How can I best take care of my teeth whilst I'm pregnant?
When you’re pregnant, your hormones will cause your gums to be more liable to inflammation and bleeding; you will need to thoroughly brush your teeth every morning and night and floss daily.
Additionally, your teeth are exposed to a lot of acids due to morning sickness (which often leads to vomiting and extra snacking to reduce the feeling of nausea); try to at least rinse your mouth with water after vomiting or snacking, but ideally run toothpaste on your teeth with your finger or use an alcohol free fluoridated mouth rinse. Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting or snacking, otherwise you risk damaging the tooth structure.
How often should I bring my child to see the dentist?
A check-up every six months is recommended in order prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, everyone has different oral health needs and risk levels which determine how often they should have a check-up. Our dentists can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health.
At what age should I bring my children to see the dentist?
Most children will have all of their baby teeth between 2-3 years of age. Around 18 months to two years is a good time to start having a check up. At SmileCo we believe in making your child’s visit to the Dentist as enjoyable and positive as possible.
A dental check up at this early age will allow your child to become familiar with the sights, sounds and smells of the dentist.The dentist will be able to detect any early signs of tooth decay and other dental conditions and enable staff to give advice and instructions on toothbrushing and good eating habits.
We approach all treatment in a non-threatening and minimally invasive way, where possible. It is a good idea for your child to attend the dentist as part of the family dental visit so that it becomes a part of a normal routine.
Why should I see my dentist for Botox and/or dermal fillers?
The provision of facial rejuvenation therapies is a natural and long overdue progression for dentists, who are now able to utilise their vast skills and experience in the facial region to provide patients with more comprehensive care.
At Smile Co. some of our dentists have undergone comprehensive training to be able to offer Botox and Dermal Filler injections. Previously, patients needed to consult several different practitioners to achieve the dentofacial aesthetic results they were looking for and this had potential to result in a disjointed and unsatisfactory outcome. In addition to this, training for those traditionally delivering facial therapies ( medical doctors and nurses) is very poor with little regulation. This has led to an industry rife with malpractice, poor results and dubious skills.
The training our dentists have received has set them as the “Gold standard” amongst health practitioners providing facial therapies.With unparalleled levels of practical skill and anatomical knowledge of the facial region, Dentists are the very best people to be providing facial rejuvenation therapies to the public in a safe and hygienic clinical environment for both aesthetic and therapeutic needs.
Dentists are the only practitioners able to ensure the establishment of a strong healthy supporting dentition which then blends harmoniously with an enhancement of the external soft tissues to achieve the best, safest and natural overall results.
Why do I get bad breath?
Bad breath (halitosis) can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
If you don’t brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around gums and on the tongue. This causes bad breath.
If you eat food with strong odours (for example garlic or onions), smoke or chew tobacco, these can also cause bad breath.
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease.
Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections and dental caries.
The medical condition dry mouth (xerostomia) can also cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralise acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.
Is tooth whitening bad for enamel and does it make it weak?
No, teeth whitening is not bad for the enamel. The strength of the enamel is not affected at all after completing teeth whitening. Some patients may experience some sensitivity during and immediately after whitening treatment. To ensure that this is minimal you will be required to have a check up with one of our dentists before beginning any tooth whitening treatment to ensure that there are no areas of decay or exposed root surfaces which may contribute to this sensitivity.
I want to change the colour and shape of my teeth but I am not interested in visiting an orthodontist. What options do I have?
Sometimes there is the option of layering the front of the tooth surface with a tooth coloured material to both mask discoloured teeth and slightly change the shape of the front teeth. This is called veneers and may be done in the composite resin filling material or ceramic. Occasionally it is too difficult to change the position of teeth with this option and orthodontic treatment is indicated.
If my tooth is cracked then why don't I have any pain?
Occasionally teeth have cracks present which lay ‘dormant’. The crack may not stimulate the nerve of the tooth to cause pain and discomfort but may still considerably weaken the tooth structure. These teeth are still susceptible to splitting in half or having a large piece come loose when eating or biting on hard things. Sometimes preventive treatment of this tooth with a ceramic restoration is required to stop the tooth from breaking down.
I have never had any pain or soreness and my partner doesn't notice me doing it are you sure I grind my teeth at night? Why is it a problem and what can be done to help?
It is very common for people to grind and clench their teeth at night time whilst sleeping. This is sometimes referred to as bruxism. This can be very damaging to both the front and back teeth and may result in considerable enamel loss as well as cracking or splitting of the back teeth.
It may also result in jaw or muscle pain. Most often patients and their partners are not aware that they grind their teeth because they are sleeping when the bruxism occurs Often wear marks are visible on the teeth which indicate that there is a grinding habit and these can be identified by the dentist during a check up.
Treatment may include a small guard which is worn overnight to protect the teeth and joints or even Botox® treatment of the muscles responsible for clenching and grinding.
Are dental implants painful?
No, the placement of a dental implant is a painless procedure performed under local anaesthetic. Some mild gum discomfort can be expected during the days following the procedure, but this can be minimised with appropriate pain relief and postoperative care. Patients commonly report greater discomfort during and after a dental extraction than after dental implant placement.
Do white fillings last as long as silver ones?
Yes, when properly placed, a white filling is very strong and adhesively bonded to the tooth to ensure longevity and function. Unlike silver amalgam fillings, white composite resin fillings stick to the tooth at a microscopic level to reduce the risk of the filling falling out or bacteria seeping in underneath the filling.
Why are my teeth getting yellower with age?
Over time, the inner layers of the tooth become thicker and more mineralised and this results in the tooth taking on a darker, more yellow appearance. This is a natural ageing process that can be combated with teeth whitening or porcelain veneers. and this results in the tooth taking on a darker, more yellow appearance.
This is a natural ageing process that can be combated with teeth whitening or porcelain veneers. and this results in the tooth taking on a darker, more yellow appearance. This is a natural ageing process that can be combated with teeth whitening or porcelain veneers.