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Why is it important to look after my teeth?
Maintaining your teeth and gums, as you age is an important step in sustaining your general health and well-being. Whilst exercising, eating right and regular health checks are important – looking after your teeth and gums is also essential. Good dental health will help you to lead a long, happy and healthy life.
I have bad breath what can I do?
A healthy mouth means fresh breath! Bad breath can make you feel embarrassed and place strain on relationships. The main culprit behind bad breath is bacteria! Our mouths contain millions and millions of bacteria, which can quite easily get out of control. Plaque, tartar, gum disease, tooth decay, dentures and your tongue are all places where bacteria can thrive. To resolve your bad breath, we recommend:
- Brush your tongue
Approximately 50% of oral bacteria can be eliminated through brushing your tongue daily with a soft toothbrush.
- Use Breath Fresheners and Mouthwash
Breath Fresheners and Mouthwash can also help to eliminate bad breath.
- Make an Appointment at Finesse Dental
Attend a check-up to determine the cause of your bad breath (i.e. the cause may be tartar, gum disease, tooth decay etc). We will then be able to isolate and fix the cause of your bad breath.
Click here to view a 3D video from our dental video library.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic Dentistry is the ultimate mixture of art and dental science. These procedures endeavour to create beautiful, aesthetically pleasing smiles; utilising the latest restorative technologies and materials.
Who is a candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry treatment?
Previously, little could be done to attain the smile you always dreamed of. The treatments available to treat chipped, stained or crooked teeth were limited. Yet, today with the vast range of Cosmetic Dentistry treatments available, every smile can be aesthetically enhanced.
How long does Tooth Whitening last?
Once the Tooth Whitening treatment has been completed you probably won't have to have it done again. Teeth are porous and absorb stains and after a professional Tooth Whitening one normally uses tooth whitening trays at home for a few hours, usually every 4 - 6 months to touch up.
I have heard that Tooth Whitening is very sensitive. Is this true?
Everyone's teeth are different so sensitivity can occur for some people to varying degrees, but most new tooth whitening products have de-sensitizing agents added to the tooth whitening material, which helps to reduce side effects. Some patient’s may experience a “zinger”; “zingers” can occur during or after treatment and may last up to 24 hours. Panadol or Nurofen will help but its best to speak to our dentist if your teeth are normally sensitive.
I am a smoker, is it hurting my teeth?
Everyone is aware of how bad smoking is for the lungs, but many people forget about how much damage it does to your teeth. Smoking can cause serious long term damage to teeth and gums. The main concern for most smokers is the discolouration and staining of their teeth. Tobacco causes teeth to yellow and darken to a light brown colour. It promotes the build up of plaque which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Smoking will also cause bad breath, leave a bad taste in your mouth and make your gums pull away from your teeth. Seek help to quit smoking today. Your whole body will thank you for it!
Click here to see a 3D video on effect of smoking on teeth from our Dental Video Library.
Is soda bad for your teeth?
Soda tastes great; however, many people do not realise how it is for their teeth. The sugar found in Soda reacts with the natural bacteria in your mouth and forms acid. This acid can erode your tooth enamel and over time causes cavities. Sugar-free soda can also cause tooth decay. We recommend drinking soda in moderation.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in many foods and some water supplies. It is also used in many consumer dental products. Fluoride strengthens teeth making it more resistant to decay. It is important to use fluoride containing toothpastes, mouth rinses, and gels topically to gain the added benefit of preventing sensitivity and tooth decay.
Why do teeth get cracks?
A common problem is that teeth will crack, either due to trauma, grinding, clenching, decay or heavily filled teeth. “Cracked Tooth Syndrome” relates to a variety of symptoms and signs caused by a crack or many cracks in a tooth. Early diagnosis is needed to improve the chances of saving a cracked tooth. Symptoms include:
• Sharp and erratic pain upon chewing or after release of biting pressure: not all cracks cause pain.
• Sensitivity to cold or hot foods/drinks, or sweets
• Difficulty in pinpointing which tooth hurts, either upper or lower
If you suspect that you may have a cracked tooth, discuss this with your Dentist.
I have a number of black fillings, What can I have done to improve this?
The black filling material used in your teeth is amalgam. It has been used as a filling material for over a hundred years, it's still one of the strongest materials available.
However, it's about as unattractive a filling material as you can get. There are a number of other tooth-colour restorative materials currently available that can be used to replace old amalgams.
While biting hard food I broke one of my teeth. What should I do?
If you are not in any pain then ring the Dentist as soon as possible and make an appointment, but try and keep the tooth as clean as possible and avoid biting hard on that tooth. If you have pain, then you will need to go to your Dentist ASAP as an emergency.
Are custom mouthguards important?
Anyone playing sport or training can benefit from custom made, correctly fitted mouth guards to protect teeth against injury. Over the counter mouth guards do not offer the snug, comfortable fit that a custom mouth guard can nor can they offer an adequate level of protection.
Talk to us about creating a customized mouth guard for any sports enthusiast.
Why do we at Finesse Dental think that root filled teeth need dental crowns to strengthen them?
The problem with root filled teeth is not that they are weak; it is that without the nerve fibers within the pulp of the tooth we lose some degree of sensory perception. Vital teeth can detect instantly the presence of extra force if we bite on something we shouldn't. We immediately flinch and search for the offending nut, shell or foreign material. Root filled teeth lack this reflex. Therefore they are often broken as a result. A crown adds protection against such a scenario.
Another reason is that the main cause of root canal failure is through secondary bacterial recontamination through the top of the tooth. A poor filling that allows bacteria to re-enter the root filling contributes greatly to its demise. This can happen via recurrent decay or simply from the saliva. Once this happens it is only a matter of days before those bacteria has reached the apex of the tooth and a new abscess begins.
It is for this reason that is it recommended that all molar teeth that have had root canal therapy be restored using a strong restoration that caps the tooth at the very least. In fact root filled teeth without crowns are lost at a six times greater rate when decay was the primary cause for the original treatment.
Is flossing important?
Flossing is an important component in the overall maintenance of a healthy mouth as it removes harmful bacteria and debris from between the teeth where brushing tends to miss.
Does chewing gum help oral health?
Some sugar-free chewing gums contain Xylitol or Sorbitol which are cariostatic and help to prevent decay. The additional saliva generated from chewing the gum also increases the natural protection against tooth decay because saliva offers a natural buffer against the acid formed by bacteria.
Is it dangerous to have an oral piercing?
The popularity of oral piercing is growing. It involves the insertion of jewellery into soft oral tissue – such as the lips, tongue and cheek. Oral piercings can cause serious health complications, including; tooth fractures, speech impediment, infection and allergic responses, blood poisoning and blood clots, damage to nerves and veins, loss of taste and permanent numbness.
Does the kind of toothbrush I use make a difference?
The type of toothbrush you use can make a big difference to the overall health of your teeth. There is a wide range of manual and electric toothbrushes available. The team at Finesse will advise you about the most appropriate tooth brush to use.
Click here to view a 3D video from our dental video library.
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