A dentist in Adelaide May know The Tooth Fairy – But How About the Tooth Mouse?

While a visit to the dentist in Adelaide is not usually popular with children, losing a baby tooth is filled with utter excitement. As a kid I still remember the joy when one of my baby teeth that was hanging from a thread finally fell out. That night before bed, I would store my tooth in my special Tooth Fairy tooth holder with the hope of the Tooth Fairy visiting. In the morning, I would rush out of bed to see if the Tooth Fairy had visited. Growing up, I had always believed the Tooth Fairy myth was universal, just like Santa. However, after talking to some friends from overseas, I quickly discovered this was not the case. If you thought the Tooth Fairy story was zany enough, wait until you learn about the tooth-losing myths from around the world. 

The Tooth Fairy – Australia, US, England, New Zealand, Germany, Norwegian, Denmark

Most of us are familiar with the story of the Tooth Fairy, as we have grown up believing it. The charming tale was invented to alleviate the ordeal of losing a tooth and become very popular with children. Once a tooth is lost, children place the tooth under their pillow and go to sleep. During the night, the Tooth Fairy flutters through the window and exchanges the tooth for money. While the going rate in my household was $1 per tooth, back in the 90s, these days the going rate is apparently $3.70.   

The myth is said to originate from the 17th century story, “La Bonne Petit Souris”, which in English translates into The Good Little Mouse. The tale written by Madame d’Aulnoy portrays a battle of good verses evil. In the story, a good queen is trying to overthrow an evil king and gets help from a fairy. One night, the fairy transforms into a mouse and hides under the king’s pillow. The mouse then knocks out all of the king’s teeth. In 1949, a more modern version of the Tooth Fairy story was published. The story written by Lee Rogow entitled “The Tooth Fairy,” thrust the old myth back into discussion and established the story in tradition. 

The Tooth Mouse – Spain, Mexico, Peru, Childe, Argentina, Colombia, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco, Algeria, Luxemburg

In French and Spanish speaking counties the story is pretty similar, however, instead of a fairy it is a mouse that collects the tooth. Just like the Tooth Fairy story, when children lose their teeth, they leave them either under their pillow or in a glass of water to be collected by the mouse. The teeth are replaced with either money or a present. In the instance where a child leaves their tooth in a glass of water, the mouse gulps down the water and keeps the tooth. He then places the present in the empty glass. In Spanish speaking counties the much-loved character is called a range of different names including Ratocinto Perez, Raton Perez, Perez Mouse and El Raton de Los Dientest. Whereas, in French speaking counties the mouse is affectionately referred to as La Petite Souris. In Scotland the story changes slightly with tooth being collected by a white rate. While it sounds terrifying to adults for a rat wandering around the house, the white rate buys the teeth from the children by giving them coins. Interestingly, in Canada where both English and French are spoken, children believe in both the Tooth Fairy and the Tooth Mouse. This dual belief is also shared in Italy, as well as numerous other counties.  

Throwing teeth – Asia, Japan and the Middle East

In Asian countries the tooth-losing tradition is very different. When a child loses a tooth it is either thrown up onto the roof, or down onto the floor. The direction the tooth flies in, is dependent on the positioning in their mouth. If the tooth was located in the upper jaw, the tooth is thrown onto the roof. However, if it is from the lower jaw, the child tosses it to the floor. Once this ritual is completed, a child requests that their tooth is replaced with the tooth of a mouse. While this request sound peculiar, they ask for a mouse’s tooth because their teeth grow for their entire life. 

The throwing trend continues in India, with children throwing tooth up onto the roof. The children then call upon a sparrow to bring them a new tooth. Similarly, in the Dominican Republic, teeth are also thrown onto the roof, however, the mouse trend continues and a mouse is meant to collect it and bring them a new one.


In the Middle East, they also follow the tradition of throwing their teeth. In counties including Egypt, Iraq, Sudan, Jordan and Palestine, teeth are thrown into the sky towards the Sun or Allah.  In Japan the ritual is a little different. The Japanese desire very straight teeth, so once a tooth is lost their throw in either up or down, but as straight as they possible can. 

Next time you take your child to the Dentist in Adelaide and they’re a bit nervous, tell them the lost tooth trends from around the world to keep them entertained. If you don’t have a dentist in Adelaide, visit Total Dental and Denture Care. You can learn more about their service by visiting their website at http://tddc.com.au. 

Invisalign or Snaggle Tooth in Adelaide? Beauty is Truly in the Eye of the Beholder

In Adelaide the invisalign treatment is taking over. Many teens and adults are choosing this near invisible teeth-straightening method to attain the smile they’ve always wanted. However, in Japan it is a completely different story. Rather than aiming for straight pearly white, many Japanese women want a snaggletooth. It may sound strange, but it’s important to remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Apparently in Japan, men go “cray cray” over a snaggletooth or yaeba, as they call it. While to Westerners the notion is hard to grasp, in Japan the concept of beauty is quite different. The Japanese are a culture that highly values youthfulness and the snaggletooth is believed to convey a youthful, childlike appearance. It mimics the look a child has when their teeth are not fully grown in yet, making women look cute and younger. 

Termed the “yaeba phenomenon”, women desire a fanged look, where the molars are pushed forward when they crowd the canines. The word yaeba translates into “double tooth” or “multilayered”. In Japan women go to extreme lengths to get the look. Some women undergo a procedure called tsuke yaeba or “attached snaggletooth”, where a fake yaeba in attached to their teeth with adhesive. The procedure can be either permanent or non-permanent and is very common in the Ginza district of Tokyo. In this district, dentists custom fit removable caps to your tooth for US$400. 

The trend that has hit Japan is believed to have been triggered by Japanese celebrities and pop stars. There is even a Japanese girl group called TYB48 (tsuke-yaeba48) who all sported the fanged-look. Interestingly, the group was actually created by a dental clinic called Pure Cure in Roppongi who specialise in the tsuke yaeba procedure. In a strange twist to the music industry, clinic director Taro Masuoka, came up with the idea for the group based on the popularity of the fanged tooth trend. Taro cites the, “impish cuteness,” that yaeba creates for the popularity of the dental phenomenon. In Taro’s clinic he even offers a half-price discount on the procedure for teens that present their ID card from their middle school or high school. 

The girl group is made up of 18-year-olds Mio, Nana and Rika. The girls were selected from a range of applicants and of course all have the crooked, fang like teeth. They portray an innocent demeanor and wear giant bows and plaid skirts, which are a popular look for Japanese pop stars. Ironically, their first album is titled, “Mind if I bite?”. 

While the girl group is yet to make it big, the “yaeba phenomenon” seems set to stay in Japan. The interesting question is though, whether the niche look could become popular in Western society. While to us, sticking fangs on to your teeth sounds strange, it is interesting to reflect on the wacky things we will do in Adelaide to make ourselves look what we believe is beautiful. From fake tans to drawn on eyebrows, to even botox, we are no strangers to extreme beauty trends. You never really know what new trend will pop up so maybe yaeba is not out of the question in Adelaide. 

However, if you are not digging the new dental trend and would like to stick with some traditional Western beauty, try invisalign. The professional dentists at Total Dental and Denture Care carry out invisalign Treatment in Adelaide and will make your teeth straight. To learn more about the procedure visit the Total Dental and Denture Care website at http://tddc.com.au.

Adelaide Dentists Thrill you with Fun Fact About Teeth – From Invisalign to Natal Teeth

The world of dentistry has come a long way over the years. These days, dentists can provide you with many more options than you thought in Adelaide including Invisalign treatment, crowns, dentures and more. All of these procedures transform your teeth and help you attain the perfect smile you have always wanted.

For many of us, we don’t know a lot about our teeth, other than we have to brush them twice a day. Below, the dentists at Total Dental and Denture Care have come up with three facts you didn’t know about teeth.

Babies can be born with teeth

While most of us begin sprouting our first tooth at 6 months old, in some rare cases babies are born with natal teeth. Approximately one in every 2000 babies are born with some teeth that grow on the bottom gums. Within their first days of life, these babies have to visit the dentist to have these little teeth removed. The teeth must be removed because it most cases they have weak root systems and can easily be swallowed. The teeth also become problematic at breastfeeding time, so for the safety and comfort of a woman’s breasts are removed. While it is unusual, it is normally harmless to be born with natal teeth. There are some cases where teeth can be a symptom of certain medical conditions, but this is quite infrequent. Back in ancient physiognomy, being born with teeth was though to be a sign of being evil, however, it is just a myth. There have been cases of famous people being born with natal teeth, which include Julius Caesar and Napoleon. 

Baby teeth don’t always fall out

Most children begin losing their baby teeth at around 5 or 6 and have our adult teeth by our early teenage years. For many of us it’s hard to look back at photos of ourselves with big gaps in our smile. However, at the time it was full of fun and suspense, waiting on the Tooth Fairy to deliver us our cash. Many important purchases back in the day were made from money from our pal the Tooth Fairy. However, for some unlucky children, the Tooth Fairy never visits. While they are blessed with 20 children teeth, they do not have the replacement permanent teeth, so the new teeth never push them teeth out.

Braces are no longer embarrassing 
 
For me braces have always been ironic. At the time kids are most sensitive about their appearance, is the time they are forced to wear chunky metal. While there was the option of picking the colour of the rubber bans, there was not much teenagers could do, except struggle through a few years without opening their mouth too much. These days though, there are a range of options available. The most popular invention would be Invisalign, which is a near invisible teeth straightening method. Patients are provided with clear plates that slowly and steadily move the teeth into the desired positions. Each couple of weeks, the plates are swapped from ones with different dimensions. Unfortunately for those who require extensive movement in their teeth, braces are the only option. However, braces can now be funked up with glow-in-the-dark or LED technology. Dentists now provide fluorescent rubber bands that when activated glow in the dark. Additionally, there are clothing shops in Japan that sell LED braces. These braces are only a fashion accessory and do no actually straighten the teeth. They begin flashing when the wearer smiles widely.   

So there you go, who knew teeth could be so interesting? If you have any further questions about any of the issues discussed or would like to find out more about Invisalign Treatment in Adelaide, visit the Total Dental and Denture Care website at http://tddc.com.au/.

Tooth-Losing Traditions Across the World That your Adelaide Dentist Forgot to Tell you About

While a visit to the dentist is not usually popular with children in Adelaide, losing a baby tooth is filled with utter excitement. As a kid I still remember the joy when one of my baby teeth that was hanging from a thread finally fell out. That night before bed, I would store my tooth in my special Tooth Fairy tooth holder with the hope of the Tooth Fairy visiting. In the morning, I would rush out of bed to see if the Tooth Fairy had visited. Growing up, I had always believed the Tooth Fairy myth was universal, just like Santa. However, after talking to some friends from overseas, I quickly discovered this was not the case. If you thought the Tooth Fairy story was zany enough, wait until you learn about the tooth-losing myths from around the world.

The Tooth Fairy - Australia, US, England, New Zealand, Germany, Norwegian, Denmark

Most of us are familiar with the story of the Tooth Fairy, as we have grown up believing it. The charming tale was invented to alleviate the ordeal of losing a tooth and become very popular with children. Once a tooth is lost, children place the tooth under their pillow and go to sleep. During the night, the Tooth Fairy flutters through the window and exchanges the tooth for money. While the going rate in my household was $1 per tooth, back in the 90s, these days the going rate is apparently $3.70.  

The myth is said to originate from the 17th century story, “La Bonne Petit Souris”, which in English translates into The Good Little Mouse. The tale written by Madame d’Aulnoy portrays a battle of good verses evil. In the story, a good queen is trying to overthrow an evil king and gets help from a fairy. One night, the fairy transforms into a mouse and hides under the king’s pillow. The mouse then knocks out all of the king’s teeth. In 1949, a more modern version of the Tooth Fairy story was published. The story written by Lee Rogow entitled “The Tooth Fairy,” thrust the old myth back into discussion and established the story in tradition.

The Tooth Mouse – Spain, Mexico, Peru, Childe, Argentina, Colombia, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco, Algeria, Luxemburg

In French and Spanish speaking counties the story is pretty similar, however, instead of a fairy it is a mouse that collects the tooth. Just like the Tooth Fairy story, when children lose their teeth, they leave them either under their pillow or in a glass of water to be collected by the mouse. The teeth are replaced with either money or a present. In the instance where a child leaves their tooth in a glass of water, the mouse gulps down the water and keeps the tooth. He then places the present in the empty glass.

In Spanish speaking counties the much-loved character is called a range of different names including Ratocinto Perez, Raton Perez, Perez Mouse and El Raton de Los Dientest. Whereas, in French speaking counties the mouse is affectionately referred to as La Petite Souris. In Scotland the story changes slightly with tooth being collected by a white rate. While it sounds terrifying to adults for a rat wandering around the house, the white rate buys the teeth from the children by giving them coins.

Interestingly, in Canada where both English and French are spoken, children believe in both the Tooth Fairy and the Tooth Mouse. This dual belief is also shared in Italy, as well as numerous other counties. 

Throwing teeth – Asia, Japan and the Middle East

In Asian countries the tooth-losing tradition is very different. When a child loses a tooth it is either thrown up onto the roof, or down onto the floor. The direction the tooth flies in, is dependent on the positioning in their mouth. If the tooth was located in the upper jaw, the tooth is thrown onto the roof. However, if it is from the lower jaw, the child tosses it to the floor. Once this ritual is completed, a child requests that their tooth is replaced with the tooth of a mouse. While this request sound peculiar, they ask for a mouse’s tooth because their teeth grow for their entire life.

The throwing trend continues in India, with children throwing tooth up onto the roof. The children then call upon a sparrow to bring them a new tooth. Similarly, in the Dominican Republic, teeth are also thrown onto the roof, however, the mouse trend continues and a mouse is meant to collect it and bring them a new one.

In the Middle East, they also follow the tradition of throwing their teeth. In counties including Egypt, Iraq, Sudan, Jordan and Palestine, teeth are thrown into the sky towards the Sun or Allah.

In Japan the ritual is a little different. The Japanese desire very straight teeth, so once a tooth is lost their throw in either up or down, but as straight as they possible can.
 

Next time your child has a dental appointment and is nervous about visiting their dentist; share with them the stories from around the world. Conversely, if you are looking for a Good Dentist in Adelaide, visit the Total Dental and Denture Care website to learn more about their services at http://tddc.com.au/.

To Denture or Not to Denture: Contact your Local Dentist in Adelaide

A denture is a type of prosthesis, which is an artificial replacement for one or more missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Prosthodontics is the more specific term that describes professional dentists. Prosthodontics is becoming more and more prominent in dental practices in Adelaide. Dental prosthetics in Australia is the profession of dental technicians that undergo further training and education in the construction and replacement of missing teeth and adjacent tissues with artificial substitutes. In order to become registered for the supply and fitting of a range of full and partial dentures, dentists must participate in this advanced training. 

Partial Dentures are designed to correct the gaps in your smile when only some of your teeth are missing. Partial Dentures maintain tooth alignment by preventing your remaining teeth from shifting. In general, partial dentures fit into one or two denture categories, depending on the material they are made with. There is a range of denture materials to choose from. Plastic dentures are made from what is called acrylic material and acts like a plate at the base or roof of the mouth. Metal dentures are made from chrome cobalt, a strong rigid material that is normally shaped into straps or bars to hold dentures in place. Metal dentures are better for your mouth but are much for expensive than plastic dentures. 

A partial denture is ideal for those with a few missing. If partial dentures are not sufficient then there is the implant method. Titanium rods are positioned straight into your jawbones’ ridges. Your individual teeth are then attached to each post. This method is growing in popularity, however, is invasive and causes a lot of pain in the process. 

The main benefit of denture technology is that people are able to undergo minimal surgical alterations and still glean positive and lasting results. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health and stop the remaining teeth migrating and realigning your bite and smile. Dentures also help to keep facial muscles from sagging, which can exacerbate signs of ageing. 

The negative effects and issues related to dentures include, the everyday maintenance, mouth irritation, chewing and speaking impediments and the reduction in your ability to taste foods. Dentures aren't your own natural teeth. When you first start wearing dentures, you may notice that they feel large in your mouth, and it may feel like your lips are being pushed forward. You may also experience a gag reflex, dry mouth, or even extra saliva in your mouth when wearing dentures. These feelings are all common physical reactions that will go away as you get used to your dentures. In addition to the physical changes, you'll also experience some emotional changes that can be part of the denture journey.

Before you decide that you need dentures, you should first consult your local dental professional. He or she can explain the steps involved in living with and maintaining dentures. Dentists will help banish any pre-conceived fears or ideas and help you decide what is best for you. The transitionary process with dentures is quite involved so it is important to have a fully certified orthodontic dentist looking after you. 

If you feel that dentures could be of great help to either a family member or yourself, then contact Total Dental & Denture Care on (08) 8377 5941. At TDDC, they offer a wide range of orthodontic and dental care solutions as a tea of leading Dentists in Adelaide To find out more visit their website http://tddc.com.au/.

A Perfect Smile without braces in Adelaide – The modern wonders of Invisalign

A new dental treatment called invisalign is making countless teenagers smile in Adelaide. While thick, ugly braces have always been a rite of passage for teenagers, the new technology may put an end to the embarrassment. The impossible is now possible, with teenagers being able to achieve straight teeth without looking like they’re wearing braces.

I have always thought forcing teenagers to wear braces was not only cruel but downright ironic. In their most self-conscious and awkward years, why not make it ten times worse and attach thick metal, wires and fluorescent rubber bands to their teeth?  Looking back at my high school days, it was difficult for even the coolest kid to rock the ‘train track’ look.

I am still counting my lucky stars I didn’t have to endure the social embarrassment of having braces. However, my poor sister wasn’t as lucky as me. As a result of sucking her thumb as a child my mum forced her to correct the slight crookedness of her smile with shiny, grey braces. I still remember the day she came home from the orthodontist with her new braces and my other sister and I burst out laughing at her new appearance. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the nicest response. However, we did back it up when she got her braces removed. I still remember giggling hysterically when she flashed her new straight smile. For some reason it just cracked us up. Teenagers are weird I guess.

Luckily for a new generation of teenagers, they will not have to endure this humiliation thanks to the introduction of Invisalign. How it works is metal braces are traded for nearly invisible, removable aligners. Dentists carefully create individual aligners to suit your teeth, and your teeth alone. The process is simple and gentle, yet extremely effective. Each few weeks, aligners are replaced with new aligners that are slightly different to the original one. The new aligners gradually start movement and guide your teeth into the smile you want. This way your teeth move a fraction week by week, until they are positioned into your ideal smile.

Unlike braces which cover and block out your smile, with Invisalign you don’t have to wait until your treatment is finished before you see the results. Even early on in the process, you may start to notice impressive changes. During the treatment you will need to attend checkups with your dentists or orthodontist, however, these visits are infrequent. You will only need to visit as little as once every six weeks to ensure everything is running to plan. 

If you are contemplating the Invisalign treatment, you will need to book a time with your dentist or orthodontist. They will inspect your teeth and assess whether Invisalign can correct your dental problem. If they find you can benefit from Invisalign, they will create a detailed treatment plan outlining your specific program. While for most people aligners need to be changed in two-week increments, every treatment plan is different so the time line may vary.

While treatment plans do vary, for most people it takes just under one year to achieve straight teeth. If you are serious about Invisalign talk to a reputable dentists today. A reputable Dentist in Adelaide that specialise in the Invisalign treatment is Total Dental and Denture Care. For further information about their services, visit their website today at http://tddc.com.au/. 

A-Lister Celebs Who Fixed Their Smiles with Invisible Invisalign Braces – Get the Look in Adelaide

It seems like the prayers of teenagers across the globe have been answered. These days, you can fix your crooked teeth straightened without looking like you have braces. Thanks to Invisalign, teenagers across Adelaide are rejoicing in the wonder of invisible braces. 

While Invisalign is a relatively new dental treatment in Adelaide, Hollywood stars have been indulging in the treatment for years. If you’ve ever wondered how the biggest names in Hollywood seem to have perfect smiles but never had braces, Invisalign is your answer. When every move you make is under scrutiny and flashing cameras follows you, it’s easy to see why celebs don’t opt for braces. The invisible option allows them to pout and pose on the red carpet, without anyone noticing they are undergoing a teeth-straightening treatment. 

If you don’t believe it for yourself, check out the list of A-listers below who have enhanced their smiles with Invisalign. 

• Khloe Kardashian

With TV appearances, modeling jobs and red carpet events to attend, wearing braces wasn’t an option for glamazon, Khloe Kardashian. In order to perfect her smile, she chose the revolutionary Invisalign treatment. As the star already had a great smile, it just needed a bit of a tweak with Invisalign trays. In no time, she was flashing an improved straighter smile making this doll look gorge.    

• Justin Bieber

When most people saw the Bieb’s mug shot they thought he kinda looked like Miley Cyrus, but for me I couldn’t stop looking at his pearly whites. While most people don’t tend to smile when they’ve been arrested, you couldn’t wipe the grin from Justin’s face. Some people might say it’s because he was high at the time, however, I prefer to think it was because of the straight teeth he achieves through Invisalign. Back in his prime, when the 16 year old was capturing hearts with his angelic high tones, he wore Invisalign trays to fix his smile.    

• Gisele Bundchen

If you need any further motivation to get Invisalign, the fact that supermodel Gisele Bundchen used the treatment should be enough. When you’re taking endless photos, there’s no way you can be flashing a mouthful of metal. That’s why the beauty turned to Invisalign. Thanks to the treatment, Gisele looks completely flawless.    

•  Katherine Heigl

The 27 Dresses star became famous for her wonky smile during her big screen appearance. However, when it was time for her to marry in real life, she wanted to look perfect. Katherine chose Invisalign trays to straighten her teeth just in time for her wedding to singer-songwriter, Josh Kelly. The treatment ensured she could flash a flawless smile in her wedding photos. 

• Zac Efron

Back in his High School Musical days when Zac Efron was just a kid, he sported a cute gap in his teeth. However, when Zac made the move from tween heartthrob to serious actor it was time to close the gap. The singer-actor is now ready the big screen following his Invisalign treatment. He now has a sparkling, straight smile that will dazzle you. So, if you can tear yourself away from his gorgeous blue eyes, take a look.

•  Serena Williams

Following her Invisalign treatment at 16, Serena Willimas now sports a picture perfect smile. While she’s most famous for her booty, he flawless, straight smile is probably her second most recognised features. With all her Grandslam wins creating endless photo opportunities, thanks to Invisalign she has a winning smile to flash. 

• Oprah Winfrey

When you have the highest rated talk show on the planet, you don’t have time for ugly braces. So, when media queen Oprah Winfrey decided it was time to get straighter teeth, she didn’t falter and choose Invisalign. So, next time you tune into the billionaire’s talk show, check out her pearly whites for yourself. 

•  Eva Longoria

The Desperate Housewives star has always struggled with her smile. While her top teeth are sparkling white and flawless, her bottom teeth don’t match up. Rather than getting unsightly braces on her bottom teeth whilst filming, she opted for the near invisible invisalign treatment. Her bottom teeth are perfectly aligned now creating a truly perfect smile.   

If you want to follow in your favorite celebs footsteps, find out more about Invisalign Treatment in Adelaide by visiting the Total Dental and Denture Care website at www.tddc.com.au.