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How Your Diet Impacts Your Teeth

When it comes to your dental health routine, you probably know that you should brush, floss and visit your Woden dental practice regularly. However, there’s something else that plays a big part in your dental health and the chance of you getting cavities – your diet. Get it right and not only will you be healthier in general but your teeth will be stronger for longer. How Our Diets Have Changed Our diets have changed immeasurably compared to what they once were. Thousands of years ago, when we all lived in caves, we were natural hunter-gatherers. Our diets consisted of meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. We had a varied diet and we had to engage our jaws to consume it. While you might think that ancient people would have had terrible teeth, that was far from the case. Native tribes actually often had straight, disease-free teeth.  Today, we have a much more sugary, starchy, processed diet. We hunt and gather from supermarkets rather than from the wild, and it has t...

Are Dental Implants Dangerous?

Dental implants are a common dental procedure that has been used for many decades. Over that time, implant dentists have worked tirelessly on incorporating new technologies and perfecting the technique. Today, millions of people successfully have dental implants each year. However, in spite of the statistics, the thought of having dental implants can be daunting. If you’re worried about whether dental implants are dangerous, learn more about the risks and what you can do to minimise them, and you’ll be smiling again in no time.  What is Implant Dentistry? Implant dentistry is a dental procedure that replaces the root of a missing tooth with a titanium screw. The exact procedure depends on the type of implant and the condition of the jawbone. However, the end result is the same. Over time, after the titanium root has been placed, the surrounding jawbone will begin to fuse with the implant. By replacing the root of the tooth, implant dentistry creates a strong foundation and cr...

5 Common Teeth Brushing Mistakes

Like most of us, you probably know that you should brush your teeth twice a day. The question is whether you’re doing it right or not. While it would be easy to assume that it was an easy job, even the most diligent amongst us can get it wrong. You could be using the wrong technique, subconsciously rushing or missing hard-to-reach spots. The fact is that very few of us deliver comprehensive dental care and there’s a good chance you’re making at least one of the following teeth-brushing errors: 1. Not Brushing Enough If you speak to your dental practice in Canberra , your dentist will no doubt recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Brushing for the full two minutes and focusing on every part of your mouth is fundamental to remove plaque and avoid tartar buildup. The problem is that two minutes is often longer than you realise. If you’re just taking a guess at how long you’re brushing for, there’s a good chance you’re cutting it short. To solve the p...

When Should Your Children Visit the Dentist?

We all understand that children’s dental health is important, but knowing exactly how to care for their teeth can be tricky. When should they have their first trip to the dentist? Do they need to floss as well as brush? How do you know if they might need braces? As a caring parent, you’ll want to help your children to prevent cavities and to have the best possible oral health both now and in the future. That’s why visiting a dentist for kids is fundamental.  Your Child’s First Dental Appointment All children should have their first dental appointment just before their third birthday. While there is likely to be nothing wrong, this appointment serves several purposes. Firstly, you can ensure that your child is used to going to the dentist and has less fear about visits as they get older. Next, your dentist can talk you through proper brushing and flossing techniques. Also, your dentist can complete a modified version of a full examination, making it as fun as possible and taking...

6 Tip to Making Dental Crowns Last Longer

Crowns offer an excellent solution for protecting and restoring damaged teeth. However, while dental crowns are made from incredibly strong ceramic, just like your natural teeth, they aren’t invincible. To make sure your crowns stand the test of time, you’re going to need to take care of them. Here are six steps you can take to ensure your crowns keep shining for years to come. 1. Don’t Bite or Chew Non-Foods While your teeth and any crowns you’ve had fitted are perfectly suited for chewing food, they aren’t so good at chewing other things. It may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many people find themselves chewing on non-foods. In fact, it can easily become a habit. Think first before you chew fingernails, pens or pencils, and your crowns will thank you for it. What’s more, you can reduce the risk of developing joint disorders from all that unneeded nibbling.  2. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools If you’ve ever struggled to open a package or bottle, turning to your teeth ...

Can Veneers Lose Their Shine?

We all want a sparkling white smile, but daily habits like drinking coffee, wine, and medication can all take their toll on our teeth. Veneers are a popular choice for rectifying discolouration as well as covering imperfections to get our smile back on track. A huge benefit is that they can provide years of stain-free smiles. However, to achieve that, you need to make sure that you get the right type of veneers and you have to look after them. What Are Veneers Made From? Tooth enamel is made of microscopic openings, or pores. This enables substances to interact with a tooth’s layers so we can tell if food is hard or soft, hot or cold. However, while this forms a vital function, it also enables pigments from food and drinks to infiltrate the teeth and lead to stains. Veneers can either be made of composite resin or porcelain. Composite resin is much more likely to stain than porcelain. Toothpaste can scratch it, and alcohol can soften it and make it more prone to being scratched. Po...

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

Teeth whitening is a common and simple cosmetic dental procedure in Canberra that can quickly brighten and whiten your smile. Not only can you enhance your smile, but you can give your self-confidence a boost too, so you’ll want to keep hold of that feeling for as long as possible. However, while teeth whitening is marketed as a long-term solution, how long it really lasts depends on several factors.  What is Teeth Whitening? There are many reasons why you might want to get your teeth whitened. Very few of us start with brilliant-white teeth and, over time, they can become stained due to the foods we eat and drink, impacted by lifestyle choices such as smoking, or discoloured due to the ageing process.  Teeth whitening is the process of using bleach to make your teeth lighter. While it can’t make your teeth brilliant white, nor would you probably want that, it can lighten your existing colour by several shades. What’s great about teeth whitening compared to other cosmetic...