how do I brush and floss my teeth?

Taking the time to brush thoroughly at least twice a day for two minutes each time will help to remove bacteria and neutralise acids in the mouth that can cause decay and gums problems.

Here are some tips on brushing and flossing effectively so you can keep your teeth looking good for life. 

• Brush at a 45° angle to your teeth, directing the bristles to where your gums and teeth meet. Use a gentle, circular, massaging motion for both upper and lower teeth. It is important to remember not to scrub. Gums that recede visibly are often a result of years of brushing too hard. 
• Clean every surface of every tooth, both the front and back as well as the chewing surface, the sides of the cheeks, and the tongue. This will remove any extra bacteria and freshen your breath.
• Use a soft brush with rounded bristles. Choose a size and shape that will allow you to reach all the way to your back teeth.

Flossing is a vital part of a good oral hygiene routine and is just as important as brushing for the removal of food and plaque from between teeth. Here are some tips to ensure you are getting the most benefit from flossing correctly.

• Break off approximately 40cm of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers.
• Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes used.
• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Avoid snapping the floss in your gum.
• When the floss reaches the gum-line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.
• If you have difficulty handling dental floss you may prefer to use other kinds of inter-dental cleaners. Just ask us at your next routine visit to see if there are any other devices that can help.

should i have my wisdom teeth checked?

Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars and are the last teeth to appear in the mouth. Wisdom teeth generally cause problems when they partially emerge through the gum. 

The most common reasons for removing them include:

• Decay - Bacteria and food particles often collect around an impacted wisdom tooth, causing it, or the tooth next to it, to decay. It is very difficult to remove such decay and infection and will usually result pain.
   
• Pressure leading to pain - Pain may also be caused by the pressure of the erupting wisdom tooth against neighbouring teeth. In some cases, this pressure may cause the damage of these teeth.
   
• Formation of a cyst - A cyst (infected fluid-filled pockets) can develop from the gums around an impacted wisdom tooth. Cysts cause bone destruction, jaw expansion and damage or movement of nearby teeth. The removal of the tooth and cyst is necessary to prevent further bone loss. In rare situations, tumours may develop within these cysts. Moreover, the jaw may fracture if the cyst grows very large.
   
• Incompletely erupted - wisdom teeth commonly lead to problems if left untreated. This is particularly true for the lower wisdom teeth. Such problems may occur suddenly, and often at the most inconvenient times.

My denture is annoying me. what can i do?

In the past, dentures were often the only option for edentulous patient. Yet they can be uncomfortable, cause gum irritations, and even change the way you taste food. Ill-filling dentures can cause pressure points and pain, but also embarrassment when they move in the mouth. 

To solve the problem, Dental implants can be an option. Dental implants are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, secure and durable – just like your natural teeth. This makes implants the ideal solution for many edentulous problems, including:

• If you are missing all your teeth and currently wear dentures
• If you have a history of periodontal disease
• If your surrounding teeth are damaged
• If your teeth can not support a conventional tooth supported bridge

If you have been told previously you aren’t suitable for dental implants, we may still be able to help by taking our time to make well-fitting dentures.

I'm missing a tooth, how can I replace it?

People may lose a tooth (or many) through an injury or illness. Having missing teeth will affect your smile, your confidence, the way you speak, and you may find it hard to eat appropriately. What's worse, adjacent teeth will gradually move towards the space.  Following this, the bone will slowly break down.

Missing teeth can be replaced for both functional and health reasons. They can be replaced with dental implants, bridges or dentures.

one of my fillings broke

Often a broken tooth or filling may mean the replacement of a new filling.  We customize treatment for each patient and will recommend the types of fillings you require. There are a number of techniques we use to restore teeth to optimum health and function.

Filling options may include:

1. White fillings placed directly in your mouth (composites)
2. Indirect white fillings (porcelain inlays/onlays)
3. Indirect white fillings (made of composite)
4. Crowns