Blog

At Clear Choice Dental Maddington, changing of dental fillings is something we do quite often for our patients who want a whiter, brighter smile.

Contrary to popular belief, the actual replacing or changing of a dental filling is actually quite easy to do. Patients will often ask if the whole filling has to come out (yes) and if it’s hard to do (no). There may be a few reasons why you might want to have your silver fillings changed or removed, so let’s look at why it would be necessary to do so.

No one is born being afraid of the dentist.  You may have had a bad dental experience, or you were told a dental horror story from a relative. Such information might make you want to avoid treatment, which, unfortunately, doesn’t allow you to realise that things can be better. There are many reasons why people are afraid of getting an oral checkup, and to show you that you’re not alone in feeling this way, we’ve compiled 8 of the most common reasons why people avoid the dentist.

8. The smell of the clinic.
A dental practice has to be kept sanitary at all time, and the cleaning products used at the dentist can have a distinct smell that can give people anxiety.

7. Dental drill.
The sound of a dental drill can sound like fingernails on a chalkboard to some people. Combined with the suction tube used to remove excess water and saliva, the whole experience can be a little overwhelming to some.

6. Choking or gagging.
Dental visits often involve lots of water which has a tendency to trickle down the back of your throat, making you feel like you’re going to gag. People with a strong gag reflex often avoid going to the dentist for fear that they may choke. If you ever feel like you need the dentist to stop, it is important to not feel guilty about asking them to stop – they want you to be as comfortable as possible.

Root canals – it might be hard to find any term in the English language more misunderstood than those two short words. As dentists, we know this misunderstanding all too well. We also know that millions of root canals are performed every year: safely, effectively and comfortably, and we want you to be informed in the medical decisions you make – including those related to your oral health.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there. You may even heard heard claims that root canal treatment teeth can make you sick, but these rumours are based on a nearly 100 year-old theory, and were discredited more than 50 years ago.

The fact is, there is no valid scientific evidence linking root canal treatment to other health problems. There is, however, plenty of evidence showing that leaving an infected tooth will cause adverse health problems.

Today, technologies such as digital imaging and microscopes help ensure successful root canal treatment.

Here’s how a root canal treatment works: first, your dentist will numb the tooth so that you won’t feel anything during the procedure. A small shield isolates the tooth, keeping it dry and clean. During the treatment, infection or inflammation of the root is removed and the canals are disinfected and sealed. The treated tooth is then protected by a filling or a crown.

New years resolutions are always easier said than done. Actually sticking to your resolutions can be tricky, but the secret is to make small, manageable changes instead of one big change. If you want to take better care of your teeth and gums this year, just follow these four steps and you’ll notice an improvement in no time!

1. Book a dental checkup – TODAY.
If it’s been a long time since you’ve last seen your dentist, you’re not the only one. Booking in with your dentist and having them check your teeth might give you that motivational boost you need. It might be that your oral health isn’t as bad as you had originally thought, and those bright beautiful teeth may be achieved in just a few appointments!
In saying that, even if your teeth seem to be in good nick you should still have regular checkups. There are some oral conditions that aren’t detectable, and your dentist can take x-rays that will pick up any issues that you can’t see with the naked eye (such as deep cavities, cracks or signs of oral cancer).

2. Reduce your sugar intake
Small switches, such as drinking soda water instead of lemonade, or just having half a spoon of sugar instead of two spoons of sugar with your morning coffee will make all the difference. Oral bacteria use sugar as a source of energy, therefore reducing the amount of energy available to them will reduce the amount of plaque in your mouth. Less plaque means fewer tooth cavities, which means fewer fillings at the dentist! Not only is it better for your teeth, but reducing your intake of sugars will also be better for your overall health in the long run.

‘Tis the season of presents, food comas, Christmas functions and mistletoe. If you’re lucky to find yourself under some mistletoe with a cutie, you’re probably going to spend a second worrying about your bad breath and/or whether or not your lips are chapped. It’s no secret that this hot, dry weather can leave our lips vulnerable to damage and maybe you ate too much garlic bread. But that’s okay, because this guide will show you how you can be ready for anything.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR LIPS