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Healthy, white teeth are the foundation for a beautiful, confident smile. However, not everyone is lucky enough to enjoy a naturally stunning pearly white smile. A variety of factors can contribute to stained or yellow teeth. Such factors include smoking, diet and the inevitable process of aging. Fortunately, there are several teeth whitening services that can safely lift years of discoloration of enamel, giving you a white, beautiful smile that you deserve. Here is a clearer look at the teeth whitening procedure. Contents Cleaning Your Teeth Determining Your Pre-treatment Tooth Shade Isolating Application of the Whitening Gel Wrapping Up the Session Bottom Line Cleaning Your Teeth Before you can decide on the type of teeth whitening procedure you want the dentist to apply to you, the first step is professional teeth cleaning. The dentist will remove all the accumulated tartar and food debris from your teeth. While the chances are low, this process may significantly improve the appearance of your teeth in that whitening may not be necessary. Determining Your Pre-treatment Tooth Shade Both you and your dentist would like to know how effective your teeth whitening session will be. In order to make this comparison, your dentist will need to document the initial shade of your teeth before commencing with the treatment. Isolating Teeth whitening agents used during the process are caustic in nature and can irritate or even damage your soft tissues. Beside your gums, other parts of your body including the lips, cheeks, tongue and even eyes are exposed to the same risk as well. As a way of protecting these tissues, your dentist will place a barrier known as the dental dam to isolate them from the teeth. Application of the Whitening Gel Your dentist will apply a bleaching gel at this point. This is usually a thick paste that is generously applied on the surface of your teeth. He/she will then activate the gel either using bleaching light or laser. The bleaching light triggers a reaction with the whitening gel thus improving its effectiveness. One of the most effective teeth whitening gel is the Pola advanced tooth whitening system. This is the fastest teeth whitening bleach and a great solution for those leading a busy life. This whitening gel works in under 30 minutes once the dentist applies it on the surface of your teeth. With this kind of treatment, you will be able to achieve pearly white teeth almost instantly. The main reason behind this is the extremely powerful hydrogen peroxide used in the gel. It contains 37.7% hydrogen peroxide. Pola advanced technology has a variety of options you can choose from that include Pola office+, Pola office, Pola day and Pola night. Wrapping Up the Session Once the bleach is exposed to your teeth for the recommended amount of time, the dentist will them remove it and thoroughly wash your teeth. He/she will then remove the isolation material. You will then have the opportunity to compare the results with the initial one together with your dentist. Bottom Line Please contact Springvale dental clinic today if you have any question about our teeth whitening options. You can also contact us if you are ready to make an appointment. Our dental practice happily welcomes patients from Springvale and the surrounding suburbs. We look forward to seeing you and help you restore that beautiful pearly smile.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children in Australia. Statistics have it that more than 42% of children aged between 5 and ten have experienced a tooth decay at some point. Cavities are caused by a chemical reaction that occurs in our mouths after we eat and drink. The bacteria and germs present in our mouths feed on the sugars in the food we consume. This process releases an acid that becomes toxic to the tooth enamel over a period of time. Tooth enamel is the hard, natural outer layer of the teeth that offers protection to the inner part. Once the acid acts on the enamel, it weakens it and thus exposing underlying dentine leading to cavities formation. Early prevention of cavities is very important. The chances are high that tooth decay in baby teeth will lead to tooth decay in permanent teeth. Tooth decay in permanent teeth will lead to a lifetime of oral health problems. Fortunately, it is very possible to prevent cavities. Brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist on a regular basis for dental check-ups and examination are important for keeping your child’s teeth healthy. Howe er, it can be quite a doubting task for children to maintain efficient oral hygiene routine even with the supervision of their parents. The best way to provide additional protection against tooth decay to your child is by using dental sealants. This article is going to discuss more about dental sealants and the benefits your child can accrue from using them. Contents What are Dental Sealants? What are Dental Sealants Made of? Who Needs to Have Dental Sealants? Can Dental Sealants Be Applied if the Child Already Have Cavities? Dental Sealant Application Procedure Benefits of Dental Sealants to Children Importance of maintaining your child’s oral hygiene How Long Does Dental Sealants Last? What Possible Complications can arise with Dental Sealants? Bottom Line What are Dental Sealants? Dental sealants are a preventive dental treatment that consists of a protective layer applied over the biting surfaces of your teeth. The sealants are made from a thin, plastic material that is painted over the chewing surfaces of your teeth to prevent tooth decay. The plastic material used is white or clear so that it can blend with the natural colour of your teeth. Normally, these sealants are mostly placed on the premolars and the molars. This is because they are the teeth that have deeper grooves and depressions which are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of the bacteria. The coating will naturally bond with the teeth enamel to create a protective layer. The main idea behind dental sealants is that the plastic protective layer will cover the enamel so that the sugars, acids and bacteria cannot access it. They act as physical barriers between the bacteria and the vulnerable part of the teeth thus preventing cavities. What are Dental Sealants Made of? As already mentioned above, dental sealants are made of plastic. However, there are two different types of sealant materials that a dentist can use. The first type is a glass ionomer sealant. Once the dentist sets this type of sealant, it undergoes an acid-based reaction. This reaction makes them stiffer and likely to shrink once they are set. The other type is the composite resin. Once the composite resin is set, it undergoes through the process of polymerization due to a dental curing light. They release less fluoride and have higher tensile strength. The types of sealant to be placed on you will depend on your preference and budget. However, your dentist will be in a position to advise you about the best option depending on your specific needs. Who Needs to Have Dental Sealants? Generally, dental sealants are meant for children. They are applied as soon as the child’s permanent teeth at the back of the mouth are fully grown.This is to protect the deep grooves and depressions found on the chewing surfaces of the teeth before decay sets in. Preventing a child’s molars from a young age reduces the chances of cavities and the possibilities of any further dental complications later on in life. While dental sealants are primarily meant for children, some adults may need to have the procedure done on them as well. This includes those who did not have the procedure while they were young. The procedure will still be the same despite the patient’s age. The only difference is the amount of damage that the tooth has undergone before the procedure takes place. Can Dental Sealants Be Applied if the Child Already Have Cavities? The dentist can apply sealants over small cavities and prevent them from growing any further. Cavities need bacteria to grow and by creating a barrier between them will stop the cavities from spreading. Some dentists will apply a clear sealant so that they can be able to assess the existing cavity. Dental Sealant Application Procedure Two-Handed Placement vs. Four-Handed Placement Two-handed sealant placement is where only one dentist places the sealants. Four-handed dental sealant placement is where the dentist places the sealants with the help of another person. Below is a detailed explanation of the steps in the sealant application procedure. Step 1: Clean the tooth Your dentist will thoroughly clean the tooth surface, otherwise, if the tooth is not properly cleaned the sealant cannot bond to it as expected. The dentist will then put a small brush onto the dental drill. And as the drill rotates the small brush, he or she will scrub the surface of the tooth and clean out the tooth’s grooves. In case the groove of the tooth still appears to harbour food remains after using the brush, your dentist may consider taking extra steps. The steps include the air-abrasion technique and enameloplasty. Air-abrasion method is a technique involving the use of a mini sandblaster on the tooth. The machine used in cleaning out the grooves makes a blowing noise, and the process can be a little messy but painless. With

Mouth sores and infections are common conditions that affect many people at some point in their lives. In Australia, around 20% of the population have a mouth sore at any given time. These sores can appear in any part of the soft tissues of your mouth, including the tongue, roof of your mouth, gums, lips and cheeks. You can even develop a mouth sore on your oesophagus. This is the tube that leads to your stomach. These sores can be caused by a broad range of factors ranging from gastrointestinal disease to stress. There are also different types of sores that can occur in or around your mouth. Some are unsightly, some are painful,and some may be a sign of something more serious. If you experience a mouth sore or infection that doesn’t seem to go away, consult your dentist right away. This article is going to discuss more on mouth sores and infections and how you can get rid of them. Contents What are Mouth Sores? Conditions that Cause Mouth Sores Causes of Mouth Sores Common Oral Infections What are the Warning Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Sores and Infections? When to See the Dentist What the Dentist Will Do How to Get Rid of Mouth Sores? Bottom Line What are Mouth Sores? Mouth sores are like little cuts or ulcers that occur in your mouth. The sores can become very red,and they may have some small white patches in the middle. They can also be very painful making it difficult for you to talk, eat, swallow and breathe. Mouth sores can appear at any part of the soft tissue of your mouth and lips, including your tongue, mouth and the roof of your mouth. Conditions that Cause Mouth Sores Canker Sores Canker sores occur inside the mouth. They are usually small ulcers with a yellow, greycentre and flat red border. Finding a large canker sore with a raised border is rare. A patient may experience one or several of them at any given time,and they can recur at different periods. This condition mostly affects people between the age of ten and forty. If you have a canker sore, you may experience tingling or burning sensation around the area with the canker sore. You may also experience some pain, especially if you take hot, crunchy or spicy food. The exact cause of canker is not yet well known,but researchers have established some few reasons why the condition may occur. The white cells present in our immune system affects the lining of the mouth thus causing the sores. Also, emotional stress, fatigue and certain foods can increase the occurrence of these sores for some people. Canker sores are not precancerous or contagious. There is no definite treatment for canker sores. The condition can only be managed by taking over the counter drugs for pain and discomfort. The patient can also use some topical medications such as protective ointments and numbing agents. Microbial mouth rinses may also offer some temporary relief. Avoid any hot, spicy or crunchy foods if you have a canker sore. Make sure you visit your dentist if the condition goes beyond ten days without healing. Cold Sores Most people experience the unpleasant occurrence of scabs and blisters that form near their mouth without necessarily knowing what is ailing them. Most of the time, these sores are caused by a virus known as the Herpes virus,and they are commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters. These sores usually start out as a small tingling sensation in the area where the cold sore will appear. The area will then begin to swell slightly,and some blisters will begin to form. The blisters may start as small blisters that will eventually turn into bigger ones. The blisters will eventually begin to ooze,and the sores will crust over. In most cases, these painful symptoms occur close to the mouth. However, there are instances where they can occur on the other areas of the face such as the eyes and nose. If you come into contact with the cold sore, you should wash your hands immediately before touching any other part of your body.This is because it can spread to other parts of your body such as the genital areas. Cold sores usually heal by themselves in about a week once the blisters break. Over the counter drugs such as anti-inflammatory, protectants and topical anaesthetics help in providing temporary relief. Visit your dentist,and he/she will be able to recommend the best drugs for your cold sore. Lichen Planus This is a disorder that involves a chronic, itchy and inflammatory rush in the mouth. The rush may consist of a white spot that might change over time. The rush mostly appears at the side of the tongue, on the gums and inside the cheeks and may be tender and painful. Lichen planus is genetic,and it’s related to a chronic immune system reaction. This condition mostly occurs in middle-aged people. It is not contagious and does not pose any high risk of being cancerous. If you suspect that you might be having Lichen planus, visit your dentist for diagnosis and treatment. Causes of Mouth Sores There are quite a number of factors that cause mouth sores. They can be caused by an infection, physical or chemical irritants, systematic disease or an allergic reaction. However, in most cases the cause are unknown. This is because saliva normal flow in the mouth helps in protecting the inner mouth lining. Any condition that leads to a decrease of saliva production in the mouth makes mouth sores more likely to occur. Here are some most specific causes of mouth sores. – Viral and Bacterial Infections Viruses are among the most common cause of mouth sores. A virus known as herpes simplex causes cold sores that appear on the lips and the ulcers that appear on the palate. Many other viruses do cause mouth sores such as Varicella-zoster. This virus is also the one that causes chickenpox as