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Dental veneers – Is Your Smile Selfie Ready?

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The demand for dental veneers and other cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening, has doubled in recent years according to the Australian Dental Association. One of the biggest factors influencing how we feel about our smiles is the simultaneous increase of social media use and the continuing rise of the ‘Selfie’ – a phenomenon that has swept the world’s younger generations.

Social media influencers all over the globe are reaching for their selfie sticks up to several times a day. According to Google, its Android users take more than 93 million selfies a day and one poll suggests that the 18-24-year-old age bracket take every third photo of themselves.

This strongly suggests that the increase in popularity of dental veneers and teeth whitening treatments can be in part attributed to the selfie. With celebrities and influencers sporting perfect smiles, many of us are looking for a clear path to the same thing. However, the quest for the perfect smile isn’t an easy one and the cost can be significant.

If you’ve been thinking about dental veneers or other cosmetic teeth whitening treatments, here’s a few tips to follow to give yourself the best chance of success.

What to expect when tackling your selfie smile

When you decide you’re going to change your smile, there are a number of avenues you can take. Your usual dentist will be able to talk to you about the best approach to take for your smile goals.

Here’s what to expect when you start your journey:

  • A full consultation – this initial consultation is often held at no charge by a professional, experienced dentist or cosmetic practitioner. No treatment is usually carried out at these consultations but a full discussion about the options should be included.
  • A quotation for a treatment plan.
  • Before and after images – many good dentists will have a stock of before and after images, sample veneers and colour matching kits.

A professional dentist or cosmetic dental practitioner will take the time to fully explain your treatment and tell you what to expect, how many visits you will need and detail the cost. Some cosmetic dental treatments like veneers could involve several visits and detailed dental work to facilitate a good result.

For professional smile treatment and to maximise your chances of a good result, try to avoid the use of cheap online smile kits. In this instance, it is common for people to get what they paid for and although some teeth whitening kits do work, they can sometimes include harsher chemicals that can damage the teeth or gums over time and repeated use.

How to get the perfect smile

Start with a trip to your dentist

To reach your smile goals, a visit to your dentist is a great start. Visit your regular dentist initially and ask for some professional advice and book a cosmetic dental consultation. If your usual dentist doesn’t work with dental veneers or other treatments, ask them to recommend a colleague they trust.

Professional advice and tailored program

Once you are happy with your choice of dentist, and the type of treatment you are opting for, get a tailored, comprehensive plan of treatment including costs.

Teeth whitening treatments may involve an initial session and up to five altogether, depending on the result you are hoping for.

There is much more involved with dental veneers. You will receive a treatment plan and a breakdown of cost, which can often be spread out at a professional dental practice by way of a finance package or payment plan. Let’s look at dental veneers a little more closely.

Are dental veneers for you?

Dental veneers can last up to 20-years when they are chosen right and fitted professionally. Your dentist will talk you through your options and help you to decide whether dental veneers are right for you and which type will suit you the best.

Having veneers fitted involves some preparation initially, including treating the teeth to ensure they are the right fit, having x-rays, impressions taken and having your dental veneers custom-made to fit you perfectly.

Dental veneers are a long-term commitment, and your dentist will help you to choose the best cosmetic treatment for you to give you the smile you’ve been looking for.

How Dental Excel can help you with dental veneers

Dental Excel offer dental veneers and teeth whitening as a part of our dental treatments at each of our five Sunshine Coast and Brisbane dental locations. We work with the Zoom! Teeth whitening system to give fast results.

Our experience in dental veneers means we can offer high levels of patient care to help you reach your smile goals. Using the latest dental technology, we can show you what to expect and talk you through both your options and your treatments to give you peace of mind.

Book your smile consultation at your nearest Dental Excel today.

Beerwah – (07) 5494 0199

Palmwoods – (07) 5445 0166

Caloundra – (07) 5438 2555

Wurtulla – (07) 5493 1244

Bracken Ridge – (07) 3261 4222

How Long do Tooth Fillings Last | Dental Excel Blog

How Long Do Tooth Fillings Last?

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How Long do Tooth Fillings Last | Dental Excel BlogThere is a widespread assumption that once a tooth cavity is filled by your dentist, the tooth fillings will last forever. This is a common myth, as the lifespan of a filling remains largely dependent upon the material that is used to fill the tooth. Other factors include the care you give your teeth every day as a part of your dental hygiene routine, and which teeth have been filled.

When do you need tooth fillings?

During a routine check-up at the dentist, your teeth will be examined for general health and condition. An experienced dentist is able to tell from the examination which teeth need to be filled or treated, if any, and will advise during the appointment about the different types of fillings available to suit your particular circumstances.

The most common reasons for patients needing tooth fillings are:

  • The appearance of a cavity, either in its early stages or ‘full-blown’.
  • Cracked or broken teeth.
  • Worn teeth, which can happen if the patient grinds their teeth or bites their nails.

What types of tooth fillings are available?

Historically and most commonly, tooth fillings were made from a silver amalgam substance, made up of a mixture of silver, zinc, copper, tin and mercury. Although this type of filling is still widely available, many dental professionals are looking to the latest materials for filling teeth to suit a patient’s individual requirements.

Modern dental filling materials include the use of:

  • Gold
  • Porcelain
  • Composite resin
  • Glass ionomer
  • Plastic

Which types of fillings last the longest?

The longevity of tooth fillings varies, and as previously mentioned, depend also on the care given to the teeth during a daily routine of brushing and flossing, and which teeth are filled – whether they are large or small teeth, and their position in the mouth.

Some types of fillings are unsuitable for certain groups of people, such as those with an allergy, for example, to the minute amounts of mercury present in amalgam fillings. Your dentist will be able to recommend the type of filling that best suits your needs, right down to budgetary requirements.

Let’s take a look at each type of modern tooth filling material to compare longevity expectations and advantages:

Gold fillings

Gold fillings can be more costly than other types of filling, but often please patients that prefer the look of a gold filling to a silver one. Gold does not corrode, and is expected to last for at least 10-15 years, often much longer.

Composite resin fillings

Composite resin fillings match the colour of the tooth, making them less visible than gold or silver amalgam fillings. Composite resin fillings mean a little more time in the dentist chair for treatment, and are expected to last for around five years, although with dedicated care, can last for longer.

Glass ionomer fillings

These types of fillings are most commonly used in children and for dental work below the gumline. Although made from a weaker material, glass ionomer releases fluoride and can inhibit further decay of the tooth. The latest types of glass ionomer perform better than the older types, which had a life expectancy of five years or less.

Porcelain (or ceramic) fillings

The average life expectancy of porcelain fillings is more than 15 years, with a cost comparable to gold fillings.

Dental Excel dentists in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast are experienced in all types of dental tooth fillings, working with our patients closely to achieve oral health. We can advise our patients during a routine appointment about the best types of fillings to suit their personal taste and circumstances.

Contact us to make your family appointment today, and let us help you with friendly and professional advice, and top-class dentistry to make your fillings last.

Five Ways to Fight Bad Breath

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Fighting Bad Breath | Dental Excel BlogAlmost everyone suffers with bad breath at some point in their lives, often caused by foods, smoking, certain medications or even crash dieting.

Some people simply have ‘morning breath’, which can easily be ‘cured’ by brushing and flossing, or with the use of a good mouthwash. Children and young adults often have days when their breath is bad-smelling, sometimes attributed to hormonal changes in the body.

Most cases of bad breath are temporary and mild, but sometimes can point to a more serious, underlying cause, particularly if the sufferer experiences it for a prolonged period.

Experiencing bad breath can place the sufferer in an awful position. It can be embarrassing, particularly if you work in an environment in close proximity to other people. Some sufferers are not even aware that their breath is bad. Not everyone is comfortable with telling someone they have bad breath, and those sufferers do not get the chance to receive treatment.

What is halitosis?

Halitosis is the medical term given with a clinical diagnosis of bad breath. Halitosis is not the same as ‘ordinary’ bad breath.

What causes halitosis?

The causes of halitosis can be wide-ranging, but the most common causes are:

  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Smoking
  • Gum disease
  • Low-carb diets or fasting
  • Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)
  • Medication
  • Alcoholism

What can you do to fight bad breath?

Visit the dentist

It is a good idea to find out what is happening in your body to cause bad breath before you can begin treating it, and the best way to do this is to visit your dentist. Don’t be shy! Your dentist or dental hygienist is specifically trained, and has seen many, many cases of bad breath in all guises before you.

Regular trips to your dentist for routine check-ups at least twice a year will ensure that any underlying issues can be spotted earlier and treated more effectively.

Improve dental hygiene routines

Often, poor dental hygiene is the root cause of breath smelling badly. Improve your dental hygiene routine by brushing and flossing at least twice a day, particularly after eating. Cleaning the tongue regularly can also help to improve your breath, as can the use of a good quality mouthwash.

Take a trip to your local dentist and ask them for tips and advice to help you.

Stop smoking

If you are a user of tobacco products, whether cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco, then you are at higher risk of contracting gum disease or other periodontal issues that can lead to bad breath.

Tobacco products can produce a foul smell of their own that can become offensive when breathed out. Smoking cessation improves oral health, and reduces the likelihood of Dry Mouth and halitosis.

Keep hydrated

Drinking water instead of coffee or tea can not only reduce occurrence of bad breath, but can also improve oral hygiene significantly. Keep your mouth moist and hydrated throughout the day for the best results.

Drinking green teas can also be beneficial, as they contain polyphenols that can help to reduce the sulphuric compounds present in the mouth and throat, subsequently reducing oral bacteria.

Avoid certain medications

If you suffer from halitosis, taking certain medications can exacerbate your condition. Although it can be difficult to avoid certain medications if you are unwell, speak to your GP about possible alternatives if you suffer with bad breath as a result of taking:

  • Antidepressants
  • Pain killers
  • Antihistamines
  • Products containing sodium lauryl sulphate
  • Diuretics

How Dental Excel can help you

Dental Excel in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast can help you if you are suffering with bad breath. We take a holistic approach to your oral hygiene, and are happy to discuss your condition with you, offering some real, practical advice that you can put into practice straightaway.

We strongly advocate the practice of taking regular oral health checks at your dentist. Your dentist or hygienist can be your closest friend and ally when you suffer with bad breath! Contact us today, and let us help you with your condition.