Dentist Denistone

We have been instructed on the importance of brushing our teeth since we were young. But it is too easy to make a simple mistake when we clean our teeth, and end up with problems that could have been easily avoided.

Dundas Dental

Brushing morning and Night
It is too easy to just brush once per day, but this causes far more problems than we might realise. We need to brush in the morning to be rid of bad breath. We need to brush at night because there is a day’s worth of food left in the mouth, which feeds the bacteria in the mouth as we sleep.

Brushing too Hard

If we clean every day then the plaque on our teeth should be soft, and easy to remove with light brushing. It is the time, 2 minutes at least, we spend brushing that removes this plaque, not the pressure we put on the brush. Hard pressure is bad, because it wears away the tooth enamel. This leaves us with sensitive teeth, a condition that is hard to cure.

Hard bristle toothbrushes cause the same abrasive wear as hard brushing.

Not brushing for Long Enough

Brushing is not difficult. But we need to adequately cover every tooth in the mouth. This takes about two minutes. Most people don’t even spend half this time brushing. This means tartar will build up in some parts of the mouth. This tartar is hard to remove.

A timer, some brushes have them built in, will help us stick to the 2-minute minimum.

Just using mouthwash

It is a mistake to think that mouthwash does away with the need for flossing. We actually need both. Floss removes the physical food debris and plaque. Mouthwash fights the germs.

Using Floss Picks but not Floss.

Floss picks (interdental brushes) are useful for cleaning between molars, but we need the action of traditional floss as well, especially for the front teeth. Floss removes plaque on the sides of a tooth, which prevents cavities between the teeth.

Avoiding Flossing because the Gums Bleed

If the gums bleed we have not been cleaning and flossing enough. We need to floss more often. Start by using mouthwash, to kill the bacteria in the mouth. We don’t want that bacteria to get into our bloodstream. Then floss every tooth. After a few weeks of diligent flossing the gums should stop bleeding.
Bleeding gums may be the sigh on an infection. Have this immediately checked by the dentist.

Brushing too soon after Eating and Drinking.

Many acidic or sugary foods will soften the enamel of our teeth. If we brush while the enamel is still soft we end up wearing that enamel away. Wait 30 minutes after eating or drinking before brushing, and either drink plain water or chew sugar free gum in the meantime to help clean those teeth.

Using Cheap, non-ADA approved Toothpaste

Some toothpastes are poor quality, especially if they are bought at import stores. Overseas products are not subjected to any evaluation by the Dental Association, and may even contain toxic chemicals. A good ADA approved toothpaste is not too expensive.

Only seeing the dentist when you are in pain
Preventative dentistry is the best approach, finding the problem early on before it is too serious. Regular dental appointment means you avoid pain and avoid costly procedures, because the potential issues are caught early on.

See the dentist every six months.

Dentist Denistone

Diligent cleaning and regular dental appointments will give us the best dental health possible.

Dental Newington

Our gums are as important as the teeth they hold. If our gums are infected then we risk losing both teeth and bone from our jaw. Gum infections are a serious concern.

Our gums are more likely to become infected if we neglect brushing and cleaning. The bad bacteria in our mouth that cause dental decay will also cause gum infections if we are not careful. This infection often goes unnoticed, but quickly develops into a serious issue. If we catch in the infection in the earlier stages it can usually be cured, But once the infection has progressed too far it becomes permanent. After this point it can only be managed with ongoing treatment, never fully cured.

Newington Dental

Gingivitis

This is the earliest stage of gum disease. It causes the gums to become off-coloured, perhaps dark red or pale white; the gums will also become sore over time. Because of the bad bacteria behind the infection the teeth are often suffering at the same time, being prone to decay.

Gingivitis can be cured with the use of strong disinfectant mouthwash, salt water rinses and diligent brushing and flossing. We may need to clean our teeth and gums, and use mouthwash, three times a day to get rid Gingivitis.

Gingivitis will often grow worse if it is not immediately dealt with, becoming the more serious infection called periodontal Disease (AKA, Periodontitis).

Periodontal Disease

This is a more advanced form of gum infection, where other types of bad bacteria infect the mouth. It usually develops from Gingivitis, but sometimes it appears on its own. Over time periodontal disease causes the loss of teeth and bone, which cannot be recovered. It is a very serious, life threatening condition.

Periodontitis might be reversed if caught very early on, though it requires special treatment by the dentist. But once it has started to advance it becomes permanent, requiring ongoing treatment that can only prevent the condition from becoming worse, and preventing the loss of the teeth and jawbone.

If the periodontal infection has caused damage a specialist dentist called a periodontist will be needed to help repair the teeth and remove at least some of the damage. This may entail surgery that open up the gums to remove infected areas, including decayed portions of the tooth roots.

The bacteria involved in periodontal disease has been linked to cardiovascular problems and dementia. Individuals who suffer periodontal disease in their middle years are much more likely to develop dementia and cardiovascular conditions in their old age. This is reason enough to avoid periodontal disease.

Dental Newington

Diligent daily brushing, flossing and use of mouthwash greatly reduce the chance of contracting gum disease. A healthy diet with minimal junk food and sugar also help.

Report any concerns of gum disease to the dentist. Early intervention can cure the problem before the damage is too severe.

Implant Denistone

Dental implants are the modern way to replace an entire tooth. Where a dental crown will replace the external part of the tooth, while keeping the pulp and root nerve, an implant replaces the entire tooth structure, using a metal post to secure the visible top of the tooth to the jawbone.

We might use an implant if a tooth is badly damaged, badly malformed, very out of alignment, or it a tooth has been lost altogether. If the tooth is only moderately damaged or malformed a crown is a better option. But if the tooth is too far gone, or missing altogether, then we need to use an implant.

Implant Dental Denistone

Implants have two main sections, a metal post into the jawbone, and an external, visible tooth.

The metal post is made of titanium. This material is used because it bonds extremely well to the jawbone. After it is inserted the titanium bonds at a molecular level to bone, though this process takes a few weeks to reach full strength. But one in place it is very secure. Only rarely are their complications in this bonding.

The external replacement tooth can be made of various materials, Lithium Disilicate and Zirconia were the most common materials until recently. Both of these tooth materials are strong, and look realistic.

Zirconia is stronger than other materials, but not quite as realistic looking. It is mostly used on back molar teeth where the extra strength is an advantage, and the appearance is not too important.

Lithium Disilicate is very realistic looking, and can be matched to the colour of the patient’s other teeth. But it is not quite as strong as Zirconia. It is mostly used for front teeth because it looks so like a biological tooth.

Some older implants use porcelain, and some new materials are always being developed to replace the present technology.

Procedure for Implant Denistone

An implant will take at least three dental appointments. The first appointment will be to take moulds and match the tooth colour. The second appointment will fit the titanium post. After a few weeks, when the titanium post has bonded, the final tooth can be put in place.

Dental implants have a very high success rate. They should last for decades under reasonable conditions. And they only require the same cleaning as regular teeth, twice daily brushing and flossing. They will not decay, but If they are not cleaned they surrounding gum may become infected.

Implant Denistone

Implants are the gold standard for replacing teeth. They look realistic and last for decades with only basic cleaning.

Braces Oatlands

Braces have been used on many generations of children to give them neat functional teeth as adults. And the results that last a lifetime are well worth the few years of awkwardness in our teenage years.

Braces can be effectively used at any age, once we have all our permanent teeth. It is perfectly possible to use them on adults. But most adults do not like the look of braces, feeling that braces are a very teenage sort of thing. So they prefer an alternative means of straightening their teeth.

One alternative means of straightening teeth is Invisalign.

Invisalign Newington Dental

Invisalign straighten teeth with a series of clear plastic retainers, which are rather like small mouth-guards. These retainers put constant pressure on the misaligned teeth, bringing them into alignment over the course of a year or two.

Invisalign has many advantages over braces. The retainers are detachable, and are removed for eating and drinking. They can also be removed for public speaking if necessary. As long as they are worn most of the time, about 22 hours of the day, they will work to straighten teeth.

Even when the Invisalign retainer is worn it is hardly noticeable. The retainer is clear, and will blend in with the teeth. An observer will only notice the Invisalign system if they are actively looking for it.

Adult patients get use to Invisalign quite quickly. It may make speaking slightly awkward at first, but individuals find they quickly get use to it. In can actually help here, encouraging us to speak more clearly.

Invisalign is not suitable for all dental situations. It cannot straighten all type of tooth alignment problems, or be used for jaw alignment problems. It is quite effective for slight to moderate tooth alignment issues, but more severe problems will require traditional braces, or perhaps lingual braces.

Dental Oatlands – Lingual Braces.

Adults who do not like the look of traditional braces might be able to use lingual braces. These are similar to traditional braces, but are fitted to the back of the teeth rather than the front. This makes them virtually unnoticeable. They are awkward at first, as all braces are, but have the advantage of not affecting our appearance in any negative way.

Dental Newington

Neat teeth look great, give us some confidence, and are much easier to maintain. Talk to the dentist about the smile you deserve to have.

Dentist Newington

Teeth are rarely ideal. They may have suffered wear over time, or damage and decay. Quite often they were never quite right to begin with. But dentists can fix and restore almost any teeth, and go a long way towards giving us an ideal mouth.
Neat, well aligned set of teeth are more than just a matter of looking good. Neat teeth are easier to keep clean, and therefore less likely to become infected and suffer decay or gum disease.

Replacing Wisdom Teeth Denistone

Wisdom teeth, the back molar in our mouth that appear in our late teens or early twenties, are prone to problems. They often do not fully emerge from the gum, making them hard to clean. And there is often not enough room in the mouth for these extra teeth to fit correctly. This means they may push the other teeth out of alignment.
In some cases the wisdom teeth are extracted, because there simply isn’t enough room in the mouth.
If the wisdom tooth is damaged it might be fixed with Inlays or a crown. A crown will replace the entire outer part of the tooth. Modern crowns are made of ziroconia, which is realistic and long lasting. An inlay is like a crown, but it only replaced the damaged part of the tooth.

Protecting Molars and Wisdom Teeth Rydalmere

Molar teeth are prone to damage on the upper chewing surface. This chewing surface is rough, and can harbour bacteria and food debris which is hard to remove even with a toothbrush.
The chewing surface of molars can be protected with a dental sealant. This fills in the tiny areas in the chewing surface so food and bacteria cannot get trapped there.
If the chewing surface is badly damaged is may be replaced with an inlay or onlay. The removes part of the tooth and replaces the resulting gap with a piece of custom shaped material, a little like a crown. It is superior to a filling, long lasting and harder to detect.

Invisalign Telopea

Permanent Adult teeth may shift out of alignment after we have our braces removed. Or they may never have been well aligned to start with. These issues can be fixed with Invisalign.
Most adults don’t like the idea of wearing braces. But they will often be willing to use Invisalign. This is a series of small, clear mouthguards that can correct most moderate tooth alignment problems. Invisalign is unnoticable and can be removed for eating and drinking.

Dentist Newington

Are you teeth less than ideal? Dentists can restore damaged teeth and fix many problems either aquired or congenital.

Dentist Newington

If our tooth enamel, the hard outer surface of the tooth, grown thin we suffer problems. The thin enamel will not insulate the nerve inside the tooth, so the teeth will be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. This will cause pain when we drink coffee or eat ice cream. Furthermore, thin enamel is more prone to decay than the enamel on healthy teeth.

Basically, thin enamel leaves us with sensitive teeth, and with teeth more prone to decay.

Causes of Thin Enamel – Dental Newington

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance of the human body, but it can be damaged by acidic conditions and by physical abrasion.

– Brushing too hard, or with a hard bristle brush, will steadily wear away enamel over time. It is better to use a soft bristle brush and lite/moderate pressure. Brush for two minutes twice per day.
– It is a mistake to brush too soon after eating. Many foods and drinks will temporarily soften enamel. If we brush too soon after eating we quickly wear away the softened enamel. Wait 30 minutes after eating before brushing. It help to drink water or chew sugar free gum after eating.
– Drinking anything acidic will thin the tooth enamel. Soft drink, fruit juice, lemon water, sports drinks and energy drinks are highly acidic, as are some foods. When we drink these beverages we damage our tooth enamel. Drinking with a straw and drinking water after wards will reduce the damage, but it is best to avoid these beverages altogether. It is better to eat fruit than just drink the juice.

Treating Thin Tooth Enamel

Thin tooth enamel cannot be reversed, the damage is permanent. In some cases the teeth can be capped, and this removed the problem, but this is an expensive procedure.

However, the pain from thin enamel can be greatly reduced with special sensitive toothpaste. This toothpaste fills in the microscopic holes in the teeth, providing better thermal insulation, so the nerves in the teeth do not react so strongly to the environment in the mouth, and feel much less pain.

Sensitive toothpaste takes a few weeks of use before it becomes effective. Use it twice per day and leave it to settle on the teeth – do not rinse it off. Over time, perhaps a month, it will greatly reduce the sensitivity of the teeth.

Denistone Dentist

Diligent dental care will reduce the risk of most dental problems. Brush daily, and see the dentist even 6 months.

Brushing Dundas Dental

Brushing is the most basic yet fundamental aspect of cleaning. It is simple, yet effective. If we neglect to brush them we greatly raise the risk of tooth decay.
It is important to have the right brushing technique.

– Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, and brush with minimal pressure. Hard bristles or strong pressure will steadily wear tooth enamel and lead to damaged teeth. Some electric brushes have a sensor to show the ideal pressure.
– Always wait 30 minutes after eating or drinking before brushing. The acidity of many foods and drinks will temporary weaken enamel. If we brush too soon we will wear this softened enamel away.
– It helps to drink/gargle water after eating, as this reduces the acidity in the mouth.
– Use a pea sized amount of toothpaste. Hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the teeth and brush in a gentle circles.
– The inside of the teeth, next to the tongue, is an area that is often neglected. We should brush here to be 100% clean.
– Brush for about two minutes twice per day.
– Convention and most electric toothbrushes will not reach the space between teeth. This area needs to be flossed, or cleaned with inter-dental brushes. Ultrasonic toothbrushes will clean this space between teeth with their high frequency vibrations.
– Spit out the paste after brushing, but do not rinse. Leaving the remnant on the teeth helps provide some extra protection.
– Some people use sugar free gum after brushing. Chewing gum with Xylitol helps to fight bad bacteria and reduce decay.
Mouthwash is also beneficial. Use this after brushing. Or use it at other times of the day.
– If you are prone to bleeding gums we should use mouthwash before we brush. This gets rid of bacteria and prevent them getting into the blood stream.

Wisdom Teeth Rydalmere

Our wisdom teeth emerge when we are in our late teens or early twenties. These are he back (third) molars in our mouth. Often there is not enough room in the mouth to accommodate the wisdom teeth. So these teeth end up partly covered by the gum, or they push other teeth out of alignment. This makes cleaning difficult.
We may need to get our wisdom teeth removed. Else, we may need them sealed to make cleaning easier. Even if they are healthy it is often hard to clean these teeth at the back of the mouth as they are hard to reach.
An electric toothbrush may make is easier to clean the back molars. Ultrasonic toothbrushes also help as they clean the general area of the mouth, not just the area that they physically touch.

Brushing Dundas Dental

Good dental habits practised every day will greatly reduce decay and gum disease. Visit the dentist for regular check-ups.

Wisdom Teeth Denistone

Wisdom teeth are the back molars, the very last teeth to emerge in the mouth. Most of our permanent teeth are in place when we reach our early teens. But wisdom teeth will not emerge until we are in at least our late teens or early twenties. In some individuals, the wisdom teeth either never develop, or never emerge from the jaw.
Unfortunately, wisdom teeth can cause problems. Often there is not enough room in the mouth for these extra teeth, and they either punch other teeth out of alignment or do not fully emerge from the jaw. In some cases, the wisdom teeth are partly overgrown by gum, and become prone to infection because they are so difficult to clean. Often the wisdom teeth are removed.

Wisdom Teeth Rydalmere

Wisdom teeth will be removed if they are causing problems. This is an awkward procedure, but it is often necessary, and the discomfort will not last forever. It should take 6 to 8 weeks for the jaw to completely recover.
The main issue with wisdom teeth is the lack of room in the mouth, the extra molars simply do not have enough room. we might question why the human body has such a disfunction.
Some research suggests that young human babies that chew hard food will develop slightly larger jaws. This allows slightly more room for the wisdom teeth later on. Our culture, which tends to encourage softer food at a young age, maybe inadvertently cause problems later on by not allowing the jaws to develop correctly.
Other research has suggested that injections in the jaw at a young age, usually for anesthetic, will prevent wisdom teeth from developing later on. This is still not fully understood and is open to further research.

Braces Oatlands

Braces will give us straighter teeth and jaws. If we have braces as teenagers we can benefit from the improved teeth for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, this can be compromised by the wisdom teeth, which will come through long after the braces have been removed.
If we suspect we have wisdom tooth issues we should have the situation examined by a dentist. Immediate treatment will prevent the emerging wisdom teeth from causing too much damage.

Invisalign Denistone

Invisalign is a way to straighten minor to moderate tooth alignment problems without braces. This is sometimes used to fix issues caused by wisdom teeth.

Wisdom Teeth Denistone

Our wisdom teeth emerge when we are young adults. Often they cause problems and need to be attended to by the dentist.