Posts Categorized: Dental Advice

New Year, New You – New Health Regimen?

The New Year has arrived and we all know what that means. New Years resolutions, a sudden surge in energy around making positive changes to our health and wellness routine.

Time to go to the gym, throw out all that junk food, and maybe even start a new morning routine. You create charts for cleaning tasks, re-organize your space… all of the new years things.

But have you thought about your oral health routine at all?

A large part of your overall health is your oral health. When your teeth and gums are healthy, the rest of your body responds in kind. It also leaves you one less thing to worry about throughout the year if you are ahead of the game from the start of the year.

Have you booked your cleaning appointments for this year? Why not call us to get those in the books now. Start the year with clean teeth and an updated oral hygiene routine. read more

Are Dental Xrays Safe for Kids?

You’ve heard the arguments against excessive X-Ray use – the dangers that can come from exposing children to radiation.

That’s why at Vivid Dental, our X-Ray machine uses a tunnel beam – which means exposure to radiation is extremely localised and minimal.

It is definitely safe for children to have this kind of X-Ray taken.

In addition, we only recommend having these taken every 12-18 months, unless severe decay is detected.

These X-Rays are quick, painless, safe and digital, meaning we process and develop them on the spot, and can see the image immediately. read more

What Does Your Child Drink?

Does your child prefer other drinks over water?

Many children seem to much rather juice, milk, flavoured milks, cordial or even soft drink instead of water. Frequently drinking these high sugar drinks is not only bad for your child’s overall health, it is very bad for their dental health. Baby teeth are not as strong as adult teeth and therefore decay more rapidly.

Juices, cordials and even milks are very high in sugar.

While many parents argue that natural sugar isn’t harmful to health, natural or unnatural sugars are damaging to tooth enamel. While we aren’t saying your children can never have these drinks, we promote moderation for these sweet treats. read more

How to Brush Children’s Teeth

Do you struggle to brush your children’s teeth? You’re not alone!

We have some times for you, to help both you and your children, have an easier time with brushing.

Watch our short video of Happy Henry and help your kids to look after their teeth!

The Playground Can Be a Rough Place for Teeth!

It’s 3pm. Traffic thickens, you’re waiting in your car with your eyes carefully scanning to find your kids amongst the sea of school uniforms. Finally you spot your little angels with their large backpacks and big smiles. They jump in the car and you notice something different, “what happened to your tooth?!” you ask.

Accidents happen – especially with young kids. A knock in the playground or a trip on the steps can damage your child’s teeth. While sometimes dental injuries in baby teeth can look complicated, often enough your child will be completely fine and the tooth will settle normally in time. read more

Have You Wanted Straighter Looking Teeth But Don’t Want Traditional Braces?

Did you miss the opportunity to have braces as a child but have always wanted straighter teeth? Are there things about your smile that you don’t like?

While traditional braces are always a good option to straighten misaligned and crooked teeth, many adults have careers where this is simply not practical. Or, did you happen to wear braces when you were younger, but haven’t worn your retainer so your teeth have shifted over time?

Have you heard about the invisible options for braces?

At Vivid Dental not only can we do traditional braces but we can straighten your teeth using Invisalign. read more

Healthy Mouth = Healthy You!

We are constantly bombarded with healthy eating tips, exercise plans, weight loss pills, supplements and the latest crazes for good health.

While we all want to achieve a trim figure, a healthy heart and that feeling of wellness, did you ever think it could relate do your dental health?

Studies have shown that people who take thorough care of their teeth lead healthier lifestyles and have better general health than those who don’t.

The main causes of tooth decay are not only bad for your teeth, but also bad for your general health – such as soft drinks, sugars, preservatives, colouring, sticky sweets and lollies and acidic alcohol.

By cutting out or minimising your consumption of these foods and drinks, you’re not only benefiting your teeth and avoiding tooth decay, you’re also decreasing your dietary sugar, fat and alcohol consumption. This can really help manage weight, diabetes and feeling sluggish and tired from sugar slumps.

Try replacing those sugary pick-me-up snacks with low GI options, like whole grain crackers with cheese, yogurt, tuna and salad or veggie sticks with hummus dip. Your teeth and your body will thank you for it!

Do You Want to be Dental Decay and Filling Free for Life?

An elderly patient comes to see us, and has all of his own teeth. Amazed? Not only does he have all his teeth, but he also has no fillings. When asked how he had achieved this, he said he simply brushed morning and night and flossed fairly frequently. No radical calcium supplements, no sugar-less diets, no brushing 6 times a day… just simple oral hygiene and a healthy diet of moderation. read more

Do My Kid’s Have Healthy Teeth?

Many parents say things like “will she have bad teeth like mine?” or “will she need lots of fillings because I did?”

There isn’t one simple answer for this, however there are a few factors to consider in regards to your dental health affecting your child’s. Give your child healthy teeth for life by setting good habits.

Genetics can play a role in the shape of your child’s face and jaw – therefore affecting how large or small their mouth is, their jaw positioning and structure, and often the shape of the teeth. For example if you have a square jaw and large, square teeth, it’s possible your child’s mouth will look similar. However, whether or not your child has healthy teeth, is not down to genetics, but is reliant on good habits.

Genetics do not determine whether or not your child will have healthy teeth, but your habits do! If you eat lots of lollies, fruits, sugary snacks and drink soft drink and juice very frequently and slack off with oral hygiene, it’s more than likely your child will do the same. This means your child will be more prone to acid wear and decay, and will not have healthy teeth.

The color and look of your children’s teeth does not necessarily reflect whether they have healthy teeth or not. Baby teeth are naturally very white. If your child’s adult teeth seem to be yellow, discolored or chalky, this is most likely just developmental and will improve over time. If you notice patches of white flecks, brown spots or grey discoloration, it’s important to have your child seen by a dentist to ensure they have healthy teeth.

If you follow a healthy diet, drink lots of water and brush your teeth thoroughly morning and night, it is likely your child will do the same, and have healthy teeth.

Actual DNA and genetics don’t necessarily determine your child’s dental health, but your habits, views and routines definitely do.

If you have had bad dental experiences, needed lots of fillings and struggled with plaque and decay, make sure your child has an easier experience – by ensuring a healthy diet and good oral hygiene.

Multi-Use Tooth Mousse

Tooth Mousse is a product you may have heard us talk about in our blogs, newsletters or in the practice, but not everybody understands why it’s used. Tooth mousse is a calcium phosphate treatment for teeth, which contains fluoride and other ingredients that can have many benefits for teeth. In this blog we will explain how tooth mousse works and what it can help with.

– Tooth Mousse for whitening: When patients are whitening their teeth at home, we recommend using tooth mousse before or after each bleaching session. Bleaching teeth dehydrates your tooth’s enamel and decreases mineral levels. By using tooth mousse before or after your whitening, you are restoring and replenishing minerals to your enamel.

– Tooth Mousse for sensitivity: Patients experiencing sensitivity to hot or cold can benefit from regular use of tooth mousse, as the high mineral, fluoride and calcium content in tooth mousse strengthens your enamel and can therefore decrease sensitivity.

– Tooth Mousse to prevent cavities: Teeth that have weaker enamel are more prone to decay, as the bacteria can more easily penetrate thinner, weaker enamel. To boost your teeth’s strength against decay, using tooth mousse regularly is similar to using a treatment on your hair or nails – it strengthens the tooth and repairs weaker enamel. The range of yummy flavours make tooth mousse a perfect option for children who are prone to decay. It’s crucial to strengthen young teeth before any damage is done.

– Tooth Mousse for enamel hypoplasia: Enamel hypoplasia is flecks or spots of discolouration on the tooth’s surface. It can present as bright white flecks, or dark yellow or brown spots. Using tooth mousse intensively over a period of time can significantly improve enamel hypoplasia. Everyone can benefit from the use of tooth mousse. You can purchase a tube for a low cost at Vivid Dental.

A Sparking Smile Starts Here!

Are your pearly whites looking a little dull?

Many patients think whitening is the only solution for stained teeth – or that they just have to put up with it. This isn’t the case! At Vivid Dental, our talented dentists and dental hygienist can use a range of polishing treatments to remove surface stains from your teeth.

A slightly gritty paste – called prophylaxis paste, is most commonly used to remove light staining from the enamel of the teeth. With a mild minty taste that is comfortable for patients, this powerful paste lifts stains and makes your smile nice and sparkly.

If your stains are a little more stubborn, we can use a salt spray – which is an air projected spray of fine salts which exfoliate stains away, causing no damage to the tooth’s enamel but brightening the appearance of your teeth.

Some foods and drinks can contribute to staining of your teeth, so if you feel your teeth are very stained, have a look at your diet – the answer could lie in your eating habits.

Drinking lots of coffee, tea, red wine or eating foods like curries, tomato based sauces and coloured drinks or lollies can all stain your teeth. Try to limit your intake of heavily coloured foods and drinks and when you do consume them, try to have a glass of water afterwards to rinse off the staining ingredients.

To have your smile sparkling again in one easy visit, book in for a clean and polish with our hygienists or one of our dentists.

Wise Up About Wisdom Teeth!

We all know someone who has had a swollen face or a hospital visit to have their wisdom teeth extracted.

The idea of having wisdom teeth extracted can sound scary and overwhelming, but at Vivid Dental we can make the experience easy.

If you have any concerns or issues with your wisdom teeth, come in for a consultation. We can take an OPG X-ray of your entire upper and lower jaw to see exactly where your wisdom teeth are positioned and if they will interfere with your nerves or other teeth.

You may have heard the term ‘impacted wisdom teeth’ before. This refers to wisdom teeth that are growing inwards towards other teeth, impacting the tooth in front of them.

If they can be safely extracted, we have a number of aids to make your treatment more comfortable, such as happy gas and the wand – which is a painless anaesthetic injection. Throughout the procedure you may feel some pressure as we try to loosen the wisdom teeth for extraction, but none of this will be painful or scary.

Unsure of whether or not you even have wisdom teeth? Come in and find out!

Vivid Dental can help you wise up about wisdom teeth easily and painlessly.

Fixed Retainers Can Also Retain Plaque!

Did you ever have braces? Many people who had braces also have a fixed retainer on the inside of their teeth. This thin wire retainer keeps your teeth from moving and is very common. However, while having a fixed retainer keeps your teeth straight, it also makes it difficult to floss and clean behind.

If you have a fixed retainer and would prefer to have a removable retainer (a clear, plastic retainer which you can take in and out) we can arrange that for you.

This allows for easier cleaning of your teeth, but you also need to then remember to put your retainer in each day or night. Each option suits different people, but if you choose to keep your fixed retainer it’s crucial you have your regular visit with the dentist to keep your teeth and gums healthy!

If you haven’t been in to see us for a while, give us a call to schedule an appointment, or you can do so online here.

Can My Kids Use My Toothpaste?

There are so many different varieties of toothpaste on the market today, it can be hard to know what’s best for your children. Many patients ask us if children’s toothpaste is just a marketing gimmick or if it’s actually necessary for kids.

Kids toothpaste is made especially for deciduous teeth and for young bodies.

While your children are very young, teaching them how to brush can be a little tricky. Many kids struggle to ‘spit’ out all their toothpaste after brushing, as their instinct is to swallow.

For this reason, children’s toothpaste is not harmful if swallowed. That’s not to say we encourage children to swallow toothpaste – as they do need to learn to spit out their toothpaste, however if your toddler or child swallows small amounts of their children’s toothpaste occasionally, it won’t harm them.

It’s important to choose a children’s toothpaste that still contains fluoride. Usually the amount of fluoride is slightly less than the amount in adult toothpastes. Children’s toothpastes are often a gel formula, as it is less abrasive on the sensitive enamel of baby teeth.

And last but not least, the main difference between adults and kids toothpaste, is the range of flavours! Adult toothpastes are almost all mint flavoured – however children’s toothpaste comes in many flavours, like strawberry, bubble gum, vanilla, banana and tutti fruity.

When choosing a toothpaste for your child, always read the directions on the packaging and select the toothpaste which corresponds to your child’s age. If in doubt, give us a call and we will happily answer any questions!

Diabetes: The case for healthy teeth and feet

… Dentiatry? Podistry?
Whatever you want to couple name it, we’re keen to share some practical tips to help make life a little more manageable for people with chronic diseases.

Diabetes – the basics.

People with Diabetes have an issue with insulin and their bodies cannot process the food they eat properly. Without getting too science-y, the biggest issue for sufferers is to balance their diet, exercise, stress and illness with the right medication for them. What’s harder, is that for each person this balance can be different, and it’s imperative to control blood sugar levels to reduce the chance of complications. read more

Oral Care From Tiny Tots To Teens

Forming life-long good oral hygiene habits are important to keep your child’s teeth healthy for life.

Whether your child has just gotten their first tooth or if they are approaching adulthood, we have some handy hints to make cleaning teeth easier, effective and fun.

The First Tooth:

It is important to start cleaning your children’s teeth as soon as they erupt (about 6-9 months old). This can be done without toothpaste with a clean soft cloth, small soft children’s toothbrush or a finger brush. read more

How To Minimise Your Risks of Oral Cancer

Each and every day at least three Australians are being diagnosed with oral cancer

How can you reduce your risk of oral cancer?

Don’t smoke.

If you are a smoker, consider quitting. More than 80% of oral cancers in Australia occur in people who smoke. Talk to your dentist or doctor about how smoking affects your oral and general health.

Drink alcohol in moderation.

Heavy drinking, defined as more than four standard drinks on a single occasion, increases your risk of mouth cancers. Don’t underestimate your consumption – a 150ml glass of wine is 1.6 standard drinks, a 425ml bottle of full-strength beer equals 1.6 standard serves. Have regular alcohol free days.

Protect your skin.

Avoid getting sunburnt, apply broad spectrum sunscreen to any exposed skin including your lips or apply a lip balm with a high SPF rating. Wear a hat when outdoors and if possible, avoid being outside in the middle of the day when UV rays are at their highest.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, particularly those high in antioxidants.

Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables can help to reduce the risk of developing cancer. Eating a minimum of eight serves of vegetables per week, compared to three or less, decreases the chance of mouth cancer by 50%.

Talk to your health professional about the HPV vaccination.

The vaccination protects against the strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and may also protect against the types of oral cancers caused by the HPV.

Have regular dental checkups.

When we check your teeth we are also checking the rest of your mouth. If you haven’t been to see a dentist in the last 6 months, especially if there is something you are concerned about, book in to see us so we can put your mind at ease.

In addition:

If you notice a spot or sore on your lip or in your mouth that looks unusual or doesn’t heal, or if you have any numbness, pain or tenderness in your mouth, visit your dentist or doctor as soon as possible.

Look after your teeth and mouth. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily.

Haven’t been in to the dentist in a while? Book an appointment online and come in to see us for a check up and clean!

Changes to Oral Health During Pregnancy

Pregnant woman at dentist before treatment

If you are pregnant and find that your gums are starting to bleed, don’t be alarmed. Pregnant women are more prone to gingivitis because of the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy. That is why it is so important to keep on top of your oral hygiene.

Thorough brushing and flossing will keep your gums healthy. That paired with a healthy diet (including calcium rich food like milk, cheese, yoghurt and green vegetables) will help to maintain optimal oral health throughout your pregnancy.

Occasional sugary treats should be limited to a sweet treat after meals rather than a snack during the day. This will reduce the frequency of acid build up in the mouth.

If you are suffering the effects of morning sickness, rinsing your mouth out with water will help neutralise the acids that weaken the enamel surfaces of the teeth after each episode of sickness. Using a product to restrengthen the enamel such as tooth mousse can also help.

Regular dental check ups are essential during pregnancy to maintain your oral and dental health.

Any decayed teeth must be treated to prevent the condition becoming worse. A thorough professional cleaning will reduce the inflammation in your gums, whilst elective dental procedures should be left until after the baby is born.

If you are currently trying to have a baby, it’s important to have a dental health check and clean before you become pregnant so any issues can be fixed beforehand. If you don’t, these problems can progress very quickly.

Before you try for a baby and during the second trimester are the perfect times to see your dentist for a thorough clean. Book in with us today for peace of mind and great oral health.

Crooked, crowded or gap teeth? Consider Orthodontics!

Do you wish you could change the alignment, straightness or angle of one or some of your teeth?

If so, you are not alone. If you have a crooked tooth you would like to be straightened, or a gap you would like to close, consider orthodontics.

We can help you achieve a straight, healthy smile with our range of orthodontic treatments.

From expanders, to retainers, braces and even invisalign, we can help you straighten out any problems that are making you hide your smile.

Parents, if you are noticing your children’s adult teeth seem crowded or crooked, it’s better to discuss orthodontic options sooner rather than later. Orthodontic treatment works best when the mouth is still growing – so children and teenagers can extremely successful treatments early on.

Adults often ask about teeth straightening but don’t want the look of braces. We offer Invisalign, which is a series of clear retainers that gradually straighten your teeth. This is a more aesthetic option and suits more working professionals who are unhappy with the straightness of their teeth.

Come in for an orthodontic consultation with our team!

My teeth don’t hurt so why do I need to see a dentist?

Most people know that dentists generally recommend patients have a regular check up and clean every six months. But why is this the case?

The biggest reason for regular check ups is so that any dental issues can be detected before they become a major problem.

One of the most common reasons patients tell me that they have not been to the dentist for a long time is that their teeth were not hurting.

A patient I saw recently had not been to the dentist for about 4 years. The main reason they came to see me was that they had started to get some bleeding of their gums when brushing their teeth. This is a common problem that occurs because of calculus that forms on the teeth over time.

Calculus is dental plaque that if not completely removed, absorbs calcium from saliva, hardens and traps bacteria within and over time, forms tartar.

This irritates the gums and causes inflammation that remains unless the calculus is removed. The inflammation is what causes the bleeding but this can be easily resolved by having your teeth cleaned at the dentist.

If you have your teeth cleaned every 6 months, for most people this is enough to prevent inflammation causing gum disease and loss of bone around the teeth which leads to gum recession.

The same patient also had some cavities that had formed between their teeth. The patient was surprised because they had not had any pain and could not feel a hole.

Unfortunately with teeth, pain is not a good indication of a problem.

Often, especially in children and young adults, decay can progress halfway through the tooth, and in some cases almost into the nerve, without the person experiencing any pain. The larger the cavity when it is found, the more likely the tooth will have ongoing problems and will need further treatment such as root canal therapy.

Now that we have been able to transition this patient to preventative check ups and teeth cleaning (every 6 months) we can significantly reduce their gum disease and any future cavities can be identified and rectified earlier, reducing the chance of further long term problems.

Has it been too long since you’ve been in for a clean and check up? Book an appointment to come in and see us and get yourself back on track for healthy teeth and gums.