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Why is it important to have a dental check-up?
It is important to attend dental check-ups on a regular basis to help detect and resolve problems related to the wellbeing of your dental health keeping your teeth, mouth and gums healthy.
Although in some cases patients may need a scale, clean and polish on a monthly basis, generally it is recommended that a dental clean should be done every six months.
What are the different options for restorative dental treatments?
The root canal procedure takes place over two to three visits. A slight tenderness can be experienced after the first visit; however, this will subside. Thereafter, no discomfort or pain can be felt, as the tooth will be anaesthetised for treatment to take place.
Primary teeth are the first set of teeth that develop in the mouth when you are a child. It is also known as ‘milk teeth’. You may develop primary teeth before your permanent teeth form when you are much older.
It is important to care for your primary teeth from the moment they start developing. This is to prevent them from decaying and to prevent you from having crooked, permanent teeth or gum disease later in life.
A child’s first visit to the dentist should be when the child’s first tooth arrives, which could be between the ages of 4 months to 12 months but no later than the age of one or two.
Once the first dental check-up and clean is done, it is very important for children to attend regular dental check-ups at least every three to six months to identify any problems associated with the child’s oral health and treat it quickly. Dentists will also be able to train children to follow a good cleaning routine to improve and maintain their oral health from a young age.
What are some of the signs associated with sleep apnoea?
Can chipped teeth be fixed?
Yes. Depending on the size of the chip, various methods may be used to fix it. Small chips may only require some filing whereas larger chips may require dental crowns. The aim of fixing a chip is to restore your tooth to its natural appearance.
Do I have to get a chip fixed?
Yes. Even a seemingly small break can stress the tooth making it difficult to eat or speak. Breaks also allow an opening for food and bacteria to get stuck, resulting in an infection. Without treatment, a broken tooth could get crushed and become unable to be saved.
In the event that it’ll be a while until you see the dentist, you can cover the tooth using over-the-counter dental cement. This is found in most pharmacies.
Should I brush my teeth after I have been sick?
Brushing your teeth immediately after a bout of nausea may cause damage to your teeth. Instead, rinse your mouth with water and swish with some mouthwash containing fluoride. Wait a while and then brush your teeth.
Should I see the dentist if I am pregnant?
Yes. If you notify your dentist once you are pregnant, your dentist may be able to adjust certain treatments to suit your current state. Your dentist will also be aware of the risk of morning sickness and thus be able to give you sound advice on taking care of your oral health during this time.
What should I do if I am experiencing tooth decay due to nausea?
First things first: you will need to be able to determine the cause of your nausea in order to treat it. Visit your doctor if you are experiencing frequent bouts of nausea. Once you have determined the reason and found a suitable treatment for your nausea, make an appointment to visit your dentist to treat any erosion or decay that might have occurred as a result.
Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue. It causes weakening and destruction of these tissues which protect and support the teeth and hold them in place.
Yes. With proper oral hygiene and taking the advice of your dentist, you will be able to control gum disease. Regular visits to the oral hygienist may even reverse it!
No. Gum disease occurs due to tartar build-up in the mouth. Preventing gum disease is simply a matter of maintaining good oral hygiene.
Not necessarily. If your wisdom teeth have grown in a normal position and is not giving you any dental problems or pain, then you won’t have to remove it. Only wisdom teeth that are problematic are extracted as this is usually the only way to alleviate the pain and problems.
I have impacted wisdom teeth. Do I need to remove them?
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a number of dental problems and often requires prompt removal, however there are some patients who go their entire lives without ever experiencing any issues with their impacted teeth. If your impacted wisdom teeth are not causing pain or affecting the growth and stability of the other teeth, then chances are you won’t need to have it extracted.
If the tooth is healthy, is in its correct position, and isn’t causing harm to the surrounding teeth, your general dentist can simply loosen it and then pull it out. If the tooth is impacted, you will need to undergo a surgery in which the gums are slit open so that the surgeon has access to the jaw and the tooth can be carefully and effectively pulled out. The tooth can also be removed in sections to avoid affecting the surrounding areas and teeth.
Is removing a wisdom tooth safe?
Most wisdom tooth extractions are straightforward and won’t necessarily cause harm to the patient. In some very rare cases, the extraction process can take its toll (even on adult patients) and some complications (with anaesthesia, etc.) can arise but overall the risks are at a minimum.
How often do veneers need to be replaced?
Thanks to their durable composition, porcelain veneers generally last between 7-15 years. However is depends on how well you take care of them as poor care can lead to damage which will require replacement or fixing.
I have veneers. Can i whiten my teeth?
Veneers are not affected by traditional tooth whitening treatments since they are artificial and have no pores to absorb the bleaching agent to combat stains. In most cases, the veneers will need to be removed before whitening can take place and will be replaced, either by the same ones or newer veneers which will be made to match the colour of your freshly whitened teeth.
Getting veneers requires preparing your natural teeth by removing some of the enamel which can cause some mild discomfort. This can also leave your teeth feeling more sensitive and in many cases, anaesthesia is administered during the process, so you don’t feel any pain at all. Getting porcelain veneers is not a painful process however there are some cases where the veneers might cause problems so you should speak to your dentist about it before committing to getting veneers.