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Your smile is one of the most significantaspects of your appearance. Having a straighter and whiter smile is an important attribute in the today’s image-conscious, competitive world. Despite the fact that we may hate to admit it, the way we look can have a dramatic impact on just everything, from our relationships with others, career and our friendships. Having a perfect set of teeth can help in brightening your smile and thus boost your self-confidence. If by any chance you don’t like your smile due to chipped, cracked, discoloured or unevenly spaced teeth, you can take advantage of cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile. Contents What’s Cosmetic Dentistry? Who is a Cosmetic Dentist? How Do I Choose a Cosmetic Dentist? Cosmetic Dental Procedures Benefits of Dental Implants Teeth Whitening Dental Veneers Tooth Reshaping and Contouring Dental Bridges Bottom Line What’s Cosmetic Dentistry? It is a dental work performed by a dental professional (known as a prosthodontist) that can include procedures and treatment to the teeth, mouth, face or underlying bone formation. This treatment is designed to improve, enhance, or rehabilitate both the aesthetics and functionality of a patient’s teeth and other facial structures. It’s paramount to note that, while cosmetic dentistry is more concerned about achieving a particular beauty standard, it is also concerned about functionality. Teeth are essential to many vital life activities that range from eating and chewing to speaking and smiling. However, cosmetic dentistry may not be necessarily done for health purposes. Restorative or general dentistry differs from cosmetic dentistry since cosmetic dentistry is elected as opposed to required. Cosmetic dentistry has taken leaps in utilising techniques that are less invasive and conserves natural teeth as much as possible. Who is a Cosmetic Dentist? A cosmetic dentist is a restorative dentist who has studied the concept of dental materials and smile design to come up with what can be best described as work of art. Although the Australian Dental Association does not recognise cosmetic dentistry as a formal speciality, cosmetic dentist are held in high regard. This is because of the extensive education and training they undergo so that they can be able to improve the aesthetics of an individual’s oral appearance. Due to the advancement of technology, cosmetic dentists can now be able to use materials that are both aesthetically pleasing and durable. Materials such as composite or porcelain closely resemble the appearance and feel of natural teeth thus bringing out a natural appearance. Cosmetic Dentistry Materials Modern advancements which have occurred in the field of dentistry over the past years have helped replace materials that were initially used for dental fillings and other tooth restorations such as metal, gold and amalgam. Today, thedentistis using materials that resemble the natural teeth such as resin or porcelain composite. The difference between materials that were used then and the ones used now is that the materials currently used by cosmetic dentists resembles the real teeth and are more durable. These material are bonded to your tooth structure using resin adhesives. Material consideration proves to be an important part of cosmetic dentistry treatment as different materials differ in appearance and cost. Your dentist will educate you more on the different types of materials available, their characteristics and their different costs. He or she will assist you to choose the most appropriate depending on your preference and budget. Who is a Cosmetic Dentist? Selecting the right cosmetic dentist is imperativewhen it comes to achieving the actual results you are looking for. Keep in mind that the field of dentistry does not legally recognise cosmetic dentistry as an official specialty so anyone can claim to be a cosmetic dentist. While any dentist trained as a cosmetic dentist can be able to perform cosmetic dental procedures, the ability to achieve ahigh level of expertise requires extensive training and study. Cosmetic dentistry is like fine art; it requires time and skills. That’s why it’s vital that you choose an experienced dentist with ahigh level of expertise. Here are some few tips to consider while looking for a cosmetic dentist. Ask for Referrals If any of your friends or family members have had good cosmetic dental treatment before, ask them for areferral. You can then conduct background research about that specific dentist by visiting their website, contacting their office or even visiting them for apreliminary consultation. You can also ask other dental professions to recommend for you a good cosmetic dentist. Look at Their Work A majority of cosmetic dentists always document their work with before and after photos. You can check their pictures online or even ask for a photo album in their office. Make sure the photos you are shown represents actual people since some can produce them commercially. Check for Their Credentials Even if a particular dentist shows you excellent photos of their past work, you will want to ensure that they are well qualified for the job. Check online to know where the dentist went to school, what profession they undertook and if they are members of any professional organizations. Check on the Dentist’s Experience In addition to education, check on how many years the dentist has been practisingin the cosmetic dentistry field. Choose a dentist who haspractised in the field for a number of years. Experience in most cases means high skills. Technology and Office Standards Cosmetic dentists who have much interest in modern procedures have adequate knowledge about the latest technology in dentistry. Check around their office and see if they have invested in equipment such as digital X-rays, chair slide monitors, intraoral cameras and dental laser. Ask your potential dentist to describe to you about their current state of technology in their dental office. You may also want to find out what kind of sedation or anaesthesia is offered. Don’t allow anyone to try their hand at improving your smile. While cosmetic dentistry is done in the right way is effective, safe, and long-lasting, if performed incorrectly can cause lots of problems. Interview your potential dentist

No matter how well you take care of your teeth, tartar and plaque build-up are inevitable for everyone. Colonies of bacteria form in our mouths every time we eat or Drink. While brushing, flossing and using mouthwash are some of the effective methods of getting rid of most of these particles, some will always remain. That is why it’s recommended that you visit your dentist at least twice a year. Using a procedure known as dental scaling, your dentist will scrape away all the plaque and tartar that have formed over time. Please note that some of the factors that affects tartar and plaque build-up in your mouth is saliva. Some people have thicker saliva than others. Thicker saliva increases the amount of tartar present on your teeth and gums. Therefore, keeping your mouth hydrated by drinking lots of water is extremely important when it comes to maintaining good saliva velocity and proper oral clearance. Similarly, using drugs and eating certain foods can exacerbate the level of tartar accumulation as well. So be sure to speak to your dentist during your visit on how often they feel you should be coming for treatment. Dental scale and clean is important for preventing gum disease and many other oral health-related problems. This is why you should never put off to the dentist. If you feel self-conscious about the way your teeth look or feel due to tartar and plaque build-up, you may want to consider dental scale and clean. Contents What is Dental Scale and Clean? What Causes Periodontal Disease? The Benefits of Professional Dental Scale and Clean What is the Procedure of Dental Scale and Clean? After Care Tips Does Dental Scaling and Clean Hurt? How Frequently Should Be Scaling Done? Bottom Line What is Dental Scale and Clean? Dental scale and clean is a very common procedure carried out as a form of preventative medicine. In other words, it’s designed to form part of your dental hygiene with the aim of keeping your teeth clean and healthy. Dental scale and clean along with other oral hygiene measures such as brushing, flossing, healthy eating and using mouthwashes can help reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. When a dentist is doing regular dental cleaning also known as prophylaxis, they are only removing tartar and calculus build-up off your teeth. The dentist is only working on the part of your tooth that can be seen. This is the part that is above the gum line. However, just like a glacier in water, your tooth goes beyond the gum line. You cannot see the foundation and strength of your tooth. Under the gum line is where the root of your teeth that’s embedded in the jawbone is located. This is the place where periodontal disease can hide. Periodontal disease is a bacterial disease that when a patient is infected the bacteria destroys the structure and support of the tooth. After destroying the gum line, it moves ahead to destroying the root and later detaches the tooth from the jaw bone. While undergoing dental scaling and cleaning, your hygienist will take some measurements which are known as pocket measurement or periodontal charting. These measurements will help him/her determine how secure and disease free your tooth is. The measurements of a healthy reading will range between zeros to one millimetre. Stage one also known as gingivitis ranges between 2-3 mm. The pocket depth that is between 4-5 mm is stage 2 which is also known as periodontitis. This stage starts to include gum recession. Your dentist or oral hygienist will recommend dental scale and clean if he sees dental pockets that go beyond 4mm. If you register a reading of 6 to 10 mm, then this is advanced periodontal disease, and the chances are you are now already having bone loss. When you undergo dental scaling and cleaning, your dentist or oral hygienist is cleaning and taking away the bacteria that is hiding in the gum line area touching the root of your teeth. The tooth can heal and start getting back to its healthy state once you have received dental scale and clean. To help better the situation, your dentist can also recommend an adjunctive therapy known as a local delivery antimicrobial. This method involves placing antibiotic or medicine directly in specific affected areas of your tooth to help get rid of bacteria and infection. This is an awesome advancement in the dental field when it comes to treating periodontal disease. What Causes Periodontal Disease? There is so many causes that can result in periodontal disease. Some of the most common include: Poor Dental Hygiene Periodontal disease prevention starts right at home with good dental hygiene and taking a healthy balanced diet. It also involves regular dental checkups that include cleanings, x-ray and exams. A combination of good dental hygiene at home plus professional dental care will ensure that you preserve your supportive bony structures and your natural dentition. When tartar and bacteria are not removed from the bone around the teeth and the gums, the teeth become infected by bacteria toxins which can result in gingivitis or worse periodontal disease. This can ultimately lead to tooth loss. Use of Tobacco Research has shown that one of the leading cause of periodontal disease all over the globe is tobacco use. Tobacco smokers are far more likely to suffer from tartar build-up, deep pockets and significant bone loss. Additionally, tobacco smokers have a slow healing process and recovery rate. Chronic Stress and Poor Diet Presence of stress lowers an individual’s immune system to fight disease. This means that bacterial infections have better chances to beat the body defence system. Malnutrition or poor diet also lowers the body’s ability to fight periodontal disease and also negatively affecting the health of the gums. Genetic Predisposition Despite efforts of undertaking good oral hygiene measures, about 30% of the population in Australia have a genetic predisposition to gum disease. People with genetic disposition are six times

Just like scoring a date with your long-time crush or a big promotion, a shiny, luminous white smile is what dreams are madeof. Research shows that people with whiter teeth are alleged as more socially smarter, competent, and more contented with their relationships and more psychologically adjusted. Another study suggests that a brighter smile may result in more success in both your personal and professional life. However, certain foods and drinks always get on the way to achieving a brighter smile. If you start to see tons of stains on and erosion on your teeth, try cutting your intake of the foods and drinks on the listed below. Alcohol We are all aware that drinking alcohol is not exactly healthy. Drinking alcohol dries out your mouth and leads to enamel erosion. A dry mouth lacks saliva, which is needed to keep our teeth healthy. Saliva prevents food from sticking on your teeth by washing away food particles. It also helps in repairing any early signs of gum disease, teeth decay and other mouth-relatedinfections. To prevent your mouth from dehydrating, drink plenty of water and use fluoride rinses and mouth hydration solutions. Sour Candies It is not surprising that candies are bad for your mouth. But sour candies contain more and diverse types of acids that are tougher on your teeth. They are also chewy and constantly stick to your teeth for a longer time. Therefore, they are more likely to cause teeth decay resulting in teeth discolouration and enamel erosion. Candies that tend to change your tongue colour are most likely to stain your teeth also. Acidic and citrus food Acidic and citrus foods break down tooth enamel to expose the dentin. This is the yellowish tissue below the enamel that is composed of phosphate and calcium crystals. Oranges, lemons and grapefruits are tasty as both juices and fruits and are filled with vitamin C. Nevertheless;their acid content can lead to teeth erosion, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay. Wine Now imagine of any food or drink that can discolour a white linen tablecloth, then it obviously haspotential of staining your teeth too. Red wine is an acidic drink that has intensely pigmented molecules called chromogens and tannins that are notorious for staining and erosion. White wine is more acidic and can cause dental erosion and discolouration. Tea As much as tea is well-known as a healthy beverage. It may not be the best option when it comes to keeping your teeth white. Dentists say tea, especially the basic black tea, can result in more stains than even coffee. Nevertheless, research has shown that even white tea and herbal tea have high potential to cause erosion and discolouration. Curry and tomato sauce These sauces may be delicious, but deeply coloured sauces such as tomato sauce, soy sauce and curry sauce are believed cause significant teeth discolouration. Consider lighter cream sauces for less damaging options and brush or rinse your mouth immediately after eating to reduce potential staining. Soda and other carbonated drinks The chromogens and acids contained in these drinks can result in serious stains and erosion on your teeth. Even light-coloured sodas contain enough acids that may encourage staining. Acidity in some carbonated drinks is so intense that is compared to acidity in battery acid. Bottom Line At Springvale Dental Clinic, we are supportive of ongoing efforts to help maintain strong teeth, healthy gum and a beautiful smile. This includes advice from our dentist on what foods and drinks to watch. If you are concerned about discolouration or enamel erosion that has already happened on your teeth, talk to us,and we will advise you on the best teeth whitening option. If you have any question about how you can keep your teeth clean and white, we are happy to discuss this matter with you. Just give us a call or schedule an appointment.