What If I Stop Wearing My Retainer? Ask A Perth Orthodontist

Not many people realise that it takes a little while for the teeth to settle into their new spots. The braces will slowly manoeuvre them into their new positions, but teeth are surprisingly rebellious and usually begin to roam about again. Many patients who get braces - both adults and children - are chomping at the bit to get the small wires taken out of their mouth, and in their eagerness they overlook the last crucial step; the retainer.

What Is A Retainer?

A retainer is a small device which has been specially sculpted to fit your bite. Usually made from plastic or metal, it sits in your mouth and acts as a supporting frame for your smile. They’re common to be used after braces or dental alignments, to keep the teeth in place until the mouth has healed correctly and the teeth are settled.

What Happens If I Stop Wearing Mine?

Okay, so your braces are off. We get it, you’re excited to go grinning and dining with your new pearly whites - but the dental care isn’t over just yet. There are some consequences that may arise from neglecting your retainer, and the results could range from a ‘little annoying’ to ‘very expensive’.

Your Teeth Have Been Moved To Their Natural Positions:

If your treatment involved moving your teeth to positions that they should have naturally occupied, the mouth requires slightly less adjustment and your orthodontist may recommend a considerably shorter period of time to wear your retainer. Even though this is an easier process for your mouth, you should still wear your retainer for as long as your orthodontist recommends. This will help the teeth to settle in to gums and adjust to their new space, and will keep them from straying. If your teeth begin to move around the jaw again, you may need orthodontic services, such as braces, all over again.

Your Teeth Have Been Moved To New Positions:

If your orthodontist has moved your teeth to new positions in the jaw, then your teeth are highly likely to try and recover their lost ground once the braces are off. In this circumstance, the teeth could move back to their original positions and cause you discomfort - as well as another extensive period of braces, to align the teeth once more.

Your orthodontist will examine your teeth and situation, then will prescribe a length of time which they see fit. After the costs and effort involved in braces, you want to be sure that the results will last! This is why your orthodontist encourages you to wear your retainer, and to be consistent during the time where your teeth are likely to shift once more. If you have any further queries about your orthodontic care, call us at Carillon City Dental. Our team of dental and orthodontic experts can arrange an appointment or consultation with you to discuss any issues you may have.

Let Your Smile Shine This Summer With Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening has become increasingly popular in Perth, with more and more people wanting a dazzlingly white smile. While everyone’s smile is unique, every smile looks healthier and more radiant with a clean, white set of teeth.

Are you considering brightening and whitening your teeth? There are plenty of reasons to have a pearly smile, such as:

• A special occasion, such as a wedding or function, where you want your smile to be the cherry on top of your appearance
• If you’re attending a job interview and you want to make a glowing first impression
• Simply to remove stains from the teeth so you can have a Hollywood smile every day.
• The boost in confidence will make you feel like smiling at everyone - and when you smile at the world, it smiles back.
• The price of teeth whitening is relatively inexpensive compared to other cosmetic works you can have done on your appearance, but adds the subtle vigour of health and youth.
• If you have ageing teeth, teeth whitening can take years off your smile
• It can be a helpful motivator if you’re trying to quit smoking or cut down on sugar. You’ll instantly see how bright and clean your smile is, and you’ll find it much easier to resist temptations that could dull your teeth!

While there are plenty of cosmetic beauty procedures you can have done that will make you stand out in the crowd, teeth whitening will keep you looking healthy and fresh while remaining one of the more subtle cosmetic procedures on the market. Teeth whitening is relatively inexpensive, and it is a small price to pay for a confident smile.

Common Causes Of Tooth Discolouration

There are three main causes of tooth discolouration;

Age related - this is usually a combination of lifestyle and early lifetime habits or traumas. Dentin naturally yellows over time, as the enamel thins across the tooth and the dentin becomes exposed. Dietary choices and smoking will play a huge role in the potential discolouration of a tooth, as well as any chips or cracks that may cause the tooth to darken.

Extrinsic - this is when your enamel is stained. This could be from coffee, soft drinks, wine, smoking, or other food and beverages.

Intrinsic - this is when the dentin darkens from beneath the enamel, and this is usually from early-life factors such as

• Your mother used tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy, or you used them at 8 years of age or younger.
• A rare condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta. This causes grey, amber or purple discolorations.
• As a young child you experienced a trauma that affected a tooth, such as a bad fall which damaged a developing tooth still yet to erupt.
• You had internal bleeding which discoloured the tooth, such as from a  trauma.
• You were exposed to too much fluoride during your childhood

If you think that your smile could benefit from a dental whitening procedure, call our friendly team at Carillon City Dental to organise an appointment or consultation. Our in-chair whitening procedure and take-home whitening kit are both available to you, and our dental team can provide answers to any questions or queries you may have.

How To Care For Your Temporary Dental Fillings

Temporary dental fillings may be used for a variety of reasons, and it is important that they are cared for appropriately.

Your dentist may recommend temporary dental fillings:

• Following a root canal
• Your dentist would like to give your teeth some time to heal
• In cases of emergency dentistry
• For fillings that will span over more than one appointment, such as indirect fillings the placement of gold fillings.

Whatever your dentist's reason, your tooth with a temporary filling is much more delicate than the rest of your pearly whites and will need some extra special attention from you. A temporary filling is meant to remain in place until your next dental visit when your dentist can finish their work - but how can you ensure that your temporary filling doesn’t fall out?

Brush/Floss Gently

Once you’ve had a temporary filling placed, it’s helpful to be exceedingly gentle when you brush and floss your teeth every morning and night. Try using a softer bristled brush, but still make sure that your mouth is receiving a proper clean. When flossing, try to manoeuvre around the filling as best you can. If the filling reaches to the edges of your tooth, avoid pulling the floss up and away when you take it from between your teeth, as this could send the filling flying if it gets caught. Instead, pull it out from the side of your tooth.

Chew Carefully

Your dentist will probably advise you of the potential problems if you return to your regular diet, as food can easily dislodge the filling. You should avoid chewing on the entire side of your mouth with the filling to preserve the filling for as long as needed. Sometimes you may forget - it’s fine if you occasionally chew very gently using that side, but there are foods that could cause havoc. Chewing gum, toffee, and other chewy foods may become stuck to your filling and inadvertently pull it out, and crunchy foods like nuts or carrots may also dislodge the filling.

If you’re mindful of your oral hygiene and chewing habits, your temporary filling should have no trouble lasting until your next visit to Carillon City Dental, in Perth CBD. Please follow the directions that you receive from your dentist thoroughly, this article is a guideline but your dental care needs may vary. If you have any more questions or queries about your temporary filling, call our team to make an appointment or consultation. A temporary filling is a very straightforward procedure, and it can instantly provide pain relief to those who may have been suffering due to exposed pulp or sensitive areas. Regardless of your dental condition, you can be confident that your Carillon City dentist will find the best solution for you.

Carillon City Dentists Have Your NY Resolutions Ready, Perth

It’s 2017, and it’s time for some New Year’s Resolutions. Carillon City is known to be the best dentists in Perth, so we’ve taken the time to assemble your top ten resolutions to stick to this year to keep your smiles bright and healthy.

1. Brush Properly Twice A Day

   Half of you probably rolled your eyes, thinking “Well duh” - this is something that is drummed into us from a young age. But as we grow and are left fend for ourselves, sometimes regular tooth-brushing becomes overlooked. Your first resolution is to brush properly twice a day; angle the bristles at 45 degrees to the gum line, and brush both your teeth and gums as bacteria lives on all your oral surfaces. Gently brush in an up-down, back-forth movement, then repeat the movement on the inside of your teeth to get rid of any build-up that lives nearer your tongue - and don’t forget to give your tongue and the roof of your mouth a brush too. Aim to do this at least twice a day to keep optimum oral health - but we know that dental hygiene can sometimes be difficult to maintain if you’re off enjoying the West Australian summer and forgot to pack your toothbrush. In these situations, you can always use a mouthwash (or clean water, if you’re lacking supplies) to flush out the food that your mouth's bacteria live on.
   

2. Floss Every Day

   Flossing always played second string to brushing (see what we did there), but it plays a crucial role in dental care. Those small spaces between your teeth can be accessed by two things; bacteria, and dental floss. Even mouth wash is far less effective! Create a healthy lifelong habit of flossing, whether it’s in on the way to work or watching the news in the evening.

3. Avoid Tobacco

   Tobacco is known to be harmful to most parts of your body that it touches, and your teeth are included. Oral cancers can be devastating, and the bad breath can be terrible. The act of pulling the smoke into your mouth is usually done with pursed lips, meaning that those particles are connecting directly with the front surface of your teeth and will result in visible discolouration. Carillon City Dental has amazing solutions for dental whitening, but you can save your money on the procedure and the tobacco, and help your teeth get their shine back on your own.
   

4. Cut Down On Sugary Drinks, Alcohol, And Coffee

   Most of these drinks contain their own additives and sugars, and you probably know already how damaging they can be to your teeth. We always recommend cutting down on these drinks - even a resolution to drink tea or coffee without sugar, soda water instead of lemonade can help you to stave off any effects.

Pay Attention To Your Vitamins And Minerals

5. Calcium is essential for strong teeth and bones, so make a resolution to monitor your mineral and vitamin intakes and to improve on them where you can. Broccoli, legumes, leafy greens, seafood, and even fruits like figs and oranges, are all fantastic sources of calcium and come packed with other nutrients that are vital for your health. Alternately, you can find a calcium supplement to ensure that your teeth are strong. Other nutrients, such as Vitamin D, Vitamin B Complex, Copper, Zinc, Iodine, Iron, and Potassium are all necessary to care for your teeth and gums.

Visit Us

6. Your dentists are here to care for your smile, so check in at least twice a year so we can assess your dental health. We can help you to develop lifestyle solutions for your dental hygiene, and assess and problems for the most effective course of care. An emergency dentist can help with any grave problems that may arise, but most dental hygiene issues can be nipped in the bud by your Perth dentist before they become a serious concern.

Start making some great lifelong habits this year, and take on our list of New Year Resolutions if these aren’t already your routine. Carillon City Dental is proud to offer Perth expert advice and dental care from our team of industry professionals.