Gawler Place Dental in Adelaide, South Australia | Medical and health

Gawler Place Dental

Locality: Adelaide, South Australia

Phone: +61 8 8231 2606

Address: Level 6/55 Galwer Place 5000 Adelaide, SA, Australia

Website: http://www.gawlerplacedental.com/

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• Dentist & dental surgery

24.01.2022 Practice Accreditation When you go see your dentist, chances are you don't necessarily look at all the various posters and notices on the practice's wall. But if you were to take a good look, one particular item you might see displayed will talk about the fact that the dental practice has undertaken what's known as practice accreditation. In short, that means that the staff at your practice have undergone a process to meet a strict set of standards that commit them to continu...ously improving the safety and quality of the care they deliver to patients like you. Why does it matter? It's a big deal because unlike their public sector colleagues who must be accredited, private practices are not required to undergo the same procedure. If the dental practice you attend has accredited itself, that means they have, of their own volition and expense, voluntarily committed to continuously improve safety and quality for patients. Not every dental practice is accredited, so if your dentist hasn’t done it yet, there’s no need to worry. All dental practices must comply with an enormous amount of legislative guidelines, standards and requirements even without accreditation. However, because practice accreditation involves a continual assessment and improvement of practice procedures, the ADA encourages all of its members to have their practices accredited and a significant number already have. What does accreditation involve? In dentistry, practices must meet the first six of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. Once the practice has completed all the required documentation, they are assessed by an independent accreditation agency who awards the accreditation. Next time you visit the dentist, keep an eye out for their accreditation certificate or posters about accreditation, and be sure to congratulate the staff on going through the process. It's involved a huge amount of work for them, all in the name of improving your experience! Choosing an accredited practice If your practice doesn't have accreditation certificates and posters on display, all you need to do is ask them if they have undergone accreditation. You will find though that practices are proud of their accredited status and will make it obvious they have achieved it.

22.01.2022 You are what you eat... Every parent knows that chocolates, lollies, and fizzy drinks are bad for their child’s teeth. It’s because the sugar in these foods and drinks is harmful and causes dental decay, a disease that more than 50% of Aussie kids suffer. A disease that is entirely preventable. Tooth decay is caused by how frequently we snack and how long you are exposed to food at any one time. This doesn’t mean just lollies and fizzy drinks; this includes foods that are hig...h in natural sugars or starch. Every time we eat our teeth are exposed to the sugars in food. The bacteria in our mouths (plaque) use these sugars to make acid, and if teeth are exposed to this acid long enough holes develop - this is known as tooth decay. Don’t worry; it’s not all bad news. No one is saying that your children should never be allowed to eat sugary foods again! Rather, when choosing snacks, be aware of how much sugar is in them, but more importantly, reduce the number of times they eat these foods and make sure they are eaten in an appropriate time frame, not over long periods of time. So what can my children snack on? Finding and preparing healthy snacks can be a challenge, especially if you have a fussy eater or a child with food intolerance. Being informed gives you the best chance of making good nutritional choices for your kids. TIPS Remember, snacks are meals in between main meals so they should be light and low in sugar. Fresh is best. Packaged foods are generally higher in sugar than their fresh alternatives. Always read the label if sugar is listed in the top three ingredients it’s usually not a good sign. Searching online is a great way to find healthy snack ideas for you and the kids. There are some simple changes you can make to stop decay in its tracks - and it’s never too late! Taking care of teeth, gums, lips and the mouth are important from a very early age. The habits your children form today are the ones they will take through life and will have a dramatic effect on their overall health. Teach them good habits and lead by example. Everything you have just read applies to you too! 5 TIPS TO STOP DECAY IN ITS TRACKS 1. Avoid snack foods that are sticky, gummy, chewy or sweet. 2. Avoid grazing! Have set meals times and form a routine. 3. Limit fruit to two servings per day. Fruit is good but too much can be harmful. 4. Give your kids water with every meal to help wash away lingering food. 5. Be selective with snacks. Veggies, cheeses and lean meats are great and tasty options.

21.01.2022 Do you avoid smiling because you are embarrassed about the colour of your teeth? If yellowing or stains on your teeth are affecting your confidence, a whitening treatment may be worth considering. There are a range of safe treatment options available from your dentist, but there are some facts you need to know before you undertake treatment. Discoloured Teeth...Continue reading

21.01.2022 Whitening, Crowns and Veneers Aesthetic dentistry, often incorrectly referred to as cosmetic dentistry, is the term used to describe treatments which change the way your teeth look. There is far more involved than simply changing the appearance of your teeth. While a cosmetic procedure like tooth whitening is included in aesthetic dentistry, the field is mostly concerned with orthodontic treatment which involves teeth straightening, and restorative dentistry, which involves... the insertion of crowns, veneers and dental implants. Teeth Whitening As the name suggests, this treatment is all about lightening stained or discoloured teeth. While you can buy over-the-counter, use-at-home toothpastes and strips, your dentist is best qualified to determine if you need teeth whitening. They can diagnose the reason for the discolouration and its type, and can then advise the most effective treatment for you. You may be tempted to go to a shopping centre booth or a beautician to get your teeth whitened, but neither are staffed by suitably qualified personnel. Incorrect use of bleaching agents may cause irreversible damage to your teeth and gums. DIY bleaching comes with all sorts of risks, and anecdotal treatments such as rubbing strawberries, lemons, or even bicarbonate of soda on your teeth, can do a lot of damage to your teeth and gums for no real whitening gain. Keep in mind is that crowns, veneers and fillings don’t change colour when you have your teeth whitened. Veneers Veneers are thin, tooth-coloured porcelain or glass/plastic layers fixed onto the front of your teeth that can be a suitable option if you have teeth with gaps, that are stained, discoloured, broken or chipped, crowded-in or crooked, oddly-shaped or badly-aligned. Crowns If your broken or decayed tooth needs to be rebuilt, it’s possible your dentist will use a crown to do the job. Crowns are generally made from materials such as porcelain, and porcelain/metal combinations. Not only do they make your teeth look more attractive, but they also give them added strength, durability and stability. Teeth straightening Using corrective items like braces and plates, your dentist or orthodontist (specialist) will line up your teeth within your jaw so you not only look better but may have more efficient use of the affected teeth. Once considered unsightly, braces, a key part of teeth straightening, are now much less noticeable than they were, in some cases being all but invisible. Dental implants If you have missing teeth, your dentist may suggest the use of implants to replace them. Not only may your smile improve, you may also enjoy a better quality of life. Your dentist is best placed to advise on the most suitable option for replacing your teeth and any decision on changing the look and function of your teeth should always be in conjunction with your dentist. fact sheet from ada.org.au

15.01.2022 Dental Tourism For many people holidays involve sun, surf and beaches, and a cocktail by the pool. But for increasing numbers of people, they also mean a chance to get some dental work done ‘on the cheap’ overseas, part of a trend popularly known as dental tourism. The decision to become a dental tourist usually comes to down to one simple thing saving money. And while it’s true you may save some money in the short term, the reality is that things can go wrong and all tho...se expected savings can quickly disappear. Things can go wrong Let’s be honest - things can go wrong in the dental chair. The difference is that when the work is done in Australia you’re close to highly-trained dentists who can perform corrective procedures. But if the work’s done overseas, you may be cut off from the expert emergency care you need. Standards aren’t as stringent While Australian dentists are trained to a very high standard, must be registered, and are required to operate in a strictly-regulated environment, not all countries have the same requirements. The overseas dentist you select to do your dental work may not be as qualified as their Australian peers and may not be working with the same quality materials as those routinely used here. Infection and antibiotic resistance A matter of increasing concern for health professionals is the growth of Superbugs which are resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat serious infections.Previously rare in Australia, they are appearing more and more as people return from treatment in overseas hospitals and clinics without this country’s infection control standards. Australian dentists, by contrast, are obligated to adhere to strict infection control protocols. Too many procedures, too little time Many dental treatments, such as root canal surgery, need to be conducted over a number of visits at least a week apart to give the teeth and gums sufficient time to recover between procedures. Trying to squeeze a complex number of procedures into a typical holiday means you’re risking all kinds of complications, even if the work is performed to an acceptable standard. Questions to ask yourself Before you head off on a dental holiday, you should check if your overseas dentist was trained at a reputable university and whether the health standards in that country are as rigorous as those in Australia. Finally, will you be able to have any complications rectified and at what expense and time commitment?

13.01.2022 No Impressions (For Crowns and Orthodontic procedures) Over the last few years a new wave of digital scanners have been hitting the market and we have invested in this technology. The digital scanner captures clear and highly accurate impression data in minutes, without the need for traditional impression materials that some patients find inconvenient and messy. We place the scanner gently in your mouth and take a series of pictures. These digital impressions remove any chance of distortion and your new crown is made on a computerised milling machine.

09.01.2022 Diet and Nutrition Everything you eat and drink can have a major effect on the health of your teeth and gums, particularly whether you develop tooth decay, a diet related disease which is caused when the sugars in the food and drinks you eat are taken up by bacteria; these in turn produce the acids that can attack the outer layer of tooth enamel. To ensure that your diet doesn't negatively affect your teeth, there's a few key things to keep in mind: ... Drink lots of water It’s calorie free, there are no ingredient labels to stress over, and it’s almost free! Even better, tap water in most areas of Australia contains fluoride, one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to help prevent tooth decay. If you choose water over anything else, and regularly sip it throughout the day, you're going a long way to making real difference to the health of your teeth. Limit snacking between meals A key component in helping to prevent decay is saliva which helps your teeth recover from these attacks by neutralising the acids. Its good work, however, can be undone if you snack frequently between meals, which means your teeth don't get a break from the acid attacks that occur when you eat. Also, limit sugary treats to meal times, rather than between meals. Watch what you eat It is not just the obvious sweet foods and drinks such as lollies and soft drinks that can cause decay. Frequent snacking on foods with hidden sugars like biscuits, crackers, cereals, chips and even dried fruit (these foods break down into sugars in the mouth) can cause acid attacks on your tooth enamel. Gum anyone? Chewing sugar-free gum (and that’s the crucial qualifier, it must be sugar-free!) may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re thinking about good dietary habits that benefit your teeth. But studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating can prompt your mouth to produce more saliva, which helps neutralise decay-causing acid attacks. for more info visit: www.ada.org.au

09.01.2022 Oral Cancer - How you’re increasing your risk Oral Cancer is a potentially fatal disease that can affect anyone from young adults right through to the elderly. It is caused by a variety of lifestyle risks, many of which are a part of the lives of the majority of Australians. Although it may only occur in relatively small numbers, the number of cases is on the rise, making it a disease that should be taken very seriously. It is an insidious, aggressive disease with a survival ...Continue reading

08.01.2022 Talking to your dentist - Eating disorders Your dentist can support you on your path to recovery by helping you minimise and repair the damage to your mouth and teeth that may have been caused by malnutrition and acid erosion associated with disordered eating behaviours. They can additionally, they can provide support through referral to an eating disorder support service. Seeking treatment for worn or damaged teeth... Discuss your oral health concerns with your dentist. Remember, any discussions with your dentist are private and will remain confidential. Your dentist will need to look at your teeth to make a treatment plan. Examining your teeth may include a check-up, X-rays, photos and moulds of your teeth. If your teeth have been worn down, your dentist will discuss with you all available options to replace the missing tooth structure. Some damage may require specialist dental treatment. This may include a referral to a specialist. Maintain good oral hygiene Brush twice daily with a soft toothbrush and using a higher fluoride toothpaste. Floss or use interdental brushes to clean between your teeth daily. Do not brush your teeth straight away after vomiting. The acid that has contacted your teeth may soften the surface of the teeth; brushing your teeth too soon can wear this surface away. Wait at least 60 minutes before brushing. After this time, brushing can still wear away the teeth, instead, try to rinse with milk, water or fluoride mouthwash to decrease the acidic mouth environment and strengthen tooth enamel. Stay well hydrated Consume water to stay hydrated, preferably tap water containing fluoride. Dehydration can cause a dry mouth, which means less saliva. Saliva helps to flush and cleanse the mouth, it acts to decrease the acidity of your mouth and provides calcium and phosphate, which help to strengthen teeth. Talk to your dentist Your dentist can recommend additional dental products that may be used to care for your teeth. Follow your dentist’s instructions to protect your teeth during your recovery. For more information The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) provides evidence-based information on the prevention and management of eating disorders, and information about recovery and support services within your state or territory. www.nedc.com.au For support Call the Butterfly National Helpline 1800 33 46 73 Open 8 am midnight AEST, seven days a week For more information on your dental health visit ada.org.au

08.01.2022 Brushing You’ll no doubt be aware that brushing your teeth, which removes the plaque that causes tooth decay and gum disease, is important. What you may not know is that how often you brush, how long you brush for, the kind of technique and toothbrush you use all matter too. To gain the maximum benefit from brushing your teeth, you should be brushing for at least two minutes morning and night, spending roughly 30 seconds on each quarter of your mouth.Think that sounds like to...o much hard work? Firing up your streaming service, playing your favourite two pop song - think the likes of Blur's "Song No.2" or "Mr Zebra" by Tori Amos - and brushing until the end is one fun way to make sure your teeth get all the cleaning they need. It’s all in the technique If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give too much thought to how you brush your teeth, beyond squirting on some toothpaste, and brushing back and forth. But as your dentist will tell you, how you brush your teeth matters a great deal. You should be cleaning your teeth systematically, starting at the back with the toothbrush bristle at the gumline or at a 45 angle, brushing gently in a circular motion, and finishing with a spit, not a rinse. If you have an electric toothbrush, you should be guiding the moving brush head slowly from tooth to tooth following the contours of the tooth and the curve of the gums. Regardless of the brush you use, try to avoid brushing with too much force as this can damage the surface of your teeth. And as for the toothpaste? You only need a pea-sized amount to get the job done. Tools of the trade You are always best using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head and a flexible neck because this will most effectively remove plaque and debris from your teeth, without damaging your teeth and gums and drawing blood. Try to replace your brush at the first sign of wear-and-tear or every three months, whichever comes first, and if you've just had a cold, replace your toothbrush so you don’t get reinfected by the germs in the bristles. If you have braces It's recommended that you brush after every meal, preferably using a toothbrush with a soft head to regularly clean away the food debris and plaque that can accumulate in the brackets. The best technique is to hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums, much like a standard brushing technique, before moving on to brushing downwards to clean the top of the brackets and brushing upwards to clean the bottom section. For more information on brushing when you have braces, please visit Australian Society of Orthodontists.

06.01.2022 It’s usually not very difficult to tell if your baby has started teething. Around 4-7 months you’ll notice frequent crying, red cheeks, more drooling, problems sleeping, and general fussiness. You might even notice your little one is refusing food or is trying to nibble anything he or she can get their hands on! Teething isn’t much fun for anyone. Seeing your child distressed or being woken up in the middle of the night can be difficult, but remember your baby has teeth break...ing through their gums for the very first time, ouch! It’s important to remain patient and it’s natural to feel a little helpless. While there is no magic cure for teething there are some tricks that can help soothe the pain and keep things quiet(er), at least for a little while. Each child is different and sometimes you have to use trial and error to get results. The first thing to remember when you have a teething tot is that distracting them from the pain will help, and there are a variety of ways you can do this. First, try affection and attention. Giving your baby plenty of cuddles and extra attention can help keep their mind off their mouth for some short term relief. Some light pressure with something cold can also help relieve sore gums, like gently rubbing or massaging the gums with a clean finger or a cold spoon. Just remember, not too hard and not too cold! A chilled washcloth can also do the trick. There are a range of teething rings available for babies to gnaw on. Chilled (not frozen) teething rings offer temporary pain relief through the pressure and cold and act as a distraction. Teething rings can be attached to your babies clothing, but never tie anything around the neck as it risks strangulation. Lots of parents choose to let their baby suck or chew on a dummy (pacifiers) as this can settle a restless baby and provide temporary relief. Using dummies is OK as long as you don’t put anything sweet on them like honey or jam (or you’ll cause decay!). Children who are eating solids can also use remedies such as hardened sugar-free rusks, peeled cucumber or frozen carrots large enough that they cannot be swallowed. If these measures fail to provide relief for teething, ask your dentist or pharmacist for advice before using any pain medication or oral gels that contain a local anaesthetic. Should your child present with symptoms not outlined above, do not assume they are simply teething. Symptoms such as diarrhoea, rashes (other than those caused by drooling irritation) and fever are not symptomatic of teething and your child should see a healthcare professional to rule out other illness TEETHING PRACTICES TO AVOID DON’T add sugar, honey, or jam to the tip of a babies bottle, or dip a dummy in honey. This does not help pain relief and will cause dental decay. DON’T add medicines to your child’s food or bottle. AVOID the use of Amber necklaces and bracelets as they pose a choking risk. For more information on oral health visit ada.org.au

05.01.2022 Flossing If you’re relying solely on brushing to keep your teeth clean, you’re missing nearly half the surface area of your teeth which, not surprisingly, lies between them. For that reason alone, flossing should be an essential part of your oral care routine and never an optional extra. By using floss to remove the plaque from between your teeth, you’re helping to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and halitosis (otherwise known as bad breath), a considerable amount of up...side for just a couple of minutes effort each day. A part of your routine It’s always best to floss when you’re not in a rush or when you’re too tired to do it well. If you find you're exhausted at the end of the day, then it's a good idea to floss first thing in the morning or after lunch. Alternatively, if you like to go to bed with a clean mouth then floss before your nightly brush. If you have kids, they should begin flossing, with your help up until about age 8, as soon as they have two teeth in contact. How to floss Your dentist is the most qualified person to instruct you on flossing correctly but there are some basic tips you can follow: Tip 1. Wind approximately 45 cm of floss around your middle fingers and grip it tightly between your thumbs and index fingers. Tip 2. Keeping the thumb and forefingers close together, gently guide the floss between the teeth, taking care not to cut or damage your gums with abrupt movement. You should use a side-to-side motion to ensure the sides of both teeth are cleaned equally. Tip 3. To clean the neck of the tooth, which is the point where it meets the gums, curl the floss and insert it gently under the gum. If sticking your fingers into your mouth with a cord of thin filaments strung between them isn’t your idea of fun, then consider using either a less invasive floss threader (a nylon loop through which you thread the floss) or floss pick (the floss is held taut between two prongs on a handle) to do the job. And finally, your dentist might also recommend using other items such as bottle brush-shaped interdental cleaners, if you have large gaps between your teeth, or interdental tips (flexible rubber tips) and irrigators (electrically-powered water-pumping devices) to compliment your flossing regimen.

03.01.2022 Toddlers If you’re the parent of a toddler, you’ll be well aware that you’re in possession of a full-speed-ahead bundle of energy. Getting them to do anything can be a challenge, but when it comes to their oral health, it’s important that you teach them early on that they need to look after their teeth and gums. ... Get started early Waiting until your child has a full set of teeth before they visit the dentist for the first time might seem sensible, but the general rule of thumb is that this visit should happen by 12 months old or when their first tooth becomes visible. Early dental visits will help protect your child from tooth decay by educating you on what you need to do to keep their teeth healthy. Brushing your child’s teeth One of the first things your dentist will discuss with you is the importance of teaching you how to brush and floss your child’s teeth. Initially using just cold water on a soft children’s toothbrush toothpaste can be used from around 18 months of age you should gently brush each tooth and massage the gum using a soft, circular motion. And yes, even flossing is necessary as soon as two teeth touch; your dentist can show you the correct technique if you’re not sure. You can make cleaning your toddler’s teeth more fun by creating a brushing game, put on their favourite song or find a toothbrush or toothpaste with a beloved TV character on it. Stopping the rot Kids will often put a fight when it comes to cleaning their teeth but the reality is if it’s not done regularly, tooth decay can set in, with a host of painful problems resulting including the removal of teeth in extreme cases. Along with a twice-daily regime of brushing and flossing, try to limit their consumption of sugary foods and drinks such as lollies, soft drinks, and even savoury biscuits, snack bars and muffins. If you do give your child a snack it’s best to stick to meal times only and limit grazing choose unprocessed food like vegetables, cheeses and lean meats. Checking for decay You can easily check the state of your child’s teeth by lifting their top and bottom lips and checking for white patches, which are the early warning signs for decay, and can be reversed. Grey, brown or black spots indicate more serious decay; in either case, book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Fact sheet from ada.org.au