10 Tips to Make Your Tooth Bonding Last Longer – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

May 12, 2020 in Dental Tips

Dental bonding is a quick, affordable, painless, and non-invasive way of restoring your teeth. If you have small cavities, minor chips, stains, or breakage on your teeth, your cosmetic dentist may recommend tooth bonding for you.

Your new, flawless, and natural-looking smile is not forever, though. You have to properly take care of your tooth bonding to ensure optimum results that last for a long time.

Here are 10 tips on how to maintain your tooth bonding so it looks great for longer.

  1. Maintain regular tooth-brushing and daily flossing, but use an ultra-soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste
  2. Staining can be more visible in tooth bonded teeth than in natural ones. So avoid staining foods such as coffee, tea, colas, wine, soy sauce, grape juice, blueberries, and beets.
  3. It you’re committed to keeping your tooth bonding looking great, you should quit smoking now. Nicotine can stain your teeth and it can show more on those with resin material.

Book an appointment today

Book with a local dentist that takes the time to treat you. We’re proud to represent our Caloundra & Currimundi community with affordable prices which we list online.

Give us a ring on 07 5358 0413 or book online using the button below.

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  1. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash.
  2. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption as this can eventually soften the bonding material on your tooth.
  3. Avoid directly biting into your food such as ribs, hard bandy, corn, nuts, hard bread, raw carrots, and other foods that may chip or fracture your teeth.
  4. Don’t open packages with your teeth.
  5. Avoid nail biting.
  6. Don’t chew on ice.
  7. Call your dentist immediately if your teeth gets chipped, fractured or broken. Your dentist can repair minor damages with a touch up.

Dental bonding may be a simple and quick procedure, but it requires skills from your dentist to ensure a natural-looking, flawless smile. Contact your Battery Hill Dental dentist today to schedule an appointment.

How Often Should You Get an X-Ray – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

April 28, 2020 in Dental Tips

How do you know when you need a dental x-ray?

This list will give you an idea when you should get dental x-rays. After all, dental x-rays are key in ensuring your dental health is in tip-top shape.

How Often Should You Get an X-Ray

Typically, if you’re seeing a dentist for the first time and if you haven’t had an x-ray yet, your dentist will ask you to get some. This will give them a better view of your teeth structure, placement, and any issues that can’t be seen on a routine dental exam. Afterwards, you may be required to get dental x-rays every two to three years.

There are, however, certain cases when you need to get dental x-rays for at least every six months. These are some conditions that require you to get frequent x-rays:

  • Children with growing and developing teeth may need to get frequent x-rays especially if they are at high-risk for tooth decay.
  • Adults who had extensive restorations done. Those who had fillings, bridges, crowns and implants may need to get x-rays so your dentist can see if you have decay hidden beneath your fillings.
  • People at high risk for bone loss. People who have gum disease as well as those who are heavy smokers need to get regular x-rays to monitor their condition and watch out for further complications of their periodontal disease.
  • People with xerostomia. People who have dry mouth due to medication and other health conditions are at high risk for cavities, which need to be identified and treated immediately.
  • High Risk Cases. If you tend to get holes more frequently in your teeth, you will be getting dental x-rays more frequently. This is so we can get on them earlier, rather then losing your tooth altogether later.

If you fit the following criteria or haven’t had dental x-rays for the past 3 years, you may consider getting a dental x-ray. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Top 4 Reasons to Get a Tooth Coloured Restoration – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

April 14, 2020 in Dental Tips

A tooth coloured restoration is also called tooth coloured filling. This is because it is a composite resin that is coloured and shaped to blend in with your tooth while restoring it from decay.

Tooth coloured restorations are more popular these days, over-shadowing the traditional silver amalgam filling that were once used by your parents and grandparents. And for good reason. Here are the top 4 reasons why a tooth coloured restoration is a great option.

  1. Flawless look. Tooth coloured restorations can be made to look exactly like your teeth. It’s easy to make it match your tooth as it fills your tooth and restores it.
  2. Strong bonds. They also bond to the tooth chemically, unlike silver amalgam fillings. This provides robust support to the tooth structure. You can be assured that a tooth filled with composite resin will have strong biting and chewing power with less risk of being damaged again.

Book an appointment today

Book with a local dentist that takes the time to treat you. We’re proud to represent our Caloundra & Currimundi community with affordable prices which we list online.

Give us a ring on 07 5358 0413 or book online using the button below.

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  1. Versatile repair. Whether it’s for broken, chipped, cracked, worn or decayed teeth, tooth coloured restorations can make your tooth look natural—and even good as new.
  2. Keep most of your teeth. Silver amalgam or metal fillings require that you drill off more of your tooth, even if those parts are healthy. This is because your dentist needs to create notches or ledges on your teeth to attach the metal filling. With composite fillings, however, you don’t need to do that because your tooth chemically bonds to the composite filling and makes tooth even stronger.

Get yourself a tooth coloured restoration for that healthy and perfect pearly white smile. Call your local Sunshine Coast dentist today.

How to Prepare Your Child for Tooth Extraction – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

March 31, 2020 in Dental Tips

Discovering that your child’s tooth may need to be extracted can be a highly stressful time for you and your child. This is made even worse when your child already has dental fear and anxiety.

So how can you prepare for your child’s tooth extraction? We’ve got you covered.

How to Prepare for Your Child’s Tooth Extraction

  • Make sure your child is really a candidate for tooth extraction. If one or more baby teeth fit the following criteria, then your child is a candidate for tooth extraction:
    • Cavities
    • Baby teeth that won’t move and are blocking adult teeth from properly coming in
    • Injury on one or more teeth
  • See a paediatric dentist. A paediatric dentist has additional training for handling children’s teeth. They have the right size of dental equipment and can make your child comfortable and at ease. Their offices are also kid-friendly.
  • Set the right expectations. This is the best time to be honest with your child. Say that it may hurt a little, but that the dentist will provide a medicine to make the spot numb. At this point, you have to decide what your child needs to know so as not to unnecessarily raise anxiety levels.
  • Play dentist. Before the procedure, you can role-play to make your child prepared and comfortable with what is going to happen. Have some dentist masks, gloves, and even toy version of the dentist’s equipment to act out what’s going to happen.
  • Promise a treat. While bribery is not really recommended, you can promise your child an ice cream treat afterwards. After all, a cold compress is what your child needs to help heal the extraction site.
  • Be calm and positive. Remember to be calm throughout the whole process. Your child will turn to you for comfort. . Reassurance and sincerity is key here, as you child can easily pick up on any anxiety you may have.

At Battery Hill Dental, you and your child will feel comfortable and at home with our cozy office and friendly staff. Call us today to set an appointment.

HCF Is a Preferred Provider for Battery Hill Dental – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

March 17, 2020 in Dental Tips

Battery Hill Dental is a preferred partner of HCF, one of Australia’s premiere insurance providers. With HCF, eligible members can avail of a variety of dental services. One of the main reasons we decided to partner with HCF is because they offer our patients – you – more for your money:

  1. 100% back on dental checkups
  2. They’re not-for-profit
  3. They have an expanded range of covered dental services, and

Book an appointment today

Book with a local dentist that takes the time to treat you. We’re proud to represent our Caloundra & Currimundi community with affordable prices which we list online.

Give us a ring on 07 5358 0413 or book online using the button below.

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  1. They offer no-gap on these services

There’s alot of dental health insurers to choose from, but we’re big fans of HCF.

Check them out, and book an appointment today and take advantage of superb dental care from your trusted dentist at Caloundra.

Silver Amalgam to Tooth Coloured Fillings: Should You Make That Change? – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

March 3, 2020 in Dental Tips

Years before tooth coloured fillings made of porcelain or composite resin were used, your only option was a silver amalgam filling.

A silver amalgam filling, also called a metal filling, consists of silver mixed with a variety of other materials, including mercury. Many people are concerned about the toxicity of being exposed to a mercury leak. However, aside from that, metal fillings have other downsides, such as increased risk for cracked and damaged teeth due to the expansion of the metal due to temperature. Then there’s the fact that you feel less confident about your smile because those shiny, dark metal spots on your teeth would show.

So if you’re thinking whether you should make the switch from silver amalgam to tooth coloured fillings, the answer still has to come from your dentists. Cosmetic replacement of silver fillings into tooth coloured ones still has to be carefully evaluated by your trusted dentist. This is because prematurely removing silver fillings before they get old can cause your teeth more harm than good. The extra drilling on the teeth may cause you to lose the tooth completely, which means you may need crowns or implants instead.

Book an appointment today

Book with a local dentist that takes the time to treat you. We’re proud to represent our Caloundra & Currimundi community with affordable prices which we list online.

Give us a ring on 07 5358 0413 or book online using the button below.

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However, if you fit the following criteria, you’re safe for a replacement of your amalgam fillings:

  • Old and loose fillings
  • Cracked or fractured teeth
  • Leakage

If you have an old silver amalgam feeling that you need to be replaced with tooth coloured fillings by your Sunshine Coast dentist, contact us today to book an appointment.

How Do You Know You Need Dental Bridges? – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

February 25, 2020 in Dental Tips

A dental bridge is one of the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way of fixing missing teeth. Unlike the more expensive surgical implants, bridges offer a straightforward way of filling in gaps between teeth.

But how do you know that you really do need a dental bridge instead of any other restorative procedure or appliance?

Here, we sum up the most common signs that a dental bridge is the right option for you.

  • When having a tooth out, your teeth either side of the new gap might move or collapse. A dental bridge can not only replace the missing tooth, but will also prevent the movement or collapsing of the adjacent teeth.

Book an appointment today

Book with a local dentist that takes the time to treat you. We’re proud to represent our Caloundra & Currimundi community with affordable prices which we list online.

Give us a ring on 07 5358 0413 or book online using the button below.

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  • If you’ve got missing anterior teeth or posterior teeth, and you don’t want to wear an awkward denture that you can remove- a dental bridge is fixed in the mouth, and will feel like your own, natural teeth.
  • Tooth loss in one or more neighbouring teeth caused by gum disease can be replaced by dental bridges in suitable cases.

Visit your dentist to find out your options for restoring missing teeth and if a dental bridge is what you need. It can be the difference in chewing, and smiling again.

8 Things to Know Before Getting a Dental X-Ray – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

February 18, 2020 in Dental Tips

Dental x-rays, also called radiographs, are essential for your dentist to have more insight into the health of your teeth. These x-rays reveal conditions that your dentist may not readily see in a routine dental exam.

Here are what you need to know before you get a dental x-ray.

  1. Dental x-rays are an integral part of maintaining optimum oral health.
  2. Dental x-rays are safe since they emit only small amounts of radiation. In fact, the most modern digital x-rays give off much less radiation than its more traditional counterparts.
  3. Despite being safe, we only take x-rays within recommended guidelines to minimise unecessary radiation.
  4. Pregnant women, as well as those who are trying to conceive, should let their dentist know. Despite getting more radiation from a short flight, we still like to be safe with bubs in the womb. However, it may be necessary in some cases to x-rays. This is more important in the first trimester.

Book an appointment today

Book with a local dentist that takes the time to treat you. We’re proud to represent our Caloundra & Currimundi community with affordable prices which we list online.

Give us a ring on 07 5358 0413 or book online using the button below.

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  1. Those who need x-rays more frequently are children with developing teeth, adults with a lot of restorative work who may have decay underneath their fillings, as well as people suffering from dry mouth or xerostomia. Those who smoke or have gum disease may also require x-rays to monitor bone loss.
  2. There is now no need for a lead apron with the low dose digital x-rays.
  3. There’s no special preparation prior to getting x-rays. You just need to make sure you have brushed and flossed your teeth thoroughly so you can present a clean and hygienic oral environment from which to get x-rays.

If you haven’t had dental x-rays in at least the past 3 years, you may need to get one. Schedule an appointment with your local dentist in Caloundra today!

8 Benefits of Tooth Coloured Fillings – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

February 4, 2020 in Dental Tips

Dealing with tooth decay is one of the most common dental problems our dentists at Battery Hill Dental address on a regular basis. Teeth that have been damaged by decay but do not require extraction can typically be treated by fillings to restore their look, function, and health.

Today, more people are opting to have tooth coloured fillings instead of metal amalgam ones.

So if you’re thinking of having dental fillings as well but don’t know why tooth coloured fillings are your better option, then read up on these 8 benefits.

8 Benefits of Tooth Coloured Fillings

  1. They match your real teeth for that seamless, flawless, and natural look.
  2. You won’t be afraid to smile, laugh, or open your mouth. No dark metal spots to hide, your tooth coloured fillings will make you feel so much more confident.
  3. They bond to your tooth better resulting to stronger teeth.
  4. They have mercury, unlike amalgam fillings which contain this toxic chemical.
  5. Your dentist have to retain most of your healthy teeth. No need to dig and drill more into your teeth to create notches and ledges, unlike when using metal amalgam.

Book an appointment today

Book with a local dentist that takes the time to treat you. We’re proud to represent our Caloundra & Currimundi community with affordable prices which we list online.

Give us a ring on 07 5358 0413 or book online using the button below.

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  1. Your tooth-coloured fillings can last you a lifetime with proper care.
  2. Unlike amalgam fillings that expand or contract due to weather or the temperature of food you eat, tooth-coloured fillings don’t change in size.
  3. You will also have less chances of getting a cavity in those teeth.

Learn more about how tooth-coloured fillings can help improve your life. Contact us at ___.

What Happens in a Dental Veneer Procedure? – Luke, Caloundra Dentist

January 21, 2020 in Dental Tips

A dental veneer requires a cosmetic procedure by your trusted local dentist. You would need one if you have misshapen, cracked, chipped, or gapped teeth.  You may also opt for dental veneers if you have severe teeth discoloration that can’t be remedied by whitening.

By undergoing a dental veneer procedure, you will discover that your teeth will have its perfect, healthy-looking shape and whiter, brighter colour. This said, you will have better chewing and biting power—and a more confident smile.

But what goes on in a dental veneer procedure? Let’s take a closer look.

Dental Veneer Procedure

A dental veneer procedure usually takes two to three trips to the dentist over the span of six weeks.

  • First visit. You will have an initial consultation with your dentist. A full examination and evaluation will be done to identify the right dental veneers for you. X-rays and impressions of your teeth may also be done.

Book an appointment today

Book with a local dentist that takes the time to treat you. We’re proud to represent our Caloundra & Currimundi community with affordable prices which we list online.

Give us a ring on 07 5358 0413 or book online using the button below.

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  • Second visit. Your dentist will remove 1/2 millimetre of your tooth’s enamel to make way for the veneer, which will be attached on the surface of your teeth. Local anaesthesia may be applied so this process will be painless.
  • Third visit. Your dentist will attach your veneer. The veneer will still be trimmed, adjusted, and refitted to make sure that it fits perfectly. It will then be bonded to your tooth with a special bonding cement. A high-powered light beam will also be used to cure the veneer so it stays bonded to your tooth.

With proper care, your dental veneer will last you for years, even a lifetime.

To find out more about dental veneers, contact us at Battery Hill Dental or book an appointment today.