Looking good |
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How can I get my teeth whiter?
Whitening is a great way. We make light forms in which you put a whitening gel. Results start immediately and are complete within a week. |
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Can you whiten old crowns or veneers?
No. The way to whiten them is to replace them. |
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I've seen whitening toothpastes advertised on late night TV. Do they work?
No. Save your money. |
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My fillings have discoloured. What can I do?
You can either have them replaced (new fillings don't discolour as much as the old type), have crowns or veneers (see below). |
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What is a crown (cap)?
A crown is a protective cover over a tooth that strengthens and beautifies. They look great and cost around $1,250 each. |
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Do I have to have amalgam (mercury) fillings?
No. White fillings work very well. For teeth with large holes porcelain inlays or crowns are best. Gold is also an excellent alternative for situations where appearance doesn't matter. |
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What is a veneer?
A veneer is a cover over the face of a tooth to improve the tooth's shape and colour—sort of like artificial finger nails. Porcelain veneers are the best. They look great and for the outlay produce a nice result which if looked after will last a long time |
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Will any toothpaste get stains off my teeth?
Baking soda toothpaste is good for removing stains. But... don't use it every day because it's very abrasive. |
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I have a number of black fillings, what can I do to improve this?
The black filling material used in your teeth is amalgam, and has been used as a filling material for over a hundred years. Amalgam is still one of the strongest materials available.
The downside of amalgam is that it's not very attractive. There are a number of other tooth-colour restorative materials currently available that can be used to replace old amalgams. |
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Problems |
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A tooth is sore to bite on. What do I do?
The tooth is either cracked or has an infection in the nerve or gum. Go to a dentist to have it checked. |
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A tooth is sore when I have something hot or cold. What do I do?
The tooth either has gum recession, is cracked, decayed or has a nerve problem. Go to a dentist to have it checked. |
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I am swollen. What do I do?
You probably have an infection. Go and see your dentist or your doctor. |
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Why is my lip/tongue is still numb after having a wisdom tooth out?
Nerve damage occurred during the extraction. Usually the problem is not permanent and will gradually get better over a few months. |
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Do amalgam (mercury) fillings cause health problems?
It's controversial. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) advises pregnant women, breast feeding women, children and people who have kidney disease to avoid having amalgam fillings placed or replaced. NHMRC recommendations |
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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. |
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I am not happy with some treatment a dentist has done for me. What should I do?
Go back to the dentist and tell him/her of your concerns. If you are still not satisfied get a second opinion. |
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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. |
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When a tooth is pushed out of position:
- Attempt to reposition the tooth to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure, but do not force the tooth.
- Bite down to keep the tooth from moving.
- Your dentist may splint the tooth in place to the two healthy teeth next to the loose tooth.
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My tooth was knocked out, how soon should I see a dentist?
Immediately. Getting to a dentist within 30 minutes can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
When a tooth is knocked out:
- Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment.
- Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Touching the root (the part of the tooth below the gum) can damage cells necessary for bone reattachment.
- Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt. Do not scrub.
- Place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and the gum to keep it moist.
- It is important not to let the tooth dry out.
- It is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse in milk.
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I brush my teeth constantly but still have bad breath. What can I do?
Brushing and flossing are definitely the first steps to eliminating bad breath. Brushing and flossing remove bacteria responsible for creating odorous sulphur compounds and the food they feed on. However, bacteria hide not only on and around the teeth but also on the tongue under a layer of mucous. Here they are free to create odours.
It is best to brush your tongue daily or you may want to consider a tongue scraper. Both are extremely effective at removing this protective mucous layer from the back of the tongue.
The latest products on the market for bad breath are toothpastes and mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide neutralises the odorous sulphur compounds, instead of simply covering up the odour. |
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Children |
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When should I start bringing my children to the dentist?
3 years old is a good time to start. |
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My child's teeth are coming through crooked. What should I do?
Get an opinion from a dentist. |
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Does it matter that my child's teeth are a bit late coming through?
Not necessarily, as individual children vary enormously. |
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Why are the second teeth dark?
Second teeth are naturally darker than first teeth. If you want you can have them whitened. Whitening |
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Do you see children?
We see teenagers and up. Preteens we refer to a children's dentist. |
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When should my child first see a dentist?
The ideal time for your child to meet the dentist is six months after their first (primary) teeth erupt.
This gives your dentist a perfect opportunity to carefully examine the development of their mouth and catch problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations and prolonged thumb-sucking early. |
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General Questions |
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What are wisdom teeth?
They're the last teeth to erupt in the back of your mouth. Usually,
they erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. Occasionally, though, they
find their way our much later than that; some never erupt at all.
Thanks to evolution, we're evolving into the proud ownership of smaller jaws; unfortunately our teeth aren't quite keeping pace. Most of our jaws only have room for 28 teeth; we have 32.
Basically, this means that the last teeth to erupt, which are the wisdom teeth, have nowhere to go if there's not enough room remaining. |
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What does periodontal treatment involve?
In the earlier states of gum disease (mild to moderate periodontitis), most treatment involves scaling and root planning. The procedure aims at removing plaque and calculus from the surface of the tooth adjacent to gum tissue.
In the majority of early gum disease cases, treatment entails improved home care techniques and scaling and root planning.
Advanced cases may require surgical treatment. |
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What's the best way to prevent gum disease?
Conscientious removal of plaque by flossing, brushing and regular professional cleanings will minimise your risk of gum disease.
However, there are other factors that can affect the health of your gums, such as stress, diabetes, genetics and pregnancy. |
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What happens if I just ignore getting my teeth cleaned?
As the plaque and calculus accumulate, the periodontal disease continues. Supporting tissues around the teeth (gums, periodontal ligaments, bone) are lost.
Periodontal pockets form which trap additional plaque. Bad breath often accompanies this condition. Once the bone that supports the teeth is lost, it will not regrow without surgical intervention. |
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What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. If plaque is not regularly removed, it calcifies into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. By products of bacterial metabolism irritate the gums, making them red, tender, swollen and more prone to bleed.
Eventually, the supporting periodontal structures begin to breakdown. The result of this slow process is tissue loss, bone loss and eventual tooth loss. |
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What can gum disease mean for a diabetic?
Gingivitis is an infection within the gums caused by bacteria found in plaque. A diabetic's body doesn't respond as quickly to infection as a non-diabetic. If the infection persists, it can spread to the underlying bone that supports and anchors the teeth.
It has been shown that diabetics who keep their condition under control and maintain good oral hygiene have a far better chance of combating infections than those who are poorly controlled. |
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Why do I need X-Rays?
Radiographic or X-ray examinations provide your dentist with an important diagnostic tool that shows the condition of your teeth, their roots, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones.
X-Rays can help your dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal disease, abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumours. X-rays can also show the exact location of impacted teeth. They can pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of disease that may not be possible to detect through visual examination (such as changes in the jaw bone structure as a result of systemic disease). |
| Dental insurance |
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Should I take out dental insurance?
No, unless you have a large family and you use many of the services such a physiotherapy and optical as well as dentistry. Do a very careful calculation before signing up. Ask about annual limits, what items are excluded and qualifying periods. |
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How come I get so little back?
To save money health funds have been cutting rebates and excluding certain item numbers. In many cases you get less back than 5 years ago. Health funds give back an average of between 23% and 65% of our charges depending on the fund. |
| ZOOM Whitening |
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How long do the results last?
By following the Zoom! Post Whitening Care Instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were prior to the procedure includes a take-home touch-up kit and trays that can be used whenever discoloration is noticed. Most often a touch-
up once a year will maintain a whiter smile that sparkles for years. |
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Are there any side effects?
Sensitivity during the treatment may occur with some patients. The Zoom! light generates minimal heat which is the usual source for discomfort. On rare occasions, minor tingling sensations are experienced immediately after the procedure but always dissipate. |
