Dental Dundas Braces

We tend to think of braces as the way to get straight teeth, which are more attractive. And this is quite true. But there is more here than just appearances. Teeth are straightened for functional reasons as well as aesthetic.

Dundas Dental – Improved Bite

Ideally our jaws should neatly align. The top front teeth should be slight over the bottom front teeth, and each of the side teeth on the top and bottom should neatly align.

Many people have slightly less than perfect bites, the jaws not perfectly aligning. Often this is so slight that it does not matter. But if the misalignment is too pronounced there may be problems. Misaligned teeth tend to wear very unevenly, and this can cause damaged teeth and saw jaws over time. It is best to align teeth early on, to prevent damage from occurring over time.

Cleaning Issues

If the teeth are evenly spaced and the jaws well aligned the teeth will be easier to clean; there will be few spaces for food to be trapped. This means teeth and gums, being easy to floss, will tend to be much healthier.

Dundas Dental Old Patient Braces

Braces are a rite of passage for many teens, and they benefit from the results, neat functional attractive teeth, for the rest of their adult life. But some adults also have braces, because their teeth were not satisfactorily straightened when they were younger. A few adults with crooked teeth manage to avoid braces by using Invisalign instead. But braces might be needed in situations where more complex straightening is needed. Jaw alignment, for example, will require braces rather than Invisalign.

Dental Dundas

Braces give us neat teeth that function well. We can have braces as an adult, but having braces as a teenager means we receive the benefits earlier.

Invisalign Dundas

While some of us naturally have near perfect teeth most of us require at least a little dental work to get an ideal smile. Some of us need considerable teeth straightening from braces or other dental procedures. This might be for aesthetic reasons, or because the crooked teeth cause problems with eating, speaking or premature wear.

An alternative to braces is Invisalign. Many adults prefer not to use braces as they seem very teenage. They are also make eating and speaking awkward. But Invisalign can perform most (but not quite all) of the functions of braces. And they cause minimal discomfort.

Advantages of Invisalign Dundas

– Invisalign is nearly invisible, being clear plastic.
– They are removable and easy to care for
– No food restrictions, they are taken out for eating.
– Invisalign is comfortable and easy to wear
– They can whiten teeth during treatment
– Minimal maintenence, much less than braces.
– Final results take from 6 months to 2 years, less than braces.

The disadvantages are few:

– They cannot treat some complex tooth alignment issues. More complex issues will require braces or implants.
– They cost more than braces.
– Must be worn 22 hours per day.

Invisalign has been in use for over 20 years. This is less time than braces, which have been used for generations, but the results from those 20 years have been consistently high quality.

A warning though, there are some mail order systems that ostensibly produce a similar product to Invisalign. But these are not clear retainers, and they are not produced with X-rays or other methods that fit the retainer to the individual’s mouth. These mail order systems ore not cheap, and the results are unpredictable.

Invisalign Dundas

Invisalign is discreet and can give many of us the ideal smile, without the inconvenience of braces.

Newington Dental

We need to look after our teeth if we are to maintain both our dental health and our general health. A few good habits can make all the difference. A few good dental habits can mean much healthier teeth and gums.

– Brushing twice daily, but wait 30 minutes after eating. Eating or drinking will temporarily soften the enamel on our teeth. If we brush while this enamel is soft we quickly wear it away. Drink water after eating, and wait 30 minutes before brushing.
-Flossing – 30% of the total tooth surface is between the teeth. We cannot leave this uncleaned. Floss will remove plaque from between teeth along with any food debris. This is as important for teeth as brushing, and perhaps even more important for prevent gum disease.
Dental Dundas
– Drink water. This has been a health trend over the past generation. But it caught on because it proved very effective at so many ways. Amid other health benefits it keeps teeth clean, and reduces bad breath. Without water the mouth becomes dry, and this increases the bad bacteria that lead to decay.
– Mouthwash – Use this a few times per day, in addition to brushing, to reduce the bad bacteria in the mouth. It is not too difficult to keep mouthwash in several locations (in the office desk, in the car, in our briefcase) so it is always at hand.
– Eat crunchy food, like salads and apples. These clean teeth, and tend to be generally healthy.

Dental Newington

– Avoid soda and junk food. These are harsh on teeth, and have few if any redeeming qualities. Additionally, cola drinks can stain teeth. All soft drink is acidic, even diet version which are at least lower in sugar.
– Scrape or brush your tongue. Bacteria and plaque can accumulate on the tongue surface. This leads to bad breath.
– Use toothpaste with fluoride . This hardens tooth enamel, and fights bad bacteria. As long as the fluoride is not swallowed there will be no issues.
– Salt water rinse. This fights gum infections, killing some bacteria, as well as viral and fungal problems. It is also effective if we have ulcers or other mouth sores. Do this before brushing. You can use salt rinses several times per day, but make sure to drink plenty of water to prevent a dry mouth.

Newington Dental

Good habits and regular twice per year visits to the dentist will help maintain the best dental health.

Dental Newington

A few of us have a gap between our teeth. This may work for some people who like a gap between the front teeth. Other people may find they would prefer more traditionally spaced teeth. Or that the gaps cause problems when chewing. Gaps teeth are usually about appearance, and rarely affect health. But if we want to close the gaps between the teeth there are some options.

Teeth gaps – Newington Dental

Gaps between teeth are termed Diastema. There are many possible causes:

– New teeth in children.
– Small teeth in a wide jaw
– Low frenulum (the skin where the upper lip meets the upper gum).
– Thumb sucking habit after the habit the age of four.
– A tongue thrusting
– Gum disease
– Missing teeth

Treatments – Newington Dental

Braces
May teenagers have braces to cure a variety of dental ailments. Closing gaps between teeth is one of the many functions they can perform.

Invisalign
Adults may also use braces, but many prefer not to look like teenagers. An alternative is Invisalign. These are clear plastic retainers that force teeth into place. They perform most of the functions of braces.

Veneers
These are thin coverings that are permanently bonded to the front of the teeth. By making these slightly wider than the natural tooth the gaps between teeth can be closed.

Crowns
Crowns (also called capped teeth) completely replace the outer part of the tooth, while keeping the inner root and nerve. The new artificial tooth look like an ideal tooth, and lasts for decades.

Implants
These are like crowns, but they also replace the root underneath the gum. They are ideal for replacing the entire tooth if the cause of the gap is a missing tooth. Implants last for decades.

Bonding
This adds several layers of thin composite bonding material to the space between teeth. This can be built up to close the tooth gap. Bonding can look quite natural.

Dental Newington

Dentists can give us the smile we deserve to have. We look after your mouth’s health and appearance.

Dentist Dundas

Gum infections are always nasty. And a mild gum infection can quickly turn into a serious infection if left untreated. If the infection progresses from Gingivitis to Periodontal Disease it becomes incurable, and we are stuck with the infection the rest of our life, always treating it but never completely free from the problem.

Gingivitis is a relatively mild gum infection. We can usually prevent it brushing and flossing. And if we do contract gingivitis we can usually cure it with diligent dental care and some home treatments.

If the infection progresses to periodontitis, a serious gum infection, we will need to have professional dental treatment. Left untreated the periodontal infection will cause the loss of teeth and bone. It has also been linked to health problems in old age, such as dementia and heart conditions.

Dundas Dentist – Home Treatment Mouthwashes.

There are commercial mouthwashes that are designed to treat gum infections. These are basically safe disinfectants, and are actually quite effective. But some home treatments can also be very effective when used on a daily basis for a few weeks. These should be combined with twice daily brushing and flossing.

Salt Water

Salt in warm water is an old trick, but such a simple trick is also effective. The salt kills a lot of bad bacteria in the gums and mouth, and also helps with ulcers and inflammation.

If you have a gum infection then gargle salt water twice daily. But wait 30 minutes and then rinse with plain water before brushing, as the salt can weaken tooth enamel.

Lemongrass Mouthwash

A few drops of lemongrass oil (2-3 drops maximum) in a glass of water makes a strong mouthwash. This is more potent that salt or most other treatments.

Always use food grade lemongrass, and never swallow the mixture. Use this 2 or 3 times per day, and continue for 2 weeks after the infection has cleared up.

Aloe Vera

This is sold as a heath drink. If it is pure it makes an effective mouthwash. The only precaution is that many people are allergic to Aloe Vera

Tea Tree Oil

This is a little like lemongrass oil. We can add 3 drops to warm water and have an effective mouthwash.

As a precaution, Tea Tree Oil can interfere with some medications. And some people are allergic to Tea Tree Oil.

Sage

Sage leaves boiled in water make a mild mouthwash. This is not a potent as other treatments, but it is also less irritating.

Dental Dundas – Diet Changes for Gum Disease.

Of course we know that sugary items and junk food are very bad for teeth and gums. We should also realise that some foods can benefit the mouth, and fight infections.

Turmeric

This fights inflammation and some types of infection. We can add it to many types of food, or even make a turmeric paste and apply it to our teeth and gums.

Green Tea

This fights bad bacteria and gives us fresh breath. a few cups of green tea every day is healthy. The decaffeinated types are fine.

Onions

Raw onions will fight bacteria and other infections. We can chew onions daily or add them to food. The downside is that they cause bad breath and watering eyes.

Garlic

Garlic will also fight bacteria and gum infections. It also tends to be generally healthy. But it does give bad breath.

Cashews

These fight some types of bad bacteria. There is no side effect as long as there is no allergy to nuts.

Chewing Gum

Sugar free gum with Xylitol fights bad bacteria in the mouth. It also gives us fresh breath, so we might use it after eating onions of garlic.

Dundas Dental

Gum infections are serious, especially if they go untreated. See the dentist if you suspect an issue and prevent further troubles.

Orthodontics – Dentist Dundas

Orthodontics is the study of optimising teeth and jaw alignment. The aim is to give us neat, well functioning teeth that should also look attractive. Orthodontics may overlap other dental specialities.

Few people have naturally ideal, let alone perfect teeth, but the practice of orthodontics can give most individuals teeth and jaws that are very close to ideal.

In the past orthodontics was almost entirely practised on teenagers, usually when their permanent teeth first emerged. But now about 30% of orthodontics is performed on adults, who presumably could not have the treatment when they were teens.

Dundas Dentist

Orthodontics deals with improper teeth positioning. This may involve underbite, overbite, crooked teeth, overcrowded teeth or a jaw alignment. These issues can cause tooth wear and difficulty with cleaning. occasionally they may cause difficult with speaking or breathing at night. Orthodontics can move individual teeth and the position of the jaw to some extent. It often gives us a better smile, but is a desirable side effect rather than the main goal. Well functioning teeth are the aim of orthodontics.

Children should have an orthodontic treatment at around 7 years of age. This will determine if the might need braces or other treatment latter on. Sometimes the child will need no treatment, or perhaps some early preventative measures on the baby teeth will parlay the need for orthodontic work in their teens.

It is usually best to have orthodontic work done in the teens, once the permanent teeth have first appeared. But it is never too late to have more orthodontic work done.

Dental Dundas

There is no reason not to have the best teeth possible. see your dentist and orthodontist for a smile you will be proud to have.

Newington Dentist

There are many ways to alter teeth that are less than perfect. Many people have braces as teenagers, or have individual teeth crowned when they are older. Another option is dental veneers. These are less pricey than crowns or implants, and are a good option if a whole row of teeth need to be fixed. Veneers are the secret behind many celebrity smiles.

What are Dental Veneers? – Dental Newington

Veneers are a thin layer of porcelain or composite resin that replace the front surface of a tooth. They are a permanent solution, a little like crowns, but which only cover one surface of the tooth.

Porcelain veneers are considered the superior type. They look more realistic than composite, and are stronger and longer lasting. Unlike some teeth and dental materials they should not stain.

Porcelain teeth require a few dental visits to be fitted, as they are custom made in a dental lab. But the results are impressive. Modern computer aided design and manufacturing can allow porcelain veneers to be fitted in minimal time.

When Are Veneers a Good Option – Newington Dental

Veneers can make teeth look like new, completely changing their appearance.

They are ideal for:

• Slightly crooked teeth. The veneers can be completely straight.
• Stained teeth. The veneers are clean and bright, and should never stain.
• A chipped tooth. The veneer gives a neat, straight, complete tooth.
• Widely spaced teeth. The veneers can be slightly wider than the original teeth, so they sit neatly nest to each other.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Veneers – Dental Newington

Advantages:

• The procedure only takes a few visits. This is different to braces or Invisalign which takes several years.
• The Veneers are permanent. It is rare to have problems with veneers.
• Teeth will be permanently the right colour – No need for teeth whitening.
• Less expensive than crowns.
• The procedure is not too complex or awkward.
• The results look and feel like natural teeth.

Disadvantages

• The natural teeth are permanently altered.
• The natural teeth and gums must be fairly healthy for veneers to be fitted.
• They might cause tooth sensitivity.
• Composite veneer can crack after several years.

Newington Dentist

We deserve the best teeth possible. Dental veneers can give many of us a natural looking, healthy smile.

Root Canal Treatment – Newington Dentist

There is a lot stigma surrounding root canal treatments. Popular culture would have us believe they are torture. But this is very misleading. While an infected root canal is often quite painful the treatment is only moderately awkward, and actually removes the pain in the tooth.

Infected Teeth – Dental Newington

Our teeth consist of several layers. We can broadly divide this into the outer hard enamel, the softer inner pulp, and the living inner nerve of the tooth.
Occasionally the inner nerve of a tooth becomes infected, probably because the tooth is badly damaged or because the surrounding gum is infected. This infected nerve can often be painful. If the nerve is too badly damaged it will need to be entirely removed. This is a root canal treatment.

Diligent brushing and flossing will reduce the chances of an infected tooth. But very occasionally an infection occurs despite our best efforts. Once the nerve is badly infected it will need a root canal.

A root canal might be needed if:

– You suffer tooth decay or acid wear
– Periodontitis (Advanced gum disease)
– Trauma from a sports injury or other impact.
– A cracked filling or other dental restoration
– Damage from grinding or clenching teeth (bruxism)

If the tooth has a cavity or any sign of damage it is best to have this treated as soon as possible. A solid filling now can prevent the need of a root canal later on.

Newington Dental

You should make a dental appointment if you experience:

– Sudden toothache or pain when biting or chewing
– Teeth that are sensitive to hot, cold food and drinks
– The tooth feels loose
– The tooth has a dark colour
– Swollen or tender gums near a tooth
– Facial or Neck Swelling
– An abscess on the gum of a mouth sore with pus

Occasionally the tooth appears fine, but a dental X-ray will show a serious issue.

Root Canal Treatment – Newington Dentist

A Root Canal Treatment will save the tooth, removing the nerve but keeping the outer enamel. This requires a few appointments, but the procedure is not especially difficult, not much worse than a regular filling. After a few days the tooth will feel normal again, and function correctly as it did before.

Dental Newington

We want everybody to have the best teeth possible. If you experience any problems have us check them promptly. Quick treatment gives the best outcome.

Invisalign Rydalmere

Only a few of us have naturally neat, functional teeth. Most people either have braces as teenagers to straighten their teeth, or they have a little dental work later on to fix a few problems. A few of us just tolerate our less then a perfect teeth. But an increasingly popular option is using Invisalign during our adult years.

Many adults do not like to wear braces. While it is quite possible to use braces to straighten teeth at any age many adults resist this option. They feel that braces look childish, and that the awkwardness of braces is too great. These same adults may be open to using Invisalign.

What is Invisalign Rydalmere?

Invisalign is a series of clear mouth-guards that are used to straighten teeth. These mouth-guards can perform most of the functions of braces, but they are far less inconvenient, and far less noticeable than braces. Best of all, they can be removed for eating and drinking.

The clear mouth-guards used for Invisalign treatment apply gentle but consistent pressure on misaligned teeth. This slowly but steadily pushes the teeth into the ideal straight position. The process takes about 1 or 2 years to complete.

Advantages of Invisalign

• Invisalign is not very noticeable, certainly less obtrusive than braces.
• Invisalign can be removed while eating and drinking, or for the occasional public speaking event.
• Invisalign will not cause ulcers of cuts to the gums.
•  Invisalign is relatively easy to get used to.

Disadvantages of Invisalign

• Invisalign is not suitable for more complex tooth alignment issues.
• Invisalign will not help with jaw alignment problems, only teeth.
• The process takes a year or two to complete. It is not as immediate as crowns or veneers.

As long as Invisalign is worn 22 hours per day the treatment should be effective.

Alternatives to Invisalign Rydalmere

Dental Veneers – These can fix some type of misaligned and misshapen teeth. And the results take only a few dental appointments.
Lingual Braces – These are like normal braces, but fitted behind the teeth, so they are less visible.
Crowns – These are expensive, but very effective. They are good if only one or two teeth need alteration.

Invisalign Rydalmere

We all deserve the best teeth possible. If you prefer not to have braces for straightening then ask the dentist about Invisalign.

Dental Newington

Do you often have to deal with a dry mouth? This may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it is a sign that something is wrong. It might just be a case of being dehydrated, but even then a dry mouth can encourage the bad bacteria that lead to tooth decay and gum disease. And it is quite possible that the dry mouth is caused by a serious underlying condition.

Breathing Problems

A dry mouth can be caused by incorrect breathing. Our bodies should breathe through the nose. If we breathe through the mouth instead we end up with a dry mouth, and also end up with a deficiency of Nitric Oxide, which will leaves us tired and unable to concentrate.

It is not uncommon to breathe through the mouth while we sleep. This leaves us feeling lethargic when we wake, and with bad breath. This quickly leads to tooth decay and gum problems.

Preventing a Dry Mouth

– Remember to Drink more water during the day.
– While sleeping try using a nasal strip, or perhaps a CPAP breathing mask, to encourage nasal breathing. Dentist can make a mouth guard to help correct breathing at night.
– Chew sugar free gum, or sugar free candy. Either of these sweetened with Xylitol will also help fight bad bacteria in the mouth.
– Chemists/Pharmacists can sell over the counter treatments for dry mouth.
– Tea, green or black, helps keep the mouth moist. These also prevent bad breath by fighting bad bacteria.
– Use alcohol free mouth wash.
– Give up smoking, which will dry the mouth.
– Limit Caffeine and alcohol, which will dry the mouth.
– If our sinuses are blocked we might find that spicy food can relieve the blockage. Or try inhaling steam.
– Try Ginger can activate the saliva glands.
– Use a room humidifier to put moisture in the air. This is especially effective at night.
– Check to see if you have an underlying medical condition that causes the dry mouth.

Some condition that are correlated with a dry mouth include:

– Alzheimer’s disease
– Autoimmune diseases
– Blood loss
– Diabetes
– Infections of the mouth or salivary glands, such as oral thrush or mumps
– Kidney failure
– Parkinson’s disease
– Sleep apnea

Some painkillers, antidepressants and chemotherapy produce a dry mouth as a side effect.

Newington Dental

A dry mouth should not be ignored. Talk to the dentist, and prevent complications to your dental and general health.