Tooth fillings are a common restorative dental treatment for teeth that have been damaged by decay. They restore cavities, repair cracks and stop bacteria from entering the tooth to regain full tooth functionality and ensure that the problem doesn’t become a bigger and more expensive one in the future.

Tooth fillings often send shivers down patient’s spines as dental anxiety is quite common. But you’ll be glad to know that technological advancements have improved not only the materials used for fillings, but also the method. Pain management and sedation options are always available to patients who require fillings.

There are a range of dental fillings available, and your dentist will discuss with you which tooth filling is best for you.

Composite Resin Tooth Fillings

Composite Resin fillings, also known as white fillings, are made from a mixture of plastic and glass compounds.

Pros

• Natural-looking and aesthetically-pleasing – they’re made to mimic the natural colour of your teeth!
• An affordable option
• Ideal for placement in front teeth and small fillings
• Less treatment time in chair than porcelain or ceramic fillings
• Relatively versatile

Cons

• Shorter lifespan than porcelain and ceramic fillings
• Not well suited for large or deep fillings

Glass Ionomer Tooth Fillings

Made from a combination of acrylic acids and fine glass, Glass Ionomer fillings form a chemical link with the tooth.

Pros

• Little to no drilling or preparation required
• Able to release chemical compounds such as fluoride, which helps prevent future cavities
• Suitable for babies and children
• Great for gum line fillings and moist areas in the mouth

Cons

• Relatively weak compared to other filling materials – so they are not suitable for biting surfaces
• Don’t generally match the translucency of natural teeth as well as porcelain, ceramics or composites

Amalgam Tooth Fillings

Amalgam fillings are the most traditional types of fillings, either silver or gold in colour.

Pros

• Durable and useful in areas of the mouth where biting pressure is higher, and the fillings are not very visible (such as the molars)

Cons

• Decreased popularity now that natural-looking fillings have advanced
• Not as visually pleasing as other options

With a range of options available for dental fillings, it’s best to talk to your dentist about which material and method is most suitable for your dental issue. For more advice and quality dental treatment, visit our dedicated team at Everton Park Dental.To book an appointment, call us on (07) 3355 7936 or book online.

Everton
Park Dental is a preferred provider for major health funds – including HCF, TUH
and CBHS. Be sure to check if your health
fund is expiring at the end of this financial year and use it
before you lose it!

Enquire today about our New Patient Offer for just $198! Includes a one-hour comprehensive consultation, check-up and clean.

We are currently open during Covid-19, safely treating patients under Level 1 guidelines from the ADA. During this time, we are maintaining high standards of infection control and implementing extra precautions to keep our patients and staff safe. This includes enforcing social distancing in our waiting rooms, constantly disinfecting common areas, washing our hands thoroughly in between each patient, and providing our patients with hand sanitiser to use. Your health and safety are our highest priorities.

Do you have bad breath even through you brush and floss diligently? Or do you gum bleeds when you brush or floss?

Gum disease is an insidious form of gum disease and is only often detected by a dentist because they know what to look out for and have the equipment to do so.

If gum disease develops further, it turns into Periodontitis, which is when the gum disease has spread inside your mouth which causes symptoms like:

• Red and swollen gums
• Sore gums
• Incessant bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Bleeding gums

Here are 3 reasons why gum disease is bad!

1. Gum disease doesn’t go away on its own

Infection in your gums doesn’t get better on its own, regardless how many times you brush your teeth and floss. In fact, most people avoid brushing their teeth when their gums bleed because they think they can forget the issue – which makes it worse!

Only dentists can do a deep clean to resolve this problem- by cleaning below the gum line to remove the plaque and tartar that build up in the grooves between the teeth and gums over time.

3. Gum disease can lead to losing your teeth

When left untreated, gum disease turns into periodontal disease, which. Is detrimental for your dental health. Your gums recede due to infection and inflammation which attacks the tissue that holds the tooth to the jawbone. This causes the tooth to become loose and potentially fall out.

3. Gum Disease causes other health issues

Gum disease has been linked to premature birth, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health problems. Research shows that treating gum disease can lead to better health.

The link between gum disease and chronic health conditions is inflammation, the body’s natural response to an infection.

If gum disease is left untreated, inflammatory substances build up in the blood which can affect other chronic conditions you may be suffering from. Getting gum disease under control may reduce any serious issues developing in your body.

Gum disease awareness month!

February is gum disease awareness month in a national and global effort to raise public awareness of gum disease.

The awareness campaign aims to encourage the general public to take an active role in better oral health through prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Education and prevention are vital to stopping gum disease.

We can help you kick gum disease in the butt!

Here at Everton Park Dental, our friendly team are experts and diagnosing and treating gum disease to help you live a happy and healthy life.

At any appointment, our team assess your overall dental health and provide a comprehensive clean for all patients. We also at the end of your appointment, explain how to maintain perfect oral health and how to manage any issues with your teeth, including gum disease.

f you or someone you know is suffering from gum disease, come into our practice and let Everton Park Dental- Dentist near Stafford help treat and educate you on how to prevent gum disease.

To make an appointment, call our practice on (07) 3355 7936

Summer is here – the hot summer days and nights spent outside enjoying the endless summer days & daily routines are forgotten. Summer also brings with it the festive period, which includes fun, laughter, presents and maybe a few too many sugary treats

Here are 5 easy tips to implement during the festive period to close the gap between dental emergencies.

1) Reduce your sugar intake

Its difficult to resist all the sugary treats during the festive period- from Nanna’s delicious cakes and treats, to lollies and sugary drinks. I mena, if you can’t overindulge  during the festive period when can you?
This festive period, consider limiting the sugary treats and drinks and give your teeth a break.

Sugary foods and drinks produce acid with the bacteria in your mouth, which can wear down the enamel (protective layer) of your teeth, which causes tooth decay.

Children’s teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay as their enamel on their teeth is thinner and weaker than adults.

We don’t expect you to cut out sugar completely during the festive period- we know its too difficult to resist. However, we do recommend cutting down the amount you consume. This includes more than just lollies and chocolates, but it also includes dried fruits processed fruits and drinks such as soft drinks and juices.

2) More water, less alcohol

The festive period sees an increase of parties- from family and friend get togethers to work parties- which usually include some great food, terrible dancing and of course, an array of alcoholic beverages.  Everybody likes to relax during the festive period and let loose with a few cocktails or beers, but consider the damage alcohol causes to your overall dental health.

Drinking some beverages such as Red wine cause discolouration of your teeth, and excessive alcohol consumption can enhance your risk of developing oral cancer.

When indulging in some alcoholic beverages this holiday season, we recommend drinking a glass of water after every glass to not only stay hydrated, but to wash away any left over food debris and damaging acid on your teeth.

3) Don’t use your teeth as ‘tools’

It’s a scene we’ve all been in- when you were a kid you sued your teeth to rip open the box on your newest barbie doll or Nerf gun, and as an adult we’ve all used our teeth to rip sticky tape when you’ve somehow misplaced the scissors under all the wrapping paper. What you may not realise is that using your teeth as tools can cause serious damage to your teeth.

This festive period, make sure you and your loved ones don’t use your teeth as tooth as doing so can wear down your teeth and potentially cause chips or teeth to fall out.

If you do damage a tooth during the festive period, you should contact a dentist immediately to avoid any future issues.

4) Protect your teeth when playing sports

Summer nights consist of BBQs and  usually, a backyard sporting game like cricket or footy which can turn into competitive games.

While enjoying a game this summer, make sure to protect your kids teeth as playing contact sports can cause teeth to fall out or chips.

If the game is getting intense, ensure your kids use a mouthguard as this can reduce the severity of injuries and prevents any tooth loss.

5) Keep up your dental hygiene habits

The holiday period can be a busy time and usually regular routines are abandoned for sleep ins, staying up late and trips away with friends and family.

It is important to keep up your regular dental routine, especially with kids to ensure perfect oral hygiene is maintained.

Keeping up a good oral hygiene includes:

• Brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing once a day
• Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet
• Drink plenty of water
• Keeping up with your scheduled dental check-ups

The holiday period is designed for you to relax, unwind and spend much needed time with loved ones, but it is always important to maintain perfect oral health care to ensure no damage is done to your pearly whites.

For more tips and tricks on how to maintain perfect oral health over the summer period, come in and speak to one of our dentists here at Everton Park Dental- we’re always happy to help!

To make an appointment call us on (07) 3355 7963

The holiday period is fast approaching and this means an increase of sugary treats and drinks. From lollies, to desserts and even soft drinks and other sweet beverages it is a time of feasting on delicious, but usually unhealthy foods. 

Sugar is a core component in all those delicious treats which can lead to tooth decay and other damage to our teeth. Cavities are heavily influenced by the food we eat and how well we take care of our teeth and both adults and children are susceptible to cavities. 

There are a number of methods that you and your dentists can undertake to prevent any potential issues. 

Preventative Care

reventative treatment is essential for you overall health, including your oral health. Although the holiday period is a busy time for everyone, regular dental visits are the key to a healthy mouth, as they allow you to identify any small dental problems before they become a real issue. 

Preventative care includes regular cleans, sealants, fluoride, and x-rays.
Swap processed and artificial sugars for natural sugars.
Although all types of sugars cause damage to your teeth, however, fresh fruit is a healthier alternative to artificial or processed foods. 

Sugar-free options

Another way to prevent cavities this holiday period is to use sugar-free options for some of your much loved treats. 

Choosing sugar-free options  allows you to indulge a little more while your teeth stay damage free. 

Limit the sweets

All kids big and small love sugary sweets, but this Christmas try limiting the amount of sweets and the frequency of the sweets.
All foods can be eaten in moderation and the holiday period is a time of celebration, so let yourself indulge a little. 

Advent calendars are perceived to be bad as they promote eating chocolate daily, however they are a great way to teach kids to eat sweets in moderation and at a similar time of day. 

A small chocolate a day is ok if you’re keeping up your oral health care routine. 

Are you due for a check up? Everton Park Dental offer an extensive range of services for all your dental needs including, check-ups, cleans & preventative treatments. 

We specialise in child dental health and accept the Gap-free dental health scheme – so come in before the end of the year to utilise your Gap- Free Dental appointments. To book an appointment, call us on (07)3355 7936.