Category: <span>Blog</span>

When Does A Filling Need To Be Replaced?

Cavities are perhaps the most common dental problem and can be excruciatingly painful if not treated immediately. 

If a person is experiencing tooth decay, a hole develops in the tooth and continues to grow bigger and deeper if ignored. 

While the enamel can repair itself at some point when a cavity is formed, there are two options – fill the tooth or extract it if the damage is extreme. 

Cavities are bad news for your oral and overall health. Therefore, it’s imperative that you get fillings to fix cavities (unless you need to have the tooth extracted). 

Dental Fillings: What To Expect

Step 1: When you go to a dental clinic, you can expect the dentist to perform an oral and dental x-ray examination to get a clear picture of the level of decay and damage. 

Step 2: The dentist will then take a minute or two to walk you through the steps involved in the procedure.

Step 3: Before filling the cavities, the dentist will proceed to numb your gums and teeth to make sure the process is as painless and comfortable as possible.

Step 4: Next, the dentist will clean away the decay/plaque inside the cavity with a drill. 

Step 5: Finally, the dentist will replace the decay with fillings to cover the hole. 

Most dental filling procedures are straightforward and only take a few minutes. 

However, you can expect your mouth to remain numb for a couple of hours to keep you comfortable.

Fillings work in such a way that they are moulded to match the shape of your teeth. This helps to keep your teeth and jaw feeling as natural and comfortable as possible.  

Types Of Dental Fillings

When you visit a reliable dental clinic, such as Gardens Dental, you can expect the dentist to present you with several dental filling options. 

There are different types of fillings depending on the material used, and each type determines the method used to insert fillings. Types of dental fillings include:

• Composite fillers
• Cast gold fillings
• Amalgams (silver-fillings)
• Ceramic fillings
• Glass ionomer fillings

While the different types of fillings perform the same primary function, each type of filling has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Also, factors such as the cost of filling material, your medical insurance policy, the extent of tooth decay as well as the dentist’s recommendation might affect the type of dental filling you choose. 

Composite Fillings

These are the most commonly used dental fillings since they are affordable and replicate the colour of the patient’s teeth. 

Composite fillings are made of plastic material and resin. They are quite durable with a lifespan of up to 15 years when coupled with excellent oral hygiene. 

Composite fillings are usually inserted in a paste form and then mould themselves inside the cavity. 

Ceramic Fillings

Ceramic cavity fillings are often made of tooth-coloured porcelain and are both aesthetically appealing and durable. 

However, ceramic fillers can be quite brittle and expensive. 

Amalgams 

You’re probably familiar with silver fillings. These types of dental fillings have been used in the dental profession for more than a century. 

The reason why amalgams are popular is that they are quite strong hence suitable for molars where most of the chewing and grinding takes place. 

Amalgam fillings are also easy to fit, and there are no known complications with saliva and blood contamination. 

The only disadvantage of silver fillings is that they are not aesthetically pleasing. 

When Does A Filling Need To Be Replaced? 

Fillings often last for years before you need to replace them. However, they may eventually need to be replaced due to wear and tear. 

Do you suspect you have a cavity? Or do you have signs of wear on your fillings? 

If you need to visit the dentist for any type of dental procedure, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website https://gardensdental.com.au/contact-us/

What Is The Recovery Time After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

The mouth of an average adult has 32 teeth: 16 on the lower jaw and 16 on the top. Each tooth in the mouth has a unique name and role. 

The teeth in the front of the mouth are responsible for biting and grasping food whereas the back teeth, otherwise known as the molars grind food in preparation of swallowing. 

On rare occasions, wisdom teeth will emerge properly and well-positioned and play a significant role.

However, the average adult human mouth can only comfortably accommodate 28 teeth. 

Therefore, it can be quite painful when four more humongous teeth start trying to squeeze themselves into a mouth that is already full. 

These four teeth are your third molars, otherwise referred to as wisdom teeth.

Why Should You Consider Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

If you’re one of the lucky individuals whose wisdom teeth erupt correctly and align properly, then you won’t have to think about wisdom teeth removal. 

Unfortunately, many people find themselves dealing with wisdom teeth that don’t erupt correctly and grow under the gum line or if they happen to erupt, they emerge crooked. 

Some wisdom teeth will even grow sideways as they struggle to find a pathway for them to develop. Impacted wisdom teeth cause severe problems, including:

• Disruption or neighbouring teeth
• Swelling
• Pain
• Discomfort
• Development of cysts or abscesses

Also, because it’s difficult to clean crooked and partially erupted teeth at the back of your mouth, you can experience mouth infections which when left untreated can spread to the bloodstream. 

Early wisdom teeth removal is highly recommended to help avoid such complications. 

Oral Examination 

With visual examination and dental x-rays, experienced dentists at Gardens Dental can track as well as evaluate the condition of your wisdom teeth.

This will help identify any present problems and predict if there is any probability of future issues. 

Studies indicate that early wisdom teeth evaluation and removal reduce the surgical risks involved with the removal procedure. 

If any problems are spotted, then wisdom tooth removal is often the best course of action.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Historically, wisdom teeth played a vital role as humans had to consume a rough diet. However, third molars are no longer very useful to people in modern society. 

After removal, you will still have a bright and beautiful smile and your ability to chew and speak will not be affected. 

Therefore, if you think that you might run into food-grinding problems in the future, you can rest easy knowing that you won’t miss your wisdom teeth.

Often, wisdom teeth extraction is a minor procedure that only needs a couple of hours and is performed under general or local anaesthesia. 

Prior to the removal, your dentist performs an oral examination and will discuss with you in detail about the procedure and help you pick an anaesthesia option that will make you feel comfortable during and after the extraction. 

What Is The Expected Recovery Time After Wisdom Teeth Removal? 

The recovery time varies from patient to patient since healing will depend on a couple of factors such as the difficulty of the procedure or whether it was an early or late extraction. 

Nevertheless, you can expect some level of discomfort after the procedure. 

Fortunately, the trouble is not only minimal but also short-lived, and your dentist will prescribe pain medication to help reduce discomfort after the removal process. 

Ultimately, complete healing after wisdom teeth extraction takes a few weeks.

Are you concerned that you might have impacted wisdom teeth? If so, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website https://gardensdental.com.au/contact-us/

Why Is Regular Dental Check-Up Important?

There’s a question that every person finds themselves asking: Do I need a regular dental check-up? 

The reason why many people ask this question is neither that they hate visiting the dentist so much nor is it because they don’t care about their oral health.

It’s because dental services can be quite expensive; not to mention many medical insurance policies don’t cover dental services. 

In fact, statistics revealed that 3 in 10 people delayed or altogether avoided a visit to a dental clinic due to cost. 

While regular dental checkups might seem daunting and a waste of money, they are essential. 

Did you know that according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) almost half (42%) of all Australian children aged between 5 and ten have experienced tooth decay in their baby teeth? 

That’s not all, three in ten adults the aged between 25 and 44 have untreated tooth decay? 

These numbers should be extra incentives for you to visit the dentist. 

What Are The Benefits Of A Regular Dental Check-Up?

Are you still sitting on the fence regarding whether regular dental check-ups are essential or not? Well, here are the benefits of a routine visit to the dentist:

• Helps prevent potential dental problems
• Gives you a bright white smile
• Saves money in the long run
• Keeps dental issues at bay and saves your teeth
• Protects your overall health

1. Helps Prevent Potential Dental Problems

Regular visits to the dentist play a significant role in identifying underlying oral issues before they even start, or become worse.

Moreover, a trustworthy dental clinic like Gardens Dental will tell you how to care for your teeth and gums to prevent oral problems.

2. Keep Your Smile Looking Beautiful

Everyone loves a beautiful smile. After all, your smile is your way of telling the world that you not only take care of your oral health but your overall health as well. 

A white and bright smile gives you confidence and ultimately makes you a better version of yourself. 

Teeth cleaning, which is an integral part of a regular dental check-up, will get rid of any stains on your teeth and will help to keep your smile white and glistening. 

3. Saves Money In The Long Run

Regular dental check-ups are relatively more affordable compared to treating dental diseases and paying for expensive dental procedures. 

Therefore, skipping regular dental checkups affect not only your oral health but also have a significant impact on your wallet. 

4. Keep Dental Problems At Bay And Save Your Teeth

Gum disease and tooth decay are some of the main reasons why people lose their teeth. 

Gum disease often occurs due to inflammation of the gums and might damage the jawbone leading to loss of teeth. 

Regular visits to the dentist can keep periodontal diseases at bay.

5. Protect Your Overall Health 

Your oral health is the foundation of your overall health. Therefore, regular visits to the dentist improve your quality of life. 

What Are The Consequences Of Poor Oral Health?

Many people are aware of the fact that not brushing and flashing their teeth has serious consequences. 

However, that’s not enough; you need to visit your dentist regularly to make sure your mouth is healthy. 

Poor oral health is bad news. Many problems can arise from neglecting your oral health. They include: 

• Bad breath
• Tooth decay
• Periodontal diseases
• Oral cancer

All these diseases can be avoided, and regular visits to a reputable dental clinic such as Gardens Dental is your first line of defence as well as your offence in combating oral problems and diseases. 

Take the initiative to schedule regular visits with your dentists and even encourage others also to make an appointment for a dental check-up.If you need to visit the dentist for any type of dental procedure, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website https://gardensdental.com.au/contact-us/

The 4 Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, at any time. They can be most uncomfortable, very painful, and getting help as soon as possible is the only answer. 

To prevent any further damage and ease the pain before getting to the dentist, there are a few things you need to know about in an emergency dental situation. 

With this in mind, following are some of the more common dental emergencies that you may experience at least once in your lifetime, and what you can do to ease the pain quickly.

Cracked Tooth

There are a number of ways this can happen, but eating something hard like a lolly, for example, can lead to your tooth cracking or becoming fractured.

If you are unfortunate enough to have this happen to you, you should call a dentist immediately. 

If you are experiencing pain as a result of this, then you may need to head straight to the chemist to get some over the counter pain killers. 

Depending on the severity of the crack or fracture, you may experience swelling of the gums and even the face or jaw. 

If that is the case, ice packs can also be used to reduce any swelling on the face or jaw and also help to ease the pain.

Knocked Out Tooth

Having a tooth knocked out is not all that uncommon, particularly if you play sport.

Below are some of the things that you should do to ensure that your tooth is saved in time for reattachment.

• If you are able to find the tooth, hold it carefully by the crown, and not the root.

You should then rinse it off quickly with some milk, or clean water. No chemicals or soap should be used to clean it.

• Once it is clean, it is advised for you to try and place it back inside its socket and hold it in place temporarily if possible. 

This process may seem unorthodox, but if you can do it, the better it will be for your tooth. 

It is also crucial to put it back in the correct way; it should not be placed backwards.

• If by any chance you’re unable to put it back in, you should keep it in a glass of milk. 

If there is no milk available, then you have no choice but to try and put it back into its socket and hold it in place to keep it moist before you see a dentist.

• Then, of course, you then need to rush to the dentist ASAP to try and have the tooth reattached. If you’re lucky the tooth can be saved.

Pain When Biting Down

If you experience pain while biting down, it could mean that you have a cracked tooth, tooth decay, infection, or root exposure. 

It could also show that you have an abscess. 

Some of the causes for this pain could be due to grinding your teeth at night, injury, or even eating too many sugary sweets. 

If the pain is minimal, you could use some painkillers to ward off the pain before they see a dentist. 

However, as much as these painkillers may reduce the pain, it is crucial not to ignore seeing a dentist. 

They will check out the source of the pain and find a solution to the problem.

Bleeding

If you experience some bleeding in your oral cavity, you should not take this lightly. This is because it could be an early sign of gingivitis. 

It is vital to ensure that you see a dentist as soon as possible if you experience blood on your toothbrush or dental floss. 

Also, if you find blood in your saliva, it may mean that you have an advanced stage of gum disease. 

It is therefore essential to take this seriously as this can be an indicator of more severe problems.

Although human teeth may be replaceable, it is still vital for people to take care of their teeth with good oral hygiene, maintaining a healthy diet and drinking lots of water. 

If you need to visit the dentist for any type of dental procedure, then look no further than Gardens Dental.

Gardens Dental offers a full array of dental services in Taylors Lakes to help you and your family maintain healthy teeth. 

To learn more about our services or make an appointment, please contact us today on (03) 9449 2626 or through our website https://gardensdental.com.au/contact-us/