plate with a cake

Corio Central Dental explains sticky sugars…

Not all sugary foods and drinks are made equal, so we thought to help clarify the differences. Some types of sugars are far more damaging to our teeth than others. Our teeth have 5 surfaces in total. The top surface of back teeth have deep grooves, called fissures. Foods that get “stuck” inside the deep grooves of teeth cause more cavities. Contrary to the common beliefs, sticky sugars are not always found in desserts. There are plenty of foods or even savoury meals that contain sticky sugars, so it’s worth learning about them. Corio Central Dental, sees patients every single day for the management of dental caries. Decay is the most prevalent and poorly diagnosed disease on the planet!

Some examples of foods which contain sticky sugars are:

-“healthy” muesli bars

-nut bars

-flavoured chips

-dried fruit crackers

-various sauces

-flavoured popcorn

-flavoured nuts

-crunchy chocolates

-honeycomb

-toffees

Learn more about tooth decay.

Corio Central Dental explains sticky sugars VS other sugars?

Sugars in food play a major role in the development of dental caries. Caries (holes in teeth) develop when bacteria within plaque use the sugar (in food) as energy (bacteria eat sugar). Bacteria then go on to release acid, as a waste product. This acidic waste product gradually dissolves the enamel (protective layer) in the teeth, therefore causing cavities. When bacteria have lots of sugar to eat, they can produce lots of acid waste product. Sticky sugars “get stuck” in the grooves of our teeth, therefore, bacteria have more time to produce the acidic waste product.

Alternatives to sticky sugars..

If you wish to have a sweet treat, Corio Central Dental recommends choosing something that is softer and more liquidy. Foods which can easily be washed off the tooth surfaces with a simple rinse or brush.

Some examples are:

-ice cream

-jelly

-soft creamy desserts

-mousse

-plain chocolate

-hot chocolate

-soft cakes

We can help if your teeth are already damaged by sugars….

Patient are often completely unaware that teeth can be developing cavities, so Corio Central Dental recommends to have a check up at least every 6 months. Dental x-rays are really important in diagnosing cavities. Corio Central Dental dentists take x-rays as part of the New Patient Comprehensive Examination Package – for $195.

 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

woman with young girl

What is a Fissure Sealant?

It’s a preventative coating which can be applied to teeth to cover the deep grooves in teeth. Fissure sealants help prevent bacteria, as well as food particles, from getting stuck in these areas of the teeth. In this way, they help protect the teeth from decay-causing elements.

What are Fissure Sealants made of?

They are made from a resin material. Resin is a synthetic polymer. Fissure sealants can be clear, tinted or white. The sealant is applied to a cleaned tooth as a thin layer of liquid. The liquid becomes hard when a specialised light is used. Some sealants contain fluoride. Fissure sealants used at Corio Central Dental are BPA free and not toxic.

Who can get Fissure Sealants?

Fissure sealants are beneficial to patients of any age. They are safe and effective in both children and adults. They can only be applied to teeth which are still sound and have not formed a cavity. Once a tooth forms a cavity, it is no longer suitable for a fissure sealant. Decay needs to be removed first, and a dental filling placed, thereafter.

If your children are nervous or have not visited the dentist before, watch this great video we made :  CORIO CENTRAL DENTAL KIDS VIDEO 

Benefits of Fissure Sealants:

  • cheaper than fillings
  • avoid needles
  • avoid pain
  • avoid needing teeth removal
  • avoid inconvenient dental emergencies after hours or on the weekends
  • avoid need for antibiotics for dental infections
  • less time off work for dental pain/infections
  • appointments are planned in advance, so can be done at a time that suits you

Book an appointment at Corio Central Dental by clicking this link.

female smiling showing white teeth

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening Geelong

Teeth whitening involves using a bleaching agent to lighten their colour. It is possible to make teeth look a few shades whiter, by removing the superficial stains. Teeth whitening Geelong is an optional procedure — it is very rarely a necessity.

Whitening products typically use peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Only registered dental practitioners can legally use the most concentrated — and thus most effective — whitening solutions.

The bleach penetrates through enamel (top layer of tooth) and into the dentine (inner part of tooth), which is slightly softer than the enamel. The bleach reacts with the coloured molecules that cause discolouration. The dentine then becomes lighter and the teeth look whiter.

Why do teeth discolour?

Most common reasons for needing teeth whitening, is staining from one or more of the following:

  • tea
  • coffee
  • red wine
  • soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi
  • smoking

What is the best way to whiten teeth?

There is an abundance of whitening products on the market today. Take-home gels and toothpastes are the most common and sold in most supermarkets and pharmacies. There is also the option of getting trays from the dentist.

The quickest and most effective way is getting teeth whitening Geelong, however, is in a dental office. In chair whitening treatment uses the most concentrated solution available and only takes about 1 hour.

We proudly offer Pola Office+ to our patients, at Corio Central Dental. It has a built-in desensitiser and therefore ensures maximal patient comfort.

Is teeth whitening bad for teeth?

Cheap gels and toothpastes purchased online or from supermarkets can be abrasive. They have tiny particles which scratch away surface stains (like sandpaper). Yes, this can cause permanent damage to teeth and even sensitivity.

How much is tooth whitening?

Store bought products can be purchased for under $10 and in office treatments can be as much as $700. Corio Central Dental offers in office whitening for $495. We use a very strong gel which pulls out stains without and permanent damage to your tooth structure. If you need some assistance  paying for tooth whitening treatment, we accept ZipMoney

 

BOOK ME IN FOR A TOOTH WHITENING CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT

woman brushing teeth and man watching

What is poor oral health?

World Health Organisation describes oral health as a key indicator of overall health, well-being and quality of life. Poor oral health encompasses a range of diseases and conditions that include:

  • dental caries
  • periodontal disease
  • tooth loss
  • oral cancer
  • oral manifestations of HIV infection
  • oro-dental trauma
  • birth defects such as cleft lip and palate
oral diseases affect 3.5 billion people worldwide

What can happen if my oral health is poor?

Research has found a strong association between poor dental health and many general illnesses. Some examples of diseases and conditions linked to poor oral health are:

  • stress
  • chronic pain
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • loneliness
  • diabetes
  • chronic diseases
  • chronic infections
  • antibiotic resistance – due to overuse
  • heart disease
  • reduced immune function
  • gut problems
  • sleep disturbances
  • speech disturbances
  • reduced metabolic processes

Enjoyment and qualify of life can be compromised due to low levels of oral health. Self esteem suffers due to appearance or speech. Inability to chew food can have dramatic consequences on adequate nutrition intake and overall general health. Research shows that overall feelings of social well-being are also affected when someone is suffering from poor dental health.

What about kids?

Poor oral health such as dental cavities may cause pain when bottle feeding or chewing. This can lead to the child avoiding meal times and therefore not consuming enough calories or eating a balanced diet. Therefore, a child’s growth and development can be negatively affected.

 

How can I improve my dental health?

  1. stick to a daily routine of brushing your teeth after breakfast and after dinner – DAILY
  2. reduce all added sugars to your diet – this includes main meals, snacks and sugary drinks
  3. have your mouth checked by a dentist at least once every year – many dental diseases are not painful until advanced

 

How can a dental check up improve my overall general health?

Poor dental health is most often not painful and if people have been living with it for many years, they are not aware that they suffer from poor oral health. We suggest a comprehensive dental consultation, which will address your teeth, gums and perform an oral cancer screening. It’s easy, inexpensive and can help to eliminate many linked general illnesses.

Why choose Corio Central Dental for your check up? Learn about why other patients have chosen Corio Central Dental by watching their testimonials now.

 

BOOK ME IN FOR A DENTAL CHECK UP TODAY

woman holding a new year resolution sign

What is a New Year’s Resolution?

“New Year’s Resolution is a tradition, in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behaviour, accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve their life at the start of a new year.”

What are some of the popular New Year’s Resolutions?

As we approach the start of 2021, many of us will be thinking of how we can improve ourselves and what we can achieve in the next year;

  • exercise more
  • eat a more balanced diet
  • quit smoking
  • drink less alcohol
  • drink more water
  • learn something new
  • travel
  • save money
  • cut unnecessary expenses

All these are great way to improve your overall health and quality of life in the coming year.

What is the best New Year’s Resolution for my dental health:

Say “NO” to sugary drinks. Often under the radar, the sugar content in many of our drinks can easily be in excess of 10 teaspoons per beverage! By cutting down on these, not only will you be living and enjoying a healthier lifestyle, but you will also be protecting your teeth and overall oral health.

 

5 TOP WAYS of dumping sugary drinks from your diet for GOOD:

  1. Make a list of all drinks you consume and check whether they contain sugar (you may be very surprised!)
  2. Instead of just quitting, find a sugar free alternative to replace the sugary ones – eg: find a herbal tea you love to replace the bottled juices
  3. Plan ahead – grab a drink bottle filled with water or a thermos with tea, ready to go with you, so you are not seduced by the colourful bottled sugary drink labels at the local shops
  4. Failing is OK!! Don’t beat yourself up, if you slip and go back to old habits. After all, habits take time to change.
  5. Honour yourself daily – remember the goal. You are choosing long term dental health over short term sugar hits

 

If it’s been a while since you visited the dentist and need some inspiration to settle your nerves, listen to what our happy patients have to say. Watch testimonials now.

 

YES! I want better dental health in 2021, BOOK ME IN FOR A CHECK UP

 

girl with missing baby tooth

Baby teeth:

The official name for baby teeth is deciduous teeth. There are 20 deciduous teeth in total. They start to appear in the mouth at around 6mths of age and may last until the teenage years. Click here for an eruption chart. Similar to adult teeth, they serve an important purpose in chewing, speaking, smiling and biting. Baby teeth are smaller and whiter than, adult teeth.

 

Can baby teeth get cavities?

YES!!! Absolutely, just like adult teeth, baby teeth can decay due to lack of brushing and consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Cavities can form on the outside or the inside of baby teeth.

 

Do baby teeth cavities hurt?

YES! Absolutely, just like adult teeth, if baby teeth cavities are deep enough, they will cause pain. If the cavities extend all the way to the centre of the tooth – where the nerve lies, then pain may also come with infection and gum or face swelling.

 

Don’t they just fall out on their own?

Baby teeth usually get loose and fall out when its time for the adult tooth to come out. They DO NOT automatically just fall out when they get rotten. In fact, a baby tooth may get a cavity and still be years away from when it is due to naturally exfoliate. This presents a dilemma for both the dentist and the parent – to restore or to remove…??

deciduous tooth exfoliation guide

 

Benefits of restoring baby teeth with cavities:

  • tooth is saved and remains in mouth until it is due to naturally fall out
  • prevent a possibly traumatic experience of having a dental extraction for the child
  • no visible gaps
  • child able to bite, chew and speak properly
  • if cavity shallow – procedure may not require the use of a dental anaesthetic (needle)

 

Downsides of restoring baby teeth with cavities:

  • if cavity deep – procedure may require the use of a dental anaesthetic (needle)
  • multiple appointments may be required
  • tooth may flare up in the future and need further treatment
  • quality of the restoration depends on how still the child can remain during appointment
  • can be financially challenging
  • may require a visit to a kid’s dental specialist

 

Benefits of pulling out baby teeth with cavities:

  • single appointment – usually pretty quick
  • no risk of tooth causing problem again – more definitive solution
  • less expensive

 

Downsides of pulling out baby teeth with cavities:

  • may be a traumatic experience for the child
  • unnatural gap is created in the mouth
  • surrounding teeth may move in, to close the gap
  • may not be enough room for the adult tooth – when it comes out
  • harder to eat (if at the back)
  • harder to speak (if at the front)

What’s the best option?

There is definitely no one-fits-all answer, in relation to what the best treatment option is. The important factors to consider are:

  1. How comfortable is your child with the idea of keeping VS pulling out their tooth?
  2. How long until the adult tooth is due to come out?
  3. What length appointment can your child tolerate?
  4. Financial considerations
  5. What to the other teeth look like and will they require treatment too?

It’s a very good idea to get a professional opinion from a dentist and consider all factors, before committing to either keeping or pulling out a baby tooth. If you feel that your child may require dental treatment, please come in for a consultation and at least know what the options are.

The best time to either restore a tooth with a cavity or remove it, is BEFORE it becomes painful. Don’t leave it until it’s too late.

 

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A KID’S DENTAL CONSULTATION

girl suffering dental fear

Why are people scared of the dentist?

A large number of patients find the idea of seeing the dentist absolutely terrifying! Being scared of the dentist can be justified by a negative previous experience, possibly in childhood. It may also have no correlation to any previous experiences and simply result from the common belief that dental clinics are scary. Both situations result in patients putting off their needed dental work, which can end up in more pain, more complex treatment, higher overall stress and treatment costs.

How common is dental fear?

Dental fear/phobia/anxiety ranges from mild to severe. Studies come up with various numbers, which always suggest more than 50% or half of the population to have some sort of dental fear. Our collective experience of working in the industry would lean towards around 70% of new patients we see, experience some level of discomfort.

Top 15 reasons why people are scared of the dentist:

  • not being numb enough at their previous dental appointment
  • previous dental appointment was painful
  • previous dentist was not friendly
  • previous dentist did not explain what was happening during the appointment
  • mouth was sore after the previous dental appointment
  • dental cost was much higher than expected
  • realisation that teeth are in much worse state than expected
  • overwhelmed by the amount of dental treatment needed
  • hopelessness about the state of dental health
  • embarrassment about the state dental health
  • fear of being judged by staff at the dental practice
  • lack of control during a previous dental appointment
  • overwhelmed by the noise of dental equipment
  • feeling vulnerable in the dental chair
  • lack of trust for the dentist

There are many more reasons which may not be included here, but hopefully, the above mentioned, may help you to realise that you are not alone in your struggle, and many, many others share the same fears.

What you can do to make your experience easier?

  • Take a leap of faith and book in, to JUST MEET one of our dentists, at Corio Central Dental. No treatment needs to happen at the first appointment, if you are not ready.
  • Please share your fears and concerns, with the dentist.
  • Be clear about what may be a trigger for you and what you find most frightening.
  • Allow the dentist to guide you through the process. We promise we have done this before.
  • Try your best to NOT cancel your scheduled next appointment. You will feel very proud of yourself if you keep it!
  • It may take some time to build trust with a new dentist, be patient with yourself.

What we can do to make your experience easier?

  • At Corio Central Dental, we are committed to taking the time to listen to you.
  • The first step in helping you to manage dental anxiety is understanding what causes it.
  • Once, we work out what some of your worries are, we can offer ideas to reduce the anxiety levels.
  • All staff at Corio Central Dental are trained in Dental Anxiety Management and can suggest options that work well for you.
  • We get to know you and your specific needs, to help you to feel more at ease wth every appointment.
  • Develop a life long patient-dentist relationship, based on trust.

I’M READY TO MEET A FRIENDLY DENTIST – BOOK ME IN NOW

 

female unsure whether mercury filling removal is a good idea

What are mercury fillings?

The terms; silver fillings, amalgam fillings and mercury fillings all mean the same thing. Silver fillings are made from a dental material called amalgam. Dental amalgam is a liquid mercury and metal alloy mixture. Amalgam commonly consists of mercury (50%), silver (~22–32%), tin (~14%), zinc (~8%) and other trace metals. Amalgam fillings used to be very popular a long time ago. It was the only dental material used, in fact, for many years. Once, white (resin composite) fillings were developed, many dentists have stopped using amalgam. Mercury filling removal is a popular procedure, we offer to patients, at Corio Central Dental.

 

Are mercury fillings bad for your health?

The effects of silver fillings on overall health, is a concern for some patients. The media often talks about the dangers of mercury fillings. Can mercury can leak out of the fillings and circulate around your body? There is very little evidence based, conclusive research, to suggest one way or the other.  We have had patients report feeling better, once all their mercury fillings have been replaced.

Should I have mercury filling removal?

At Corio Central dental, we do not recommend prophylactically removing all silver fillings. We only suggest that patients replace silver fillings, if there is a problem with them. The photos included below, show some of the problems that commonly occur in teeth with old mercury fillings.

 

Top 10 reasons you should replace your mercury fillings to white fillings:

  • silver filling is broken
  • tooth around filling is chipped
  • amalgam filling is leaking
  • mercury filling causing a crack in your tooth
  • metal filling causing staining of your tooth
  • existing filling worn down and ineffective
  • old filings cosmetically unacceptable
  • amalgam fillings have deteriorated, after decades of use
  • tooth decay under the silver filling
  • poor fitting filling, causing gum inflammation
mercury filling removal lower tooth showing amalgam filling and crack
Molar with a vertical crack
mercury filling removal lower molar with a broken amalgam filling
Molar with old and broken silver filling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is mercury filling removal difficult?

The difficulty depends on the size of existing silver filling, because that determines how much healthy natural tooth is remaining. Replacement of a small mercury filling to a white filling is a standard and relatively easy dental procedure. However, if the tooth around the silver filling has broken down and there is minimal tooth structure remaining, a crown may be required to rebuild the tooth.

 

Do you offer mercury fillings to your patients?

At Corio Central Dental, we only offer white fillings to patients.

 

Before and After:

The image below shows an example of what the teeth look like, once the mercury filling removal is completed.

photo showing teeth with amalgam fillings and teeth with resin composite fllings
Mercury filling removal and replacement to white fillings improves the appearance of these teeth

 

I WANT TO DISCUSS REMOVING MY SILVER FILLINGS – CLICK HERE

man with missing teeth needs dentures

Please don’t plan for dentures!! Plan to keep your teeth for life. Let’s, explore a bit further.

What are dentures?

A denture is a prosthetic appliance to replace missing teeth. Dentures can be made from plastic or metal. They can replace all of the teeth in your mouth or only a few.

Does everyone lose teeth when they get older?

No, absolutely NOT! Losing teeth is NOT a standard part of the ageing process. Teeth need to be removed because of disease. Tooth disease may be associated to one or more of these:

  • Trauma/broken tooth
  • Cracked tooth
  • Dental caries
  • Gum disease
  • Erosion – can be diet related
  • Unsuccessful dental treatment
  • Infection

Is tooth loss genetic?

In general – NO! A very small number of people may have genetic mouth conditions that will mean they will lose teeth as a result. The majority of people, however, simply have the same bad habits as their family members. Here are some examples.

Examples:

Parents did not have regular dental visits and kids don’t have regular dental visits

Parents eat sweets every day and kids learnt to have sweets every day

Parents smoke and kids smoke

Parents don’t brush their teeth regularly and kids don’t brush their teeth regularly

Parents always choose pulling out a tooth over saving a tooth and kids…..starting to get the idea?

Best way to avoid getting dentures, like your parents or siblings:

  • Regular dental checks – we cannot stress this enough. A simple 30min visit once a year can be the difference between struggling to eat for the rest of your life with artificial teeth or enjoying all the foods you love with your own natural teeth
  • Quit smoking! If you have not so already, this is the best thing you can do for your mouth and the rest of your body
  • We challenge you to keep a journal of all the foods you eat within a day, for one week and then bring it to Corio Central Dental. One of our dentist will go through the list with you, to see which foods contain sugar. You will be blown away when you find out!!

 

BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION TODAY

female smiling after smile makeover

No braces, smile makeover in Geelong

One of the biggest reasons patients feel embarrassed to smile is because they are not happy with the way their teeth look. We absolutely LOVE to surprise our patients and help them achieve a better smile in sometimes, a single visit, without any braces or Invisalign. A smile makeover is one of the treatments we routinely provide to our patients, at Corio Central Dental.

What is a smile makeover?

A smile makeover is a customised improvement of a person’s smile to make it appear more pleasing. Each smile may require something different and for that reason our professional and dedicated dentists take the time to assess what your particular concerns and needs are, before starting the transformation. It may involve changing the shape and or colour of your teeth, replacing old fillings or replacing missing teeth.

Which problems can a smile makeover fix?

  • yellow teeth
  • chipped teeth
  • broken teeth
  • discoloured fillings
  • teeth that are too short
  • gaps between teeth
  • cracked teeth
  • poor position of teeth
  • missing teeth
  • gum problems
  • uneven size teeth

How much does it cost?

Each smile is as different as the person who wears it, so each treatment is unique. Once our dentists have had a chance to meet you and understand the best approach in improving your smile, we will offer a written treatment plan, so that the total cost is very clear before and treatment is commenced. We even offer the option to get your smile looking it’s best ever now and up to 12 months to pay the treatment off, via ZipMoney

 

How long does it take to create?

This completely depends on which concerns we are trying to address. Some enhancements can be done in a sinlge visit, while others may take months to achieve.

The following are some examples of improvements, which can be done in a single visit:

  • Bonded veneers
  • Replacing discoloured fillings
  • In office whitening session
  • Closing gaps between front teeth
  • Polishing chipped teeth
  • Fixing broken teeth

The long term dental health and success of the smile makeover is closely related to the home oral hygiene. Our team will offer special home care instructions, suited to your teeth and gums, to ensure your new smile lasts for life!

 

Book My Smile Makeover Consultation TODAY!