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Sep29

2021

What makes a clean dental surgery? postByDental
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There’s nothing like a freshly clean dental clinic. And in these times, its doubly, trebly, important.  We know for a fact that cleanliness and rigid infection control procedures are directly linked to positive patient outcomes.

Properly-Cleaned Tools and PPE

First and foremost at Taree Dental Care we have VERY strict protocols for cleaning tools, and using clean, disposable PPE (personal protective equipment).

Gloves are a priority.  We always use disposable gloves and they are replaced frequently.  A fresh pair is put on right before an examination starts.

Masks and protective eye-wear are super important. When your mouth is being examined or operated on, we use a new disposable mask to avoid any bacteria from our mouth reaching yours. This is especially crucial when conducting surgery as there is always a heightened risk. 

Before and after each patient, our dental tools undergo complete sterilisation. The mouth is a haven for bacteria, and even with a straightforward clean in a spotless mouth, we are digging through bacteria and plaque.

Finally, the chair and operating surfaces are completely cleaned and sterilised with sanitiser on all surfaces, before and after you leave. Bacteria can travel and grow across surfaces, so even an unclean chair can potentially lead to reinfection of a patient. 

The contagious nature of Covid-19 has made this even more of a priority then ever before. 

We don’t take any risks or any shortcuts.

The Waiting Room and Reception

Patients go to a dentist expecting the office to be clean and fresh. A dirty waiting area is not a good sign for the rest of the practice.

A clean relaxed uncluttered waiting room will help you feel at ease and we try hard to make our reception area a nice place to wait.  We also want you to have faith that your dental records and other sensitive patient information is well looked after in an organised manner. 

Our team really are the best, and we know that our front reception is always clean and organised.  Hopefully you are also greeted with a smile when you walk through our door.

Staff Health and Immunisation

We firmly believe the health of our staff is paramount. While it’s always good practice to never go to work sick, in a dental office this is even more crucial as you risk infecting people who might be at a higher risk.

Our staff are up to date with immunisations and vaccines to ensure they don’t bring potentially harmful pathogens into a medically-sensitive environment. 

Rest assured that all of our team is vaccinated against Covid-19, in accordance with the health guidelines. 

At Taree Dental Care we take cleanliness VERY seriously (as we should!)

Our business is delivering the best oral health care that we can possibly achieve for our patients – and to fulfill that promise we maintain the highest possible standard of sterilisation, infection control, and disposal of single-use materials and tools. 

We have made our practice as safe as we possibly can.  We even installed superior ventilation in our surgery last year as a further precaution against Covid-19.

If you need an appointment at any time, or simply catch-up on an overdue check-up, please give us a call on 6550 0960 or head to our website

Aug8

2021

Five Dental Myth Busters postByDental
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Tooth be told, there’s a lot of misconceptions when it comes to proper dental care and these sometimes fuel the lack of excitement when you see an upcoming dental appointment on your calendar.

And while its true that going to the dentist isn’t all fun and games, knowing the truth behind certain myths will certainly help your chances of maintaining good oral health.

Here’s FIVE of our favourite dental myth-busters:

1.  They’re just baby teeth and will fall out anyway, so no need to see a dentist: 

FALSE. One of the biggest misconceptions is that baby teeth don’t really matter, since they “just fall out”anyway.

On the contrary, baby teeth play a huge role in guiding the adult teeth in both direction and health. They foster good nutrition through proper chewing, and aid in speech development.

2. If your teeth are white and look and feel fine, then you don’t need to see the dentist: 

FALSE.  Sure, it’s great to have healthy looking  teeth, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a pesky hole forming that you cannot see or feel.

Dental visits and cleanings every 6-12 months will help keep your teeth looking and feeling healthy; and help to catch any beginning stages of gum disease or a cavity before it leads to pain. 

Any person who tells you they only see a dentist when a tooth hurts, is doing themselves a big disservice.  Straight perfectly white teeth are definitely not a substitute for poor oral health care.

3. You can’t go to the dentist while you’re pregnant: 

FALSE. Some mums-to-be assume that the dentist should be avoided while pregnant.

Tthere is no scientific basis for this. In fact, the vast majority of dental procedures are completely safe for pregnant women and the babies they’re carrying.

As we’ve said many times, our mouth is the gateway to our body.  Bacteria, infection and other problems here can easily affect the rest of your health, which may affect your baby.

Additionally, pregnancy results in hormonal changes that can cause tooth and gum problems, so getting a dental check-up during pregnancy is not only safe but also incredibly important!

4. You don’t have to floss if you’re brushing regularly:

FALSE. When you don’t floss, you’re at risk for two major dental issues in your mouth: gingivitis, and cavities between your teeth, and you are not able to properly remove dental plaque buildup.

Brushing only cleans the visible parts of your teeth. Whereas flossing gets to all those tricky hard to reach areas.

Oh and brushing harder does not give you a better clean, that’s another myth!  It can actually erode tooth enamel.  We recommend using a soft-bristled brush and gently massaging your teeth and gums. Harder is NOT better.

Using an electric toothbrush does not stop the need for flossing either.  It is still super important.

5. You can dissolve a tooth in Coca Cola In 24 hours:

FALSE.  This is actually not possible.

While there’s no question that Coke will deteriorate and stain your teeth, leaving a tooth in a coke can for 24 hours will not dissolve an entire tooth.

Coke is acidic and as much as I dislike what it does, it simply can’t make a tooth disappear.   But remember, always keep soft drinks in moderation.

So there you go, that’s our top FIVE myth busters!

Oral health education is a big part of what makes us tick at Taree Dental Care. The more you know, the healthier your smile.

Related Tags: Taree Dentist

Jun28

2021

Do your kids hate that minty toothpaste taste? postByDental
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Trouble getting your children to brush?

We are happy to report that Maxam kids strawberry toothpaste is back in stock at Taree Dental Care!   

It’s formulated with extra fluoride to help protect children’s teeth from decay and strengthen tooth enamel. This toothpaste always sells out quickly so grab a tube next time you visit.

It may be just the thing that will get your kids to brush their teeth – morning and night – with no arguments!  It really is $3 well spent.

Related Tag: Children Dentist Taree

May20

2021

I have a sweet tooth, so how do I avoid decay? postByDental
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Yes it would be easy for me to say “just avoid sugar”.  But in an age of fast food, chocolate thick-shakes and Donut King, how does one do that?

We live with sugar. It’s here and it is  not going away.

Here are my top three tips for preventing tooth decay if you have a sweet tooth.

Tip Number One: ORAL HYGIENE

Brush your teeth twice a day.

Small circles, angled at 45 degrees to your teeth and gently massage your gums while you brush. This mechanically removes any food residue still stuck to your teeth.

Use floss to clean the areas between your teeth. This is important as a toothbrush cannot reach these spots and food can easily get lodged and sit here for days causing bad breath, decay and gum infection.

When using floss make sure you contact the surfaces of your teeth to again mechanically remove bits of food stuck to them.

Tip Number Two: SUBSTITUTION

If you cook your own cakes and biscuits and jams, then try substituting white sugar with things like Xylitol.

This is a natural sugar and many studies have come out recently showing it actually STOPS decay from progressing through your teeth. It doesn’t spike blood sugar or insulin, starves the plaque-producing bacteria in your mouth and feeds friendly microbes in your digestive system.

There are also sugar alternatives out there for bodybuilders and diabetics so have a look at these products and see if they are suitable for you.

Another tip is avoid fruit juices and swap for the raw fruit version. Have an apple instead of slowly sipping on apple juice. Sugary juices are not great for your teeth. 

Tip Number Three: TIMING

Lots of studies have shown it is not necessarily the AMOUNT of sugar you have, but rather how FREQUENTLY you have it.

This is because when you frequently consume sugar throughout the day, you are not giving your saliva enough time to replenish itself and buffer the mouth from the acidity created from consuming the sugar.

So if you are going to have sugary foods and drinks, try and consume them during or after a main meal. Once you have had the sugary meal or drink, then that is it.   Don’t snack on sugary foods all day.

Of course during the course of every day, make sure you are having lots of veggies, protein and water.

I hope you have found this blog helpful.  These 3 tips are simple and pretty easy to follow.

 If you need a caring dentist that won’t make you feel bad about having a sweet tooth, then give us a call at Taree Dental Care on 6550 0960

Related Tags: Dentist in Taree

Mar31

2021

White Fillings versus Silver. Which is better? postByDental
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Replacing mercury fillings with white fillings

Can you believe that those silver-coloured fillings called ‘amalgam’ have been around since 1812?   Yep, they were created by a British chemist more than 200 years ago!

Amalgam is a very specific mixture of metals.  It consists of liquid mercury and a powdered alloy of silver, tin, and copper. They bind together to form a putty, which quickly sets. After being positioned in the tooth hole, it sets to form a strong filling.

These days, many clients request to have their old silver amalgam fillings replaced with white fillings, mainly for aesthetic reasons but sometimes for a perceived health risk.

Is there a safety issue with amalgam fillings?

No, there is no safety issue.

The issue that concerns many people is the health risk of leaking mercury from the silver fillings. However, the mercury of the amalgam is bound together to the tin and copper, so once it’s set, there’s no liquid mercury present anymore.

At Taree Dental Care we see hundreds of amalgam fillings every week.  Many of them have been in mouths for 10 or 20 years.

Rest assured, amalgam doesn’t pose a health risk. It’s safe for adults, as well as children who are six and over. The Australian Dental Association continues to support the use of amalgam fillings. However, they suggest minimising their use in pregnant or breastfeeding women, by children under 6, and by people with kidney disease.

Rest assured the weight of evidence doesn’t establish any association between amalgam and any adverse health effects.

If the old fillings are in good condition with no decay beneath them, we do not generally recommend their removal just for the sake of it.   

Current trend for white fillings

There are a number of reasons why amalgam fillings are not used anymore.

White fillings are definitely more aesthetically appealing. It’s not very attractive to have silver fillings in your teeth, particularly if they show when you smile.

With advancements in technology, these days dentists have more aesthetic materials on offer.  Composite resin and porcelain last just as long as amalgam if done properly.

If a client wishes to replace the old silver filling for aesthetic reasons  – particularly when it’s visible in a smile – then we are very happy to help with a new ‘tooth-coloured’ filling.

Dental aesthetics

Sometimes the old silver fillings start to break down as they come to the end of their longevity. This simply means that the interface between the filling and the tooth is starting to separate. If there are gaps occurring, this allows bacteria to get into that space and create a potential cavity.

So please don’t panic, it’s not the mercury that’s leaking — it’s just the fillings breaking down.

The best filling is no filling at all

There’s no real urgency in getting the old amalgam’s filling replaced unless the silver filling is not doing the job it was designed to do.

Most importantly, rest assured that you’re not going to be poisoned by the old style filling.

So the take-home message here is that the best filling is no filling at all!  Just remember daily brushing, flossing and practice good oral hygiene!

If you are concerned in any way about your amalgam fillings, or your teeth and gums in general, just call our caring dental team at Taree Dental Care on 6550 0960 or drop us an email info@tareedentalcare.com.au.  👍

Related Tags: Dentist in Taree

Jan27

2021

Gum Disease – the silent affliction postByDental
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You would not live with a chronic eye or ear infection, would you? Yet 45% of the population over 65 years live with a chronic infection known as gum disease, or periodontitis.

Most people don’t realise they have this disease – but it is a serious, and very treatable, infection.

If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and the infection can actually spread throughout the body.  Research shows that gum disease is associate with heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and even pre-term delivery in pregnancy. 

From these studies, it has been shown that men with gum disease are 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers.  Very good reasons to take care of your gums.

The good news is that gum disease can be treated!

For years it was thought that the bacteria linked to gum disease was linked to other disease in the body.  Current research now shows that in fact it’s inflammation which is responsible for the link.  Therefore treating gum disease and the inflammation will not only help manage periodontal diseases, but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions.

Gum disease is often silent.  That means that the symptoms may not actually appear until the disease has advanced to a more severe stage.

What are the warning signs?

  •          Red, swollen, or tender gums – or other pain in your mouth
  •          Bleeding while brushing, flossing or eating hard food (don’t panic, some bleeding while flossing is ok)
  •          Gums that are receding or pulling away from your teeth
  •          Loose or separating teeth
  •          Pus between your gums and teeth
  •          Sores in your mouth
  •          Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
  •          A change to the way your teeth fit together in your mouth.

What is the treatment?

The treatment for gum disease depends on the severity. 

For starters, coming to see us at Taree Dental Care and having a full checkup with one of our dentists, is a great way to assess your gum health.

You can get your gums healthy again.  If you have mild to moderate gum disease, it can be treated simply with regular brushing, flossing, mouthwash, and regular check-ups with us including frequent dental cleanings.  It may also help to review your diet and lifestyle choices.  Quitting smoking would also go along way towards healthier gums.

With more severe cases, specific treatment is required.  The treatment can vary from sub gingival cleaning and in severe cases we may refer you to a periodontist for treatment of the infected area.

If a disease in your gums is not caught soon enough, sometimes it is necessary to replace natural teeth with implants, restorations, bridges, or even dentures.

And remember, gum disease IS preventable.  But lets catch it early.

If you are concerned in any way about the health of your gums, just call our caring dental team at Taree Dental Care on 6550 0960 or drop us an email info@tareedentalcare.com.au. 

Your teeth and gums are so important and we can help you to keep them in ship-shape.

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