Common Dental Concerns: What are they?
A healthy body needs a healthy mouth, and River Street Smiles has simple strategies to help you manage (and even better avoid) these common dental concerns.
Bad breath
Known as halitosis, bad breath is a common condition caused by sulphur-producing bacteria that live within the surface of the tongue and in the throat. It can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. A simple consultation at River Street Smiles will help determine the cause of bad breath, and offer the correct treatment solutions.
Chipped teeth
The enamel covering your teeth is hard but it’s not indestructible. You bite hard into an ice cube or hard lolly and instantly your tongue detects a chip on your tooth. It can happen playing sport or falling face-first onto a hard surface. Fortunately there are things we can do to fix it so don’t panic – just make an appointment so your River Street Smiles dentist can quickly assess the situation.
Clenching and grinding
Clenching, grinding and gnashing – many of us do it without even realising it. Known as bruxism, it often happens during sleep though plenty of people do it when they’re awake. Symptoms include headaches, stiffness in the jaw and even chipped teeth. Fortunately, River Street Smiles has a number of treatments to help ease this common dental concern.
Dental anxiety
If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone. Known as dental anxiety, this intense uneasiness at the mere thought of making a dental appointment affects thousands of Australians. For some, it means visiting their dentist less often than is recommended while others avoid going altogether. If you experience dental anxiety, River Street Smiles has a number of options to ease your nervousness and make you more comfortable while you’re with us. Non-invasive treatment and happy gas are available.
Dental emergency
While dental emergencies encompass a broad range of dental conditions – abscess; chipped, cracked, loose or missing teeth; bleeding gums; toothache; lost filling – they all require immediate treatment by a qualified dentist. Common symptoms include persistent pain or bleeding so if either continues, call us immediately at River Street Smiles on 6686 4872 or if after hours go to a hospital emergency room.
Discoloured teeth
Teeth can become discoloured by staining, ageing or chemical damage. Common environmental causes include drinking tea, coffee, red wine and cola, smoking cigarettes, and even taking some medications. Genetics also plays a considerable role, with the enamel on some people’s teeth naturally lighter and brighter than others. Talk to your River Street Smiles dentist about the Zoom Whitening treatment we use that successfully helps correct discoloured teeth.
Infected gums
Gingivitis (gum inflammation) is an irritation of the gums caused by a bacterial infection. Left unchecked, this can cause the gums to separate from the teeth, potentially causing injury to the soft tissue and bone supporting the teeth. At River Street Smiles, we use several techniques to treat infected gums, and advise you on ways to avoid it in the first place.
Loose tooth
There are a number of factors that cause adult teeth to feel loose, with the two most common being trauma and gum disease. These can cause the periodontal ligaments that hold your tooth roots in place to stretch and eventually break. A loose tooth may indicate a more serious problem, so it’s important you see your River Street Smiles dentist as soon as you feel any movement.
Missing teeth
Replacing missing teeth will not only help the look of your smile but also improve your dental health. Decay, trauma and dental disease are common causes of tooth loss but fortunately there are a number of treatment options available at River Street Smiles including implants, bridges and dentures to help you regain your smile and confidence.
Oral hygiene
To help maintain healthy teeth and gums, it’s important to develop good dental hygiene, or oral healthcare, habits. These range from regular brushing and flossing, to using fluoride toothpaste and visiting your River Street Smiles dentist for a regular scale and clean.
Tooth decay
Tooth decay occurs when plaque builds up on your teeth and causes the surface enamel to break down. Factors that can lead to tooth decay include irregular brushing and flossing of your teeth, eating foods high in sugar or acidity, and not seeing your River Street Smiles dentist regularly. Early detection of tooth decay will help arrest progression and avoid replacing the hole in your tooth with a filling.
Worn teeth
Excessive wear and tear on your teeth can alter their shape, cause them to lose height, and result in thinning and chipping of the enamel surface. Common causes include abrasion (caused by chewing objects like pens or hair clips), attrition (tooth-to-tooth contact caused by grinding) and erosion (caused by eating and drinking acidic substances). Talk to your River Street Smiles dentist about preventative therapies and treatment options if you are concerned about worn teeth.
