The Dental Diet
The Tooth Friendly Foods You Should be Eating Now
The Tooth Friendly Foods You Should be Eating Now
Oral health is far more important than many people realise. It's certainly nice to have sparkly white teeth and a filling free mouth, but there are even more important reasons to make your oral health more of a priority.
The state of a person's teeth and gums can cause more than toothache (not that that is anything to be taken lightly). Numerous research studies have found that poor oral health can be directly linked to an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease, celiac disease, diabetes, sinus infection, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel disease, and gastroesophageal reflux in some people. In fact, there are times when a dentist spots the signs of these serious health issues before a traditional medical doctor does.
Like any other aspect of our health, nutrition plays a key role in your overall oral health. Many are familiar with the common enemies that teeth have; sugary snacks and sugary drinks. But did you know that certain foods and beverages are actually oral health friendly, and consuming them more often will not only boost your oral health but help support your overall well-being as well?
Dental Friendly Foods
Here's a look at some of the best of these dental friendly foods and the benefits they offer your teeth and gums as well as the rest of you:
Probiotics
The term probiotics has become something of a dietary buzzword over the past few years, but the benefits of these 'gut friendly' bacteria are usually associated with improving digestive health.
However, as researchers explored that connection they discovered another possible benefit; a decrease in the risk of gingivitis and cavities thanks to the fermenting nature of these bacteria slowing the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity.
Live yoghurt is the best source of additional probiotics, and the calcium it contains can also help strengthen teeth as well.
Cheese
If you are a cheese lover, here's another reason why your preference isn't a bad one at all. In addition to the calcium it contains several studies have found that when you eat it the PH in the mouth is raised, lowering the risk of tooth decay.
Leafy Greens
You'll find leafy greens on almost any list of healthy foods you should be eating, and this one is no exception. Basically, the original 'superfoods', leafy greens - spinach, kale, Swiss chard, romaine lettuce etc. - are high in calcium, which helps strengthen tooth enamel and in folic acid, which has been shown to help prevent gum disease, especially in pregnant women.
Apples
Yes, apples are sweet and sticky. But as far as your teeth are concerned, in this instance that can be a good thing. They have a very high water content, so eating an apple can help wash away bacteria in the mouth rather effectively until you can get to a bathroom to brush your properly. Celery is great for your teeth for the same reasons, but perhaps not quite as much fun to eat.
Green Tea
Green tea is clever stuff as it has all kinds of potential overall health benefits. It can help improve oral health thanks to the polyphenols it contains that have been shown to help fight plaque causing bacteria rather effectively.
Water
Again, drinking plenty of water is almost always included in any healthy diet advice. In terms of your oral health not only is a big glass of water a lot better for you than soda or juice it will help rinse away bacteria as well.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
By eating these foods more frequently you'll be healthier overall, and your oral health will get a big boost too. Couple that with regular dental checkups and you can do big things to improve your oral health in 2018 with very little effort at all.
What is Dry Socket?
How Can I Prevent It From Happening to Me?
How Can I Prevent It From Happening to Me?
There are very few people who would actually be happy about the idea of having to get a tooth removed, but even with the best dental care, and personal oral hygiene, the procedure does sometimes become necessary. It's a scary thought for most people, but these days it's a relatively painless procedure that is over quickly and far less traumatic than years ago.
However skilled your dentist, there is a complication that patients should be aware can sometimes crop up after a tooth extraction; dry socket. Also known as alveolar osteitis the pain caused by this condition can be as bad as, or even worse, than any pain a patient experienced prior to the tooth extraction. The good news is however that it is perfectly preventable.
What is Dry Socket?
When a tooth is extracted the 'hole' left behind is referred to as the socket. Usually, immediately after an extraction a blood clot begins to form that effectively seals the hole and allows the whole area to begin to heal. Dry socket occurs when this clot is dislodged too soon, exposing the delicate nerve to the elements, which can be extremely painful.
Should this occur, a trip back to the dentist as quickly as possible is a must. They can carefully clean the area and then pack it with a sterile gauze to protect it. This can sometimes slow healing times though, so doing all you can to ensure the protective clot remains in place to do its job is the ideal.
Preventing Dry Socket
Occasionally a protective blood clot will dislodge on its own and there is really very little that could have been to predict or prevent it. In most cases though there was a preventable cause. Smoking significantly increases the risk that dry socket will occur, as does drinking from a straw.
For women who take birth control pills there can also be an increased risk of dry socket occurring, as higher doses of estrogen can prevent normal blood clotting. For this reason a patient on birth control should discuss scheduling their procedure, if at all possible, for a day when their pill will be delivering the lowest dose of the hormone into their bloodstream. A handful of other medications may also cause similar problems, so make sure your dentist is aware of any and all medications you take prior to a tooth extraction.
Finally, you will be given specific aftercare instructions after any tooth extraction procedure and they really do need to be followed to the letter for the best possible outcome. This includes calling your dentist right away if you suspect something has gone awry.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
Fortunately, dry socket only becomes a problem in 2-5% of the patients who undergo a tooth extraction. With the right care and knowledge, as well as a little vigilance, you are far less likely to become one of them.
The Charcoal Toothpaste Trend
Should You Try It?
Should You Try It?
Health fads and trends come and go. Remember last year, when half your mates were declaring they were going to change their lives by eating like a caveman on the Paleo diet? Or when that girl at work told you that she was getting ready for summer bikini season by squishing herself into an elastic corset belt because Kim Kardashian does and swears it works?
Fortunately, these kinds of very questionable health trends do tend to die out quickly. Your Paleo eating mate gave that up when he realised that life without meat pies, pizza and a nice big sandwich occasionally was pretty sad. And the waist trainer woman went back to working out at the gym to get a beach bod rather than suffocating herself with Kardashian approved underwear after the third time she passed out at her desk because she couldn't breathe.
Charcoal Toothpaste. Black = White?
One very questionable 'trend' that is still going strong however is the idea of using charcoal toothpaste to get bright, white teeth. If you haven't tried it (and we hope you haven’t, but we'll get to that in a minute) you've seen it on your Facebook or Instagram feed. Someone with a mouthful of what looks like black tar and a big grin on their face because they can assure you that this rather gross looking toothpaste is going to give you the whitest, brightest smile possible.
If you do a quick Google search, you'll see that everyone and his Aunty is selling their own version of this new 'wonder; toothpaste. Some of it is even mixed with other 'miracle' ingredients like clay, 'minerals' and coconut shells (!??) And none of it's cheap. But it is vegan. So, here's the big question; should you hop on the charcoal toothpaste bandwagon and plonk down your $20 (and up) for a little tube of black gloop? After all, summer's coming and you do want to look your best from head to toe.
The Truth About Charcoal Toothpaste
Now, the idea of using charcoal to clean your teeth is not new, whatever that nice hipster lady on YouTube says in her 'infomercial'. The Ancient Romans used charcoal to clean their teeth over two thousand years ago. But that's not really much of an endorsement, as they also used urine as a mouthwash, washed their faces with gladiator blood to get a clearer complexion and made a habit of vomiting half way through a big meal just so they could eat more. So not exactly the health experts you want to follow, to say the least.
The fact is not only will charcoal toothpaste not make your teeth any whiter, prolonged use will actually destroy them. Activated charcoal is hugely abrasive, so yes, it may get some stains off your teeth, but it will also begin to take the enamel off as well. Once your enamel is gone, you can never get it back. At that point the next 'layer' of the tooth, dentin, will be exposed, and as that has a natural yellow tinge you'll be left with teeth that look yellower than ever before and that are at a much greater risk for decay and damage.
The lesson here is sometimes the boring old ways just work. However uncool it is, a good old-fashioned fluoride toothpaste is still the best way to clean your teeth. And if you are concerned about the colour of your teeth, a professional whitening treatment at your dentist's office won't cost you too much more than that trendy charcoal toothpaste and it'll actually work.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
Should you try it? No. Why use charcoal toothpaste to whiten your teeth when we already have medical grade, safe, dental board approved products that do that for you and don't destroy your teeth in the process.
Many of the odd health trends out there are pretty harmless, but charcoal toothpaste isn't one of them. It's not worth potentially damaging your teeth for good for the sake of being trendy, so stick to your tried and tested toothpaste and save all that extra cash for something that might actually benefit the appearance of your teeth, like visiting us for a good clean and polish.
Easy Ways To Improve Your Dental Health in 2018
Avoid Needing Emergency Dental Care
Avoid Needing Emergency Dental Care
Most of us make resolutions for each new year and chances are at least a few of them are still in effect right now. Sticking to those promises you have made to yourself can be tough, but not impossible if you are serious about them. Take a resolution to keep your teeth healthier for example. Sticking to that need not be hard at all, especially if you follow these basic tips...
Cut Back the Sugar, For Real This Time
Yes, we sound like a broken record on this issue sometimes, but we're OK with that as it is such an important piece of advice for the good of your teeth and gums. And the good of your body overall.
Unlike calcium, or proteins, or even carbohydrates, no-one's body actually needs sugar, we just really like it. It's also very hard to avoid sometimes as it is included in all kinds of processed foods that you'd usually consider savory. But it's terrible for your teeth and pretty bad for your body overall as well.
If you can't imagine life without the occasional sweet treat we do understand; neither can we. But make it just that, occasional, and get into the habit of checking food labels when shopping for added extra sugars that could be avoided by making a different choice.
Commit to Flossing Daily
In case you are questioning if we even need to floss anymore, check out our myth busting article 'The Great Flossgate Debate'. With that out of the way, we know flossing can seem annoying but it doesn't taken that long once you get the hang of it.
To make it easier to do, consider investing in some purse and wallet friendly pre-made flossers from the chemists or, if you want to push the boat out a bit further (and are a bit of a tech head anyway) you can pick up an electric flosser for around $50 from your chemist or dentist.
Learn to Love Your Dentist
Very few people will tell you that a visit to the dentist is at the top of their list of favourite pastimes. But it really isn't as scary, or as much of a hassle, as you think. Modern dentistry focuses around providing great oral care with a minimum of pain and as little fuss and extra expense as possible.
In addition to a six-month regular checkup you could consider making this the year you invest in your smile in a bigger way, whether that means a few whitening treatments or a bit of cosmetic dentistry that makes a bigger difference.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
Resolving to take better care of your teeth in 2018 is a great idea to maintain or improve your oral and general health and to avoid unnecessary dental expenses, such as emergency dentistry. If you are looking for dental advice or considering cosmetic dental treatment, get in touch with us today.
Our Top Picks for A Smashing Sydney Summer
Indoors & Outdoors
Fun Indoors & Outdoors
Do you ever stop to think how lucky we are to live in a place like Sydney? This summer it's the time of year when more tourists than ever flock here from all over the world to marvel at Sydney's sunny beaches, stroll our shoreline and take full advantage of the entertainment, dining and recreational opportunities the city has to offer in the summer. Here are just a few ideas from the team at Emergency Dentist Sydney
Secret Walks
Who wants to be stuck inside when the weather outdoors is gorgeous? But when you do have time to get outdoors why not so a little bit more than hang out at the beach? There are so many great walking trails all over the city, it's a shame not to try out at least one or two. One of our personal favourites is the Secret Sydney walking tour, which offers you the chance to explore the lesser known corners of the city. For instance, do you know where to go in Sydney to find a spectacular Taoist temple? No, neither did we until we tried this trip out.
Scale 'The Coathanger'
Something else we had never done, but can now recommend you do is stop looking up at the Sydney Harbour Bridge and actually climb it. You do have to dress up in jumpsuit that makes you look like you are auditioning for a very low budget remake of Ghostbusters, and yes it's kind of scary, even though you're actually perfectly safe. But as bucket list items go, conquering the maze of steel that makes up one of the most iconic bridges in the world and surveying your city from a completely new point of view should probably be on everyone's.
Sydney's Full of Musical Theatre
Sometimes, we admit, the theatre can be a bit stuffy, but that's rarely the case when the action onstage is a musical. And there are some great ones being staged across the city this summer, and certainly something to suit almost any taste. Over the summer, at various locations across the city you can catch a modern take on The Wizard of Oz, an onstage recreation of the modern classic Muriel's Wedding, a straight from Broadway production of Jersey Boys and, if you really feel like rocking out, American Idiot, the musical based on the Green Day album of the same name and written by Billie Joe Armstrong himself will be making its Australian debut this summer.
A Different Dinner Date With A Difference
Anyone who lives in Sydney knows that this is a city with far more than its fair share of dining options. But this summer why not try something different? For example, ditch the beer for a night and head out to Surry Hills to try out the Absinthe Salon, a recreation of the French drinking dives of years ago that even features gargoyles on the wall.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
These are just a few ideas to get you started. There is so much more out there! And we'd like to hear from you? What are your favourite things to do with your Sydney summer?
Festive Season Dental Emergencies
We've Seen It All
We've Seen It All
The Christmas holidays are usually a fabulous time for everybody. Family! Fun! Friends! Pressies! Food! Booze! Lots of food and booze normally. Santa surprises all the kiddies and then we get to ring in a New Year with even more parties, even more fun and, you got it, even more food and booze.
It might surprise you to learn that while most companies have a quieter time during the Christmas holidays, at Emergency Dentist Sydney it’s one of our busiest periods. Why? Because the festive season is fun, but not always very tooth friendly. Which is what we want to discuss today; the dangers that might be facing your teeth this Christmas and what you can do about them.
The Stress Catches Up
It's been a long year for all of us. Busy at work. Or busy at school. Certainly, busy at home and usually busy outside the home as well. The world has certainly been a strange place this year as well, and many of us are heading into the holidays feeling more than a little bit stressed.
What you may not know is that all that stress can affect your teeth. Those under a great deal of it are more prone to developing pericoronitis, inflammation in the soft tissues surrounding the crown of a tooth that is only partially erupted, usually a wisdom tooth.
This can cause pain, swelling, difficulty eating, even fever and fainting at times. In most cases it is a final signal that it is time to plan on finally getting those wisdom teeth properly accessed and removed, so that the patient can go into a new year pain free and with a much happier smile.
Eating Emergencies
As we mentioned, food plays a huge part in the festive season. All kinds of extra goodies are around to tempt us and lots of them are the sticky, sugary kind that are far from friendly to teeth. Combine this with a tendency to consume more sugary beverages - and that includes those colourful Christmas cocktails most of which are loaded with the stuff - and possibly poorer than usual oral hygiene, thanks to being too tired or 'tired' (drunk) to remember to brush and floss at bedtime and you often have a recipe for future disaster for your teeth.
New Year's Disasters
New Year's is a very strange time. Full of hope for the new year and nostalgia for the old many adults venture out to have a great night partying ahead of the big countdown at midnight. And all too often a few (a lot) more drinks than usual leads to falls, fights and broken - or knocked out - teeth. And even if you do stay in control and in good spirits once again you are quite likely to forget to start the new year with a good tooth brushing before bed as you may not actually remember how you got there!
Seasonal Oral Health Safety Tips
Don't slack on your oral healthcare routine- No matter how busy (or 'tired') you are twice daily brushing is a must and you shouldn't slow down the flossing either. With all the work you'll be asking them to do your teeth deserve a little extra pampering and TLC at this time of year, and that should always begin by making sure they are clean.
Cut down on the sweet stuff - Yes there are tons of cakes, puddings, sweeties and choccies around during the Christmas holidays but there is lots of other good stuff as well. Try to include more savoury snacks than sweet on your buffet plate and if possible find a way to brush your teeth after eating, or at the very least chew on a piece of sugar free gum and have a glass of water to help wash some of that nasty decay causing bacteria away.
Don't suffer in silence - If you do find that your wisdom teeth flare up, or that near cavity is becoming a real cavity now that it’s been exposed to too many sweets, or you have tooth pain for reasons you don't understand, you do not have to spend the holidays suffering in silence. Call an emergency dentist, they'll be there to help.
And if the 'worst' should occur and you fall (or fight) and crack, break or even lose a tooth don't panic. There are lots of things an emergency dentist can do to help in these understandably upsetting situations that will still allow you to start a new year with a smile.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
We hope you have a lovely festive season and that dental problems are the last thing on your mind. But if they do crop up we're here to help and we'll even put the Christmas films on the telly for you if you must come in and see us, so that you don't lose too much of that festive vibe!
Sweet Treat Alternatives For Summer
Kid & Teeth Friendly :)
Kid & Teeth Friendly :)
Summer has arrived in Sydney and with it comes the festive season and the temptations of sweet and cool treats. It’s easy to reach for the more visible and tempting options like ice creams and ice blocks. But while the occasional indulgence in such things is probably OK, a summer filled with sticky, sugary, sweets is not a great idea. It's not great for a kid's overall health and it's certainly not very good for anyone’s diet.
Knowing all of this is one thing and putting it into practice without having to deal with a lot of moaning and groaning is quite another. There are however plenty of healthier, and yet still scrumptious, treats that are kinder to our teeth. Here's a quick look at just five of our favorites.
‘One Ingredient’ Banana Ice Cream
One of the ideal replacements for sticky sweets is fruit. Did you know you can make creamy banana ice cream with just a single ingredient? It's actually very easy. Chop semi ripe bananas into largish chunks and then freeze them solid (which will take about two hours) Next, pop them all in a blender, blend until smooth and, without the need for any added sugar at all you can serve an 'ice cream' treat that's surprisingly close to the 'real thing'.
Frozen Grapes
An old fave! Turning to the freezer again, if you freeze some juicy fresh grapes after a couple of hours you'll have chilly - but pretty healthy - balls of cooling natural sweetness that make a great alternative to sugar packed, sticky boiled sweets. Freeze both green and red grapes and they'll look pretty cool in the bowl when you serve them up.
Strawberry Yoghurt Bites
And this one is our new fave. While getting your daily helping of both fruits and dairy you also get the pleasure of this rich, creamy and cool treat.Frozen yoghurt strawberry bites can be easily prepared in just a few seconds. Pop some vanilla yoghurt in to brownie trays, place a whole strawberry in to each mould and freeze!
Frozen Greek Yogurt Buttons
This one's easy too. Blend together a pot of plain Greek yogurt with a handful of the fresh fruit of your choice until nice and creamy. Drop spoon sized dollops of the mixture onto a lined baking tray and freeze. To make things even more fun for the kids add a few drops of food colouring into the mixture as well, for a tasty rainbow coloured treat.
Pineapple Cooler
This one can be either a nice slushy-style drink for the kids or add a little vodka to make it a nice cocktail. Not only is it creamy and delicious but it’s a huge immune boost which is packed full of vitamin C.
Blend the following to make this cool summer treat:
1 cup fresh pineapple
1 banana
1 cup orange juice
1 cup ice cubes
3/4 cup Water
1/2 cup coconut milk
(Alcohol if desired)
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
Treat yourself this Sydney summer with all of the healthy treats you and your friends and family deserve.
"I Haven't Been To The Dentist In 10 Years"
Here's What To Expect When You Do
Here's What To Expect When You Do
It does happen. Life gets busy. Work is crazy and you barely have a free minute at home either, and when you do, you like to spend that precious spare time doing something happy and fun. Next thing you know, you wake up one morning with a bit of a nagging toothache and you realise it's been 2, 5, maybe even ten years since you actually visited a dentist. How the heck did that happen? And what is a dentist going to say when you have to tell them you've been so remiss?
In this situation, some people would be tempted to put off a visit to a dentist, even though they now seem to actually need one. They are simply a bit too embarrassed to consider having to admit that , although they really do do the whole brushing and flossing daily thing, and haven't had a problem with their teeth at all - they are even pretty white - they have neglected what they know is the most important part of oral health care; a regular dental checkup.
The fact is though, if you haven't made it to the dentist in a while, and yes, even if it's been ten years, we won't judge you. Life happens. As good dentists we will be glad you're there now and that you are finally taking proper charge of your oral health, even if it's taken a bad toothache to get you to see us.
The other thing that makes people in this situation very nervous is not really knowing what to expect once they do make it to the dentist's chair. Although it will of course vary from patient to patient, here's a little about how it'll generally go.
The Paperwork
We don't do paper anymore! Emergency Dentist Sydney is almost completely digital. New patients simply fill in a digital form on our iPad upon arrival and sit in our comfy reception until we are ready to see you – which won't be long we promise!
The Examination
If you haven't been to a dentist in ten years, chances are you'll be rather surprised by how much things have changed around a dentist's office in general. TVs with Netflix in the waiting rooms? That's new. Free tea, coffee or water? Well that didn't used to happen before. They do laser root canals now? Well isn't that some Star-Treky stuff!
Once you've got past the pleasant surprises in the waiting room your appointment will begin with a basic checkup and a chat with the doctor about your oral health history and any issues you seem to be having right now (like that toothache) No lectures, no looks of shocked horror, and no patient shaming when you admit just how long it's taken you to get there, just a chat about starting afresh!
The X-Rays
Even if you did manage to dig up old x-rays, you'll need some new ones. Ideally, dental x-rays should be repeated on an annual basis, as a lot can change, even for an adult. We know that x-rays can be uncomfortable, but they don't hurt and they'll be over in a flash and give your dentist the below the gum line view they need to ensure that any and all oral health issues you might be experiencing, even if you don't know they exist (yet), can be properly addressed.
Treatment
A lot can happen in ten years in terms of anyone's oral health. That toothache? It might be caused by a cavity, it might be caused by gum disease, it may even be caused by pesky wisdom teeth still lurking below the gum line. And now's the time you'll find out, and, if there are problems, talk with the dentist about the plan going forward to sort them out.
If you are one of the lucky ones, you might not even need that much work done at all. But a proper, professional cleaning is certainly a must and gosh will you be surprised by how clean your teeth look and feel once that's over. Then, if we're completely honest, it might be time for a little lecture. A really little, gentle one, that emphasises the importance of keeping up the good work you've started and making the time - and the effort - to make going to the dentist a part of your life again.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
If the last time you saw the dentist was a decade ago, don't be shy, come on back. It really is never too late to take full charge of your dental health and in ten years from now, you'll be really glad you did. And you might even have learned to like us by then!
Need Advice Or Emergency Dental Care In Sydney CBD?
Contact our friendly team
Extractions Don’t Need To be Feared
Toothache
Here's Why
Pulling teeth - or dental extractions as they are properly called - is one of the oral health services that gets a seriously bad rap.
In fact, the idea of getting a tooth pulled is so scary to some that it's one of the number one reasons they put off going to see a dentist when toothache strikes; a fear of the pull.
To be fair, the term 'pulling teeth' sounds pretty painful. That's why dentists really don't like it. A modern dental extraction is not a painful, terrifying experience at all, but we understand that some need a little extra convincing. So let's take a look at just how a dental extraction works in the 21st century.
How Does a Dental Extraction Work?
How can it not hurt to get a tooth extracted? That's a fair question we'd expect to hear. Back in the day, before dental technology was as good as it is today, getting a tooth pulled could indeed be a painful, somewhat bloody process. Today, it's a matter of the application of a numbing cream, the administration of a simple, safe local anesthetic, the extraction of the tooth, which in the hands of a skilled and experienced dentist literally takes seconds, and the application of a little gauze to the former site of the tooth to stem any bleeding and aid rapid blood clotting. It's all over in a matter of minutes and if the now removed tooth was causing the patient pain - which very often it was - that pain is gone and they will be on the road to better oral health overall right away.
Oh, and by the way, the term pulling a tooth is really misleading. There really is very little pulling involved. In fact if you were to attempt to pull your own tooth, and you took a pair of pliers and pulled at the offending tooth, you would find that it does not come out unless you bench 250. Why? Because any tooth is 'glued' into its socket by tiny ligament fibres that anchor it into the jaw. To remove the tooth a dentist gently loosens these fibres and 'pops' the tooth out, no yanking required. As he or she does so, you will very likely feel pressure, but, in the hands of a skilled dentist, that pressure should not become pain, even if the tooth is a little bit stubborn and tries to hold on (which some do.)
When Is a Dental Extraction Needed?
Now that you have a better understanding of what to expect during a dental extraction we need to move on to the next issue, when does a dentist decide to recommend a dental extraction? In a word, as a last resort. Once you remove a tooth it's gone for good, so doing so is not a decision to be taken lightly. A good dentist will recommend trying all other available avenues - often a root canal - before suggesting a dental extraction. Sometimes, however, there is just nothing to be done and removal is the very best option. Your dentist will explain why, and then, because dentistry has come so far so fast, discuss with you the possible options for replacement, with a crown or implant.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says
Dentists don't actually relish pulling teeth, it's our job to try and save them, but when we can't we make the extraction process as easy and comfortable as possible.
Need Advice Or Emergency Dental Care In Sydney CBD?
Contact our friendly team
Why You Should Never Just Assume You Need a Filling
Toothache
Toothache
Even if you are usually fairly fastidious about your oral healthcare routine, and you try your best to keep up with those recommended regular dental checkups there may very well come a time when you are blindsided by a sudden toothache. Not fun, and often not easy to soothe.
It's at this point that many people assume that, despite all of their best efforts, they have a cavity and it's time to steel their nerves to head into the dentist's office for a filling. However, although often that does turn out to be the case (and modern fillings are painless and very natural looking by the way, so it's not the end of the world) it is not always a cavity causing that pain, and other forces may be at work.
Here's a look at some of the other possibilities...
Sensitive Teeth
If the pain occurred - or occurs - after eating or drinking something very hot, or very cold, then it may be caused by a fairly simple case of sensitivity. While there are lots of toothpastes available that are designed to help ease this the best first course of action is a visit to the dentist. There he or she will be able to rule out things like excessively thinning tooth enamel or receding gums, conditions which have to be treated in a different way, and then recommend a suitable daily oral health care routine to follow in the future to minimise the problem.
Cracked or Chipped Tooth
Even if you can't quite see it a crack or chip in one of your tooth may be the cause of your discomfort, as even the smallest of these can expose a nerve, leading to a surprising amount pain. Your dentist has a number of methods at their disposal to repair these defects, but they can't do that until you go in and see them!
Gum Disease
Sometimes the pain you assume is radiating from a tooth gone bad is actually coming from the gum surrounding it instead. A gum infection, which can be caused by a number of different things, can be excruciatingly painful and does need to be treated as soon as possible. Often a course of dental laser treatment and cleaning, along with medication to clear up the current infection, is extremely effective and you can be out of pain very quickly.
TWhen You Need More than a Filling
Some tooth decay cannot be effectively treated with just a filling. If a tooth is significantly damaged by decay its root is often affected as well, and in this case slightly more treatment is called for, often in the form of a root canal, if the tooth is to be saved. This is a scary prospect for many, as they have heard nightmarish tales of pain and agony that lasts for days. This is not the case at all in the 21st century. A root canal can be performed quickly and efficiently using dental lasers and the pain and discomfort is minimal (really).
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
It's easy to try to treat a toothache at home because you don't have the time/patience/guts to head to the dentist's to get it properly diagnosed and treated. But even if a toothache seems fairly minor, or it comes and goes, tooth pain is always a sign of a problem of some kind, and the faster you get it treated the better off you - and your oral health in general - will be.
What Should You Expect From an Emergency Dentist in 2017
Our Take
Our Take
Pictured: Dr David Graham & Dr Amrinder Oberoi
Patients have always had certain expectations they want their dentist to meet. They have always looked for expertise and compassion, experience and that all important gentle touch. Most of us have also always preferred to go to a dental surgery where the surroundings are clean and comfortable and the staff are nice and friendly. In 2017 however, patient expectations are even greater, and now, to satisfy the modern dental patient a practice needs to offer a little more. And why not? Anyone does have the right to expect great care AND great service from their dentist. But what kind of things should a 21st century dental practice be providing, apart from fantastic oral health care?
Here's what we think
Easy Appointments
Who has the time to spend ten minutes on hold on the phone to make a simple appointment? Not everyone. 'Back in the day' of course we usually had no choice, but as technology allows that to no longer be the case the best dentists should make it fast and easy to make an appointment, and it should be just as easy to change one too. We offer online appointment scheduling that allows our patients to choose the time and date of their consultation and book it online in a matter of seconds. And we think that every other dentist should be doing the same. After all we value our time, so it's only right that we value yours too.
Clear Directions
Pictured: The St James Trust Building at 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
Who needs to spend ten minutes trying to find an address they've never been to before? To help ensure that our patients are not left wandering around like lost souls, we provide clear directions on our website - complete with map and public transport links and information. And if you are driving? You can call ahead and we'll make sure you'll have a parking spot close to the office when you arrive, so that you don't have to delay your treatment because you're driving around desperately looking for a place to park.
A Full Range of Emergency Services
No one wants to be in pain, and that really is why emergency dentists exist in the first place. But some after hours dental clinics only offer a very limited range of emergency services. We believe that for an emergency dental clinic to truly provide all of the care patients are looking for all of our services should be available after hours and at the weekends, as well as all of our helpful and caring staff.
Transparency
We have treated hundreds of patients in pain and, fortunately for us, many of those patients have later taken the time to give us some nice kudos online. Whether you are checking out of practice's reputation on Google, Facebook or another review service, we make sure you see them all. We don't pay random people to make up fake glowing reviews and we don't kill bad reviews just because we happen to disagree with them (we address them instead). We want our patients to feel secure in the knowledge that they are choosing the right dentist and think that this kind of total transparency should certainly be a big part of that. See what our patients have to say.
Extra Comforts
Pictured: Entertainment on the ceiling while you recline.
Very few people would put a trip to an emergency dentist at the top of their list of fun things to do with their evening or weekend, we know that and we're not offended. Because we are aware that a visit to our office can be a little daunting, and even a bit scary, we make sure we go the extra mile to make the experience as pleasant as possible. We always make sure there's tea, coffee and water on hand and to ease the anxiety a patient might feel while waiting to see the doctor, or waiting for an x-ray result, we installed TVs all over the office and offer access to Netflix, Spotify and YouTube so you can indulge in your favourite shows and/or music to help relax some of your cares away while we get to work on getting you out of pain.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
In 2017 people want more from their dentist these days and we are happy to provide it, something that we think helps sets us apart from others and if you make an appointment to come and find out for yourself we think you'll agree
Soft Teeth
Is there really such a thing?
Is there really such a thing?
If you haven't said it yourself chances are that you've heard someone say it; I have soft teeth. But exactly what is that supposed to mean and is there really such a thing? The simple answer is no.
The Soft Teeth Myth
People often use the term 'soft teeth' to describe teeth that seem 'naturally susceptible' to tooth decay and cavities. When using the term people believe that such things are caused by some genetic flaw, as bad teeth do seem to run in their family. However, they are mistaken. Everyone is 100% in control of their dental destiny. No matter how many cavities your Dad has had fixed, or how many times your Mum has been in the dentist's chair to get bleeding gums looked at their oral health problems cannot be passed on to you.
There may be something that you have in common with your parents and other family members that may be contributing towards oral health problems; poor oral hygiene, and you are the only person who can change that.
Preventing 'Soft Teeth' Problems
Having established that there really is no such thing as soft teeth all of the problems that people associate with them are very real and do need to be addressed. Tooth decay - which leads to those fillings - is primarily caused by bacteria, and maintaining a good daily oral health routine will go a long way towards preventing it. Brush twice a day - at least - with a good toothbrush, floss at least once a day and avoid consuming too many sugary foods; it's not hard at all, but such a routine is still very effective.
There are of course other factors that can contribute to tooth decay. Those who still smoke are at greater risk and some medications can cause problems as well. The best way to address these issues is to discuss them with your dentist, so they can help you come up with a better way to care for your teeth. And speaking of the dentist, they are the other big part of the puzzle, as those regular checkups are also a must in the 'battle' against tooth decay and other oral health problems.
Setting a Good Example
The one time you can influence someone else's oral health destiny is when you are raising your kids. It's important that kids are taught about good oral health practices as early as possible, even when they still have their first set of teeth. All too often parents feel that toddler tooth problems are less serious and less worthy of treatment as the teeth kids have at this point are not permanent. Another myth. 'First tooth problems' can indeed impact the growth and development of permanent teeth and so establishing a good oral health routine right from the start, including dental checkups, is essential, and the one time it is a family issue!
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
It's time to face facts; ‘soft teeth’ ae a myth. They’re just teeth that need better care, and the responsibility for that care begins with you (and your dentist of course.)
Patient Care First
Keep Up-To-Date with All Things Oral & General Health
RECENT ARTICLES
For 15 years, we've had one mission - when Sydney has a dental emergency, Emergency Dentist Sydney is there
We're proud to celebrate 15 years of providing emergency dental services to Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs.