toothache
16Nov

When you go to the dentist Boronia for dental work, such as having a crown replaced or having a cavity filled, you may be disappointed if your mouth continues to hurt for several days after the procedure.

Because your mouth has soft tissues that might become stimulated due to drilling and receiving needles for anesthetic, mouth discomfort is common after dental procedures. However, this discomfort should subside within a few days and not worsen.

If you have pain and discomfort in your mouth that does not go away after your dental appointment, call your dentist to see if one of the following causes it.

Incorrect Bite Alignment

When you get a cavity filled, your dentist will remove the decayed region of your tooth and replace it with a composite material that matches the color of your natural tooth. Your dentist will try their utmost best to match the contour of your natural tooth with the filling.

However, this shape is not always ideal, and the filling may sit too high, causing pain anytime you bite down since your jaw’s biting power is concentrated on one little filling rather than spread through a matched set of teeth. The force irritates the nerve beneath the tooth, causing discomfort.

Fortunately, this form of post-procedure discomfort is quickly resolved. Contact your dentist to get your bite evaluated. Filing down a too-large filling takes little time and requires no further anesthetic.

Jaw Pain

Tenderness of the Jaw

Another typical symptom among dental patients is tenderness. Your jaw muscles and joints can feel tired of being open so wide for so long. This is especially true if the surgery you require takes a long time. Tenderness might even extend from the back of your mouth, giving the impression that your teeth are aching. But the discomfort is actually from joint and muscle soreness.

When resting, focus on relaxing your mouth to assist relieve jaw soreness. Avoid clenching your teeth at all costs. Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs can help with inflammation and muscle discomfort. You might even massage the jaw area softly through your cheek to relieve tension.

After a few days, if you are still experiencing discomfort, consult your dentist about temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ).

TMJ develops when pain in the jaw joint area becomes more persistent. Dental procedures can sometimes aggravate this pain. You may notice popping, an inability to fully expand your jaw, or pain during eating. Pain relievers or a mouth guard may be useful in controlling the pain.

Treatment on a Large Scale

Some dental procedures require more invasive techniques than others. A tiny cavity, for example, can be filled quickly, and you can be on your way. On the other hand, a larger cavity may penetrate the tooth deeper, much closer to the nerve.

While big cavities can still be healed without root canal surgery, the force of the process irritates the nerve. Because of this, you may feel lingering pain and sensitivity for days or even weeks after the tooth is restored.

Use over-the-counter pain relievers and be gentle with your tooth as it heals to reduce pain. When brushing and flossing, avoid excessive temperatures and apply only light pressure.

If it has been a few days and you don’t see any relief from the symptoms, contact your dentist. You might have another issue causing pain after a dental procedure.

23Jul

Pst… hello, you. Yes, we’re talking about you: the person who would rather go to the DMV, wash your hair for the hundredth time, or even fold all the laundry you own than take care of one of the most essential components of your health. We’re talking about dental hygiene and, more specifically, those kind souls who poke and prod at teeth, mouth, and gums looking for symptoms of disease and decay. Yep, the dentist’s office. Ugh.

Sure, going to the dentist isn’t as exciting as some of your other appointments. But that doesn’t make it any less important for our long-term well-being. Neglecting your twice-yearly dental visit can not only harm your perfectly straight teeth and minty-fresh breath, but it can also have significant consequences for your general health. Poor dental hygiene has been associated with birth and pregnancy complications in women, heart infections, and cardiovascular disease.

While the evidence is piling up that oral health affects your overall health, the struggle is real. However, finding a great, compassionate, and attentive dentist who will listen to your unique needs helps those with this resistance.

Let’s look at some things you need to look out for when finding that perfect dentist in Boronia that will suit your family and their needs.

Experience Is Important

Education is a valuable advantage, but it will not ensure you receive the best dental care. After all, “experience is frequently the best teacher,” as the saying goes. While you should ensure that the dentist you are about to see has the proper education, you also want to look at their experience.

Be sure to choose a dentist who has been in the field for some time and has the right education. This combination will allow them to use the latest treatment technology and understand what treatment will work best in any situation.

What to Look for in a Dental Practice

Recommendations

You should look for genuine testimonials, not just what you find on their website. Look at their social media and Google reviews. What are others having to say about the practice? Always take into consideration that nobody can please everyone. If there are negative reviews, consider them but read what the response to them is. Did the practice have a solution? Things happen, and not everyone will love every practice, but how the office handles these situations is important.

Office Environment and Location

Whether you’re a parent looking for a new family dentist or a real estate entrepreneur trying to open a new business, one of the most important elements to consider is “location, location, location.” Some dentists may look enticing, but their glossy magazine adverts won’t help much when you drive an hour and a half each way—in the snow, uphill, and barefoot.

You want to find an accommodating, comfortable, and friendly dentist. You want to be comfortable with the office and staff, not just the dentist. Do they respect your wishes and listen to your requests? This is important and helps you feel noticed and more comfortable than you would with just any dentist.

When finding that perfect dental office for you and your family, remember that it might take some time. Call around, set up a meet and greet appointment but don’t give up. Your oral health depends on it.

Dental Clinic
regular checkup
30Jun
Dental procedures

Most dental patients are afraid and nervous about going to the dentist for a short dental check-up. This is due to the widespread belief that dental procedures are always excruciatingly unpleasant. While this is accurate to some extent, it is not the entire truth.

Thanks to the introduction of contemporary dental treatments and technologies, things have changed dramatically in recent years. Our dentist Boronia appointment is no longer painful or frightening. These technologies include Invisalign, dental implants, and sedation dentistry, to name a few.

Let’s look at the improvements we have made in the dental industry and how they help our patients.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a newly discovered and developed teeth straightening technology. It is considered superior to old metal braces, which were often uncomfortable and painful. Though metal braces are still used for teeth straightening these days, dentists and patients prefer Invisalign.

Invisalign is a more comfortable teeth-straightening therapy when compared to traditional metal braces. However, some treatments will still need metal options. Your dentist will be able to discuss with you what outcomes you are looking for when getting your teeth straightened to come up with the right solution for you.

Modern dental procedures

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are another important advancement in modern dentistry that has significantly improved dental patients’ experiences. They are enamel-colored shells that are applied to the surface of the tooth. They are very thin, making them virtually undetectable, and come in two types, porcelain or resin composite materials. When looking at veneers as an option, be sure to speak with your dentist about the two different types. This will allow you to make an informed decision on which would be best.  

Veneers are the most effective treatment choice for most cosmetic dental issues. They help patients with stained, chipped, fractured, and smaller-than-average teeth. If you want to improve your smile, you might want to discuss dental veneers with your dentist.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a modern way to replace a missing tooth or teeth. They are a replacement for dentures. However, implants are significantly superior to dentures in many ways. In fact, this is one of the best ways to get back that beautiful smile you once had. Dental implants are the best way to go, whether you lost your teeth because of poor oral health, an accident, or trauma.

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Dental Sedation

Sedation is one of the most intriguing advances in contemporary dentistry. It is a safe way to relax dental patients. This allows everyone to enjoy their dental treatment and forget about their anxiety. It also helps make dental treatment appointments go by in no time. Many people are happy that dental sedation is now more common than it was in the past. This allows everyone to get the oral care that they need without hesitation.

Technology is always improving in our dental clinic. We take great pride in staying on top of our patients’ latest technologies and advancements. If you have questions or concerns regarding your dental treatments or recommendations, call us or visit our local dentist in Boronia. We would be happy to discuss your situation and devise a solution that works for you.

12May

Brushing twice a day is always recommended by dentist Boronia, but it isn’t enough to keep your mouth healthy. With each bite, you introduce a new strain of bacteria into your mouth, which subsequently combines with the protein and food products you consume. Plaque, a sticky substance that coats your teeth, is formed due to this mixture.

Have you ever tried rubbing your tongue along the surface of your teeth after not brushing for several days? If so, you’ve probably noticed that the surface is sticky or fuzzy—that sticky coating is known as dental plaque. You can’t see the plaque because it’s colorless, but you can definitely feel it.

Plaque is generated in the mouth when food leftovers interact with bacteria. If it is not removed promptly, it can harden into tartar. Plaque hardens into tartar and builds over and above your gums over time, making it impossible to remove with brushing alone. As the plaque accumulates, it releases acids that erode your tooth enamel, resulting in tooth damage and disease.

When you floss, you can remove plaque that has accumulated in the crevices between your teeth and along the gum line. This helps to keep tartar at bay. In fact, many people believe that flossing is more helpful than brushing in preventing tartar buildup on the back of the molar teeth.

Regular dental checkups will help you have all of the plaque and tartar removed and monitor your teeth and mouth for any oral diseases that may be developing.  You should see your dentist at least every 6 months for a professional cleaning.

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How to Spot Tartar Buildup

Tartar in the mouth has the texture of a rough surface that brushing alone cannot remove. Tartar that accumulates below the gum line can cause severe bleeding and inflammation. If the deposit above the gumline is not eliminated, it turns yellow or tan and expands. Under the gum line, it could be brown or black.

Why Should you Floss?

Flossing is recommended each day to help loosen up plaque and wash it away. Although brushing helps clean a substantial portion of the teeth, there are spots where plaque can build and slowly but steadily harm your teeth, such as the gaps between your teeth, cracks, and crevasses.

Flossing can help to reduce plaque buildup. Cleaning between teeth removes plaque that might contribute to cavities or gum disease from locations where a toothbrush cannot reach. Furthermore, flossing has been shown to aid in the removal of debris between teeth that can lead to plaque buildup.

Other Methods to Prevent Tartar Buildup in Your Mouth

The use of mouthwash is another option to help prevent tartar buildup. However, mouthwash should not be used as a substitute for flossing. Mouthwash aids in the rinsing of your teeth, mouth, and gums. Using an antiseptic mouthwash aids in the reduction of bacteria and the prevention of bad breath. However, mouthwash may not effectively remove food particles that have become caught between the teeth.

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Avoid sugary and starchy foods. Food residue containing sugar or carbohydrates might serve as a breeding ground for bacteria in your mouth. And as previously said, these bacteria produce plaque, which eventually hardens into tartar. So, stop this loop by eating less starchy and sweet foods.

Floss, brush and see your dentist regularly to avoid large tartar build-ups. 

6Apr

Some methods are more effective than others for removing plaque from teeth. However, if you do nothing to improve your dental hygiene and let plaque buildup persist, the consequences can be severe.

The enamel on your teeth will wear away, allowing decay to set in and possibly tooth loss.

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Plaque, what is it?

Plaque is a sticky film that accumulates on the teeth over time. It can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria, causing tooth decay and gum disease. The bacteria found in plaque can produce acid, which attacks your teeth’s enamel, causing your teeth to wear away. You may eventually lose your teeth or develop gum disease, increasing your risk of developing other health issues due to plaque buildup. To avoid these potentially serious complications, it’s critical to understand how to remove plaque from your teeth to maintain good oral health and dental hygiene.

Plaque formation is caused by what?

The amount of plaque that accumulates on your teeth may also be influenced by genetics. For example, how easily plaque adheres to your teeth is influenced by the strength of your immune system. When your immune system is healthy, it can produce antibodies that bind to bacteria and prevent them from adhering to your teeth. When your immune system is compromised, fewer antibodies are produced, allowing bacteria to bind more easily.

Plaque is an unavoidable byproduct of the way your mouth is designed and used. It forms on our teeth and gums when bacteria in our mouths interact with food and other organic matter. This bacteria produces acid, eroding tooth enamel and leading to cavities or gum disease.

What happens to your teeth if plaque isn’t removed?

The enamel on your teeth begins to wear away if plaque buildup is not removed. If this continues, tooth decay and, in some cases, tooth loss may result. Plaque can become infected as well, allowing bacteria to spread throughout your mouth. This not only affects your oral health by your overall health as well.

If the plaque becomes infected, it can lead to a number of serious problems. These problems could be things such as bacteria in the bloodstream, which can cause conditions such as endocarditis and sepsis. Infected plaque is also more likely to cause periodontitis, an inflammation of the tissues that hold the teeth in place.

How to Get Rid of Plaque

Plaque buildup on your teeth can have serious consequences. If plaque buildup has become an issue, the methods for removing it are as simple as what is recommended to keep your teeth clean. These are simple things such as brushing, flossing, and seeing a dentist Boronia a couple of times a year.

To brush your teeth, an electric toothbrush is often recommended to use whenever possible. The main benefit of using an electric toothbrush is that it helps to remove plaque. When you brush your teeth, the bristles of your toothbrush, whether manual or electric, sweep away plaque from between your teeth. In this regard, electric toothbrushes outperform manual brushes. Most electric toothbrushes also include a timer. This will ensure that you brush for the recommended amount of time possible. This will help reduce the amount of plaque left on your teeth after brushing. If you have a manual toothbrush, set a 2-minute timer on your phone. This is a good equivalent. Of course, brushing with a manual toothbrush is far better than not brushing at all.

Other Important Steps to Remove Plaque

Using a mouthwash can also help to reduce plaque. Mouthwash can do more than freshen your breath; it can also help reduce plaque buildup on your teeth. There are numerous mouthwashes available to combat plaque. All of them work better than not using mouthwash at all. Think of it as similar to going to the car wash and getting the pre-rinse. This will pre-rinse your teeth to prepare them for an enhanced brushing experience.

Mouthwash

Flossing is also important to get between the teeth where the bristle of the toothbrush cannot reach. This will extract any lodged food particles. Flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash regularly will ensure that you are doing the best you can to help with plaque build-up at home.

21Feb

What can occur if I don’t get my cavities filled?

After visiting a dentist, you have been told that you have some level of tooth decay. The dentist Boronia may offer you their opinion on when you should look at getting it filled, but you wonder what might happen if I don’t go to the recommendations. We will explore that in this article and help you understand why proper oral care is so critical not only to your smile but also to your overall health.

There are different stages of tooth decay. It usually starts with a small spot that has not broken through the enamel. This is the beginning, and it will most likely not repair on its own but has a slight chance of doing so. Tall tale signs that you might have a cavity and should visit your dentist are:

  • Visible spots on the tooth
  • Pain when drinking or eating something cold or hot
  • Pain when chewing in general
  • Bad Breath that cannot be cured with some mouthwash and brushing
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Toothache
  • Swelling, abscess, or inflammation around a tooth
Tooth Ache

The Stages of Tooth Decay

The first stage is called the white spot. This is the stage where it hasn’t broken through the enamel just yet. While at this stage, with proper treatments, the cavity decay may have a chance of being reversed.  

Once the white spot has grown, it will enter phase 2 of a cavity. This is where the cavity has broken through the enamel. At this point, the tooth cannot repair itself. However, it can be saved relatively easily and is far less painful and costly than leaving it to further down the stages, which will happen over time.

Once the tooth hits stage 3, the decay has moved further down the line and has eroded the soft dentin layer below the enamel. The good news is that it hasn’t, at least at this stage, reached the pulp. But give it time, and that’s where the decay is headed. It is advised not to wait any longer at this stage. The tooth can be saved, most likely without a root canal. You may feel some discomfort at this stage, which is more painful than stages 1 and 2.

Stage 4 is a stage that you really don’t want to reach. At this point, the decay has gone through the tooth. This is an excruciating stage. However, the tooth can be saved in most cases at this stage. It will need a root canal, which is far more costly than if you had taken care of the issue early. This is one of many reasons we recommend that you take care of cavities as soon as they start. 

X-Ray

The Last Stage is Life-Threatening

The last stage is stage 5, which can be fatal if untreated. It is also very painful and can cause a lot of distress in patients. This will have infection throughout the jawline, and infection of the mouth will carry over to the entire body through the bloodstream. That means that it can cause infection throughout the body and attack certain organs.   Stage 5 cannot be reversed and will need a tooth extraction. Again, at this stage, it is life-threatening and should be avoided.  

Protect yourself and your loved ones from life-threatening tooth issues by visiting the dentist in Bendigo regularly and doing primary oral care at home. If you have a tooth causing you some pain, be sure to make a special appointment to have that checked out.  Better safe than sorry. 

Tooth Decay