Dentist in Perth discusses everything from cosmetic dentistry to flossing.

You can't lick BAD BREATH, but you can tame it. Perth dentist has tips and advice on getting halitosis under control.

2009-05-07T22:24:00.031+08:00

I have been involved in diagnosing, and treating bad breath since 1994.

When I was in San Diego, I had numerous patients with a history of gum disease. They had been seeing a gum specialist (periodontist) every six months, and alternate visits with me every six months as well. ( So they had their teeth and gums checked every 3 months). I know this sounds like a lot of visits, but it is common to be seen every 90 days, if your gums have been attacked by periodontal disease, as in most cases it is never cured, only managed.

I noticed that many of the patients, who by now had perfect, or relatively healthy gums, still had breath that smelled like persistent diseased or infected gums.

This lead me to become interested in the causes and cures for oral malodour, as it is now courteously known.(*please see below for more history)

In many cases "bad breath" is simply "morning breath" that lasts all day. When we sleep our saliva flow shuts off. The dead cells, food and bacteria all start fermenting and upon awakening ...Voila! morning breath! If you skip breakfast and run off to work, you can be sure of not having many friends. Breakfast is one of the best ways to clean all the smelly debris off your tongue. It is best if you choose something like a crunchy bread roll, or wholewheat toast instead of soft white bread. An apple instead of a banana, crispy cereal instead of soft porridge...I think you get the picture.
After breakfast make sure you perform perfect oral hygiene.(read some of the other posts on my blog for more information) If you didn't floss or clean between your teeth before bed, don't skip it now, as that is a sure way to get gum disease and bad breath. Lastly, scrape your tongue making sure to reach the back third ,in the centre where most of the odour causing germs hide. Be careful not to injure the row of very large mushroom like taste buds back there! Some people can brush their tongue, but I find it gags me, and I can do a better job with a specially designed scraper. Chew a piece of sugar-free gum, preferably sweetened with Xylitol, on your way to work. This stimulates saliva flow, and also has a pleasant masking effect.
Anything that dries out your mouth, like stress, air conditioning, dehydration, medication, alcohol containing mouthwashes, smoking and mouth breathing when you have a cold or allergies combined with "post-nasal-drip" helps the odour causing bacteria on the back third of your tongue. Chewing gum (as above) several times a day, can increase your saliva flow rate, but only if you drink enough water and stop or reduce drying medication (consult your GP)
Using a mouthwash with Chlorhexidine for 2 consecutive days a week, can be beneficial. There are specific products to use, as some will stain your teeth. Also you can't use it straight after brushing with normal toothpaste, as it reduces the effect. (Please feel free contact me for further details on this)

*I had been a collector of antique dental instruments since after graduating in 1983. When I was in London I went to an exhibition of old medical and dental instruments. I purchased a few different items and so my collection started. In 1985, when in Hong Kong, I bought a set of silver instruments attached together...a toothpick, an ear pick and a tongue scraper! I later found out that they are from the 16th century. As my collection grew over the years I acquired a tortoise shell /ivory example and a Victorian silver scraper.

But it was only in 1994 that I thought of trying out the old Chinese scraper. It was fantastic. My food tasted better and my mouth felt cleaner. Since I was working close to people all day I felt more confident about my breath. I was now researching bad breath and was collaborating with experts all over the world.

This led me to design my own version of the old Chinese scraper and it was called "Breath-So-Fresh" I travelled to several biannual International Conferences on Breath Odour Research and became very involved. Tongue cleaning was becoming recognised as one of the ways to reduce the odour emanating from the mouth.

Click here for a summary of the "Breath-So-Fresh" tongue cleaner patent

For a very informative and highly regarded article on tongue cleaning click here

This article is solely the professional and individual opinion of Dr. Clifford Yudelman a Perth dentist in Nedlands, Western Australia and does not replace the professional guidance of your own personal dentist. He/she is the best person to counsel you on specific products for your specific situation. Please consult with them if you have any questions regarding anything mentioned in this article.

Dentist in Perth discusses alternative to flossing teeth.

2009-04-22T20:18:00.020+08:00

So many patients tell me that they can't get it right when it comes to flossing. Getting your hands in your mouth, getting the floss between all the teeth, blood everywhere...yuk!

A while back when I was in San Diego, a patient of mine who was a mother, and child psychologist, said that when growing up our parents keep saying things like: "get your hands out of your mouth".

Then when we get to 13 or 14 the dentist or hygienist says :"this is how you stick your hands in your mouth...just do it"

Face it, flossing just doesn't come naturally. Many patients who do really try, just can't get their gums to stop bleeding, even when they do it everyday.
If you do floss everyday, it then comes down to perfect technique. I have posted a video with tips on flossing previously and it is really helpful. I have shown it mainly to younger patients who are still keen and eager to learn.

When it comes to older patients I have found that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", which means it is difficult to make someone change the way they do something when they have been doing it the same way for a long time, or in the case of flossing, not doing it at all.

The other expression that comes to mind involves larger four legged creatures(horses) and water!

You say this when you can give someone the opportunity to do something, but you cannot force them to do it if they do not want to, or in the case of dental floss just can't.

Well don't worry, all is not lost. I have found a system from Switzerland that works so well, and is easy to master after only a few tries.

Since nobody needs to be taught to use a toothpick I thought that there must be something simpler than flossing. After 20 years of nagging, demonstrating, threatening and getting on my knees and downright begging patients to floss I was about to "throw in the towel" when I discovered Curaprox Prime. Now even though this is a plug for the company and the product, I can assure you I am not on their payroll!

The website states "When you insert the interdental brush into an interdental space for the first time, there is frequently bleeding and it can sometimes be a little painful. Don't worry! You are not bleeding because you have injured yourself, but because you have a small open wound there caused by plaque. Gums only bleed if they are irritated by excessive plaque. If you use your interdental brush correctly, the problem will generally resolve itself after just ten days. The bleeding gums you experience at first will disappear" and I have found this to be the case every time.

The company has a great website with a demonstration video and in Perth you can buy their products at Broadway Fair Pharmacy or Captain Stirling Pharmacy.

This article is solely the professional and individual opinion of Dr. Clifford Yudelman a Perth dentist in Nedlands, Western Australia and does not replace the professional guidance of your own personal dentist. He/she is the best person to counsel you on specific products for your specific situation. Please consult with them if you have any questions regarding anything mentioned in this article.

White wedding teeth…. Perth dentist offers advice.

2009-04-15T22:20:00.009+08:00

It’s coming up for the big day and everything is under control.
You’ve got the ring, the dress, and the flowers.
You’ve decided on the menu, the guest list and the invitations.
You have a photographer, videographer and a fantastic venue.
The hair is sorted and you know who will be doing your makeup.

But some things are not under your control…like what kind of weather will I have?

Then you realise: “Oops…I have always wanted a glistening pearly white smile and what better time than now? They will really stand out in the wedding videos and photos. They can brighten up my face and make me look younger, fresher and healthier.” You can try doing it yourself with a kit off the internet or from the supermarket.

Think about it…are you doing your own flowers or doing the catering? Ask your dentist about professional tooth whitening options for the safest and best possible results.

Dr Yudelman has looked at all the options and recommends: Nite White® ACP Bleaching Gel By Discus Dental. There will be more about this soon.

Australia: Perth dentist says chewing gum can make your dental cavities go away!

2009-04-15T21:03:00.009+08:00

Did you know that scientific research has proven that chewing gum with the natural sweetener Xylitol, can help cut down on dental decay and even remineralise early cavities?

Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and is produced commercially from plants such as birch, and other hard wood trees and fibrous vegetation.

Chewing gum sweetened with Xylitol after snacks and between meals, has been shown in numerous studies to reduce new dental caries 30-60%. In younger patients who have their 6 year or 12 year molars erupting, it can have lasting effects and reduce caries by 70% on these teeth. It inhibits the growth of S. Mutans, the germs most associated with dental decay. It has a significant effect on reducing plaque.

Chewing sugar free gum with the sweetener Xylitol listed as the first ingredient is very beneficial in stimulating saliva and reducing cavity causing bacteria. It helps alleviates dry mouth. Dry mouth (Xerostomia) is associated with a significant increase in cavities.

I recommend Wrigley’s Extra Professional which is available at the supermarket. Sweetlife Dental Gum is available at Broadway Fair Pharmacy ( it has 66 % Xylitol and no artificial sweeteners).

For more information please contact Dr. Clifford Yudelman a Perth dentist in Nedlands, Western Australia

Australia: Perth dentist lists 10 top oral hygiene products and tips

2009-04-14T21:41:00.013+08:00

Every day patients ask me "what kind of toothbrush should I use", or "can you recommend a dental floss?"

Well here are the top ten things on my list

Dental floss. They are all good but one of my favorites is "Reach Dental Floss Waxed" or the minty one called "whitening" just for the flavour. Remember "you don't have to floss all your teeth...just the ones you want to keep!"
Interproximal brushes. Many people can't floss, won't floss, hate floss, just ran out of floss. After 25 years I have heard every excuse in the book. Flossing is difficult and luckily there is an alternative. Tiny brushes that go between your teeth. Not the larger ones that will only fit under a bridge, next to an implant or if you have had periodontal disease. I like the ones from Switzerland called Curaprox. There will be more about them soon.
Toothpicks. Come on, the least you can do is pick your teeth! Not the round ones you get at cocktail parties (in your Martini) or with the corner of an old business card. I am talking about special triangular ones made from soft wood. They don't damage your gums and do a pretty good job, and at least get the bits of food out. In Perth Australia we get the Sensodyne brand "InterDens fine" which are excellent and which you must moisten before use.
Manual toothbrush. Very soft but nothing too fancy. Again there is nothing to beat the Curaprox Brand and the one I like best is model CS 3960 "supersoft"
Electric or power toothbrush. If you're going to spend the money, get the best. Many patients do better with a manual brush than the cheap throw-away electric ones. You can't beat the Braun Oral-B Triumph Professional Care 9500 or the Sonic Complete.
Tongue cleaner or scraper-daily use is essential to ensure fresh breath. These work much better than brushing the tongue. We give all our patients one that I developed called the "Breath-So-Fresh". Some pharmacies now have a few different ones in stock, and you should try several, as all tongues are slightly different. Find one that reaches the back third of the tongue and isn't too sharp, but still effective.
Mouthwash. Most of my patients don't need it. I have posted recently about the controversy surrounding oral cancer and strong alcohol mouthwashes. In some cases I recommend Curasept Chlorhexidine 0.12% non-staining toothpaste and mouthwash. More about this soon.
Toothpaste. I don't like the more expensive ones with lots of ingredients. All that is necessary is a mild abrasive and fluoride. I like "Colgate Fluorigard Anti-Cavity Great Regular Flavour".
Plaque disclosing tablets. Yes the little tablets that you chew and all your teeth go pink are still around. By the way the pink is all the plaque you missed. New tablets now available will show old plaque in blue.
Timer. You cannot brush effectively in less than 2 minutes no matter what your technique. It feels like forever but it's only 2 minutes!

Flossing is easy. Watch this great video for some tips.

2009-04-12T11:23:00.001+08:00

How To Floss Your Teeth on Howcast

Here is an interesting "how to" video on keeping your teeth white.

2009-04-12T11:14:00.002+08:00

Dentist in Perth says: "Porcelain veneers for cosmetic dental makeover may not be for you."

2009-04-12T10:17:00.008+08:00

Porcelain veneers are all the rage today, with instant makeover shows on television glamorizing cosmetic dental procedures, along with face lifts and breast enlargements.

The average person just wants their teeth a little whiter or straighter, or has old fillings that have gone dark. A few front teeth may be slightly chipped.

Wikipedia defines “cyberchondria” as a colloquial term to describe the behaviour of individuals who use the Internet to gather information on health or healthcare, for themselves or people in their care. Although there may not be much about how “cyberchondria” relates to cosmetic dentistry, there are people who self diagnose the need for veneers.

No matter what their smile looks like, they think porcelain veneers are the answer. This may not be the case and you should seek more than one opinion as with all irreversible, surgical medical procedures, especially of the elective or cosmetic kind.

In conclusion porcelain veneers may be the most expensive option in the long run and may not be required for your particular case.

There certainly are cases where they are the best option, and if done properly can achieve a natural and cosmetically pleasing result.

Over the last 25 years many of my patients have simply required 10- 14 nights of take-home bleaching, some quick, simple, inexpensive cosmetic contouring, and the replacement of old discloured fillings. For crowding orthodontic referral may be the best option.

This article is solely the professional and individual opinion of Dr. Clifford Yudelman, a Perth dentist in Nedlands, Western Australia and does not replace the professional guidance of your own personal dentist. He/she is the best person to counsel you if a dental procedure like porcelain veneers, cosmetic contouring, tooth whitening or orthodontics, may be the right treatment for your specific situation. Please consult with them if you have any questions regarding anything mentioned in this article.

For more information from "The Journal of the American Dental Association" JADA called "Veneer Mania" click the link