Blog | Trusted Wantirna Dentist | Studfield Dental Group

Dental Cavities: What You Need to Know

Dental cavities, also known as tooth decay or dental caries, develop when your tooth enamel (the outermost layer of the tooth) gets eroded by acids. These acids come from the breakdown of sugars in your mouth. If left untreated, the cavity, which looks like a dark hole in your tooth, grows larger and deeper. This decay can reach the nerve (which is the innermost portion of the tooth) and cause infection. It may even lead to your tooth breaking off and make it unrestorable. How to Repair Dental Caries If cavities are caught early enough, then they can … Continue reading

When Root Canal Treatment is Needed

The most common reason a person will need to have a root canal is because a cavity has reached the nerve or innermost part of their tooth, causing an infection. An abscess may be visible on the gums, due to the swelling. The only way to rid a tooth of an infected nerve is by performing a root canal or extracting the tooth. Signs that You May Need Root Canal Therapy Most of the time if our dentist in Wantrina South tells you that you need a root canal, it isn’t a surprise. That’s because there are usually … Continue reading

How to Care for Your New Crown

You just got a brand-new porcelain dental crown. Before that, you had a large filling or maybe no restoration at all. To help your new investment last as long as possible, our Wantrina South dentists have several suggestions on how to care for your new cap: Floss Daily Many people have a fear that flossing a new crown will cause it to fall off. Not so. The cement that we use to keep your crown in place is very strong. If a crown were to come off while flossing, I would have anyway. Keeping the margin of your cap clean … Continue reading “How to Care for Your New Crown”

Why Adults Make Great Orthodontic Patients

If you’re considering getting braces or clear aligners to straighten your smile, you may be thinking to yourself, “I’m too old for this” or “people my age never get braces.” Not so! At Studfield Dental Group, our adult orthodontic patients are some of our most successful cases. Here’s why: They’re Committed to Seeing Treatment Through Most people are excited about starting braces, but the novelty can wear off after a few months, making teens or younger patients less energized about following home care recommendations. Adults understand that the payoff is worth it and tend to go above and beyond to … Continue reading

Five Signs Your Filling Needs to be Replaced

woman checking if her filling needs replacing

Today, most dental fillings last for several years. Whether it’s been 10 or 20 years since you had your filling placed, it will eventually give out. Let our dentists know if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms: You’ve Noticed Sensitivity When You Eat Does pressure bother your tooth when you’re biting and chewing? Sensitivity that seems worse in one particular area of your mouth usually means a tooth is compromised or starting to get infected. There’s a Rough Edge Can you feel a rough surface when you rub your tongue across the tooth? This may indicate an … Continue reading

Advantages of Regular Dental Cleanings

Did you know that most major dental concerns are preventable? At Studfield Dental Group, we make it a point to help our patients avoid common dental problems through good daily hygiene, smart nutritional choices, and healthy habits that aid in strong tooth development. One of those key steps is scheduling a preventative cleaning at least every six months. Keep Your Teeth Longer When well cared for and maintained, your teeth can last for life. But it takes constant maintenance and preventative measures to keep the supporting bone and gum structures healthy and secure around each tooth root. A scale and … Continue reading

Three Dental Causes of Bad Breath

Is Halitosis a problem that you struggle with? Chronic bad breath can be embarrassing on both private and social levels, whether we’re aware of it or not. It’s usually a sensitive subject for our patients to discuss, but at Studfield Dental Group we’re happy to help you determine the underlying cause of breath malodour and what to do to help it. Aside from avoiding odorous foods like garlic and dairy, here are three big issues that can cause halitosis (bad breath): Xerostomia (Dry Mouth) Dry mouth can be caused by a number of issues; most commonly reactions to … Continue reading

The Dos and Don’ts of Flossing

Is there more to flossing than running a strand of waxed thread up and down between your teeth? Actually, yes. At Studfield Dental Group, we don’t just want our patients to understand how important flossing is, but more importantly, how important it is to floss correctly. Here are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind: Do floss every day. Brushing doesn’t physically clean between your teeth, where cavities and gum disease tend to start. You need to physically clean where your teeth touch side-by-side at least once every day. Don’t always opt for a “floss pick.” A floss pick … Continue reading “The Dos and Don’ts of Flossing”

Why Fluoride Treatments are Worth It

Woman at dentist having fluoride treatment

Fluoride after a scale and clean isn’t just for kids. There are a number of advantages that a fluoride treatment has for older, adult patients as well. Here are just a few: Combat Tooth Sensitivity Have you noticed your teeth being more sensitive to things lately? Perhaps changes in temperature, a new toothpaste, your favourite drink, or after whitening them? Sensitivity isn’t always cause for immediate alarm. It’s a common symptom of how the tooth is responding to outside stimuli, or when the gums are beginning to slightly recede. Applying fluoride can act as a desensitizing treatment for up … Continue reading

The Health Implications of Gum Disease

If you’ve seen the toothpaste commercials about gum disease, there’s a good chance you might only think the condition is a risk for problems like bad breath or mild bleeding (gingivitis.) But actually, advanced gum disease — or periodontitis — goes much, much deeper. In fact, it can affect your overall health. Can Oral Biofilm Spread into the Bloodstream? Yes! Active areas of gum disease allow dental biofilm to spread from the tooth and into the diseased soft tissues detaching from it, deep within pockets under the gums. When this happens, it can travel throughout the cardiovascular system, impacting your … Continue reading