2. What can I do to improve the health and appearance of my smile?
If your teeth become damaged, lost or simply worn over time, there are a number of options available to treat these problems.

If teeth are lost, then Implants, Dentures or Bridges may be an option for you.
If a tooth needs rebuilding, then Crowns, Inlays or Onlays could be the solution.

For cosmetic changes, Tooth Whitening, Veneers and Bonding are amongst some of the treatments that you could consider.

3. What are the main benefits of quality dental treatment?
Quality dental treatment does not merely address the present condition of your teeth, but can assist you with predictions on issues that can arise over the coming years. It is vital that you enjoy the privilege of proactive care, rather than reactive care. The latter is always addressing an emergency and costs more. For example:

“My filling has not dropped, why replace it ?”
A proactive dentist will have noticed that the existing filling has chipped / developed leaking edges and a black halo of decay. Timely replacement and treatment will prevent the tooth becoming painful and needing a root canal and a crown.

“I am not in pain, why fix it?”
A painful tooth means that the nerve has been affected. It may then need an expensive root canal and a crown, if you wish to save it from an extraction. Would you really hold for expensive dentistry rather than timely treatment ?

“Do I really need x-rays every year?”
A bite-wing x-ray lets the dentist review the levels of your bone and if decay has started between your teeth. Small changes every year can be monitored at subsequent visits, and this is why digital x-rays makes record keeping so vital to a thorough check-up.

“I am concerned about x-ray radiation”
Digital x-ray views need 1/10th of the radiation when compared to film x-rays and hence are very safe. Caring 4 Smiles® has changed to digital x rays many years ago to provide patients a safer option.

4. 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.

5. Who is a candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry treatment?
Previously, Cosmetic Dentistry was only for Hollywood. Little could be done for Joe Average to attain the smile he always dreamed of. Today, cosmetic treatments are available to anyone so every smile can be beautifully enhanced.

6. Fluoride is only for kids.
Fluoride is applied to teeth whenever there is the risk of decay. As our body chemistry changes, we need help to ward off decay. A pro-active dentist will easily pick up changes in your mouth and initiate a changed oral care plan which may include fluoride application on a regular basis.

Prevention – Prevention – Prevention.

7. Do teeth get cracks? What is ‘cracked tooth syndrome’
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. Timely treatment can save it from more extensive and expensive care.

8. I have a number of black fillings. Can I opt to change this?
The black filling material used in your teeth is dental amalgam. This is a mix of silver and mercury, used as a filling material for over a hundred years. It is still one of the strongest materials available but is being removed from mouths electively.

Dental amalgam is an unattractive filling material. There are a number non-toxic tooth-colour filling materials currently available that can be used to replace old amalgams.

Caring 4 Smiles Dental Group® is an amalgam free practice.

9. What's the best way to prevent gum disease?
Conscientious removal of plaque by flossing, brushing and regular professional care will minimise your risk of gum disease. However, there are other factors that can affect the health of your gums, such as heart disease, stress, diabetes, genetics, medication and pregnancy.

10. What happens if I just ignore getting my teeth cleaned?
As the plaque and calculus accumulate, the periodontal ( gum ) disease progresses. Supporting tissues around the teeth (gums, periodontal ligaments, bone) are damaged.

Periodontal pockets form between teeth and trap additional plaque. Bad breath and bleeding often accompanies this condition. Once the bone that supports the teeth is lost, it will not regrow without surgical intervention. Expensive bone grafting may be the way forward so pro-active care is critical to long term care.

11. 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 to neutralise the odorous sulphur compounds, instead of simply covering up the odour. However, the dentist and hygienist are the key persons in your management.

Caring 4 Smiles® has a bad breath protocol to assist you control this condition.

12. 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.

Caring 4 Smiles® allocates emergency time slots daily for patients in pain. Please feel free to call the Practice manager on (09) 631 5416.