Take Your Pik!

Everybody knows that brushing is important, BUT toothbrushes alone cannot get into all the gaps between your teeth where sneaky plaque can hide.

That’s where inter dental brushes also known as ‘Piksters’ come in.

Pikster’s are small rounded brushes designed to slide in and clean the spaces between teeth. It has tiny bristles on all sides that reach out and help to remove plaque in the small crevices between teeth. They have a wire core which can be bent to get to those hard to reach places right up the back! These small handy brushes can be carried in your wallet or pocket to be used in between brushing.

We recommend Pikster’s to many of our patients that would like a quicker, more convenient alternative to flossing.

There is a range of sizes available for purchase at our practice or in your local pharmacy.

What’s Your Flavour?

Tell us what’s your flavour? Flavour of tooth mousse that is!

We all know how important it is for our bodies to get the right nutrients to stay healthy, but did you that certain minerals help to protect your teeth? While the most well known is fluoride, calcium and phosphate are also key ingredients in maintaining a healthy smile!

Introducing… Tooth mousse

Tooth mousse works by remineralising the enamel to make it stronger and more resistant to an acid attack. It therefore reduces the tooth’s likelihood to breakdown or decay. It is also able to neutralise acid produced from plaque or other internal/external sources.

 

People who may benefit from tooth mousse include those who may experience:
– High decay risk/rates
– Poor plaque control
– Erosion or gastric reflux
– Dry mouth
– Acidic oral environments
– Sensitivity
– White spot lesions
– Pregnant mothers
– Orthodontic patients
– And those who wish for the benefit of extra protection.

All the flavours are amazing and yummy for kids and adults.

I just found out I am pregnant, how will this affect my mouth?

Pregnancy can affect your gums, in fact, some women who are pregnant can experience a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis where the gums become red, swollen and uncomfortable. The best way to avoid this is with thorough brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist for professional cleaning.
Your gums can also affect your pregnancy. People with periodontal disease (loss of the bone supporting the teeth) may be seven times more likely to have a pre-term, low birth-weight baby. If you are pregnant and concerned about your gums please book in a consultation with your dentist!

Does My Child Need Braces?

If you are concerned that your child’s teeth are coming through crowded or crooked, take action!

Booking your child in for an orthodontic consultation could help you understand the why’s and the how’s of braces and plates.

At your child’s first consultation we will have a look at their teeth, gums, jaw structure and potential growth patterns by taking X-rays, photos and impressions of their teeth.

You will then have a sit down chat with Dr Charles to go through the options, costs and time expectancy of the treatment so that you can plan for your child’s orthodontic future.

It’s that simple!

BEFOREAFTERORTHO

 

Welcome to the team!

Our Terrigal Dental family continues to grow!

Meet Sam, our trainee dental assistant and receptionist.

Sam moved from Grafton to the Central Coast in 2015 and we are delighted that she has landed here in Terrigal.

In a short amount of time Sam has become a major part of our team and we are continuously amazed by how quickly she is learning.

You’re bound to leave your appointment happy after being treated by Sam and her infectious smile!

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WHAT IS A FISSURE SEALANT?

A fissure sealant is a protective coating that is used to fill the grooves in children’s teeth. These grooves tend to trap plaque that causes decay, so filling the grooves will help minimize the risk of decay in these teeth.

Fissure sealant placement is a quick and painless procedure and is covered by the Child Dental Benefit Scheme for eligible children.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I VISIT THE DENTIST?

At Terrigal Dental, we believe that the prevention is better than the cure and recommend our patients attend every six months for check-ups so that any potential problems can be caught and treated whilst they are small. The larger a dental problem is, the more difficult, time-consuming and expensive it is to treat, so don’t put off your six month check-up! Give us a call on 4384 2101.

Should I have my wisdom teeth pulled out?

If wisdom teeth are growing upright into their correct position in the mouth and not causing any pain or problems, then it is not necessary to have them removed. However, if they are impacted (growing at an angle) or causing crowding as there isn’t enough room for them to come through, then removal of your wisdom teeth may be necessary. The risk of leaving an impacted wisdom tooth is that it can lead to pain from gum infections and decay due to not being able to clean it properly. If you are unsure about whether to get your wisdom teeth removed, give the Terrigal Dental team a call on 4384 2101 to organize a full-mouth x-ray to assess the position of your wisdom teeth.

SHOULD I USE MOUTHWASH?

Mouthwash should not be used as a substitute for toothbrushing and flossing but it is useful as a complement to your oral hygiene routine. When choosing a mouthwash, it is important to choose one that is alcohol-free as alcohol dries your mouth out and makes it more cavity-prone. It is also important to choose a mouthwash which contains fluoride. Fluoride strengthens your teeth and prevents decay.

$2.7 billion Child Dental Benefits Scheme to be discontinued.

A $2.7 billion dental program has provided $1 million Australian children with free dental care could face the chop in the next budget, warns Australia’s peak dental body.

The scheme provides children with up to $1000 of dental treatment over a 2 year period.

As a result of the two year program, many children who have never seen a dentist before are presenting with decayed teeth requiring holes and extractions, say dentists.
More than a million children, far fewer than the anticipated 3 million, have recieved care under the means-tested scheme since it was introduced in 2014. Nearly all those children has been bulk-billed and 80% were treated by private dentists.

Health minister Susan Ley told a meeting of health and dental groups last week that she didnt think the means-tested scheme, designed to reach 3 million children in low-middle income families, was an effective use of funds and foreshadowed further changes.

To read more visit http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/27-billion-dental-program-likely-to-get-the-chop-20160310-gnfiji.html

In a bid to save the Child Dental Benefits Scheme, click the link below to sign the petition-
http://bit.do/savetheCDBS