Acacia Dental Group

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

If you’ve been considering having full dental implants to replace damaged or missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures, you are probably excited about the results. After all, dental implants have a very high success rate and can restore not only your smile but your confidence. However, when it comes to any dental treatment, you can’t take success for granted. Instead, you need to ensure you take all the necessary steps to give your treatment the best possible chance of success. The Secret to Successful Dental Implants As we’ve discussed, dental implants have a high success rate . Once in place, they can stay there for many years and even last a lifetime. However, there are things you can do to increase the chances of this happening for you. Here are five steps you can take to increase your chance of success: Invest in Experience Nothing can make a more significant difference to the success of your dental implant treatment than the skill level of your implant dentist . Many dentists...

There are many reasons that you might avoid a trip to the dentist. It could be because you can’t find the time, you’re scared of having work done or, indeed, that you’re worried about how much it will cost. The problem is that avoiding the dentist for any of these reasons isn’t going to make things better. And, it’s certainly not going to bring the cost down. The fact is that regular trips to the dentist are the only way to avoid lengthy treatments and the associated expense. How Often Should I Visit The Dentist? If you’re worried about dental expenses, then it most certainly helps to have an idea of how often you need to visit your dental practice. This gives you an opportunity to budget for dental expenses. Even if you brush your teeth twice a day and think your teeth are in fine form, there is no way for you to really know. It’s very easy for an oral care routine to slip or for other factors to cause the health of your teeth and gums to suffer. This is why visiting your dentist ev...

There are many reasons why you might visit the dentist. Sometimes it’s for a check-up or to get scheduled treatment, but at other times it’s for something entirely unplanned. The thing is, while it may be the furthest thing from your mind, there’s no telling when you might need emergency dental treatment . The question, of course, is how to know when it’s an emergency. When it happens, you need to contact your emergency dentist in Woden sooner rather than later. No dental emergency is fun, but if you know what is considered an emergency and what to do if it happens, it can make all the difference. General Dentistry Services Your Woden general dentist can offer you several different types of treatment. First and foremost, general dentistry is about keeping your oral health in check. Regular check-ups are a vital way for you to make sure that any problems can be detected early. It also allows you to learn about proper oral hygiene and gum health. Sometimes, treatment will be required t...

If you’ve booked in for your first dental consultation in Woden, you might be a little anxious about what to expect. It’s only normal; you don’t know what the practice is like, whether the people will be friendly and what exactly will happen. But it doesn’t have to be that way; learn what to expect and what information you need to bring with you, and your first visit will be a breeze. How to Prepare For Your First Dental Consultation As with many things in life, preparation is key to a smooth and successful first dental consultation. Don’t worry though, it’s nothing too tricky or time-consuming, and you will already know a lot of it. If you have a private health insurance policy, make sure to bring your card and relevant details with you. You’ll also need to be able to tell us about your medical history, any conditions you have and any medications you take. Next, we’ll need emergency contact details, so bear in mind who is the best person for us to call and have their number to hand...

Root canals are an incredibly safe, effective and straightforward dental treatment. However, they are often poorly understood. If you’ve been told that you need a root canal, or you think you might need one, you’ll want to get your facts straight and put your mind at ease. Read on for our guide to root canal treatment Woden with everything you need to know.    What is Root Canal Therapy Root canal therapy is a dental procedure that treats infection within the root of a tooth. The root is the part of the tooth that anchors it to the jawbone. Inside there is a mixture of blood vessels and nerves, known as the pulp. Although the pulp is vital when your teeth are growing and developing, they can then survive without it. Root canal therapy works to remove the pulp and fill the space. So, while the tooth is technically no longer alive, it still feels and functions just like it always has.    The Purposes of Having a Root Canal When a tooth becomes badly decayed ,...

If you have overcrowded, wonky or misaligned teeth, it can have a huge impact on your life; your teeth become less effective at their job, are more difficult to clean and are more likely to suffer from decay. And all of that can really knock your self-esteem. Fortunately, it’s not something you have to put up with. While many people think braces are reserved for the young, they can make a significant difference no matter what your age. In fact, adult braces are more common than ever in Canberra and are the perfect way to get your teeth back on track.     How Much Does it Cost for Braces for Adults? There isn’t a simple answer to how much adult braces cost, as dental braces price is affected by several factors. Firstly, the cost will depend on how much work is needed and how far your teeth need to move to reach the desired positions. The second consideration will be the types of braces you opt for. Traditional metal brackets are less expensive than invisible braces, a...

Pregnancy has a huge impact on your body, not least because you will look and feel different. But, what you might not realise, is that it can also affect your oral health. Hormonal changes can irritate your gums, morning sickness can damage your teeth, and sugary foods can increase the risk of decay. When it comes down to it, visiting your dentist in Woden and caring for your teeth during pregnancy is vital for your health and the health of your growing baby.  How Pregnancy Can Affect Your Teeth While you might be more focused on the little person that is growing inside of you, your pregnancy can have some unexpected effects on your oral health: Hormones – you are probably well aware that hormones will change how you feel during pregnancy, but they can also make you more at risk of developing gum problems . You may experience swelling and bleeding when brushing. If left untreated, this can lead to periodontal disease and eventually tooth loss.  Sickness – morning sickn...

While many of us dream of having a set of perfectly straight pearly whites, unfortunately, our smiles tend to be more on the wonky side. Of course, that isn’t necessarily a problem. Part of the beauty of life is that we are all different from each other. When it comes to our teeth, they are different sizes, different shapes and they grow differently. While some teeth may be more aligned, others may be crooked. What you need to know, however, is whether your misaligned teeth may result in oral health problems. You may well know if you want adult braces for cosmetic reasons, but do you also need to straighten them to protect your oral health?  Signs That You Might Need Braces If you need braces, there is a good chance that you might be aware of it. It could be that your teeth aren’t perfectly straight, that your bite feels off, or that you just don’t like how your teeth look. However, it’s just as easy to ignore the signs. After all, they can vary depending on your age and overal...

If your dentist has found tooth decay or damage in your mouth, you are going to need restorative work. The chances are that the term filling springs to mind. However, that isn’t the only type of restoration that can be used to rebuild a damaged tooth. Inlays and onlays are alternatives that are stronger than standard fillings. But how do you know which option is best for you? Do you know your inlays from your onlays and would either be ok to repair your tooth?  What is Inlay in Dentistry   Inlays are a cosmetic dentistry treatment used to repair the grooves in the centre of your teeth. They are most commonly used on the chewing surface of back teeth and enable dentists to fix larger cavities. They are used over a traditional filling due to their strength. Unfortunately, the chewing surfaces are common locations for decay as deep fissures can easily trap plaque and food.  An inlay itself is a pre-moulded filling that is then fitted in place. The process involves remov...

Root canal treatment is extremely common and is the only way for you to save a natural tooth once decay has reached its root. However, you might not be looking forward to the procedure and may worry about whether it will be painful both during and after. There is no need for you to be concerned though, as long as you know what to do. Anaesthesia will take away the pain during the procedure and following proper procedure aftercare will keep you comfortable when you get home and ensure the root canal’s long-term success.  Why is Root Canal Aftercare So Important? Once you’ve searched for the best dentist near me in Canberra and found what dentist does root canals , you might think your work is done. However, while choosing a qualified and experienced dentist to perform the procedure is vital, so is looking after your tooth when you get home. Our mouths are vulnerable places that are susceptible to infection. We have to eat and drink, and by doing that, we give bacteria a chance t...

If you have missing or damaged teeth, you’re probably not feeling all too confident about your smile. And while there are various solutions that you can turn to, not all of them deliver the same results. A dental bridge will most certainly fill the gap in your smile, but your dentist will need to grind down the teeth at either side to support it. Dentures can instantly give you a set of pearly whites, but they don’t always fit properly and can lead to embarrassment when you eat and talk. Dental implants , however, replace the root of your tooth, restore your smile and protect your oral health. If you’re still wondering why dental implants are the superior choice, read on for ten reasons why they might be the best option for you. Dental Implants Look Like Natural Teeth If you’re going to invest in replacing your missing teeth, you’ll want to have confidence in how you’re going to look afterwards. Dental implants offer the closest looking replacement for natural teeth, so no-one nee...