Sinnamon Park Dental

29/05/2026

Fun Friday 😷👍

27/05/2026

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease

22/05/2026

We need a venue for our staff lunch and meeting- where’s the best place to go? Only one answer really!

12/05/2026

Late night appointments and the natives get restless! Especially if the patient is a dental assistant!!

11/05/2026

Why some cavities don't hurt!!

Most cavities don’t start with pain.
That’s what makes them dangerous.

A cavity can quietly grow inside a tooth for months while you feel completely normal. In the early stage, decay only affects enamel — the outer layer of the tooth that has no nerves. So even while acid is slowly damaging the tooth, there may be no warning signs at all.

Pain usually starts much later, when the cavity reaches deeper layers closer to the nerve. That’s why many people suddenly develop severe toothaches “out of nowhere.” In reality, the decay was already advanced long before the pain appeared.

Some cavities are especially hard to notice because they form between teeth, under old fillings, or in areas you can’t easily see. Even without pain, signs like sensitivity, food getting stuck repeatedly, dark spots, bad breath, or a rough feeling on a tooth may signal hidden decay.

One of the biggest myths in dentistry is that “if it doesn’t hurt, it’s fine.” Unfortunately, by the time a cavity becomes painful, treatment is often more complicated. Early checkups and X-rays can detect cavities before they turn into infections, root canals, or tooth loss.

08/05/2026

A peek into the brain of your dentist! These are the factors we consider when we assess the viability of your Pearly Whites! :

How do dentists decide between saving a tooth or recommending extraction?
Dentists don't extract teeth just because of extreme pain or deep cavities. To justify permanently removing this highly specialized organ, it must reach a structural point of no return.

The first and most decisive factor is structural integrity. To save a tooth that has suffered extensive damage, a dentist must eventually restore it, typically with a crown. For a crown to survive the immense bite forces generated by the human jaw, it requires a minimum amount of healthy, solid tooth structure extending above the gumline—a biomechanical principle known as the "ferrule effect." If a fracture or decay reaches too far below the crest of the jawbone, reconstructing the tooth becomes physically impossible, making extraction the logical route.

Another major consideration is the health of the surrounding foundation. A tooth is only as stable as the bone and ligaments anchoring it. Severe periodontal (gum) disease slowly destroys the alveolar bone. When a tooth becomes highly mobile due to severe bone loss, attempting to save it is akin to building a heavy structure on a sinkhole. Dentists use periodontal probes and X-rays to measure these bone levels; if less than a third of the supporting bone remains, extraction often becomes inevitable.

The condition of the root system also dictates the tooth's fate. Deep internal infections usually require root canal therapy, where the dead or infected pulp is cleaned out and sealed. However, certain conditions make root canals impossible or highly prone to failure. If a root is severely calcified, uniquely curved, or suffers from a vertical root fracture—a crack running straight down the root into the bone—the tooth cannot be reliably sealed against bacteria. A vertical root fracture is universally considered a terminal diagnosis for a tooth.

Finally, dental professionals assess the tooth's overall strategic value within the mouth. Third molars (wisdom teeth) are frequently extracted because they are notoriously difficult to keep clean, often impacted, and provide minimal functional chewing benefit. Conversely, a canine tooth or a first molar that serves as a vital anchor for a dental bridge holds immense strategic value, and practitioners will utilize advanced techniques to preserve it.

The ultimate objective is always to preserve natural dentition whenever functionally and biologically possible, resorting to extraction only when the structural limits of the tooth have been completely exhausted.

06/05/2026

May the floss be with you… (See what we did there?)

The iconic Millennium Falcon engine sound was created using a combination of many sounds, including the air from a triplex syringe… seriously!

Proof that even in a galaxy far, far away, dentistry has its place 🦷✨

09/04/2026

Patient of the week! Anyone who thinks Dr Pat is 32 years old deserves Patient of the week! ( and possibly needs an eye exam!)

31/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1bBQsur9E2/

Nicotine-based vapes are likely to cause lung and oral cancer, according to a new review of evidence.

04/03/2026

Elite athletes are some of the fittest people on earth. But their teeth often tell a different story.

A 2026 review published in the British Dental Journal reports that good oral health is uncommon in elite athletes. Dental caries, gum disease, and erosive tooth wear are frequently observed. In some studies, levels of tooth decay appear higher than in non-athlete populations.

This is not simply a brushing issue. Elite athletes often consume carbohydrates frequently to fuel training, competition, and recovery. Sports drinks, energy gels, and acidic beverages expose teeth to repeated sugar and acid challenges throughout the day. Reduced saliva flow during intense exercise and mouth breathing may further increase risk.

Oral disease in athletes is not trivial. Pain, inflammation, and infection can affect sleep, concentration, and overall wellbeing. Even low-grade oral inflammation contributes to systemic inflammatory burden, which may influence recovery and performance in high-demand settings.

The authors, led by Ian Needleman, emphasize that elite sport operates within a structured ecosystem—coaches, dietitians, physicians, and federations. Oral health strategies must involve this entire system. Risk mitigation, structured dental screening, fluoride-based prevention, and behaviour change science are key components.

The message is clear: oral health is part of performance health. Protecting athletes’ teeth and gums is not cosmetic—it supports wellbeing, longevity in sport, and responsible duty of care.

📄 Source: Needleman I, Gallagher J, Ashley P. What do we know about elite athlete oral health? British Dental Journal. 2026;240:217–222.