Top 10 Tips for Better Oral Hygiene
In between your trips to Alex Bratic Dental Care, you are the person responsible for keeping your smile white, bright, and healthy.
To keep your dazzling smile in tip-top condition, it is crucial that you keep up good oral hygiene habits, including brushing and flossing regularly and properly.
The Ultimate Toothpaste Guide
The shelves in the dental hygiene aisle at stores are overstuffed with a variety of dental care products. The large selections make it overwhelming to choose the product that best suits your needs. The real question is, are all of the products offered appropriate for your teeth? How can you know which toothpaste is the best for your smile?
The role of toothpaste has always been to keep teeth clean and to assist in optimising oral health. With the enormous selections available at your grasp, it’s crucial to understand the benefits that each provides.
All toothpaste products are all unique in regards to the different formulas that are used. Below, Alex Bratic Dental offers you a description of the most popular toothpastes used for specific goals.
Use this guide as your aid when choosing the most suitable option.
Improve Your Life With A Smile Makeover
Smiling with confidence can make you feel awesome. A beautiful smile is also a social and professional asset.
Sadly, there are those who hide their teeth because their teeth are unattractive, missing, stained, or crooked.
Unfortunately, studies show that when you don’t smile, or if you hide your smile, you are likely to feel less confident and your ability to succeed decreases.
If that describes you, then why not begin the process of getting the smile you’ve always wanted? At Alex Bratic Dental we can help you get the smile you want with a smile makeover!
Tooth Bonding For A Long-Lasting, Beautiful Smile
Did you know that you are better looking when you smile? In fact, you’re seen as more attractive, reliable, relaxed, and sincere.
A study published in the journal Neuropsychologia reported that seeing an attractive smiling face activates people’s orbitofrontal cortex, the region in their brain that process sensory rewards. In other words, your smile rewards them!
But what if you don’t like to smile? What if your teeth are stained, chipped, gapped, or otherwise unattractive? What should you do if you feel like you have to hide your smile?
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
You paid for your crown – so the crown should last and last, right? In fact, this is the number one question that patients and perspective patients ask us about crowns, “How long will they last?”
The good news is that crowns are a long-term dental treatment, and while they may not last forever, there are things a patient (and dentist) can do to help keep them a very long time.
At Alex Bratic Dental Care we are dedicated to helping you get the crown that is just right for you and also help you keep it for a very long time. Properly looked after, crowns have been known to last for decades.
Invisalign, The Invisible Secret for Straight Teeth!
The quickest route to a beautiful, aligned smile is through heredity -beautiful teeth often run in families. But for those who weren’t naturally blessed with aligned teeth, orthodontic correction provides well-aligned, healthy teeth to millions of people of all ages.
In the past, the normal treatment for orthodontic correction was braces, but today Alex Bratic Dental Care in Beenleigh often recommends Invisalign clear aligners for teens and adults who want the benefits of braces without the “metal mouth” look, complicated hygiene, and dietary restrictions that come with traditional orthodontics (braces).
4 Ways Pregnant Women Can Protect Their Dental Health
A pregnancy should be a wonderful time for a woman, full of the promise of the future. But a pregnancy can also be a time with many demands on the woman’s time. One thing that should not be overlooked, for the safety of the mother and the child, is proper dental care.
Happily, most routine treatment is perfectly safe during pregnancy. During the first trimester, however some procedures and medications should be avoided. For proper treatment, be sure your dentist knows you are pregnant.
Top 7 Best Practices for Good Oral Health
The Signs and Symptoms of Impacted Teeth
The Best Valentine’s Day Present—A Healthy Mouth
Valentine’s Day is that special day on which we all express our feelings for our loved ones. But bad oral health can have a negative affect on such expressions. It doesn’t matter if you are kissing your 5-year old, your spouse, or someone else you care deeply about. On Valentine’s Day (and any other day!), no one wants to kiss or be kissed by anyone with bad oral hygiene or teeth.
Valentine’s Day should also be a day of wide smiles. But if you have dingy or stained teeth, it might be harder to smile. Which is why at Alex Bratic Dental Care we want to work with you to make your smile brilliant, and your breath good, on Valentine’s Day and beyond!
Better Kisses for All!
Let’s face it; if your dental health is more ordinary than optimal, it decreases the chance that someone will want to kiss you.
All About Dental Crowns and Why You Need Them
A dental crown, commonly called a “cap,” is a tooth-shaped restoration that is made by a machine usually in a dental laboratory. It is designed to cover the entire tooth and strengthen or repair a tooth.
Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
- Cover a discoloured or misshapen tooth
- Keep a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore a fractured tooth to usefulness
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
The Problem With Bleeding Gums
You’re brushing your teeth and when you spit out your toothpaste you notice a trace of crimson. Perhaps you notice some bleeding at your gum line when you floss. The amount of blood involved might not seem like a big deal. However, if your gums are bleeding regularly, it is dangerous ignore it.
Bleeding gums are often a sign of gingivitis or some more serious condition. If you do notice tenderness or bleeding, your first stop should always be at Alex Bratic Dental Care in Beenleigh.
What Causes Bleeding/Tender/Inflamed Teeth?
Most cases of bleeding gums are due to dental plaque (bacterial deposits) and calculus (tartar) building up where the teeth and gums come together. This causes the gum tissues to become inflamed, which is known as gingivitis. If plaque and calculus continue to accumulate over time, continuing inflammation can lead to bad breath, tenderness and bleeding.
Everything You Need To Know About Modern Dental X-rays
10 Amazing Facts About Your Teeth
Nowadays we are surrounded by the noise and intrusion of advertising campaigns wherever we go. It can be difficult to enjoy a few minutes of peace and calm.
Fortunately, the professionals at Alex Bratic Dental Care are here to offer you a small break with this ran collection of dental myths related to teeth. Enjoy!
Some of the myths related to curing a toothache can be quite amusing, if rarely based in reality.
New Year Dental Health Tips
It’s that time of the year again! We try to sum up last year and make resolutions for the New Year.
Resolutions are an important part of the New Year because they provide us with goals and directions. Resolutions encourage us to surpass our previous achievements and challenge ourselves in new ways.
Why not add some dental health based New Year resolutions into the resolutions you have already made? Healthier teeth can create a brighter smile, better health, and even save you money.
‘Tis the Season to be Healthy: Dental Tips for Holidays
‘Tis the season for sweets and treats! Unfortunately sweets and treats can come with damage to your dental health. But if you maintain good oral health and habits during the holiday season, you can keep your smile bright and give yourself a precious gift: healthy, attractive teeth!
Holiday parties and events come along with sugary treats and drinks. During the holiday hustle and bustle oral hygiene can be put aside. The holidays, however, are among the most important times to practice good oral hygiene. Alex Bratic Dental Care in Beenleigh wants to help keep your teeth safe from the damage that sugary treats and drinks can cause.
Don’t let December Damage your Dental Bliss
Resist the candy canes and sweet treats. Snack on carrots instead and save your teeth.
Avoid Sweets
Strong sweets can affect teeth for 20 minutes or more after consumption.
Decay and gingivitis take advantage of weakened enamel due to sugar-induced acids in the mouth.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dental Care
Need a Filling? Ask Your Dentist About Composite Fillings
While іt іѕ роѕѕіblе to kеер thеm healthy for lіfе, оddѕ аrе уоur teeth will rеԛuіrе trеаtmеnt аt some роіnt.We аrе ѕреаkіng, of course, аbоut tooth dесау. Often caused bу еxсеѕѕіvе sugar іntаkе, tooth dесау can lеаd tо a hole іn a tooth called a саvіtу. And аѕ we all know, cavities muѕt bе filled tо рrеvеnt furthеr dаmаgе to teeth.
Past Practice
In thе раѕt, аmаlgаm fillings mаdе of mеtаlѕ such аѕ silver оr gold wеrе uѕеd to stop thе spread of a cavity аnd to improve thе dаmаgеd tооth’ѕ structural іntеgrіtу. Gеnеrаllу ѕреаkіng, thеу performed ԛuіtе well bесаuѕе amalgams were durаblе аnd еаѕу tо wоrk with.
How Eating Disorders Affect Your Oral Health
Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can be devastating to oral health and dental appearance.
Anorexia causes a person to radically deprive their body of nutrients vital to oral health, resulting in weakened bones and tooth enamel. The immune system is also depressed impeding the patient’s ability to fight off infections.
Bulimia (compulsive overeating and regurgitating) results in rapid damage to teeth and gums as a result of stomach acids passing through the mouth. Deterioration of tooth enamel, chipping, and discolouration quickly cause problems for the patients.
How to Manage Mouth Ulcers
4 Ways To Protect Your Teeth from Juicing Damage
Juicing is known to provide tremendous health benefits and is a very popular way to boost your fruit and vegetable consumption. Because it only involves fresh fruits and vegetables, juicing can help fight inflammation and diseases such as arthritis and cancer.
On the other hand, when it comes to your oral health, juicing has both upsides and downsides. While juicing is generally healthy for your mouth, it has also a direct effect on your dental health, especially on your teeth.
Top 4 Amazing Benefits of Brushing and Flossing
Good dental care, which involves brushing and flossing, will help you to achieve healthy, beautiful smile. This routine is an important part of your health program, as it can help prevent the threat of various oral health diseases such as tooth decay and gum diseases.
Aside from home care, getting regular professional clean is an essential part of good dental care. Caring for your mouth reduces your risk for various dental and medical conditions, and provides you with the following benefits:
• Fresher breath
• Whiter teeth and brighter smile
• Prevents gum problems
• Keeps you from expensive dental procedures
5 Reasons Why You Need Dental Crowns
Dental Crowns: When are they needed?
[dt_fancy_image type=”” lightbox=”0″ align=”right” margin_top=”6″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_right=”0″ margin_left=”10″ width=”300″ height=”” animation=”none” media=”” image_alt=”Dental Crowns: When are they needed | Dentist Beenleigh” hd_image=”” image=”https://alexbraticdental.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Dental-Crowns-When-are-they-needed-Dentist-Beenleigh.jpg”][/dt_fancy_image]If you are planning to fill in the gap in your smile caused by missing teeth, dental crowns are likely one of your options. But you might ask yourself if it’s the right […]
6 Ways Unhealthy Teeth Can Affect Your Health
Dental pain and bleeding gums are indications of poor oral health and unhealthy mouth. Not taking good care of your teeth will not only cause bad breath, but it can also lead to serious health issues, which affects your skin, heart, lungs and kidneys.
Studies show that people suffering from gum disease are almost twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease compared to those who have healthy gums. Oral bacteria can also affect the memory as some researchers suggest a link between poor dental health and increased risk of dementia. Moreover, poor dental health can also hurt your blood sugar, affects your breathing, and increases the risk of pancreatic cancer and chronic kidney disease.
Invisalign: Aligns your Teeth Perfectly
Nowadays, if you are planning to straighten your teeth, you don’t need to settle for traditional metal braces. Although braces are a standard option when it comes to straightening your teeth there are certain circumstances when you should consider other options.
In the past, there was no alternative to metal braces. The only way to realign the teeth was with braces combined with retainers. But those days are gone. Today, you can straighten your teeth in a more comfortable and discreet way, and that is through Invisalign – the most advanced clear aligner system available.
5 Tips to Help You Get Ready for Dental Visits
Visiting the Dentist? Get ready! Get Set! Go!
Being ready helps you make the most of your dental visits.
Be it a routine checkup, teeth cleaning, or a treatment, here are a few things you should do.
The Top Benefits of Regular Dental Cleaning
Brushing and flossing your teeth may not be enough to clean your mouth completely. While these activities are fundamental to your home dental care, nothing compares with the care provided by your dental team.
Professional dental cleaning is more than an elaborate version of your oral hygiene at home. It is vitally essential to the health of your teeth and gums, and skipping one appointment can trigger dental problems.
Prevention and Treatments for Top 10 Mouth Problems
Toothache – Indicates a cavity or a symptom of gum disease. It could also be a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth.
Sensitive Teeth – Teeth hurt when you consume hot or cold drinks. It could be due to tooth decay, worn tooth enamel, gum disease or receding gums.
Bleeding Gums – It can be a sign of gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease or the outcome of brushing too hard.
How Acidic Drinks Put Your Teeth At Risk
Professional Teeth Cleaning Improves Oral Health
6 Ways to Get Healthier, Whiter Teeth
Many people are dissatisfied with the colour of their teeth and the quality of their smile.
Here’s what you can do to keep your teeth clean and improve your smile.
Many people are not happy with the brightness of their teeth or the quality of their smiles.
Here are 6 easy steps to keeping your teeth clean and improving your smile!
- Brush and floss daily, using a soft toothbrush to avoid gum damage. If you like, use an electric toothbrush, which uses sonic waves to clean teeth. Brush at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time, and floss at least once
Simple First Aid Guide for Dental Emergencies
How to Manage Dry Mouth
In my last Blog, I discussed the cause of a dry mouth.
In Part 2, I will provide some guidelines for the management of a dry mouth.
Firstly, a little basic Chemistry- Saliva is made up mostly of water but also contains ions and minerals & enzymes that protect your teeth, gums and mucosa (the lining of your mouth).
Importantly, saliva contains bicarbonate and ammonium, which neutralises acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. This Acid acts to soften the tooth, which causes decay. Saliva is your body’s protection against decay. If there is no or little saliva, you have very little protection. While there is no cure for a dry mouth there are a number of steps that can be taken to manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of decay.
5 Causes of Dry Mouth
Having a dry mouth can be quite uncomfortable, unpleasant and limits normal daily functions like eating and speech. The sensation of a dry mouth is usually caused by a lack of saliva. This lack of saliva is not only uncomfortable but also increases the risk of many oral diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease and fungal infections.
Dry MouthWhat causes the lack of Saliva?
In-adequate hydration: Adequate hydration is required to produce the large volume of saliva we need to produce each day. I recommend 1.5 to 2 litres of tap water daily. Tap water is almost the only drink that has a neutral pH. Most drinks including fruit juice, soft drinks and energy drinks are both acidic (softening your valuable tooth enamel) and contain sugar. Tap water, as opposed to bottled water, also contains a low concentration of fluoride which helps to harden tooth enamel.
Childrens Treats? A Cause for Concern
Rates of tooth decay were steadily declining in Australia through the 1970’s and 80’s to a low point in the mid 1990’s. Since then rates have again increased back to where they were in the 1980’s. What is responsible for this increase?
As a father of two girls aged 6 and 9 I have noticed social and dietary changes that have contributed to this trend. In our house my wife & I keep the sugar to a minimum. In general, on a day to day basis in our house there is no soft drink, juice, biscuits, cakes, ice-cream, chocolates or lollies. I know, sounds like no fun but they do have tuckshop once a week, relatively healthy snacks at home & usually on the weekend if we are out the girls might score something special or two. We need to be firm with the “day to day” because too often sugary treats still come their way.
Gum Health: Healthy Gums, Healthy You
Most people know that being overweight, having diabetes, stress & smoking all increase your risk of heart disease. What you may not know is that Gum Disease also increases the risk of Heart Disease.
Gum disease is a condition caused by bacteria which results in the destruction of the bone and gum attachment around a tooth.
What are the signs of Gum Disease:
• bleeding gums
• red, puffy or tender gums
• ongoing bad breath
Should I Extract a Tooth or have Root Canal Treatment?
The most common cause of toothache is an infected pulp or nerve. This usually happens in the back molar teeth which are more prone to decay. At this point it is no longer possible to fill the tooth & treatment options are limited to root canal therapy or extraction. When faced with this dilemma patients often ask for my advice.
In the vast majority of cases the best decision is to retain the tooth with root canal therapy. Some patients will comment that if the tooth cannot be seen it is not important to keep the tooth. It is actually the back teeth which do most of the work when chewing. Loss of a back molar tooth will almost certainly reduce chewing efficiency with most chewing being done with the other side.
Dental Check-up: More than just looking for decay
In my last Blog, I discussed the benefits of a check up in the early detection of tooth decay but a dental check up involves so much more than just looking for tooth decay.
The dentist will also look for signs of premature wear from clenching & grinding. Early detection & implementing preventative strategies can potentially same thousands of dollars over the long term. Not to mention saving you many hours of operative dental treatment!
As dentists we also look for signs of acid erosion which has become more frequent with the increasing consumption of acidic beverages. Another cause of damage to teeth most people do not consider is that caused by incorrect brushing technique – either brushing too hard, using a hard bristle brush or both.
What sort of Toothpaste should I use?
There are a multitude of toothpastes available claiming to have advantages over other brands and designed to achieve different results. The active ingredient in toothpaste is fluoride. For most people a 1000 p.p.m. fluoride concentration is ideal. Virtually all toothpastes from most major companies such as Colgate, Oral-B and Macleans will use this concentration. Any of these products are satisfactory.
Specialty toothpastes
There are also many specialty toothpastes available on the market. I often make recommendations for certain types of toothpastes to my patients depending on their individual needs.
Speciality Toothpastes: Choosing the Right Toothpaste
In my last Blog I spoke about the various types of toothpastes on the market & specialty pastes that I recommend. Now I would like to comment on three other types of pastes.
1. Desensitising toothpastes:
Many people suffer from sensitive teeth. The most common reason for this is gum recession, where the sensitive root surface of a tooth becomes exposed. This usually occurs from brushing too hard. Use of a soft bristled brush, a gentle technique along with a desensitising paste is usually all that is required to reduce sensitivity to a manageable level.
How Does Sugar Cause Tooth Decay?
Bacteria in our mouths use sugars as their food source. The bacteria that cause tooth decay are unable to use proteins, fats or fibre to survive. Consequently a diet high in whole grains, meats, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables & dairy foods is a diet that is unlikely to contribute to tooth decay. Incidentally, this is also a diet most nutritionists would recommend for good overall health.
Once the bacteria in our mouths have used the sugars in our diet, they produce acid as a waste product. It is actually the acid that softens the hard outer shell of the tooth (enamel). Eventually the enamel cavitates and the bacteria enter the tooth. The process of acid softening happens every time we eat something with sugar.
Dental Anxiety: Nervous About Visiting the Dentist?
You are not alone. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the population has some degree of anxiety when visiting the dentist. This ranges from mild ‘butterflies in the belly’ to extreme fear.
Fear can often be traced back to an unpleasant or painful procedure, usually at a young age. The brain automatically associates the sight, sounds & smell of the current visit with the past bad experience. The resulting anxiety releases adrenaline which heightens all sensations including pain. Awareness of this process is a big step in overcoming your fear of the dentist or anything else for that matter!
Why is Flossing so Important?
Most people are aware of the need to brush twice daily but are not aware how important it is to incorporate flossing into their daily routine. Decay usually happens at the contact area between teeth. Food & plaque gets caught in this area. Tooth brushing alone is not effective in removing plaque from between teeth. If you floss after you have brushed your teeth you will quickly see what your tooth brush has left behind.
Flossing is an essential part of a good daily oral hygiene routine. With the right technique & a little practice, flossing should take between 60-90 seconds to do. Once daily is enough. Most of us, no matter how busy, can find this time.
The Value of a Dental Check up : Early detection of tooth decay
When most people think about a dental check up, their impression is that the dentist is looking for cavities or holes in teeth. A comment I hear frequently is, “I can’t feel any holes in my teeth” or “I am not having any pain so I don’t really need a check up.” This statement highlights two misconceptions.
The first is that tooth decay is an actual hole in the tooth. Tooth decay is a bacterial infection of the tooth. Bacteria use sugar to produce acid. The acid softens the outer enamel & allows the bacteria to enter the tooth. A well advanced infection can be present without any noticeable cavitation of the tooth surface.
