Preventative Dentistry in Eastern Creek

Comprehensive dental care for everyday needs, dental emergencies, and restorative treatments using modern, gentle techniques.

What is Preventative Dentistry?

Preventative dentistry focuses on maintaining oral health and preventing dental problems before they start. Regular check-ups, professional cleanings, and early intervention can save you time, discomfort, and money in the long run.

At Smilesz Dental Eastern Creek, we use the latest technology and gentle techniques to help you maintain a healthy smile for life.

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Our Preventative Services

Dental Check-ups & Cleanings

Gum Disease Treatment

Cavity Prevention & Fillings

Fissure Sealants

Mouth Guards

Night Guards / Splints

Bad Breath Treatment

Teeth Grinding Management

Bleeding Gums? What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease causes your gums to bleed and swell. Eventually, it can damage the bone that supports your teeth, leading to wiggly teeth and tooth loss. It can affect anyone with poor oral hygiene.

Treatment depends on how much bone you've lost around each tooth and on how much inflammation you have in your gums. There are surgical and nonsurgical treatments that can help treat this oral infection and keep your gums healthy.

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Gum Disease FAQ

What Are Dental Checkups and Cleanings?

A dental cleaning is a professional procedure designed to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria from your teeth and gumline. Even if you brush twice a day, these deposits build up in areas your toothbrush cannot fully reach.

During your appointment, your clinician or Oral Health Therapist will:

Assess gum and tooth health
Use ultrasonic and hand instruments to remove tartar
Clean along and beneath the gumline
Smooth the enamel to reduce plaque buildup
Apply fluoride to strengthen your teeth

If you have gum disease or deeper pockets around your teeth, we may recommend a deeper clean known as periodontal scaling. This treatment reaches below the gumline to remove bacteria that cause inflammation and bone loss.

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What is Bad Breath ?

Everyone gets bad breath from time to time, especially after eating garlic, onions or other strong foods. But if you have bad breath all the time (chronic halitosis), it could be a sign of an oral health issue or something else going on in your body.

Bad breath isn’t usually a sign of something serious. But if it doesn’t get better despite changes you make to address it, it’s time to see a dentist.

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Bad Breath FAQ

Poor Oral Hygeine : Without proper oral hygiene — like brushing, flossing and routine dental cleanings — harmful bacteria invade your mouth and cause bad smells. This can lead to several oral health issues like bad breath, cavities and gum disease.
Dry Mouth : Saliva helps rinse out your mouth. Not having enough can lead to halitosis. Lots of medicines and conditions can cause dry mouth. Smoking can, too.
Gum disease: Plaque that builds up on your teeth and tongue can cause gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can lead to more serious gum disease called periodontitis.
Tonsil stones: When food gets stuck in your tonsils, it sometimes hardens into bad-smelling calcium deposits in the back of your throat.
Infections in your nose, throat or lungs: Infections in your nose and throat can lead to foul-smelling fluid in the back of your throat. Pneumonia can cause you to cough up fluid that smells bad.
Diabetes: Having diabetes increases your risk of gum disease, which can cause bad breath. Low insulin can put you at risk of a medical emergency called ketoacidosis. It can make your breath smell fruity.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This condition causes stomach acid to leak back into your esophagus and, sometimes, your mouth. The fluid may taste sour and smell bad.
Head and neck cancers: Cancers in your mouth, throat and voice box can all cause bad breath.
Kidney disease or liver disease: Kidney and liver disease may prevent these organs from filtering toxins out of your body as they normally do. The effects can show up as halitosis.
Smoking: Smoking can change the balance of microbes (like bacteria) in your mouth. It can cause dry mouth and increase your risk of oral health issues.

Brush twice a day and floss once a day.
Clean your tongue with a tongue scraper.
Clean oral appliances (like retainers and dentures) as directed by your dentist.
Rinse with an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash.
See your dentist regularly for cleanings.
Drink a lot of water to help prevent dry mouth.
Boost saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy or mints.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco products that can dry out your mouth.

What is a cavity?

It is a hole that develops from tooth decay. Cavities form when acids in your mouth wear down (erode) your tooth’s hard outer layer (enamel). Anyone can get a cavity. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings can prevent cavities.

Another name for tooth cavities is dental caries.

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Cavities FAQ

Smooth surface: This slow-growing cavity dissolves tooth enamel. You can prevent it — and sometimes reverse it — with proper oral hygiene. People in their 20s often develop this form of tooth decay between their teeth.
Pit and fissure decay: Cavities form on the top part of your tooth’s chewing surface. Decay also can affect the front side of your back teeth. Pit and fissure decay tends to start during the teenage years and progresses quickly.
Root decay: Adults who have receding gums are more prone to root decay. Gum recession exposes your teeth roots to dental plaque and acid. Root decay is difficult to prevent and treat. (If you’re prone to gum recession, ask your dentist if you should schedule an appointment with a periodontist.)

Tooth decay can happen at any age, although cavities are more common in children. This is because many children don’t brush properly or regularly enough and they tend to consume more sugary foods and drinks.
Many adults also get cavities. Sometimes, new decay develops around the edges of cavities treated in childhood. Adults are also more likely to have receding gums. This condition exposes your teeth roots to plaque, which can cause cavities.

Tooth decay on the outer enamel surface doesn’t usually cause pain or symptoms. You’re more likely to experience symptoms as decay reaches beyond the enamel into the dentin and pulp.

Cavity symptoms include:

Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.
Bleeding gums or other signs of gum disease.
Facial swelling.
Toothache or mouth pain.
Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks.
Abscess around the teeth

Tooth decay treatment depends on the severity of your condition.

Cavity treatments include:

Fluoride.
Fillings.
Root canal therapy.
Tooth extraction.

Fluoride

In the very early stages of tooth decay, fluoride treatments can repair damaged enamel — a process called remineralization. This can reverse the early signs of cavities. You may need prescription toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as fluoride treatments at the dental office.

Dental fillings

Once a hole forms in your tooth, a dentist drills out the decayed tissue and fills the hole. Dental fillings consist of composite resin (a tooth-colored material), silver amalgam or gold.

Root canal therapy

Root canal therapy relieves pain from advanced tooth decay. Endodontists (specialists who treat issues that affect a tooth’s root) usually perform the procedure. During root canal treatment, an endodontist removes the tooth pulp, then fills the canals and pulp chamber with gutta-percha (a special filling material). In some cases, you might also need a dental crown to strengthen the affected tooth.

Tooth extraction

If root canal therapy isn’t possible, your healthcare provider may recommend tooth extraction (pulling the tooth). You may need a dental bridge or dental implant to replace a pulled permanent tooth. Your dentist can tell you about your specific options.

Proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, can get rid of plaque, acids and cavity-causing bacteria. Good teeth and gum care includes:

Brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, and preferably after every meal.
Cutting back on sugary, starchy foods and drinks.
Daily flossing to get rid of food and plaque stuck between your teeth.
Dental checkups at least twice a year. (You might need more frequent visits if you’re prone to tooth decay, gum disease or other oral health issues.)
Dental sealants to protect the top chewing surfaces of your teeth.

What is Teeth Grinding/bruxism?

Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth. It's the repeated jaw-muscle activity of the facial or chewing muscles. With bruxism, you grind or clench your teeth, or you may brace or thrust your jawbone (mandible). It's typically not done on purpose.

Daytime Bruxism
You may clench and grind your teeth during the day while awake.

Sleep-time Bruxism
More common to do it at night while you sleep. Most often occurs in the early part of sleep. Even during sleep, a person may clench their teeth with a force of up to 250 pounds.

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Bruxism FAQ

A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. Some risk factors may not be in your control, Others may be things you can change. Risk factors for bruxism may include:

Having certain sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, and sleep talking or sleepwalking (called parasomnias)
Side effects of taking certain psychiatric medicines
Psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety, and competitive personality traits
Having certain neurological disorders such as Rett syndrome
Having certain conditions such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction)
Smoking tobacco, heavy alcohol use, caffeinated drinks
Using drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines
Talk with your dentist or healthcare provider about your risk factors for bruxism and what you can do about them.

Symptoms vary, and can include:

Clenching, grinding, or gritting teeth
Chipped or cracked teeth
Morning muscle stiffness or facial pain
Very sensitive teeth
Tense facial and jaw muscles
Headaches
Dislocation of the jaw
Locking of the jaw
Wearing away of the tooth enamel, exposing the inside of the tooth (the dentin layer)
A popping or clicking in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Tongue indentations
Damage to the inside of the cheek
Flat, smooth areas created on the biting surfaces of the teeth as they are rubbed together repeatedly (called wear facets)

The symptoms of bruxism may look like other conditions or health problems. See a dentist or your healthcare provider for a diagnosis and treatment.

The first sign of a problem may be found during a regular dental visit. Your dentist notices the wear and tear on your teeth.
If your dentist thinks you may have bruxism, you may be asked about your family history, your health history, symptoms, and risk factors. The dentist will ask about your sleep quality and if you have morning jaw pain or severe tiredness (fatigue), headaches, or jaw locking.
You’ll be asked about any medicines you take, and your caffeine and alcohol intake.
You’ll be asked if you have conditions such as GERD or a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea.
If you have a sleep partner, they may be asked if you snore. They may be asked if they have heard you clench or grind your teeth during sleep.

During regular dental visits, your dentist will check your teeth for signs of bruxism, such as flattened tips of the teeth. There are other causes of tooth wear and tear, or jaw pain. If you have bruxism symptoms, your dentist or other healthcare provider may watch the condition over the next few visits before treatment is started.

Treatment may include:

Behavior changes. You may be taught how to rest your tongue, teeth, and lips correctly. You may also learn how to rest the tongue upward to ease mild pain on the jaw while keeping the teeth apart and lips closed.
Mouth guard. You may be fitted for a plastic mouth guard that you can wear at night to absorb the force of biting. It can be worn during the day if you grind your teeth while awake. This mouth guard may help prevent future damage to the teeth and help in changing behavior.

Bruxism may lead to cracks or fractures of the teeth. Tooth enamel may wear away. This exposes the dentin layer underneath. Teeth then become sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. Bruxism may also cause damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This is the joint on each side of the mouth that attaches the lower jawbone to the skull.
If bruxism goes untreated, it may lead to jaw muscle and joint problems. These are known as TMJ problems or TMD (temporomandibular disorder). You could even lose your teeth.

Not everyone needs treatment. It's important to have regular dental checkups to identify bruxism in the early stages so that you can receive treatment, if needed.

If you have sleep-related bruxism, good sleep hygiene may help. Sleep hygiene is a set of habits that can help you to have and maintain better quality sleep.

These habits include:

Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time.
Don’t take naps.
Don’t try to sleep unless you feel sleepy.
Exercise regularly, several hours before bedtime, if possible.
Don’t drink anything that has caffeine after lunch.
Don’t drink alcohol close to your bedtime.
Don’t smoke.
Don’t watch TV in bed.
Have a quiet, peaceful bedroom.
Don’t use smartphones, laptops, or other electronic devices for at least 1 hour before bedtime.

Other home care tips include:

Avoid hard or chewy foods.
Don't chew gum.
Reduce stress and learn relaxation techniques.
Pay attention to any tension in your facial muscles throughout the day

Talk with your dentist or healthcare provider about other ways to manage bruxism.

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Book your appointment with our friendly team today.

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Call (02) 8999 1300

Preventative Dentistry in Eastern Creek

What is Preventative Dentistry?

Our Preventative Services

Bleeding Gums? What is Gum Disease?

Gum Disease FAQ

What are the symptoms of Gum Disease?

Causes of Gum Disease

Can I prevent gum disease?

What Are Dental Checkups and Cleanings?

What is Bad Breath ?

Bad Breath FAQ

What causes Bad Breath?

Can bad breath be prevented?

What is a cavity?

Cavities FAQ

What are the different types of Tooth Cavities?

Who might get a cavity?

What are the signs of cavities?

How are cavities diagnosed?

How do you get rid of cavities?

How can I prevent cavities?

What is Teeth Grinding/bruxism?

Bruxism FAQ

What causes bruxism?

Who is at risk for bruxism?

What are the symptoms of bruxism?

How is bruxism diagnosed?

How is bruxism treated?

How to manage bruxism?

What are possible complications of bruxism?

How do I manage bruxism?

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