Dr Benjamin du Bruyn

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Dr Benjamin du Bruyn ▪️Family Dentistry ▪️Implantology
▪️Aesthetic Dentistry ▪️Orthodontics
▪️Wisdom teeth removal ▪️Oral Hygiene
▪️Facial Aesthetics

❤️ ANTI-WRINKLE PROMOTION ❤️ Friday, 30 October 2026
15/10/2026

❤️ ANTI-WRINKLE PROMOTION
❤️ Friday, 30 October 2026

14/10/2026

Baby teeth may not last forever, but they play an essential role in a child’s growth, development, and future smile.

Frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks, prolonged feeding during sleep, and inadequate oral hygiene can contribute to tooth decay. Here are nine essential steps parents can take to protect their child’s developing smile.

9 ways parents can help prevent early childhood tooth decay:

1. Clean the gums early
Before teeth erupt, gently wipe the baby's gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or soft washcloth.

2. Start brushing with the first tooth
Brush twice daily using a soft, child-sized toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

3. Use the correct amount of fluoride toothpaste
For children younger than 3 years, use a smear the size of a grain of rice. From ages 3–6, use a pea-sized amount.

4. Supervise brushing
Help children brush effectively and encourage them to spit out toothpaste rather than swallow it. Supervision may be needed beyond age 6.

5. Avoid bedtime bottles containing milk or formula
Do not put a baby to bed with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice, or other sugary liquids. If a bottle is needed at bedtime, plain water is the safest option for the teeth.

6. Keep pacifiers clean
Never dip a pacifier in honey, sugar, or other sweet substances.

7. Encourage drinking from a cup
Introduce a cup around 6 months of age and aim to transition away from bottles by 12–18 months.

8. Establish healthy feeding habits
Limit frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks. Avoid sharing spoons or cleaning pacifiers with the mouth, as these practices can transfer cavity-associated bacteria.

9. Schedule the first dental visit early
Arrange a dental examination when the first tooth appears and no later than the child's first birthday.

Why protecting baby teeth matters

Primary teeth are essential for chewing, speech development, and maintaining space for permanent teeth. Untreated decay can cause pain, infection, difficulty eating, and other complications.

Remember: Prevention begins with the first tooth.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD); American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

06/10/2026

The Hidden Consequence of Missing Teeth

A missing tooth can trigger a process that may continue for years, even decades.

Your teeth do more than help you chew. They help keep the jawbone healthy and strong. Every bite and chew sends forces through the tooth roots into the surrounding bone, providing the stimulation needed to maintain its shape and density.

When a tooth is lost, that stimulation disappears. As a result, the body gradually begins breaking down the bone that once supported the tooth. This natural process, known as bone resorption, can begin soon after tooth loss and may continue for years, with the most rapid loss typically occurring during the first year.

Over time, the jawbone may become thinner and shorter. The rate and extent of bone loss vary among individuals and are influenced by factors such as age, bone quality, gum health, smoking, and whether the space is restored. These changes can affect denture fit and make future dental implant treatment more challenging. In cases of extensive tooth loss, they may also reduce support for the lips, cheeks, and other facial tissues.

This is one reason dentists place such importance on preserving natural teeth whenever possible. When a tooth cannot be saved, replacing it with an appropriate treatment option may help maintain the bone that supports both oral function and facial structure.

A missing tooth doesn't just leave a gap. It can gradually change the foundation of your jaw.

16/09/2026

❤️ ANTI-WRINKLE PROMOTION
❤️ Friday, 2 October 2026

®

11/09/2026

Tooth decay affects nearly one in three people worldwide, making it the most common health condition on Earth.

Despite being largely preventable, tooth decay remains a major cause of pain, infection, tooth loss, missed school and work days, and reduced quality of life across all age groups.

The good news: regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, reducing sugary foods and drinks, and routine dental checkups can dramatically lower the risk.

Source: World Health Organization (WHO), Global Burden of Disease Study

04/09/2026

Your smile can feel perfectly fine and still hide problems you can't see.

Early tooth decay, gum disease, worn fillings, bite changes, and even oral cancer often develop with little or no pain in the beginning. By the time symptoms appear, treatment is often more complex and expensive.

That's why regular dental checkups matter. For most adults, visiting the dentist once or twice a year helps detect problems early, prevent complications, and keep your teeth and gums healthy for the long term.

A dental visit isn't just about fixing problems—it's about preventing them before they start.

🦷 Prevention is always easier than treatment.

02/09/2026

Every tooth in your mouth is uniquely shaped for a specific function, creating a highly efficient system for biting, tearing, crushing, and grinding food.

🦷 Incisors (8 teeth)
Located at the front of the mouth, incisors have sharp, flat edges designed to cut and bite food.

🦷 Canines (4 teeth)
The pointed teeth beside the incisors help tear and grip food. They also play an important role in guiding jaw movements.

🦷 Premolars (8 teeth)
Also called bicuspids, premolars have broader chewing surfaces that help crush and tear food into smaller pieces.

🦷 Molars (12 teeth, including wisdom teeth)
The largest teeth in the mouth, molars are built with multiple cusps to grind and crush food efficiently before swallowing.

Together, these specialized teeth work as a coordinated team, allowing us to eat, speak, and maintain proper jaw function every day.

27/08/2026

Common Bite Problems Every Parent Should Know

Bite problems often begin during childhood and may affect chewing, speech, oral hygiene, jaw growth, and long-term dental health. Identifying them early can make future treatment simpler and more effective.

🦷 Crowding – Not enough space in the jaw causes teeth to overlap, rotate, or erupt out of position.

🦷 Excessive Spacing – Large gaps between teeth may occur due to jaw size differences, missing teeth, or naturally small teeth.

🦷 Underbite – The lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth, potentially affecting chewing, tooth wear, and facial growth.

🦷 Open Bite – The upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the mouth is closed. Thumb sucking and tongue-thrust habits are common contributing factors.

🦷 Deep Bite – The upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth, which can increase tooth wear and place extra stress on the jaw.

🦷 Crossbite – One or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside them, which may affect normal jaw development.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Early assessment doesn't always mean treatment is needed, but it can help identify developing problems while a child is still growing.

Early detection can help prevent small bite problems from becoming bigger orthodontic concerns later in life.

20/08/2026

A woman from the United States has been recognized by Guinness World Records for having one of the most unusual anatomical features ever documented. The record belongs to Chanel Tapper of California, whose tongue was officially measured at 9.75 cm (3.8 inches) in length.

According to Guinness World Records, her tongue remains the longest ever officially measured in a woman. The measurement is considerably greater than the average tongue length, making it an exceptionally rare anatomical variation.

Chanel was first recognized by Guinness World Records in 2010 and continues to hold the title for Longest Tongue (Female). More than a decade later, her record remains one of the most remarkable human anatomy records ever documented.

Address

500 Keiskamma Str, Erasmuskloof
Pretoria
0048

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Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 13:00

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