When Christmas season is under-way, more than ever we are tempted by loads of treats that are difficult to resist and avoid. But there are some things you can do over Christmas to minimise the risk of dental decay with our dental Christmas survival guide. 

Here are our top 6 tips.

1. No matter how late or how tired you feel, don’t let your routine slip: always brush twice daily and floss whenever you can (once a day is ideal, but once a week is better than nothing.) Your teeth are being bombarded with sugar and acids that can lead to dental concerns so your dental hygiene is very important, especially with all the Christmas yummies.

2. Try hard to limit your snacking: it can seem like all you do is eat and drink over Christmas and Boxing Day so be mindful of what you are eating between meals. Try and stick to more teeth friendly options such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and make sure you drink plenty of water.

3. Some of our favourite Christmas faves have a lot of sugar: Christmas pudding, for example, is chock full of dried fruit which tends to stick to the teeth. Candy cane lollies are also one of the worst Christmas treats – they are sticky, sweet and tend to be sucked on and licked extending the acid and sugar exposure to the teeth. Choose more tooth friendly stocking fillers – sugar free lollies are a good start.

4. Be mindful of your choice of beverages: sugary soft drinks and that bottle of champagne has loads of sugar and acid that can damage your teeth and cause staining. Limit your consumption, drink water between glasses, and finish off with some cheese and nuts. The increased saliva production and calcium exposure will help neutralise sugars and acids to help protect your teeth and strengthen enamel.

5. Wait to brush: after an acid attack from foods and drinks the enamel is weakened and it can take up to 1 hour for the enamel to recover and strengthen. Brushing during this window will essentially brush away your enamel. So it is best to wait at least 30min after eating/drinking sugary/acidic foods and drinks before you brush.

6. Use a bottle opener – not your teeth! Your teeth are not tools and are designed for speaking, eating and smiling – don’t risk your teeth to open your beer or wine. And definitely don’t let a broken tooth ruin your Christmas.

The team at Taree Dental Care would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for all your support during the year.   It’s been an absolute pleasure taking care of you this year.  See you in the clinic next year.

You have chipped or cracked a tooth and you need it fixed, fast.

You need a crown.👑

Dental crowns are pretty common. That’s because they’re such a great solution for all sorts of dental problems because they cover and protect your tooth.

If you’ve ever gotten a dental crown at a practice that didn’t offer CEREC same-day crowns, chances are you know all about the hassle of making standard crowns.

It’s usually a two-week waiting period, while you wear an uncomfortable temporary crown until the permanent crown is complete.   

At Taree Dental Care we use state-of-the-art CEREC technology to repair and restore damaged and weakened teeth in the most efficient way possible.  Gone for good are those days of traditional crowns placed over the span of two or even three separate dentist visits.

CEREC technology has definitely revolutionised the dental crown procedure by completing every step, from start to finish, in a single dentist visit. AND no more thick gooey mould’s and gag reflexes!

The time you save, and the discomfort you avoid with CEREC technology makes it one of the most remarkable contributions to modern dentistry.

What does CEREC stand for?

CEREC stands for Chairside Economic Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. In other words, same-day dental crowns using customized ceramic milling.  

CEREC crowns repair and restore damaged or weakened teeth, the same as traditional crowns. The difference occurs in how  CEREC crowns achieve that goal. 

How are CEREC dental crowns made?

CEREC uses a sophisticated version of a 3D printer to create your crowns on-the-spot. 

First, we use an intraoral scanner to take images that process more than 1,000,000 3D points per second!  It’s not messy or uncomfortable, and it only takes 2-3 minutes.  Happy days.

The camera surpasses other types of dental cameras with its accuracy, speed, and precision. It produces highly accurate data about the inside of your mouth. 

This is especially handy to identify dental problems not visible to the naked eye. Using CEREC’s high precision scans,  we capture the smallest nuances of every single tooth and gum surface in your mouth, allowing for the design of highly detailed crowns. 

Once we have the digital images we need, the software machine creates a tooth model and which is sent to the CEREC milling machine.

The CEREC milling machine fabricates your customised dental crown by cutting and shaping ceramic to your exact specifications. This process is lightning fast and only takes about 15 minutes!

It is then polished and placed inside your mouth.

Do CEREC dental crowns look like a tooth?

Yes! All CEREC same-day dental crowns are created using durable, attractive porcelain. Porcelain has a translucent quality, so it closely mimics the look and feel of your real teeth. We even colour match, so you can smile confidently knowing that your same-day crown blends in perfectly with your existing teeth. 

What are the other benefits of CEREC same-day dental crowns?

Rapid Results: Your tooth is fully restored in about 2 hours. There’s no need for temporary restorations or follow-up appointments. 

Customisation: Every CEREC crown is precisely customised to your tooth to preserve natural enamel. 

Lower Treatment Costs: Same day crowns reduce the need for temporary crowns and multiple dental visits, saving you time and money. The CEREC dental crown cost is almost the same as that of the old normal crown.

This is because the dentist saves the cost of the external dental lab and can make the crown in the dental clinic itself.

Natural Aesthetics: The porcelain used to create same day crowns mimics the appearance of natural enamel, right down to its sheen and translucency. We will carefully select the shade of porcelain that best matches your smile. 

Comfort and Precision: Digital technology provides predictable, accurate results and easy 3D imaging.

 CEREC crowns are very durable and if proper care is taken, the crown can last a lifetime. (That means not using your teeth to open a beer bottle 😲😉)

Technology has completely changed the field of dentistry. It’s made procedures more comfortable, diagnosis more accurate, and treatments more effective.   

At Taree Dental Care we pride ourselves on keeping up with the latest and greatest dental tech on the market. If you’d like to discuss CEREC crowns or any other dental procedure, please give us a call anytime on (02) 6550 0960.

Good oral hygiene starts as soon as you have teeth. But it can be tough to convince your 3-year-old that it’s time to turn off the cartoons and brush.   It’s a battle in my house and I am a dentist!

But oral hygiene is crucial for our kids. One in three Aussie kids are not brushing their teeth twice a day – which leaves them at risk of poor oral hygiene and dental related issues as they get older.

Here are a few simple tips to help get your kids brushing and create positive habits that hopefully last a lifetime.

Let your Kids Pick their Own Toothbrush

Kids want a little bit of control, and if you can let them have control over some aspects in life, it’s proven they’re more willing to engage in those activities.

Let your kids pick out their own toothbrush. Make it a fun activity that you do together. There are plenty of colours and fun designs these days.

You can also let them choose the kind of toothpaste they want to use. It stops them from having to use a toothpaste they don’t like the texture or taste of and places them in control of the dental hygiene process. 

At Taree Dental Care we have flavoured toothpaste especially designed for kids tastebuds – apple, banana and strawberry.  If your kids aren’t keen on peppermint, why not give these fruit flavours a whirl?

Brush Your Teeth Together (and make it fun)

Make this part of the day you spend together. Brush your teeth at the same time as your kids to show them that everyone brushes their teeth – it’s not a punishment. It’s a necessity.

Don’t stare boringly into the mirror, though. Add some fun.

Here are a couple suggestions :

• Have your child copy you – turn it into a fun game
• Hum a tune or dance to show that it doesn’t have to be so boring.

Playing a game together in the bathroom shows them that not only does everybody brush their teeth, but it doesn’t have to be a chore.

Plus, if you can find a way to distract them from the monotony of hygiene, then they’ll forget about the time lost and will be more likely to do it on their own.

Remember, kids should be supervised while brushing their teeth until they’re around eight years old. 

Create a Rewards System

Rewards are excellent motivators for reinforcing good behavior. You’re also more likely to get the job done without tears if there’s something fun at the end.

Create a rewards chart. Keep track of the number of days they brush their teeth without complaining or having a meltdown. Let them see you add a sticker to their chart when they’ve done well!  OR let them choose and add the sticker to their own chart for an extra reward.

As they get older,  perhaps let them choose their own reward to work towards.

Little tots often need instant rewards. Offer another bedtime story as a reward for their good behavior.

Set up a Routine

Keep brushing teeth on a morning and evening schedule so kids know when to expect it. Such as straight after brekky, or right before bed.

By having them brush every day at the same time, they’ll know that there’s a dedicated time to brush and they shouldn’t expect to be doing anything else at the time.

It Takes a Team

It really does take a team to keep teeth healthy. Visit us at Taree Dental Care at least once a year and we can talk to you about how often your child should visit the dentist.

And remember, the Australian Government covers the dental costs of some children through Medicare. You can check whether your child is eligible on the Child Dental Benefits Schedule website or give us a call so we can help you.

Remember,  start those good habits early!

Related Tag: dentists in taree

You’ve always wanted to know, right?

Pretty much everyone knows how important it is to have a routine dental checkup and clean.  And if you don’t know it yet, you certainly will after you read this blog.

Your regular dental clean has one primary goal: for us to get rid of all your plaque and tartar deposits.

Regardless of how thorough your home oral hygiene is, a regular checkup also give us an opportunity to examine your teeth and detect gum disease, inflammation, look for any holes in your teeth, or detect other more rare nasties like oral cancer.

Having your teeth cleaned every six months also helps keep bad breath at bay. And no one in their right mind wants bad breath.

So What Happens During Your Clean?

A professional teeth cleaning is way more thorough than what you do at home.

While daily brushing and flossing are great, it’s very difficult for you to reach plaque that is hiding between the teeth and along the gum line.

In the clinic, we use special tools to remove sticky plaque and hard tartar deposits from the surfaces of your teeth above your gums. And only a professional dentist In Taree will be able to remove plaque that has hardened into tartar.

And after we’ve removed stubborn plaque and tartar, we polish your teeth enamel with a gentle abrasive paste.

Polishing the tooth makes it more difficult for plaque to accumulate before the next cleaning. It also helps your teeth feel clean and healthy. And it can remove surface stains so your smile shines a little brighter.

During this process we will  squirt some water into your mouth and ask you to swish.  The rinsing stage helps remove any residual tooth polish.

Finally we will floss your teeth. This will remove any plaque that could be lurking between teeth.  It also lets us know where gum bleeding occurs.

Last but not least, we apply a fluoride treatment to your teeth. This can protect your teeth from decay for months.

How Long Does a Checkup and Clean Take?

A teeth clean can last between 30 minutes and one hour. During this time, you will lie back in a comfortable dental chair while we examine your teeth.

Remember at Taree Dental Care we have Netflix to keep you, or your kids, distracted.  We know cleans can be a bit uncomfortable at times, so we try to be as gentle as we can.

The Examination

Once your teeth are all nice and clean, we conduct an examination.

In the past, dentists always used a metal probe and angled mirror – but now we use many different types of equipment to give your mouth the big once over.

We are looking for any signs of tooth decay and check for other issues with your gums like deep pockets, redness, or inflammation.

We look for any issue, big or small.  Remember your mouth is the window to your overall health. Oral hygiene and a healthy mouth is very important.

Your appointment may take longer if we need to take X-rays or if we need to discuss options for treatment for something that needs attention.

It’s also a good time to ask us about areas of your mouth where your brushing and flossing routines might need a bit of help.

There are some common spots a lot of people miss when brushing their teeth so feel free to ask us where yours are.

We are here to help you keep your teeth in the best possible shape as you get older.  It’s sooooo true that a regular dental checkup and clean is just as important as an annual health check with your Doctor.

So now that you know what is involved, don’t let the year slip by without giving your mouth some love. Give us a call at Taree Dental Care for your appointment today.

For some, it’s what you look forward to first thing in the morning. For others, it’s a reliable afternoon pick me up. Whatever coffee is to you, one thing is true: it can dull your smile without proper precautions.

If ditching the flat white isn’t sitting right with you, here are a few other things you can do instead of cutting consumption to help keep your teeth white.

1. Add a whitening toothpaste to the brushing and flossing mix to help remove surface stains before they become prominent. After drinking your coffee, brush your teeth to avoid a coffee-coating and help reduce the risk of staining.

2. Sip your coffee swiftly. Instead of making your cup last for hours, drinking coffee quicker means it won’t sit on your teeth for long, leaving less opportunity for stains.

3. If you can’t brush your teeth immediately after finishing your coffee, try to rinse your mouth. If you don’t have a mouth rinse, water will do the trick just as well. Simply swish it around your mouth for a few seconds to remove any leftover coffee from your pearly whites.

4. Some dentists in Taree recommend sipping your coffee through a straw to reduce contact with your teeth. But seriously, how many people have you seen at your local café drinking their piping hot latte through a straw?   Not many.

5. Last but not least, schedule a teeth whitening visit. At Taree Dental Care we’re proud to use the latest technology in teeth whitening to brighten your smile in one quick visit.

All about our Zoom Teeth Whitening package (it really is the BEST on the market!)

Discolouration or the appearance of yellow teeth can be genetic, a result of medication, environmental in nature, or a mixture of all three. The good news is the majority of discolouration is usually a result of surface stains, and they can be tackled effectively by Zoom teeth whitening. 

In our humble opinion, Zoom is the best whitening treatment on the market – and with Zoom, it’s possible to whiten your teeth, up to 8 shades in about 90 minutes.  That includes getting rid of those nasty coffee stains.

What is involved in Zoom Whitening?

The whitening gel is applied to your teeth – your lips and gums are protected. Then a specialised blue LED light will be left on your teeth for 15 minutes.  The gel is then reapplied. This will happen 3 times  and the session concludes with a fluoride treatment to reduce your risk of tooth sensitivity.

You will be able to maintain your newly brighten smile with your Zoom touch-up kit that we send home with you.

The Zoom touch-up kit provides you with a custom fit, comfortable, whitening tray and whitening gel to help you maintain your results. To maintain the best possible outcome, be sure to use your home whitening system as directed.

You can use it comfortably in your home or even relaxing with a book outside in the sunshine.  Too easy. 

How long does the effect of Zoom Whitening last?

So, the million dollar question – how long does Zoom teeth whitening last? The effects of zoom whitening should last for 12 months –  but with a significant caveat – the length of the benefits vary hugely depending on how well you treat your teeth afterwards.

Avoid or reduce the consumption of staining drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine and coke.  This will definitely help to prolong the effects of the treatment, as will good dental hygiene overall.

If you do occasionally have a staining drink, keep a close eye on the beverage sizes, and rinse or clean your teeth as soon as you can.

The full Zoom whitening package, including both the time in the dentist chair AND the custom made take-home whitening trays, is $780.

We reckon a Zoom whitening package would make a great Christmas gift for someone you love.

Call us today at (02) 6550 0960 to book a FREE whitening consultation and we can answer any extra questions you may have – Zoom really works.