternatively we conduct Zoom consults worldwide if this would be of benefit. Got a question? Just ask!