Generally your initial consultation, your dentist will begin with a clinical examination which will involve an oral examination of your teeth, previous restorations, your gum and soft tissue. They might also recommend you take 2 diagnostic x-rays and 1 panoramic x-ray, to examine early lesions/caries, injection in the jaw which may not be visible to the naked eye, and which at an early stage may not have developed symptoms.
Your dentist will generally do a preventive cleaning, to remove built up amounts of calculus (also know as tartar), plaque and stains from the teeth surfaces. If you do not remove plaque and calculus routinely, it create an acidic, toxic environment around the teeth which will cause decay on the tooth and may possibly lead to gum disease/bleeding gums.
How often do you need to see your dentist for a check-up and clean: Prevention is always better than cure, and thus it is generally recommended that you visit the dentist every 6 months, to maintain optimum oral health.
Dental fillings are used to restore worn or damaged teeth and treat tooth decay There are two types of restorations
Your dentist will recommend the best type of filling for you, which will depend upon the condition of your tooth.
For more information regarding the procedure you can click the link.
If your tooth has been destroyed beyond the point of restoration, your dentist may recommend it be removed or extracted. For a simple extraction, your dentist will use a local anaesthetic to numb your tooth and then if needed loosen it with the help an elevator, before extracting it with dental forceps. It is important to follow your dentists post-operative instructions, which will include avoiding spitting, drinking alcohol and smoking for at least 24 hours. The following day it is also recommended that you rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
Dental radiographs (x-rays) show the structures of your teeth and mouth that cannot be seen visually during your clinical examination. X-rays also allow us to see the very early signs of decay which means we can start treatment early – sometimes without having to do a filling! From time to time there are other more specific reasons to take an x-ray, for example, infection or to check on wisdom teeth. Dental x-rays require small radiation doses (even smaller now that we have digital x-rays!) however, we never take them unnecessarily.
We encourage you to bring your children in with you to your check-up appointments from very early on. This introduces them to the dental environment and the Dentist in a non-threatening way and allows your child to have confidence when it is their turn.
You can introduce a soft children’s toothbrush from 12 months (earlier if tolerated by the infant) and just use water.
Many comparisons have been made between electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes to look at the ability of each to remove plaque effectively and prevent or reduce calculus (tartar) build-up, thereby reducing the development of gum disease. Research studies have indicated both powered and manual toothbrushes to be equally effective when used correctly, which mean it is not so much the brush you use, but how you use it is the critical factor. Many people are choosing to use a power toothbrush, especially older patients who find them easier to hold. Advice from our dental hygienists can help ensure that your brushing routine is effective no matter which brush you prefer to use.
Clinically referred to as halitosis, bad breath is an unpleasant condition that is cause for embarrassment both socially and professionally. Some people with bad breath aren’t even aware they have a problem. If you’re concerned about bad breath, see one of our dentists for an assessment as they can help to identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment programme to help eliminate it. What you eat affects the air you exhale. Sometimes bad breath is attributed to certain foods such as garlic and onions. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odour temporarily. Odours continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating. If you do not brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in your mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on your tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odour.
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