Emergency Dental Appointments in Bentleigh East
We understand that having a toothache can be very painful and detrimental to your way of life and even work. That is why, as an Bentleigh East dental clinic, we endeavour to see you on the same day for emergency dental if you have a toothache or other issue.
When handling emergency dental needs, our main goal is to ensure that you are not in pain. That’s why we have dedicated emergency appointments every day. We also have dental appointments available on Saturdays. Pain medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can help to manage pain temporarily. In some scenarios, antibiotics may be recommended to reduce the amount of infection/pain before appropriate dental treatment is commenced.
Pain from your mouth can manifest itself in many different ways. Some toothaches can range from minor discomfort or sensitivity to excruciating pain with facial swelling. A toothache can be caused by many different reasons.
Why do I grind my teeth?
As a dentist, one of the more common questions you receive from clients is “why do I grind my teeth?”. Tooth grinding, or Bruxism, is an irritating issue that can take a toll on your dental health. However, it’s also one with several different possible causes, sometimes making it difficult to pin down.
Common causes of teeth grinding include:
- Psychological stress, anxiety and tension
- Possible sleep disorder and associated airway problems
- Illness, nutritional deficiencies
- Combination of above issues
The cause of why you grind your teeth can also be some combination of the above issues. Other possible reasons for grinding teeth include intense concentration and illicit drug use. Naturally, over an extended period of time, teeth grinding can cause more than just momentary discomfort.
I Show Too Much Gum When I Smile, What Can be Done?
You may be surprised to learn that there isn’t a clear-cut definition of what a “gummy smile” entails. So, when people ask questions along the lines of “do my gums show too much when I smile?”, the answer tends to be somewhat subjective. Simply put, a gummy smile generally refers to a smile that shows in excess of 2-3 mm of gums when smiling.
Some research has suggested that excessive gum is more common in women than men. While it isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, many people who consider themselves to have excessive gum feel that it detracts from their smile. This often leads to them seeking dental attention in order to regain their confidence.
What Can Be Done to Alleviate Too Much Gum?
There are some simple procedures that can help with a gummy smile which includes teeth straightening, such as braces, teeth aligners, gum surgery and/or porcelain veneers.
Why are my teeth worn?
Short and worn teeth can be caused by many factors such as erosion, grinding of teeth and in some cases both at once. Erosion refers to an acidic component usually through diet (fizzy drinks, sucking lemon wedges) or internally such as gastric reflux. The regular exposure of acid to your teeth will lead to “softening” of your teeth. Grinding refers to teeth on teeth contact usually during deep sleep but also occasionally when you are awake. Much like break pads on your car tires that will wear down when overused so will your natural tooth structure.
Effects of worn teeth
The biggest effect is reduced capacity for chewing. Fragile teeth are prone to fractures and cracks. As you wear your teeth down, it gets closer and closer to the nerve which sits in the middle of every tooth and therefore a common complaint from patients with worn teeth is sensitivity or nerve pain. Besides a decrease in functional capacity, it also results in unsightly teeth and embarrassed smiles. Treatment of this problem varies depending on the severity of the worn teeth. This can range from simple education to rehabilitation of teeth with crown and bridges, dental implants, porcelain veneers or a combination.
Why do I have bad breath?
It can be rather embarrassing having bad breath and not knowing why or how to solve it, constantly shying away from close up conversations with friends and family.
There are many causes of bad breath. It can range from dehydration, smoking, poor oral hygiene, diet, dental decay, infection, gums disease and much more. The best way to tackle this problem is to get an accurate diagnosis as to the cause of the bad smell. Sometimes, when there are multiple factors contributing- all these factors have to be addressed. A regular professional cleaning every 6 months also ensures a clean mouth to give you the freshest breath.
Are there consequences of missing a tooth?
The effects of missing teeth can be detrimental in some cases. If you have had a tooth removed, you may not be fully aware of all the consequences.
Besides the obvious changes such as a reduced chewing capacity and lowered self-confidence, missing tooth/teeth can cause:
- Eruption of opposing teeth
- Tipping of other teeth
- These can lead to further bite disharmony
- Periodontal disease
- Food trapping
- Cavities
- Bone loss
Teeth replacement options available include dentures, dental bridges and dental implants.
My teeth are not straight, are there any consequences?
A well aligned set of teeth is key to a pleasant and radiant smile. However it is not the only reason for straightening ones teeth. Recent studies has shown that a well aligned set of teeth are able to function more optimally without any problems, able to make brushing and flossing easier and reduce problems with your jaw and jaw joint. Problems that can occur from crowded and crooked teeth include difficulties in oral hygiene (leading to dental decay and gum diseases), unfavourable wear on teeth, cracks in teeth, muscle and joint problems resulting in headaches and neck aches.
I don't like my smile, what can be done?
Sometimes there might be particular issues with your teeth and other times you might not even know what you dislike about them. Its never to late to talk to us about it. A beautiful smile is very subjective but it follows a few principles that we try to follow. For eg. your two front teeth should be symmetrical and have approximately 80% height to width ratio. The arc of your smile to should follow the arc of your lower lip.
This is why we incorporate smile designs into our workflow when we are addressing your smile. In some cases, a simple whitening could do the trick. Others may require porcelain veneers, crowns and bridges, invisalign, implants or a combination of treatments.
Why do I have discoloured teeth?
Age, poor oral hygiene, certain medicines and dental problems (such as tooth decay/injuries, tartar/calculus, old fillings) can caused teeth to discolour. Teeth are also prone to stains from your diet and lifestyle such as wine, coffee, tea, curry, smoking and much more. These stains enter micro-porosities of your teeth and cannot be removed with brushing or professional dental scale and clean.
There are several treatment available to help you regain your beautiful, white and shiny smile. Teeth whitening is the first line treatment in most scenarios. Occasionally veneers may be required to mask severe discolouration.
Why do I have a broken tooth?
Are you looking to repair a cracked tooth in Bentleigh East? Cracked teeth are relatively common, but can cause a variety of issues when left unchecked, including pain and a buildup of food and bacteria over time. That’s why, it’s important to have them dealt with sooner rather than later.
Causes and Symptoms of a Broken Tooth
Teeth break or crack for several reasons, commonly due to persistent grinding, large decays or large existing fillings. A broken or cracked tooth can be painful or not at all depending on how it is broken. Most times a broken or cracked tooth will allow the ingression of bacteria into your tooth towards the nerves. If left too long, this can lead to immense pain and/or infection. So, if you’re looking for assistance with a cracked tooth in Bentleigh East, we at Chesterville Dental endeavour to see you on the same day as we have dedicated appointments for issues just like this. To book your appointment, contact Chesterville Dental today.