Category: Dental Care & Oral Health

In the realm of dental care, myths and misconceptions abound, often clouding the truth and leading to improper oral hygiene practices. From old wives’ tales to modern misunderstandings, it’s crucial to separate fact from fiction to maintain optimal dental health. At The Smile Clinic, dentist Ferntree Gully is here to debunk some of the most pervasive dental myths.

Myth #1: Sugar Is the Sole Cause of Cavities

While excessive sugar consumption can contribute to tooth decay, it’s not the only culprit. Cavities form when bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and produce acids that erode tooth enamel. However, poor oral hygiene, acidic foods, and lack of fluoride also play significant roles. Maintaining proper dental hygiene and limiting sugary snacks can help prevent cavities.

Myth #2: You Should Avoid Our Dentist if Your Teeth Aren’t Hurting

Waiting for tooth pain to visit our dentist is a recipe for disaster. Dental issues such as cavities and gum disease often develop silently, without causing immediate pain. Regular dental checkups allow for early detection and treatment of potential problems, saving you from more extensive procedures and discomfort down the road.

Myth #3: Brushing Harder Equals Cleaner Teeth

Contrary to popular belief, brushing harder doesn’t equate to cleaner teeth. In fact, aggressive brushing can damage tooth enamel and irritate the gums, leading to sensitivity and gum recession. Opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular motions to effectively remove plaque and debris without harming your teeth and gums.

Myth #4: You Can Whiten Your Teeth with Lemon Juice

While lemon juice has natural bleaching properties, using it to whiten teeth can do more harm than good. The acidic nature of lemon juice can erode tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to stains and cavities. Instead, consider safer whitening options such as professional dental treatments or over-the-counter whitening products recommended by our dentist.

Myth #5: Baby Teeth Aren’t Important Because They’ll Fall Out Anyway

Although baby teeth are temporary, they serve essential functions in speech development, proper chewing, and guiding permanent teeth into place. Neglecting baby teeth can lead to early tooth loss, misalignment, and even speech impediments. It’s crucial to care for your child’s baby teeth to ensure a healthy foundation for their permanent teeth.

Myth #6: Dental X-Rays Are Unsafe and Should Be Avoided

Dental X-rays are a valuable diagnostic tool that allows our dentists to detect hidden dental issues such as cavities, infections, and abnormalities. Modern digital X-ray technology emits significantly less radiation than traditional X-rays, making them safe for routine use. Our dentists take precautions to minimise radiation exposure, ensuring patient safety during X-ray procedures.

Myth #7: Chewing Sugar-Free Gum Is as Effective as Brushing

While chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva production and help clean teeth between brushings, it’s not a substitute for proper brushing and flossing. Gum chewing can’t remove plaque and food particles as effectively as brushing can. It’s essential to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Separating fact from fiction is essential for making informed decisions about your dental health. By debunking these common myths, we hope to empower you to take better care of your smile. Remember, regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene practices are key to achieving and maintaining optimal oral health. Don’t let myths derail your dental care—trust the facts and smile confidently!

Nobody is super excited to go see the dentist, however, it is a necessary evil.  Your oral health has so many effects on your overall mental and physical health.  When we don’t like our smiles, our self-esteem is affected.  Furthermore, a crooked smile can lead to many issues, from being difficult to brush and remaining clean. Seeing your dentist every six months and cleaning your teeth daily is important to ensure that your oral health is in check.  Let’s take a look at some of the dental procedures explained in more detail. 

Teeth Cleaning

While you clean your teeth at home with a toothbrush, mouthwash, and floss, that isn’t enough.  You need to have your teeth professionally cleaned in order to ensure that everything is in tip-top condition. When you have a plaque that is stuck in different areas and not easily removed with a toothbrush, it can turn into tartar, which is a hard substance that you simply cannot remove at home. This means that your teeth will need professional cleaning to get that tartar removed.  We all try our best to remove plaque with every cleaning, but there are inevitably different areas that are missed.  Once plaque has started, it will deteriorate your teeth even more and cause pain, loosen teeth, or cause you to have your teeth removed if left without treatment. 

It is recommended that you schedule professional teeth cleaning every 6 months for most people.  However, if you have a plaque issue or periodontal disease, or gingivitis, it might be recommended to clean them every four months. 

Fillings

When tartar and plaque are left on the teeth, it can cause the tooth’s enamel to break down and become a cavity.  Cavities need to be tended to immediately so they don’t become bigger issues in the future.  However, you won’t always know you have a cavity if you aren’t going to your regular checkups for proper cleaning.  Cavities don’t always hurt.  During your cleanings, your local dentist in Boronia can catch your cavities before they get too deep and can fill them with a material that matches the colour of your teeth.  When cavities are left alone, they will only get worse.  This can lead to needing a more expensive and invasive procedure such as a root canal.  

Root Canals and Crowns

Root canals are necessary when a cavity has hit the root of the tooth, or the tooth’s root has died from trauma or other reasons.  This requires the dentist to drill down into the tooth and clear out the old root matter and replace it.  Root canals are quite often not painful as the tooth is dead. But this is more expensive than just getting a basic filling.

A crown is then placed over the tooth that has a root canal to strengthen it.

Tooth Extractions

Another common option for those with diseased teeth is getting the tooth extracted. While this might seem excessive, if the tooth is diseased, you don’t want it to remain in your body.  This can cause a slew of health problems.  After an extraction, you can speak to your dentist regarding getting a dental implant or bridge to fill in the hole where the tooth was.

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.

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.