Blog | Trusted Wantirna Dentist | Studfield Dental Group

Should You be Wearing a Nightguard?

Nightguards are special types of bite splints made to wear while you’re sleeping. Like professionally fitted athletic mouthguards, it’s fabricated from an impression of your teeth to hug your mouth like a glove. This special fit keeps it securely in place overnight, not to mention more comfortable to wear than an over-the-counter stock appliance. But who needs to be wearing nightguards? Our Wantrina South dentists recommend them in situations like: A Recent Smile Makeover. Did you just get cosmetic veneers or a few porcelain crowns? You’ll want to protect them from unnecessary wear and the risk of chipping. Investing … Continue reading

Techniques to Clean Around Braces

With fixed orthodontic appliances (braces), it’s important to be able to clean around wires and brackets. Otherwise, they’re like a magnet for plaque build-up on a day to day basis. If you don’t clean plaque away properly, it can lead to demineralization around the brackets, permanent white spots in your enamel, unwanted cavities, and gingivitis. Depending on the type of braces that you’re wearing and how well your dexterity is, there are some different things to have on hand to help keep your smile as clean as possible between your dental checkups. Proxy-brush — These tufted ended tips look … Continue reading

Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

Are there actual health advantages to having teeth that are straight? Or is teeth straightening for adults simply a cosmetic procedure? Our Wantrina South orthodontic patients are often surprised to learn how getting their teeth straightened actually helps with other dental conditions at the same time! Here are some examples: Fewer Chipped Teeth Tooth enamel is hard. In fact, it’s the strongest substance in your entire body. But when teeth don’t bite together correctly, they can wear each other down. Proper tooth alignment keeps pressure distributed properly, so that there isn’t end-on-end grinding going on. Dental Work that Lasts … Continue reading

Is it Time to Get a Smile Makeover?

Maybe you’ve been thinking of talking to our Wantrina South dentists about cosmetic dentistry for a long time. But perhaps you’re not sure where to start (or how much it will cost.) At Studfield Dental Group, we’re here to make beautiful smiles a reality. If you’re still debating whether it’s time to invest in the appearance of your teeth, here are some common signs that you need to schedule a consultation: You Feel Embarrassed About the Way Your Teeth Look Do you refrain from smiling in photos, laughing in front of your friends, or even talking to new people because … Continue reading

Explore Sleep Dentistry

Thanks to Wantrina South sleep dentistry options, you can enjoy a calm and relaxing experience during your next dental procedure. At Studfield Dental Group, we incorporate sleep dentistry opportunities into most procedures, so that our patients can schedule fewer appointments and address any anxiety that may be interfering with the treatment they need. Not all sleep dentistry options are the same. Some use medication that you take by mouth about an hour before the visit, while others are delivered through a tiny IV line in your hand or arm. Each helps you feel drowsy so that you don’t remember much … Continue reading “Explore Sleep Dentistry”

Four Big Benefits of Dental Implants

If you need to replace missing teeth, one of the best options to consider is our Wantrina South dental implants. Compared to conventional tooth replacement treatments like dentures or bridges, implants have their own unique benefits that make them the right choice for restoring your smile. They Can Last the Rest of Your Life Implants have the highest success rate of any dental restoration (close to 98%). But once they’ve fully integrated with your smile, don’t expect them to go anywhere. Investing in implants is a choice that’s meant to stay with you for decades to come. They’re … Continue reading

Can My Dentist Tell if I Have Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a type of sleeping disorder that’s related to your oral anatomy. It’s caused by soft tissues in the back of your mouth (like your soft palate, tongue, and tonsils) collapsing against one another and sealing off your airway. Having a large neck circumference is a common symptom. But there are other warning signs of sleep apnea that can be picked up by none other than your dentist! At Studfield Dental Group, some of the things we’ll look for during your dental exam include symptoms of sleep disordered breathing. Here are just a few: Worn Teeth … Continue reading

Why Periodontitis is Bad for Your Teeth

man with gum disease getting teeth clean

Gum disease — also known as periodontitis or periodontal disease — is a condition that destroys the bone and soft tissue attachments around your teeth. Periodontitis starts out as gingivitis, which is simply redness and inflammation along the margins of your gums. It’s the first stage of gum infection, caused by plaque bacteria collecting on your gumlines for too long. If gum disease is allowed to progress, your body’s own immune system will start to target the area. As antibodies are rushed towards the bacteria, the soft tissues along your gumlines begin to break down and bleed. The open bleeding … Continue reading

Gum Disease and Pregnancy

When you’re expecting, your hormones can seem to go haywire at times. From cravings to mood swings, every woman responds to pregnancy differently. Some even notice that their gums bleed more easily than they used to. If you just found out that you’re pregnant — or you’re having trouble conceiving — pay careful attention to your oral health. Here’s why: Gum disease can make it difficult to conceive. And it’s not just women. When one partner has active gum disease, it can take longer for the couple to become pregnant. Active periodontitis raises inflammation throughout your body, affecting your reproductive … Continue reading “Gum Disease and Pregnancy”

Does Your Child Need a Filling?

If your child is complaining about a toothache or you notice they’re not eating well, they could have a cavity. Tooth decay affects children of all ages, including from older infants and toddlers. Cavities aren’t always visible. In fact, an X-ray may be the only way to tell if there’s a cavity at all. Believe it or not, cavities are the most common childhood disease. They’re caused by acidic byproducts of bacterial plaque which can spread from tooth to tooth throughout their mouth. Primary (baby) teeth decay very quickly, because they’re not as dense as adult teeth are. At Studfield … Continue reading “Does Your Child Need a Filling?”