Cold air making your teeth hurt? Learn common causes of tooth sensitivity, what helps at home and when to see a Brisbane dentist.
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Winter is peak season for club sport in Brisbane. Rugby, AFL, hockey, netball and basketball all bring a rise in chipped, broken and knocked-out teeth, and many of those dental injuries are avoidable. The two things that protect your smile most are a well-fitted sports mouthguard and being smart about sports drinks. Here is what every winter player, and every parent on the sideline, should know.
Why winter sport is peak season for dental injuries
A stray elbow, a fast ball or a fall on hard ground can chip, crack or knock out a tooth in an instant. Dental injuries are most common in contact sports like rugby and AFL, but they also happen in netball, hockey, basketball and soccer, and just as often at training as on game day. Repairing a badly damaged front tooth can mean years of dental work, so prevention is far cheaper than the cure.
A custom-fitted mouthguard is the best protection
Boil-and-bite guards from the chemist are better than nothing, but they fit loosely and can shift or fall out at the exact moment you need them. A custom-fitted mouthguard is made from an impression of your own teeth, so it stays secure on impact and spreads the force of a knock across the whole jaw. The Australian Dental Association recommends a custom-fitted mouthguard for anyone playing contact sport. Children’s mouths change quickly, so have the fit checked at the start of each season.
What to do if a tooth is knocked out
A knocked-out adult tooth is a dental emergency, and the first thirty minutes matter most. Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. If it is clean, gently place it back in the socket and bite softly on a cloth to hold it there. If you cannot, keep it moist in milk, never in water, and call a dentist straight away. A knocked-out baby tooth should not go back in, but the injury still needs a prompt dental check.
Sports drinks are tougher on teeth than most players think
Sports drinks are both sugary and highly acidic, a combination that softens tooth enamel and feeds decay. Sipping one slowly through a game keeps your teeth under acid attack for the whole session, and a dry mouth from hard exercise means less saliva to protect you. Enamel erosion from acidic drinks is permanent, and over time it leaves teeth sensitive and more yellow.
Smarter sideline drink habits
For most training sessions and games, water is all your body needs. If you do have a sports drink, drink it in one short sitting rather than sipping it for an hour, follow it with a mouthful of water, and wait about an hour before brushing so you are not scrubbing softened enamel. Chilled tap water in a squeeze bottle is the cheapest sports drink there is.
A custom mouthguard fitting is a quick appointment, and it costs far less than repairing a broken tooth. If you or your kids play winter sport, or a knock has already happened, our Brisbane team can fit a mouthguard, check an injury and keep your smile safe for the rest of the season.
Book an appointment
Booking online takes less than a minute, or you can call the practice during opening hours and our reception team will find a time that suits you.
Teeth whitening hacks are everywhere on TikTok and Instagram right now, from lemon juice and bicarb scrubs to charcoal powders and bleaching kits bought online. Some of these are harmless, but others can permanently damage your teeth. The Australian Dental Association has warned about DIY whitening trends, so here is a plain guide to what is safe and what to avoid.
1. Lemon juice and other acids
Rubbing lemon, strawberry paste or apple cider vinegar on your teeth is one of the most popular hacks, and one of the worst. The acid softens and dissolves enamel, the protective outer layer of the tooth. Enamel does not grow back, and once it thins, teeth often look more yellow, not less, because the darker layer underneath shows through.
2. Bicarb and other scrubs
Bicarb soda, salt and charcoal powders work by scrubbing the tooth surface. Used hard or often, they wear away enamel and can damage your gums. Charcoal pastes also usually contain no fluoride, so they give up the daily protection a normal toothpaste provides. Any whitening they achieve is surface polish at the cost of the tooth itself.
3. Straight hydrogen peroxide
Some videos suggest swishing hydrogen peroxide from the chemist or supermarket. Undiluted or repeated use can burn your gums, irritate the soft tissue of your mouth and leave teeth painfully sensitive. In Australia, stronger whitening products are restricted to dental professionals for exactly this reason.
4. Unregulated kits bought online
Whitening kits from overseas websites or social media sellers may contain far more bleach than is legal to sell here, or acids that are not listed on the label. With an ill-fitting tray, the gel sits on your gums as well as your teeth. If a kit promises dramatic results in days, treat that as a warning sign rather than a selling point.
What is actually safe at home
Gentle options do exist. A whitening toothpaste used as directed, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth and going easy on coffee, tea, red wine and soft drinks all help your natural tooth colour show through. These steps are slow but they do not sacrifice enamel for a quick result.
When whitening needs a dentist first
Whitening does not lighten fillings, crowns or veneers, and stains can sometimes be a sign of decay or thinning enamel rather than a cosmetic issue. A quick check first means whitening is done safely and actually works. Professionally supervised whitening uses tailored trays and controlled strengths, with your gums protected throughout.
A brighter smile should never cost you your enamel. If you have seen a whitening hack and are wondering whether it is safe, ask us at your next visit. Our Brisbane team is always happy to give you a straight answer and help you find an option that suits your teeth.
August is a good time to refresh the simple habits that protect your teeth and gums. Dental Health Week is a reminder that small daily choices matter.
1. Brush twice a day
Brush for two minutes, morning and night, with fluoride toothpaste. Use a soft brush and gentle circles at the gumline. Spit after brushing rather than rinsing straight away, so the fluoride can keep working.
2. Clean between your teeth
A toothbrush cannot reach every surface. Floss or interdental brushes once a day help remove plaque where decay and gum disease often begin. If your gums bleed at first, keep going gently and ask us for advice if it continues.
3. Make water the first drink
Brisbane heat makes it tempting to reach for sports drinks, soft drinks or juice. Frequent sugary or acidic drinks raise the risk of tooth decay and enamel wear. Water is the best everyday choice. Keep sweet drinks to mealtimes where possible, and avoid sipping them across the day.
4. Wear a mouthguard for sport
Rugby, AFL, hockey, basketball and other contact sports can lead to broken or knocked-out teeth. A custom-fitted mouthguard protects better than a boil-and-bite guard because it stays secure on impact. A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency, so call a dentist straight away.
5. Book the check-up you have been putting off
Dental problems often have no early warning signs. Regular check-ups can find small issues before they become painful or expensive. For most people, that means a visit every six to twelve months, with timing tailored to you. If you have children, ask whether they may be eligible for the Child Dental Benefit Schedule.
Dental Health Week is a useful nudge, but the real benefit comes from habits you keep. If it has been a while since your last visit, let August be the reason to book. Our Brisbane team would love to help you head into spring with a healthy, confident smile.
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