I am sure we are all aware of the health risks that smoking can have on our general health. Smoking can lead to many different diseases, some of which can be life threatening, but, what problems can it cause in the mouth?
 
Firstly, smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood stream which can make it difficult for your gums to heal if they become infected or if you have gum disease. Gum disease can also progress at a faster rate in smokers than in non-smokers. Smoking can also cause bad breath, staining on the teeth and even reduce your sense of taste and smell.
 
Smoking can delay healing after surgery in the mouth, for example, after an extraction, dental implant, or after treatment for gum disease. If healing becomes delayed in the mouth then this can risk infection of the healing site.
 
Smoking increases your risk of developing oral cancer. Oral cancer can occur anywhere within the oral cavity, such as the lips, palate, tongue and throat. If you notice a suspicious lesion in your mouth such as an ulcer that isn’t healing, then I would recommend contacting your dentist or GP as soon as possible.
 
Quitting smoking can be very difficult due to the addiction to nicotine. The benefits of quitting though are important in improving your oral health as well as your general health. Here is a couple of ways that can help you to quit smoking:

•  Gradually reducing the amount of cigarettes that you smoke by slowly increasing the time between each cigarette.
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is available in the form of patches, chewing gum, inhalers, lozenges and nasal sprays. Speak to your pharmacist about the options of using some of these in combination with one another. 
• Prescription medications. Speak to your GP about certain medications that can help to reduce the withdrawal symptoms of smoking.

 
If you have any questions or concerns in regards to your mouth or oral health, feel free to give us a call on 08 9321 6928, we are always happy to help!

Here at West Perth Dental Centre, we are fortunate enough to have an in-house Cerec machine, which is basically a milling machine to make ceramic crowns and inlays/onlays. It allows you to have a crown preparation and insert all in the one day, rather than returning 2 weeks later for the crown insert once the lab has made it. It avoids the need for us to send your crown off to the lab. We have our Cerec machine located in our reception area so that you can watch your crown being made while you wait!
 
Here are some FAQ’s about Cerec crowns: 

1. Will my health insurance cover a Cerec crown?
   • If you have major dental that covers regular ceramic crowns then yes, your health insurance should cover a Cerec crown. Speak to your health insurance provider to determine what percentage of the crown they will cover.
2. What are the benefits of a Cerec crown?
   • The ceramic material of a Cerec crown looks and feels like a real tooth. It is matched to your tooths natural colour and it uses 3D imaging to ensure it fits comfortable to the tooth and gum-line.
3. How long does the procedure take?
   • We generally allow up to 2 – 2½   hours for the whole appointment.
4. Why would I need a crown?
   • Crowns are generally indicated if the tooth is weak, such as from a large amount of tooth decay or if the tooth is broken, cracked or heavily worn. Sometimes, your tooth may not necessarily ‘break’ before needing a crown. The idea is to crown the tooth before the tooth breaks, as the tooth could crack all the way down underneath the gum-line, in which case it would require extraction. We ideally want to prevent this from happening and that’s where a crown can come into play. If a tooth has a large filling and cracks are forming around it, this could be a good time to crown the tooth, to protect it in the long run.
   • If you have had a root canal treatment we would generally recommend crowning the tooth afterwards.

 
If you have any questions or concerns in regards to your mouth or oral health, feel free to give us a call on 08 9321 6928, we are always happy to help!

​Ahh.. if only there was some magic potion that could prevent us all from getting holes in our teeth! That would just be marvellous! Unfortunately, there simply isn’t, however there are plenty of ways that you can reduce your risk of dental cavities or ‘holes’ in the teeth. Basically, a dental cavity is where plaque bacteria sits on the tooth for long enough to become acidic and start to eat away at the enamel.
 
Who is at a high risk of developing tooth decay?
 

• People with a diet high in sugar and carbonated drinks.
• People who have poor oral hygiene levels, or a poor technique when it comes to brushing and flossing.
• People who suffer from Xerostomia (dry mouth).
• People who have lots of teeth with exposed roots.

 
Here are some measures to help to prevent tooth decay:
 

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Try to limit your consumption of sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes only rather than multiple sweet snacks throughout the day. Rinse your mouth out with water after you have consumed anything containing sugar.
• Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time using a soft bristled manual or electric toothbrush with fluoride tooth paste.
• Clean in between your teeth at least once per day with floss or interproximal brushes.

 
What if I am a ‘high risk’ for developing tooth decay?
 

• If you are at a higher risk for developing tooth decay then additional preventive measures can be taken:
  • Using a high fluoride tooth paste (such as Colgate Neutrafluor®) instead of regular toothpaste. These higher fluoride toothpastes are available at most pharmacies, you may need to ask for them as they may be kept behind the counter.
  • Using a high fluoride mouthwash (such as Colgate Neutraflour® daily rinse). Ensure you purchase the alcohol-free version if you suffer from dry mouth as alcohol can dry your mouth out even more. Keep in mind that these higher fluoride toothpastes and rinses are not suitable for children.
  • Really try to limit your sugar intake, this includes fruit juices (orange, apple).
  • Tooth Mousse is a really good protective agent containing calcium phosphate that you can rub on any exposed tooth roots or areas that prone to tooth decay. Speak to your dentist about the use of Tooth Mousse, we stock it in our clinic and can advise you on how to use it and whether it would be suitable for you.
  • If you suffer from dry mouth, sip on tap water frequently throughout the day and consider using a saliva substitute such as the Oral-7 products for dry mouth. Saliva substitutes not only moisturise your mouth but the Oral-7 range contain enzymes, buffering agents and anti-bacterial agents that you may have lost with the lack of saliva.

 
If you have any questions or concerns in regards to your mouth or oral health, feel free to give us a call on 08 9321 6928, we are always happy to help!

Brushing your teeth may seem very simple, but many of us could improve how we brush our teeth! Not only could you not be removing the dental plaque properly, but with incorrect tooth brushing, you can even damage the enamel of the teeth! So, here are some common brushing mistakes:
 

1. Using a hard-bristled tooth brush. If your tooth brush is too hard, it can damage the enamel by causing tooth brush abrasions. Tooth brush abrasions are where the toothbrush can literally ‘cut into’ the enamel. These abrasions can become deeper over time and become sensitive. I would always recommend using a soft bristled tooth brush.
2. Using a tooth brush with a large head. Choose a toothbrush with a small head, that way it has more of an ability to reach those hard to reach areas in the mouth.
3. ‘Scrubbing’ the teeth. Many people often think that brushing their teeth in a fast and hard way, scrubbing forwards and backwards is the best way to scrub off all of that plaque! Yes, maybe it’s getting rid of a lot of the plaque, however, you can actually brush away your enamel with this technique and it can even contribute to receding gums! Use a round, circular motion when cleaning your teeth, with your toothbrush being at a 45 degree angle to the tooth and gums.
4. Using an old tooth brush. I would recommend changing your tooth brush every 3 – 4 months. Regularly inspect your toothbrush, if the bristles become bent or discoloured, replace your toothbrush.
5. Forgetting to brush the gum-line. When you brush your teeth, it is important to clean under that little pocket of gum that sits where your gum meets the tooth. Always make sure you focus on cleaning along the gum-line, as this is often where most of the bacteria sits.
6. You stop brushing because your gums are bleeding. Often, when our gums bleed during brushing, this can mean your gums are inflamed due to a presence of bacteria that is irritating them. Inflamed gums bleed much easier than healthy gums. Bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis or gum disease. It may mean you need to improve your tooth brushing technique or need to visit your dentist for a professional clean.

 
If you are unsure if you are brushing your teeth correctly, a visit to your dentist or hygienist is recommended. We will show you the correct tooth brushing technique and help you to find a tooth brush that is right for you.
 
If you have any questions or concerns in regards to your mouth or oral health, feel free to give us a call on 08 9321 6928, we are always happy to help!

Dental plaque, or dental biofilm as more recently named is a soft and sticky mass of bacteria that builds up on the teeth. The longer the plaque biofilm sits on the teeth, the more ‘nasty’ it becomes. Sugars in your diet become consumed by the bacteria in your plaque, which then makes the plaque become acidic. This acidic plaque will then start to demineralise the tooths enamel which can lead to tooth decay. Bacteria in plaque can also sit underneath the gums and cause gingivitis and gum disease.
 
Dental plaque starts to harden after 24 hours, turning into calculus. Calculus is difficult to remove at home with your toothbrush or floss because it is a harder substance than plaque. 
 
How to prevent plaque biofilm build-up:
 

• Brush your teeth twice per day for two minutes at a time with a soft bristled tooth brush or electric tooth brush. Pay particular attention to where your gums meet the teeth as this is where a lot of plaque can accumulate. Your dentist or hygienist will help you by showing you the correct technique for toothbrushing.
• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
• Clean in between your teeth every day with interdental brushes or floss. Your dentist or hygienist can also help you by showing you the correct technique for this if you are unsure; and can help you find the right sized interdental brush for your needs.
• See your dentist or hygienist regularly for your 6 monthly professional cleaning.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks.

 
If you have any questions or concerns in regards to your mouth or oral health, feel free to give us a call on 08 9321 6928, we are always happy to help!

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​Generally speaking, it is recommended that you visit your dentist/hygienist every 6 months for a general dental examination and scale and clean appointment. However, we are all individuals which means our individual requirements as a dental patient differ from person to person so some people may require more or less frequent visits.
 
Here’s what’s involved in a general 6 month check and clean appointment:
 

• Checking for any signs of tooth decay
• X-rays may be taken to help determine if there is any tooth decay in between the teeth or underneath any existing fillings
• Answering any concerns that you may have about your mouth
• Oral cancer screening and checking the oral cavity for any unusual lesions
• Checking your TMJ function
• Checking for any signs of wear, cracks or erosion of the teeth
• Checking your gum health for any signs of gingivitis or gum disease
• Cleaning of the teeth to remove biofilm, calculus and stains
• Oral health education and advice

 
Some people are more prone to gingivitis and gum disease and this can be due to many factors such as genetics, oral hygiene levels, smoking and diabetes, to name a few. Therefore, for some, we may recommend more frequent visits to the dentist than the usual ‘6 monthly visits’ to conduct more frequent scale and clean appointments to help to maintain healthy gums.
 
Other people, who have excellent oral hygiene levels through excellent brushing and flossing techniques and excellent gum health with low tooth decay risks may require less frequent scale and clean appointments. Your dentist will be able to determine what frequency is right for you and your oral health.
 
If you have any questions or concerns in regards to your mouth or oral health, feel free to give us a call on 08 9321 6928, we are always happy to help!

To work out how to remove stains from the teeth, we must first determine whether they come from the inside or the outer surface of the tooth.
 
Intrinsic tooth staining comes from the inside surface of the tooth called the dentine, which sits underneath the enamel. Over time, dentine can become darker/more yellow in colour. Dentine can also be stained by medications such as tetracycline.
 
Extrinsic tooth stains sit on the external surface of the tooth, the enamel. Generally speaking, food and drinks that are dark in colour can stain the enamel of the teeth.
 
Extrinsic stains on the teeth can be removed by seeing your dentist or hygienist every 6 months for a scale and clean appointment. A scale and clean involves removing plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth. After this process, if you are still unhappy with the colour of your teeth and would like them to be whiter, teeth whitening may be an option. Refer to our blog post ‘ISO-Snacking… what will stain your teeth during these times of increased snacking!’ to see which foods and drinks can be offenders when it comes to extrinsic tooth stains.
 
Intrinsic stains are a little more difficult to remove. They cannot be removed via mechanical cleaning; and require a chemical intervention. Teeth whitening can whiten teeth that are stained intrinsically. Teeth whitening can be performed in a couple of different ways:

• In-chair whitening:
  • This involves a 60 - 90 minute appointment where a tooth whitening solution is applied to your teeth in a very careful manner to ensure that none of the solution comes in to contact with the gums. Your gums will be covered and protected by an adhesive gel that covers the gums and is removed once the whitening is complete. This procedure should only be provided by a qualified dental professional.
• Take-home whitening:
  • This form of whitening involves a similar whitening solution that is involved in the in-chair whitening however, the active ingredient (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) it is in a much lower concentration. You will be supplied with specially formed trays to place the whitening solution into. You then wear the trays once per day for approximately 7 days (this duration may differ slightly dependant on the solution type and brand). This form of tooth whitening is a more gradual process than the in-chair whitening.

 
Before commencing any form of tooth whitening we recommend you speak to one of our dental professionals to determine if it would be a suitable option for you. 

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