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How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

Your toothbrush is your first line of defense against the bacteria that cause gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath and yet it’s probably the most overlooked hygiene item we have. We throw out expired foods, restock vitamins and supplements, and replace our beauty products often, but when it comes to health and beauty, it’s our dental hygiene that doesn’t get as much attention or thought as other areas of our regimen. However, there are important rules and tips you should follow for maintaining optimal dental health.

7 Most Common Teeth Problems and How to Avoid Them

Dental problems are never any fun, but the good news is that most of them can be easily prevented. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, eating properly, and regular dental check-ups are essential steps in preventing dental problems.

These 7 common dental problems are easy to identify. But are they easy to treat and solve? Find out how to deal with cavities, gum disease, infections, and more.

Can Gum Disease Increase Your Risk Of Heart Disease, Diabetes and Dementia?

The startling answer is YES, if left untreated, bacteria from infected gums can pass into the blood circulation. Latest research suggests these bacteria may increase your risk of heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and even some forms of dementia. There is more and more evidence that as well as ensuring a healthy mouth and teeth, preventing gum disease may have long-term health benefits, too.

What is our dental office doing to protect patients and staff from COVID-19?

Even before the pandemic, dental offices were required to maintain pretty strict hygiene practices. All dental practices already follow strict government standards for cleaning and sanitizing everything with TGA-approved disinfectants specially designed for use in a healthcare setting to kill viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.

It’s Dental Health Week!

Each year the Australian Dental Association’s major annual oral health campaign takes place in the first full week of August. The focus of this year’s campaign is on the harm sugar does to oral health, aiming to help Australians to ‘get sugar savvy’. The campaign includes recommended daily sugar consumption levels, advice on reading food labels, and spells out the effect sugar has on our teeth.  This information is reinforced with three main sugar messages:

When Should My Child See An Orthodontist?

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends children visit a registered specialist orthodontist for an assessment between the ages of 8-10 years old. This allows the orthodontist to evaluate your child's teeth and determine if they may need early treatment.

Are Mercury Fillings Dangerous?

Fillings using mercury were once very common, but are now being superseded by more modern, tooth coloured substances.The question over their safety has been long debated. In this blog we’ll dispel some myths and offer some hard cold facts.

12 Ways To Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you and having the confidence to flash your pearly whites shouldn’t be reserved to just those who can afford professional whitening. In this blog we give you some natural ways you can eat your way to whiter teeth!

Top Two Signs You Need Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is usually a simple procedure with little or no discomfort. Surprisingly though most people still dread this procedure and end up putting it off. If left untreated, an infected root canal can lead to a very painful and pus-filled abscess which needs immediate attention.

Have A Dental Emergency? You Need To Act Quickly.

Dental emergencies can be caused by different things, but they have one thing in common – they should be treated immediately.

DentiCare Dental Payment Plans For All Types of Treatment

At DentiCare they’re all about putting the smile back on your face. They work with more than 3,000 doctors in over 1,500 practices providing dental and orthodontic payment plans to thousands of patients each month to help them reach their oral health goals.

Are You A Good Candidate for Veneers?

Dental veneers are a thin piece of porcelain used to re-create the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. The thin shells are attached to the front surface of a patient’s teeth to improve their appearance. Over the years, dental veneers have become increasingly popular. Veneers can be used to treat a variety of cosmetic concerns. Read on to find out if you might be a good candidate for them.

Why It’s Important for Your Child to Visit the Dentist

Most parents overlook how important it is to care for their baby’s teeth but from the moment your child’s first teeth begin to grow it is important to start looking after them. The sooner your child begins to have regular check-ups with the dentist, then the greater their chances of having healthy teeth for longer. It is a very good idea for your child to start making regular visits to the dentist from an early age, and here at Tower Dental, we’d like to explain why.

Dentures

For many of us the privilege of getting old will also mean requiring to wear dentures, whilst this may have been something to fret about before, dentures have come a long way.

Custom-made from high-quality, natural colour acrylic material, dentures can feel and function like real teeth with similar form, surface and weight.

3 Ways to Keep Teeth White After a Teeth Whitening Procedure

One of the most effective ways to brighten your teeth is to have them professionally whitened. But how do we maintain that glorious white smile well after our procedure?  In this blog we’ll give you some handy tips to ensure your smile remains bright and beautiful after leaving the dentist office. 

Gum Disease & Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a very serious respiratory infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria or viruses such as the latest Covid-19 where tiny sacs in the lung tissue become inflamed and fill up with fluid. Common Symptoms include cough, fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, sweating and shivering.

10 of the Biggest Dental Myths Debunked

We hear them all the time, and we’ve addressed many of them before. There are some deep-seated beliefs about your dental health that are hard to let go, but completely false. Below are some of the most common ones, debunked:

Veneers And Their Link To The Hollywood Smile

When we think of a perfect smile we think of a Hollywood smile, perfectly aligned bright white teeth. Interestingly enough, Hollywood paved the way for this much loved cosmetic treatment back in 1928.

A dentist by the name Dr Charles Pincus came up with veneers as a way to enhance the smile of the on screen actors during this era.

The Benefits Of Dental Crowns & Dental Bridges

Dental crowns and dental bridges are popular cosmetic dentistry procedures which focus on improving the appearance of your mouth, teeth and smile. And although cosmetic dentistry procedures are usually elective, rather than essential, both crown and bridges treatments also provide restorative benefits.

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing A Dentist?

When you think of going to a family dentist, what exactly are looking for? Do you want a dentist that’s close to home or to your office or do you want to be able to easily make or reschedule your appointments as needed?

Can I Still Visit My Dentist During The Coronavirus Pandemic?

The Coronavirus pandemic is changing the way we do things, and dental care is no exception.

Dentists are no longer allowed to provide normal care, such as regular check-ups and tooth whitening, so as to minimise the spread of COVID-19. However, if you’re in a lot of pain, we will still be able to treat you. Here’s how the Coronavirus is changing the way we look after our teeth.

Current best practice recommendations for COVID-19

6 Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

Cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever, with more and more people looking for ways to improve or restore the appearance of their smiles. In some cases today’s cosmetic dental treatments also have a restorative component. Nearly every dentist these days offers some kind of cosmetic dentistry procedure. Starting from minor changes to major oral surgery, there is a range of cosmetic dentistry techniques that can treat dental flaws and fix discoloured, chipped, or missing teeth.

Here are six of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments performed today:

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Sometime between the ages 17 and 21, most adults will develop their third set of molars. These molars are more commonly called wisdom teeth. Some people never get wisdom teeth, but for those who do, the number may be anywhere from one to four – and, on very rare occasions, more than four, according to a study published in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. Scientific literature has yet to be able to explain why the number of teeth per individual varies, but for those who do get these extraneous, or supernumerary, teeth, it can lead to all sorts of problems.

Dental Health and Your Child's Teeth

How Do My Children’s Teeth Erupt?
While every child is different, most of the primary teeth (baby teeth) come in between the ages of 4 and 12 months.  During the previous months your children’s baby teeth have been forming from the tooth buds in their jaw, and now they’re starting their painful upward journey through the gums and out into the world. The following are general guidelines for the eruption of the baby teeth:

10 Tips on How To Get Rid of Bad Breath

More than 80 million people suffer from chronic halitosis, or otherwise known as bad breath. In most cases it originates from the gums and tongue. Bad breath can be very embarrassing, but it is a common condition and there are numerous ways to prevent it. To reduce bad breath, help avoid cavities and lower your risk of gum disease, consistently practice good oral hygiene. Further treatment for bad breath can vary, depending on the cause. If your bad breath is thought to be caused by an underlying health condition, your dentist will likely refer you to your primary care provider.

7 Foods That Brighten Your Smile Naturally

Coffee, tea, red wine and some soda can all stain your teeth and darken your smile. But there are some everyday foods that can actually help whiten your teeth over time. They’re not as thoroughly effective as professional teeth whitening products—but they are cheap and natural. And that should leave you smiling.

Common Dental Emergencies and First Aid

Dental emergencies are fairly common in children and adults and when occur can cause sheer panic. Emergencies can include; bleeding from the mouth due to an injury or getting hit it the face, cracked and broken teeth, oral infections and extreme pain. However, as long as you take appropriate steps, you can remedy the situation and maintain positive oral health for many years to come. If you encounter one of the dental emergencies below, know that support is available and that time is generally of the essence.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Dentist Appointment

Going to the dentist is not everyone’s idea of a great time, and if you have been to a couple of dental checkups and gotten a clean bill of health, you might be tempted to skip one or two of them. However, many people fail to realize the importance of oral health, not only for your mouth, but your overall wellness. Here are some of the reasons why our Tower Dental dentists would recommend that you get your checkups faithfully.

Veneers vs. Crowns: Which One Is Right for You?

Both crowns and veneers are forms of dental restoration. They work by adding a covering to an existing tooth to improve its appearance or function. The main difference between a veneer and a crown is how much of the original tooth is removed, how thick the material covering the tooth is, and how much of the tooth is covered. Both crowns and veneers are effective in improving the aesthetic appearance of teeth.

10 Tips For A Healthier Smile.

You eat right, you exercise and you keep a spotless house, but how can we guarantee a healthier smile?

Here are some handy tips guaranteed to keep your smile healthy and bright.

Are Dental X- Rays Safe?

Dental x-rays (radiographs) are images of your teeth that your dentist uses to evaluate your oral health. They are a common diagnostic procedure that is considered extremely safe. Digital dental x-rays have very low doses of radiation, producing just a fraction of what you are exposed to in other imaging procedures. These X-rays are used to capture images of the interior of your teeth and gums. This can help your dentist to identify problems, like cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth.

10 Tips For Maintaining a Healthy Mouth During Pregnancy

A healthy mouth during pregnancy is important for both mums and babies. Pregnancy hormones can make gums more sensitive to dental plaque. Severe gum disease during pregnancy can affect both mothers and babies health.

5 Cool Facts About Invisalign You Probably Didn’t Know

Fact #1 - The inventor of the Invisalign® system had metal braces. As a student at Stanford, Zia Chishti had his braces removed and got a retainer. That’s when it occurred to him that a series of retainers could do the same work as metal braces, but with the benefit of being removable.

Tis The Season To Be Careful

As the year draws to an end most of us are looking forward to the festive season, with parties galore and food fit for kings, it’s extremely hard to resist the temptations around us. But if we want to save an emergency trip to the dentist we should look at having certain foods in moderation.

What is the difference between an Orthodontist and a Dentist?

Orthodontists and dentists share many similarities – they work together to help you improve your overall oral health – but they actually work in very different ways. Dentists cover a broad range of oral health issues. An orthodontist, on the other hand, is a dental specialist who focuses on issues such as straightening teeth and correcting improper bite patterns.

What is the Difference Between a Dentist and Periodontist?

If you’re wondering what a periodontist does, you’re not alone. While traditional dentists are able to diagnose and treat a wide range of oral health issues; periodontists specialize in the placement of dental implants and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease.

Dental Payment Plans

Many of us will experience a budget blow out of sorts around this time of year. It’s hard not to feel the pinch. Did you know that we are partnered with Denticare and MySmile Plan, both of which offer a range of affordable payment plans? You don’t need to put off that dental procedure, dental payment plans can be used for a wide range of general and cosmetic dentistry treatments including teeth whitening, dental implants, crowns and veneers and most other dental procedures.

The Real Cost Of Not Wearing A Mouthguard

A mouth guard is one of the most inexpensive pieces of protective gear available to young athletes, especially when compared to the high cost of restoring a knocked out or broken tooth.  For a lot of athletes, mouthguards aren’t always the piece of equipment that’s first to be thrown in the gym bag – often because it’s not required for every sport. In reality, mouthguards can help prevent a lot of sports injuries and needs to be officially part of your game-day protective gear.

The Benefits of Invisalign

While there are many options to straighten your teeth Invisalign is the only clear option that is free of brackets and wires. Invisalign allows you to work, eat, and participate in social situations worry free! All while giving you a perfect smile. Invisalign has many benefits for the wearer, such as comfort and flexibility, below we will look some of the many benefits Invisalign has to offer.

Teeth Whitening

If you’re skeptical about whitening your teeth for the first time or catch yourself feeling unsure, it’s completely understandable to feel that way. So many people today are concerned with their pearly whites (or yellows) and are interested in making dramatic (and positive) changes to the color of their smile.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth will normally appear in the late teen to early adult years, 18 to 24. Because they are the last of the adult teeth to come in, there usually isn’t enough space for proper growth and alignment. This leads to abnormalities such as full or partial impaction, increasing the risk of infection.

Having a good relationship with your dentist will make you smile in more ways than one.

Like all relationships, communication is the key to building and maintaining a healthy relationship with your dentist.

When you and your dental team have a great rapport, you can work together to ensure your oral health is being properly maintained and that your pearly whites are receiving the attention they need so you can keep smiling for years to come.

Dental Fillings

The process of filling cavities is a fairly simple and straightforward one that can be done right at your dentist's office.

Orthodontics

While crooked teeth can make you feel self-conscious and impact how you interact with others, the condition can affect more than your emotional health. Misaligned or overlapping teeth can change the way you speak, smile, and move your mouth. While having crooked teeth isn’t a sign of poor health, leaving them unstraightened can affect the long-term well-being of your mouth and your entire body. 

Restore your smile with dental crowns

We only get one set of adult teeth so it’s vital that we try to preserve each tooth we have and to ensure that we keep our natural teeth for as long as possible. If you do start to lose your natural teeth, it can affect the shape of your face, the quality of your speech, and your ability to chew, eat and swallow food. Losing teeth will also create gaps that harbor bacteria, thus increasing the likelihood of tooth decay in the future.

Nutrition for your Children’s Teeth

At Tower Dental our dentists love treating children, from babies to teenagers. We believe that an excellent standard in Children’s dentistry involves spending time with your children to get them used to a dental environment and educate them on the importance of oral hygiene.

Can Gum Disease Cause Alzheimer’s And Other Health Problems?

There have been many attempts to understand the link between gum disease and other systemic health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Comparing the bacteria that cause dental plaque with the bacteria involved in heart disease suggests a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, but researchers have been unable to establish a cause and effect relationship.

Smile and eat with confidence with your new Dentures

Dentures are removable replacements for your missing teeth, designed to look and function like your own natural teeth and surrounding gum tissues. They are generally made from an ultramodern acrylic material which is high-strength and durable.

Are Veneers The Right Option For Me?

There's an old saying that “You're never fully dressed without a smile”. True, a beautiful smile is a great accessory but for those who suffer from chipped teeth, crookedness or discoloration, it’s understandable why someone might not be so willing to bare their teeth. Fortunately, there are a number of options available to give your smile a boost, one of which is a porcelain dental enhancement called veneers. Veneers have become an increasingly popular treatment option to transform smiles, instantly.