I have bad breath, what can I do about it?

The first thing you should to is visit a dentist and have a thorough examination with scaling and cleaning over 90% of cases of halitosis (bad breath) are due to dental origin. If you dentist suspects that there may be an underlying medical cause they will refer you to a medical practitioner. Scaling and cleaning removes plaque (a colourless sticky film of bacteria) and tartar (hardened plaque) from your teeth which will almost immediately reduce bad breath. Of course you must brush and floss daily to minimize further plaque and tartar buildup. Old broken fillings or teeth with gaps between them were food can lodge will also cause mouth odour. Dental researchers have also discovered that bacteria in the mouth produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSC's) which are responsible for the actual odour. Cleaning your tongue regularly with a specially designed tongue scraper will also help as will the use of a new mouth rinse (only available from your dentist) called Closys II. This contains chlorine dioxide which is extreamly effective at removing VSC's from the mouth.

Why do my gums bleed when I brush and floss?

It is important to remember that it is not the action of brushing and flossing that is causing your gums to bleed. Your gums will bleed if there is a build up of calculus (hardened plaque) adjacent to where the tooth meets the gum. Healthy gums do not bleed. Bleeding gums is a sign of early gingivitis and should be taken seriously. If left untreated it will lead to periodontal disease. You should seek the advice of your dentist who will recommend scaling and cleaning to remove the calculus, carry out a soft tissue assessment and give you oral hygiene instruction to minimize the build up in the future.

Will it hurt?

No. Fortunately with modern anaesthetics the dentists ability to control pain has never been better. Good pain control starts with a comfortable injection. To ensure that your injection is comfortable we first of all place a numbing cream on the gum. The anaesthetic is warmed and given very slowly. Several minutes will pass before we commence treatment to ensure that you have adequate anaesthesia. We will only start with your permission. In addition if at any time throughout your procedure you feel discomfort all you have to do is raise a hand and more anaesthetic can be administered.

Should I consider cosmetic dentistry?

If you are not happy with any aspect regarding the appearance of your teeth then you may wish to consider cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry has the ability to restore peoples confidence should their teeth be crooked, chipped, worn, discoloured or have gaps. The end result will be a beautiful natural smile that will improve your professional and personal image.

Should I only go to the dentist when I have a problem?

No. You wouldn't take your car to a mechanic only when it has a problem. You have it serviced once or twice per year. If you want to avoid the inconvenience of having emergency dental treatment have your teeth serviced once or twice per year. Emergency dental treatment can be inconvenient, costly or even difficult to obtain in some instances. It is always more convenient and less costly to have regular check ups.

How often should I go to the dentist?

To take a proactive role in the prevention of dental disease it is advised that you see your dentist every 6 months for a thorough examination, scaling and cleaning and fluoride treatment. This will reduce the risk to developing gum problems as well as identifying any dental disease in its early stages. This is the best insurance policy you can provide for your teeth.

Will whitening my teeth cause any damage?

No. Tooth whitening is a procedure that has been around for over two decades. In fact the active ingredient of tooth whitening agents (hydrogen peroxide) was used as a treatment for improving the health of people's gums. It is advisable, however, that you consult your dentist when undertaking any form of tooth whitening to ensure you are getting the maximum benefits from your efforts. Tooth whitening is completely safe and a very conservative treatment.