Differences Between Veneers, Crowns, Bridges and Implants

Looking to restore damaged or lost teeth? When your teeth are damaged or have been extracted, the gaps in your mouth can be a risk for future dental issues. These include misalignment of teeth, problems with chewing and speaking, as well as compromising aesthetics. Prosthodontics can not only help you with concerns that result from missing teeth, but they are also reliable and last a long time. There are various options you can choose from, some of which you might already have heard of. Read on to understand the different options.

Veneers

If your teeth are still intact and maintain a healthy structure but you are unhappy with the look because they have crack lines, chipped or are discoloured. A veneer is a thin layer of ceramic or composite resin that are fitted over the front of your teeth to cover the look of your natural ones. They are relatively strong and can improve the overall look of your teeth and smile.

Crowns

There are many reasons why someone will choose to have a crown including to prevent further cracks in a tooth, improve the existing appearance of the tooth, or because they just had a root canal treatment done. You will need an implant done or have your natural tooth reshaped in order to fit a crown. An impression is taken, and your crown is then shaped to fit your tooth. Made of ceramic, crowns are very strong, look very much like natural teeth and can last for many years.

Bridges

Bridges can be fitted when you have a gap between two teeth that are suitable for crowning. They are a unit of three or four crowns, meaning that the gaps should not be of more than two adjacent teeth. This is to protect the crowning teeth from future fractures. Similar to crowns, bridges can be used between your natural teeth or implants. With regular maintenance and good oral hygiene, bridges can last you a long time.

Implants

The most ideal procedure for your missing teeth is getting implants done. Not only do they resemble your natural teeth, they function just as well and are considered to be the most stable option. There are three parts to an implant: a titanium screw-like structure, an abutment to hold up the crown, and the porcelain crown itself. Your jawbone will eventually grow around the titanium screw, forming a strong bond that can last a long time. Implants have a very high success rate but require your jawbone and gum tissues to be in healthy condition.

Do you need an artificial tooth replacement?

At Oak Tree Dental, our dentists can help you determine which procedure is suitable for your situation. Contact us today at (03) 5342 9633 to make an appointment with our friendly staff.

How To Make Flossing Easier For You?

Most people do the minimum of brushing their teeth twice a day, but when it comes to flossing, the numbers drop drastically. They may find it difficult, or uncomfortable, or they tend to forget flossing on most nights despite knowing that it is key to maintaining good oral health. Just like brushing, flossing is a habit that needs to be cultivated.

Why flossing is recommended by your Ballarat family dentists

Nearly half of your teeth are on the sides and simply relying on brushing does not clean them effectively. When starting to floss for the first time, you may notice your gums bleeding due to gingivitis, the inflammation of your gums. However, that should not stop you from continuing to floss, which helps reduce the chances of plaque forming in between your teeth. Flossing is encouraged by your Ballarat dentists because it prevents bad breath and periodontitis (gum disease) and tooth decay.

Adopt the right flossing technique

Using the correct method will make the process a lot simpler and more efficient. You will need about 45cm of floss. Wrap each end around your middle fingers and grip with your thumbs and index. Gently slide the floss back and forth, ease it down between two teeth to avoid cutting your gums. Curl the floss at the bottom of a tooth to clean the side, then do the same for the other. Your Ballarat family dentist will also be able to demonstrate the correct technique so don’t be afraid to ask during your next visit.

Consider getting a floss threader

Flossing can seem like an arduous task that puts people with braces, bridges or implants off before even starting. Fortunately, your job can be made a lot easier with a floss threader. Simply insert your dental floss into the loop of the floss threader, and pass it under or over your braces, bridges or even permanent retainers. Remove the threader and floss between the teeth as you would normally.

Cultivate the habit with a dental floss pick

This nifty tool allows you to floss using just one hand. Gently slide the floss part of the tool down in between your teeth as you normally would with regular floss to remove food particles. As most people find this less daunting, consider using this tool to practice and cultivate the habit of flossing daily.

Brush between your teeth using interdental brushes

These small tiny brushes can fit in between your teeth, getting into areas where traditional toothbrushes can’t reach. They are perfect for people who can’t floss properly and come in various sizes that will fit even the smallest gaps.

Flossing may be difficult at the start and you may forget to floss on certain nights, but don’t give up. Continue flossing whenever you remember and keep practicing till you get it right. The important thing is to make flossing a routine activity, just like how brushing is now second nature to you. Should you have any issues with flossing, do not hesitate to contact us or call our clinic at (03) 5342 9633 to book an appointment with our friendly Ballarat dentists who will help you clarify your doubts.

Are You Brushing Your Teeth Right?

We brush our teeth every day, but we may not be taking the right steps to ensure a whole mouth clean. Knowing how to brush correctly not only keeps our teeth clean, it can also help prevent gum disease and tooth decay in the long run. As easy as it may seem, there may be some common mistakes that people do make when brushing their teeth.

Use the right toothbrush for you

When choosing your toothbrush, choosing a soft bristle brush is much better than a medium or hard  brush. As hard bristles are not as flexible, they may wear down your teeth and gums, causing damage over time.

If you have a small mouth, the head of the brush should not be too big. Getting one with a smaller head will ensure that you’ll be able to reach all areas of your mouth easily, including the molars in the back. Try a child brush!

Electric toothbrushes are great as they often have very small brush heads.

Toothpaste

Fluoride toothpaste is super important in reducing decay risk. Children from 18 months of age should use a pea sized amount of toothpaste pushed into the bristles (to prevent swallowing a big blob) until they are 6 years old. Children 6 and over can use the same toothpaste as an adult.

Duration

While most people brush two times a day, brushing is a process you do not want to rush. The right amount of brushing is recommended at around 2 minutes each time. Get a timer or play a 2-minute song and brush your teeth for the whole duration using gentle, circular motions on all surfaces of your teeth especially the gumline.

Complete your oral care routine

Even if you already do all the above, your oral care routine is still not complete without flossing. Flossing is important as regular brushing can’t reach the areas between your teeth. To maintain good oral health, flossing or its equivalents is needed to dislodge food particles and plaque.

To keep your oral health in top condition all year round, don’t forget to pencil in your dental visits and get routine dental check-up and cleaning done at your local Ballarat dentist. Whether it is for yourself or your family, contact us at (03) 5342 9633 or visit our clinic to book an appointment with one of our friendly dentists.

The Most Common Habits That Can Stain Your Teeth

We all know that prevention is the best medicine for illnesses, but this also applies to the state of your teeth. Apart from practicing proper oral hygiene, the most effective way to maintain a bright smile is to avoid or limit staining substances. You are probably familiar with many of the most common culprits, however some may surprise you. Knowing what can cause yellow teeth and other types of discolouration is the first step, so read on if you want to protect your precious pearly whites.

Dental Health Week

Dental Health Week

Dental Health Week is held each year during the first full week of August. This year it runs from 5th-11th. The annual campaign is organised by the Australian Dental Association (ADA) as the organisation’s major promotional event for oral health. As the peak body for dentists in Australia, ADA is focused on educating the Australian population about the importance of maintaining good oral health.

Time to get serious about snoring!

Snoring is so common that it is considered funny or cute. When we sing nursery rhymes about sleeping we imitate snoring sounds. In reality, snoring is choking and a potentially serious medical condition. Snoring is a big problem at any age but we are particularly concerned about children that snore. The primary function of breathing is to deliver oxygen to our growing children's bodies and brains and to remove carbon dioxide which is a waste product. Snoring is a sign that something is impeding proper air flow in and out. 

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I need Root Canal Treatment should I just get the tooth pulled out?

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Often, patients will come to us in pain, and after some testing and X-rays the result is that they have an infected tooth. Typically, the type of pain that these patients are experiencing includes:

  • Pain at night-time preventing proper sleep
  • Spontaneous pain
  • Sensitivity to hot foods/drinks
  • Throbbing, lingering pain

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Why does my jaw hurt when I wake up in the morning?

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Do you ever wake up in the morning with a headache, or with sore jaw muscles? Does your jaw ever click or do you sometimes have trouble opening your mouth completely?

These are common signs that you may be grinding or clenching your teeth. You may be well aware of these habits if you catch yourself in the act during the day, but many patients are actually unaware that they are grinding. Frequently, grinding occurs overnight when you go to sleep, and this results in the feeling of a stiff jaw, muscle soreness or headache in the morning.

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Why are my teeth sensitive?

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Sensitivity is that short, sharp, and sometimes quite painful feeling that you get when doing things like drinking cold water, eating ice-cream or breathing in cold winter air!  Sometimes, the discomfort can be so great that you may purposely avoid certain food types or drinks. There are many causes for sensitivity, but if ever in doubt, be sure to contact your dentist!

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Brushing/flossing my teeth makes my gums bleed!

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This is something that I hear all the time from worried patients. We have all been in that situation where we have finished brushing our teeth, so we spit into the basin, only to be rewarded for our efforts with a nice pinky hue to our toothpaste. Surely if our gums are bleeding from this behaviour I should be doing it less, right?

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Let’s talk about bad breath

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Bad breath (halitosis) is a common presenting complaint and we find patients are often embarrassed and often unsure about what to do or the cause. In actual fact, most people experience bad breath from time to time. Bad breath is caused by the waste product bacteria produce when they lie stagnant in our mouths for prolonged periods of time (volatile sulfur compounds.)  Seeing as all of us (except for newborns) have bacteria colonised in our mouths, bacteria waste product is unavoidable.

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Toothbrushing tips for kids

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As a mum of preschoolers, I know it can be challenging to get your kids to brush their teeth. Here are some pointers that hopefully makes your life easier.

Tooth brushing should start as soon as your baby cuts his first tooth. (Before this you can use a warm wet cloth to gently wipe inside your baby’s mouth and tongue) Try including your baby’s toothbrush in with their bath toys – chances are your baby will put it straight where it belongs – in his mouth

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My baby sucks her thumb!

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Thumb sucking (digit sucking) or the use of a dummy is very common amongst babies, toddlers and children. Sucking on fingers is a natural self soothing ability that babies start as foetuses in utero (in the womb). It can help them relax or make them feel safe or happy.

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Tooth friendly back to school lunch box ideas

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Every parent wants the best nutrition for their child. Did you know that over the course of your child’s school years, you will be packing close to 3000 lunch boxes? Making good choices about what goes into your child’s lunch box is obviously very important to give kids fuel for growing and learning but as a dentist I would also like to mention the huge impact school lunches can have on their teeth. Don’t despair! Making healthy and delicious lunches can be both easy and cost effective!

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Are silver mercury fillings harmful?

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Silver fillings/amalgam restorations have been heavily debated for decades and used for over 150 years. Dental amalgam has been known to be blamed for a wide range of health issues including autism and cancer. However the Australian Dental Association as well as the WHO (World Health Organisation) still report that there are no proven health issues associated with the use of dental amalgam.

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Do I have impacted wisdom teeth?

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We get our first permanent molars at 6 years of age and our second permanent molars at 12 years of age. Our third molars (wisdom teeth) arrive around 18-21 years of age. By this stage most of the space in our mouth has been taken up by other permanent teeth and our wisdom teeth commonly have little space to erupt into.

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Is fluoride poisonous?

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A lovely patient of ours recently sent me an article written by an anti-fluoride body blaming fluoridated water for a vast range of serious health issues. Anti-fluoride bodies are not new and the issue of fluoridation has been heavily debated for decades