When out playing sports, any mouthguard is better than nothing. But a good custom mouthguard can make the difference between losing a front tooth and never having a problem at all.
A mouthguard acts to absorb and spread a facial impact which might otherwise result in an injury to the mouth, teeth or jaws. Remember that the cost of an injury to your teeth or jaw will far outweigh the cost of a custom fitted mouthguard.
The most important time to brush is just before bed; food left on your teeth will cause decay while you sleep. Whether you use a manual or an electric toothbrush, you should brush for 2 minutes at least twice a day.
Manual Toothbrush
Look for a toothbrush with soft or ultra-soft bristles. Never use a medium or hard brush.
Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes can be great for kids, people who tend to brush too hard or have manual dexterity difficulties.
Children need their teeth brushed for them until they can write their own name in cursive handwriting (8 – 9 years old).
“You only need to floss the teeth you would like to keep”
Using a mouthwash never replaces brushing and flossing. Most people do not need to use mouthwash regularly. However your dentist may suggest a specific mouthwash for you, for a short duration to help resolve bad breath after your teeth have been professionally cleaned.
Alcohol Free
When to Use
After brushing, flossing and rinsing with water.
All modern dental materials are safe. We are always happy to discuss any concerns you have about using one different kind of filling material instead of another. There are so many different materials available, which look and feel natural and most importantly are biocompatible with the body, that you always have a choice.
You should replace an amalgam if there is a problem with the filling such as:
One of the most common reasons is that people just don’t like the appearance of the metal in their mouths. Very rarely amalgam fillings can produce an immune reaction in the surrounding gum, which we will discuss with you if it ever occurs.
If you have any specific concerns, or are experiencing tooth pain of any kind please let us know, irrespective of whether you are coming to see us for a general check up or because you have a dental emergency.
Bleeding Gums don’t matter right? What if every time you brushed your hair there was blood on the hairbrush; most of us would be running to the doctor faster than we’ve ever run before.
Bleeding Gums are an indication of local infection, called gingivitis. Left untreated the infection can spread into the jaw bone around the teeth (a disease called periodontitis) causing wobbly, sensitive and painful teeth. The good news is bleeding gums are easy to treat.
Bleeding Gums (periodontitis) can be a serious health concern in people with diabetes, heart disease and other chronic disease.
Coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, soy sauce can all lead to tooth discolouration. Teeth whitening can revive teeth back to a brighter and whiter smile. Teeth whitening is a safe procedure when done by a qualified dental professional.
There are 3 main ways to whiten your teeth:
We use the most effective and safest whitening products available, to ensure you get a good result, with a minimum amount of sensitivity.
Teeth which are blackened by trauma, old amalgam fillings, or by an old style root canal can also be whitened through internal tooth whitening or covered with composite or porcelain veneers.
For more information, go to: http://www.toothwhiteningfacts.com.au
Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers And Composite Veneers
Very few of us are born with a perfect smile. But with advances in modern dentistry there are many options to improve your smile, from the shape and orientation of your teeth, to their whiteness and brightness.
Porcelain veneers can dramatically improve how your teeth look, feel and function. They are indistinguishable from natural teeth and provide an ideal solution for worn, shortened, discoloured or crooked teeth.
Veneers are a thin layer of either ceramic or porcelain which covers the surface of the tooth. Dental veneers can transform a smile, by masking out imperfections and creating a harmonious even smile. They are custom made to fit each tooth perfectly. You can improve the shape, size and angulation of your teeth. They can close gaps and make crooked teeth straight.
The thin porcelain shell is stronger than a direct composite veneer and less susceptible to staining. They require more planning, and are more expensive than composite veneers and are not suitable for all patients. They are an excellent option to give people back a natural smile, or even a brighter smile in the right situation.
Are hand sculpted by the dentist onto the surface of the existing tooth. They offer a natural appearance are very conservative and often don’t even require any tooth preparation. Composite veneers are made of resin (plastic), consequently they can lose their lustre over time and can also stain more easily than porcelain veneers. However, they can also easily be repaired at little expense.
Composite Veneers are an excellent way to rebuild teeth quickly, beautifully and economically.
Our commitment to comprehensive dental care is a great experience for new patients. It means that we don’t just tell you there is a problem. We explain what the problem is, how it came to be and how you can stop it happening again. We believe in giving all of our patient’s options, there is almost always more than one solution.
By dealing with both short-term issues and making you aware of any long-term implications, we feel we are giving you the highest level of care.
Clean teeth like you have never felt before. If you have sensitive teeth, don’t worry we also have happy gas and can even give you local anaesthetic if needed. If it hurts, we will always stop immediately and discuss what the best option would be to make you comfortable. We only use a combination of the gentlest ultrasonic scalers and where needed an air polisher to remove hard to reach stains.
It’s up to you, but generally between every 6-12months. We will discuss your overall oral health risk profile and make a recommendation, then you can choose what fits your life. Most health insurance policies pay for a check-up and clean every 6 months, as this saves them money in the long run, as people are less likely to get problems by seeing the dentist regularly.
Occasionally, we see people every 3 months if they have genetic predisposition to getting lots of calculus and scale build up on their teeth which causes their gums to become diseased and inflamed. If you have a family history of tooth or gum problems, or have had problems in the past yourself please let us know.
Not all teeth form correctly. Sometimes you can do everything right and still get a problem in the grooves on the biting surface of your teeth.
Fissure sealants prevent a problem before it occurs, by sealing deep grooves in the teeth which would otherwise develop into decay. They are cheap and effective, and often no needles or drilling are needed at all.
Yes, no tooth replacement is as good as your own teeth. If there is enough tooth structure remaining the tooth can be saved by treating the infection inside the root canal. Not all toothaches are caused by teeth infections, often something less serious.
Please note, any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
