teeth - Redcliffe Smiles

Have you ever had a toothache?

Posted on 06.28.23 By Alf Le

If so, you would know that the pain can range from mild discomfort to excruciating pain. But did you know that dental pain can be caused by a variety of factors? In this blog, we will discuss some of the causes of toothaches, how to prevent them, and what to do if you are unlucky enough to experience one.

Causes of Toothaches

A toothache can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

1. Tooth decay: A hole or cavity will occur when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that eat away your tooth enamel. If left untreated, cavities will increase in size and can cause toothaches.

2. Gum disease: Gum disease is caused by the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth and if left for too long can lead to tooth loss and in some cases acute dental pain.

3. Tooth abscess: A tooth abscess is a collection of pus that forms in your tooth or gums. It can cause severe pain and swelling.

4. Tooth fracture: A tooth fracture can be caused by trauma to your mouth, such as a fall or a blow to the face. It can cause pain when you bite down or chew.

5. Grinding your teeth: Grinding your teeth can cause toothaches, as it can wear down your tooth enamel and cause sensitivity.

6. Tooth sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity can cause a sharp, shooting pain when you eat or drink something hot or cold.

7. Sinus infection: Due to the proximity of your sinus’ to your upper teeth, sinus infections can present as pain in your upper teeth.

8. Wisdom teeth: When your wisdom teeth start to erupt, they can cause pain and discomfort especially if they become impacted.

What to Do If You Experience a Toothache?

See your dentist as soon as possible, especially if you experience fever or swelling. Your dentist will diagnose the cause of your toothache and recommend the appropriate treatment.

The treatment for a toothache will depend on the cause of the pain. Some common treatments for toothaches include:

1. Filling a cavity: If your toothache is caused by a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth and restore it with a filling material.

2. Root canal: If your toothache is caused by an infection in the pulp of your tooth, your dentist may recommend a root canal. During a root canal, your dentist will remove the infected pulp and fill the tooth with a filling material.

3. Gum disease treatment: If your toothache is caused by gum disease, your dentist will recommend treatment to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums.

4. Tooth extraction: If your tooth is severely damaged or infected and cannot be saved, your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction.

5. Antibiotics: If your toothache is caused by an infection, your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the infection.

In the meantime, there may be things you can do to alleviate the pain. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This can help reduce inflammation and ease the discomfort. Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or Panadol and a cold compress can help to help reduce swelling and numb the pain. Avoid hot or cold foods and drinks, as they can make the pain worse.

In summary, if you have a toothache, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Call us at Redcliffe Smiles on 1300 438 715 if you have a dental emergency, toothache or any other dental issues. We have appointment available today and will be more than happy to assist you with any concerns you may have.

What is an implant?

Posted on 09.13.18 By Alf Le

Dental Implants

Dental Implants have caused a revolutionary change in dentistry. The more advanced our technology becomes, the more exciting our treatment options become. So, what are they, how do they work and why would you want one? Let’s break it down.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium fixture that is carefully inserted into the jaw bone. This serves as a replacement for the roots of the teeth that have been lost due to injury, disease or decay.

On top of the implant, an abutment and ceramic crown is then placed. Implant retained ceramic
crowns can be impossible to distinguish from natural teeth, both functionally and cosmetically.

Some of the major benefits of dental implant treatment is that they are strong, stable, secure and reliable so you can eat quite normally after treatment is complete.

They provide an aesthetically pleasing result, blending with the adjacent teeth.

When can dental Implants be used?

It doesn’t matter whether teeth were lost through accident, disease or decay, dental implants are an excellent tooth replacement for many patients.

Our dentists will be able to assist and inform you whether you are a good candidate and what option best suits your circumstances.

Dental Implants can be used when:

A single tooth is missing
Several teeth are missing
All teeth are missing

So basically, if you are missing one or more teeth then an implant may be an option for you.

How does it work?

After detailed consultation and examination, a treatment plan will be prepared by your dentist. Only once you are happy with the plan, will your dentist perform surgery to place the implant.

Following the placement of your implant, an integration period of between 6-16 weeks is required. This to allow for your bone to fuse to the implant through a process called osseointegration.

When your dentist is satisfied with the stability of your implant fixture, the final restoration can take place.

Care and maintenance

With long term studies over more than three decades and over a million patients treated, implants are highly successful- with a 95% success rate. With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups this will help ensure a long lasting solution.

Let’s recap! An implant consists of three parts, the implant fixture (screw), the abutment and the crown.

The implant fixture is placed in the jaw and acts as a root, the abutment and the crown are attached to this to form a fully functional tooth replacement.

Pretty cool stuff, right? Implants can be used to replace single, multiple or all missing teeth depending on the patient. With the correct care and maintenance they are an excellent treatment option for those with missing teeth, as they have an excellent long term prognosis.

This is why so many people are now opting for this as a solution to their missing teeth.

This is all of your basic information regarding dental Implants, however if you believe that this may be a good option for yourself and would like to know more then please don’t hesitate to contact us on 3203 7177. We love to answer any questions you may have and assist you in any way we can.

What is a crown?

Posted on 02.25.17 By Alf Le

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged or weak tooth and fully encases the visible portion of the tooth. Crowns restore shape, size, strength and appearance whilst protecting the tooth from damage.

A crown may be needed for a number of reasons, these reasons can include:

To protect weak teeth
Restore a broken tooth
To cover and support a tooth with a large filling or minimal tooth structure
To hold a bridge in place
Cover a dental implant
Or for cosmetic modification

There are many different uses for crowns and there are also different types of crowns that can be used. There are metal, porcelain fused to metal, resin, all porcelain and ceramic crowns. Each type of crown has different benefits for each person and can be chosen depending on the situation and the tooth.

Metal (gold alloy, other alloys or a base metal alloy)

Metal crowns require less tooth structure to be removed during the prepping process, the wear to opposing teeth is minimal and they can withstand biting and chewing forces well, lasting the longest in terms of wear. Metal crowns rarely chip or break although aesthetically are not ideal, especially for anterior teeth.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal

These crowns are colour matched to the adjacent teeth, making them a good choice for both anterior and posterior teeth. They do however cause more wear to opposing teeth compared to metal or resin crowns. These crowns look most like a normal tooth, although the underlying metal can show through as a dark line especially around the gums and can also chip or break off with time.

All-resin

All-resin crowns are less expensive than other types, they can be colour matched to adjacent teeth and are good for front teeth. They do however wear down over time and are more prone to fractures compared to other materials.

All-ceramic or All-porcelain

These crowns have a better natural colour match than any other type of crown material. They are most suitable for people with metal allergies, however, are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal. They will wear down opposing teeth more than metal or resin crowns but are a good choice for anterior teeth.

There are two visits involved in the making of a crown, the first visit is to prepare the tooth and the second visit is the placement of the permanent crown.

The first visit is very important, it is where the dentist will prep the tooth for a crown to be fabricated to fit around the prepared tooth. Your dentist may want to take some x-rays to check the roots and also the vitality of the tooth. This also helps to identify whether there is any extensive decay or if the tooth is at risk of infection, if this is the case your dentist may need to perform a root canal treatment before commencing with the crown.

The tooth will be numbed so there will be no pain or sensitivity for the patient, the tooth will then be filed down along the chewing surface and the sides. The amount of tooth structure removed will be dependant on the type of crown material used as the thickness varies between materials.

Children and the Dentist

Posted on 09.27.16 By Alf Le

There is always questions revolving around children and when they should first start seeing a dentist. Dental hygiene and regular checkups are just as important for kids as they are for adults. Good oral hygiene habits should be ingrained in us when we are young as they are essential for not only developing teeth as well as our adult teeth. If we don’t take care of our baby teeth then we can incur problems with our permanent teeth once they have developed. So this begs the question, what age do we start bringing children to the dentist and what ways can we improve their oral health?

It is recommended that kids have their first oral health check by the age of two, although it can be good to bring them in earlier during your regular check-ups and cleans, as this will help to get them used to the environment. It is not necessary to bribe your kids to see a dentist as it shouldn’t be a daunting experience, it should be portrayed as positive, interesting and fun. Appointments earlier in the day are generally better as they won’t be too tired and will be more compliable. We want them to enjoy coming to see us as this helps to prevent issues in the future as they grow older.

We find that a lot of children are left to their own devices in regards to their oral hygiene, parents should be helping and continuing to teach them until at least the age of 7 or 8. The reason you need to be brushing for your kids until this age is because they don’t have the dexterity to be able to brush their teeth properly, after this age they should be able to do a sufficient enough job by themselves.

Children, like adults, need to be brushing their teeth at least twice a day as well as flossing. Although their baby teeth will eventually fall out, it is imperative to look after them whilst they have got them. Losing a baby tooth early can impact the development of the adult teeth, it is something that is preferably avoided. It is advisable to avoid sugary and processed food as this is a major cause of decay, especially in young children. Tap water is always a good option as it contains fluoride which helps developing teeth to become strong and healthy.

If you have any further questions regarding children and the dentist, please don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff. We will endeavour to be as helpful and insightful as possible. Remember the golden rule, prevention is better than a cure, it is much easier to maintain good oral hygiene than it is to fix an issue.

Our top 5 tips to a healthy mouth

Posted on 09.2.16 By Alf Le

We understand that life gets busy and sometimes looking after ourselves can take the backseat for a while. We may forget to brush our teeth as we run out the door for a busy day or maybe it’s been a week since you flossed and that piece of steak stuck between your teeth is now the last of your worries? With that in mind, we have compiled our top five tips to a healthy mouth.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the first step to an overall healthy mouth, but what does this entail and how can we achieve it?

Well firstly, regular brushing is imperative. This is the first step to removing all of the leftover food and debris we accumulate from eating. If we don’t brush after meals then plaque (a film that holds millions of bacteria) builds up and over time it hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar are what cause tooth decay and gum disease. So regular brushing helps to remove this plaque and the germs that cause these problems.

When brushing it is important to ensure that all surfaces of the teeth and gums are gently scrubbed and that we spend some time giving our tongue a good clean as well.

The next step in maintaining good oral hygiene is flossing. Brushing alone only cleans three out of five surfaces of your teeth. Only flossing cleans the remaining two. It not only cleans the hard to reach surfaces between your teeth but also helps to maintain healthy gums. It is generally recommended that we should be flossing once a day at night before bed with your along with your brushing routine.

Be mindful of what you are eating

In this day and age, processed and sugary food and beverages are everywhere. We consume them daily and although we are aware of the health issues it can cause, it is good to remember the damage that it can do to our teeth and gums as well. Sugary food increase plaque formation placing you at higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Acidic food, including some fruits are also something we need to be aware of. If we are consuming too much acidic food or drinks then it can soften the enamel exposing them to wear, erosion and decay.

It is best not to brush immediately after having something acidic as your teeth are more likely to be weakened at the time. The best thing to do is it to rinse with water and wait at least half an hour after eating before brushing your teeth.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Not only can alcohol and tobacco products affect your overall health, they also play a part in your oral health. Alcohol can decrease saliva production, resulting in a dry mouth which is a cause of tooth decay. Saliva contains proteins and minerals that help to protect your tooth enamel, prevent decay and gum disease. Tobacco use can raise the risk of oral cancer and other diseases, this can be detrimental to not only your oral health but also your general health. The nicotine in tobacco raises the chance of developing gum disease and inhibits the gum tissue from fighting infection.

Protect your teeth

A lot of us are involved in sports, whether It be recreational or professionally. With this being said, it is crucial to protect your teeth during contact sports. Wearing a custom made mouthguard from your dentist is the best way to prevent injuries to your teeth, jaw and gums that may be caused from a blow to the mouth. A properly fitted mouthguard absorbs impact, protects the gums from laceration and cushions the jaw from impact whilst playing sports.

Regular maintenance visits

It is recommended that you see your dentist every six months to have a comprehensive check-up and professional clean. You still need to brush and floss daily between visits, as this will help to prevent any issues occurring during these periods. Brushing and flossing your teeth removes the majority of plaque but over time we a build-up of tartar is inevitable. This hardened dental plaque is impossible to remove by general brushing. If this is left on your teeth, it gradually worsens and can start to cause tooth decay and inflamed gums. Your dentist uses special instruments that cleans away the tartar under and around the gums and will then polish your teeth.

We only have one set of adult teeth and by following our 5 top tips you’re well on the way to minimising dental issues and keeping your smile for life.

Professional vs over the counter tooth whitening

Posted on 06.9.16 By Alf Le

Bright white teeth are all the rage at the moment! Who doesn’t want those pearly whites to be gleaming in all of their Instagram and Facebook photos? Some lucky people have naturally white teeth, but for those of us who don’t there are many products and different procedures available to help achieve this polished look.

As with any product on the market there are always the pros and cons to consider. There will always be questions that you ask yourself before making any final decisions: Is this the right brand? Is it going to hurt? Will this damage my teeth?

With that in mind, let’s look at the difference between professional whitening verses at home whitening.

Over the counter whitening

There are many different types of over the counter whitening products to choose from. These can be bought at your local supermarket or pharmacy. All of which are designed to be used at home. They can vary from whitening toothpastes, strips or gels used in preformed trays. The upside is that it is generally the cheaper option, however the whitening process is likely to take a lot longer. This is due to the strength of the whitening solution being a lot lower than what you would be provided by your dentist.

Some over the counter whitening products can be harmful, certain pastes may be more abrasive on your enamel and can gradually wear down your teeth.

Professional Whitening

This is perhaps the safer option when it comes to whitening your teeth, the products are all extensively tested and the process is monitored closely by your dentist.

There is the option of ‘in chair bleaching’ which is done over the course of approximately one hour and shows immediate results. The other, generally more popular option is the use of professional whitening gel using custom take home trays.

This is where your dentist will take impressions of your teeth. Special trays are then made to fit your teeth perfectly, with spacers to precisely hold the gel in the correct position. Your dentist will supply you with the whitening gel and instruct on how the process works.

Used for about 45 minutes daily over the course of a couple of weeks, your teeth become gradually lighter until you are happy with the shade. This is a great way to whiten your teeth, as you are in control and can stop when you are happy with your progress.

The main differences between the systems comes down to time and cost. So if you’re thinking about whitening, make sure to do your research or feel free to contact us at Redcliffe Smiles. We are here to help you make the choice that works best for you.

Happy whitening!

Dentures

Posted on 05.9.16 By Alf Le

Dentures are custom-made replacements for absent teeth and can be taken out and put back into your mouth. While dentures take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as natural teeth, today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever.

Benefits of Dentures

Replacing absent teeth will help to improve your appearance and smile. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. Dentures can help you eat and speak more comfortably.

There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. Your dentist will help you choose the type of denture that’s best for you based on whether some or all of your teeth are going to be replaced and the cost involved.

Full Dentures

A full denture is made to replace all missing teeth and has a flesh-coloured acrylic base that fits over your gums. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (the roof of your mouth), while that of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate your tongue.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are designed to replace one or more missing teeth. There are different types of bases that can be chosen, either a metal chrome framework or an acrylic base. The differences between the two are cost and comfort.

Over a period of time, your denture will need to be relined, remade, or rebased due to normal wear. Rebasing means making a new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. Also, as you age, your mouth naturally changes. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see your dentist annually for a check-up.

Dental Trauma

Posted on 04.18.16 By Alf Le

What is dental trauma?

Dental trauma refers to injury/damage to the teeth and/or gums. Most commonly caused during contact sports and high contact physical activities.

Prevention

Regular use of a mouthguard during sports and other high risk physical activities is the most effective prevention for dental trauma. However, injuries can still occur whilst wearing a mouthguard as users are not always aware of the best makes or sizes, which results in a poor fit. This is why a custom fitted mouthguard is essential during physical contact sports and activities.

What to do if an adult tooth is knocked out?

Find the tooth. Hold the tooth by the crown (the white part), not by the root (the yellow part).
If clean, replant immediately, if possible using gentle pressure
If contaminated, rinse shortly with cold tap water and put the tooth back in its place.
Hold the tooth in place. Bite on a handkerchief to hold it in position.
If you cannot put the tooth back in, place it in a cup of milk or saline. When milk or saline are not available place the tooth in between your cheek and your teeth.
Seek dental treatment as soon as possible.

Mouthguards

Posted on 04.13.16 By Alf Le

Why should I wear a mouthguard?

Mouthguards should be used by anyone — children and adults — who not only participate in full contact sports like football and boxing but they are also recommended for lesser contact sports like soccer, basketball, and hockey.

When should I wear a mouthguard?

Mouthguards should be worn at all times during games and training for any sport that may involve contact to the face.

What does a mouthguard do?

Mouthguards are worn as a preventative measure to minimise the effect of trauma. They are made of a flexible material that is fitted to the upper teeth. Whilst being worn you mouthguard provides protection to the jaw, teeth, gums, lips and face. By dispersing and absorbing the force of a blow.

What types of mouthguards are available?

1. Stock mouthguards are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting goods stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit, they are bulky, make breathing and talking difficult, and hence provide very little or no protection.

For this reason they will often spend more time out of your mouth than in it. Dentists including us at Redcliffe Smiles do not recommend their use.

2. Boil and bite mouthguards do work better than plain stock mouthguards and also can be bought at many sporting goods stores.

The “boil and bite” mouthguard is made from a mouldable material. It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth with your fingers. Although their fit is better than a plain stock mouthguard their bulkiness often makes them difficult to wear.

3.Custom-fitted mouthguards

At Redcliffe Smiles we recommend all players especially those playing in contact sports, wear a custom made and fitted mouthguard. These are individually made, to fit you perfectly to ensure that they provide the best possible protection and are comfortable.

Our dentist’s Redcliffe Smiles are committed to providing the best fitting, affordable mouthguards possible.

We can personalise your mouthguard with almost unlimited colour options, decals and graphics.

As proud sponsors of the Redcliffe Dolphins RLFC all Dolphins, all senior and juniors receive 20% off all Custom fitted mouthguards.

So call us on 3203 7177 for more information or visit us at www.redcliffesmiles.com.au.