admin

Theyre all coming up now weddings, the races, meet ups with friends we always want to make a good impression. But for some of us, the colour of our teeth is stopping us from being the most confident about our appearance that we can be. The Paul Trembath team are here to help! As usual, we provide Zoom Whitening treatment at our clinic to help brighten your teeth. Read about the technology HERE. The results are amazing and we have had wonderful feedback from everyone that has had Zoom Whitening. They have been so impressed by the fantastic change in the colour of their teeth. Book in a FREE CONSULTATION with us today to discuss any queries  you may have about Zoom! The dentist or hygienist will be happy to answer any questions you have. Zoom can only be performed on clean, healthy teeth in a mouth that is stable and in good condition. We do recommend a thorough examination (which may require taking x-rays) and a professional clean before whitening. Ask us now about our great Zoom Whitening offer! Ph: (07) 3849 2711 Email: info@ptdental.com.au

Many can say that our dentist or hygienist applying fluoride on our teeth is good for us. But how exactly is fluoride effective? An information pamphlet produced by the University of Adelaide summarises the advantages of using fluoride products. Fluoride is great for:

1. preventing decay from developing on healthy tooth structure
2. remineralising early decay and root decay

It does this by:

1. creating a reservoir of calcium fluoride ions at the tooth surface
2. the reservoir releases fluoride when the pH in the plaque drops

Yes, but why do we need this? As we go through our day, plaque begins to grow and build up around the teeth. When we have something to eat or drink, the pH of the plaque drops and the minerals from the tooth surface are lost into the saliva. This is called demineralisation (see red arrow and ions below). Over time, the pH of the mouth rises again and the tooth tries to pick up the minerals from the saliva. This is remineralisation. Decay happens when there is an imbalance and demineralisation is favoured. A topical fluoride is useful for saturating the tooth surface with minerals that can be taken up and form fluorapatite (see blue arrow and ions below). Fluorapatite is more resistant to demineralisation.   Information and diagram collated from: Fluoride’s Mechanism of Action by Paula M. & Robert V. Fluoride in the surgery On top of the above benefits, a fluoride varnish such as Colgate Duraphat is useful for treating dentine hypersensitivity in the surgery. An alternative fluoride varnish available for use in the surgery is GCs MI Varnish At Paul Trembath Dental, we use a range of fluoride products that have been clinically proven to be effective when used professionally at 6 monthly intervals. These include fluoride varnishes, gels and foams which are chosen to suit your individual needs. We ensure that the products we use in the surgery are safe and carefully administered, especially to young children. Have a talk to us if you would like to know more about fluoride or these products.

Happy new year to all! We hope you have had a safe and happy holiday. Along with the new year came some wonderful news: Kellie, our lovely Practice Manager, has had a baby boy! Beautiful Levi was born 7 pounds 15 ounces in the early afternoon on the 28th December, 2015. Both baby and mother are happy and healthy. Up until he was born, Kellie and her husband had kept the babys gender a surprise. Levis two older brothers had also been very excited for his arrival, fighting over who would teach the baby how to play footy. Congratulations and the warmest wishes to the family have extended from all of the staff and patients at Paul Trembath Dental. On the train of good news, we have also had a delightful addition to our team at Paul Trembath Dental. Since November, Sam has been our fantastic new Receptionist and Dental Assistant. She hails from NSW, has lived in Ireland, and has settled in to Brisbane as well as our practice effortlessly. Sam is very capable and hard working as she is also studying Nutritional Medicine while working here. Everyone has loved seeing her smiling face and hearing her friendly voice on the phone. We have certainly had a great and early start to the year as we have been able to see a lot of your faces already. We hope to see more of you soon when Paul returns late January and myself early February. Please do not hesitate contact our lovely staff in the meantime about any queries.

Christmas is fast approaching and many of us are taking the holidays to spend some much needed quality time with our families and loved ones. It is a time when we treat ourselves to scrumptious meals, delicious snacks and indulge in a fizzy glass or three. Stacks of chips and sweets are often left out in bowls on tables for a quick and easy snack to grab. The last thing we want to think about is having a tooth ache or sore gums during the holiday season. Unfortunately, the tasty Christmas puddings, fruity mince pies, sweet cookies and lollies contain high levels of sugar that can damage our teeth.

Fruit mince pies contain many hidden sugars

  Snacking frequently throughout the day exposes the teeth to more acid attacks as the bacteria in our mouths try to constantly break down the food we eat. On top of that, consuming soft drinks, juices and wines which are highly acidic can leave the enamel demineralised and more prone to decay and erosion. To ensure that all of these tempting treats are not detrimental to our oral health, here are 5 tips to follow this Christmas:

1. Limit sugary and acidic foods as well as snacking between meals

Eat fresh, healthy meals that are well balanced and contain slow releasing energy rather than foods that give a hit of energy and leave you feeling hungry and lethargic later. 2. Avoid putting stress on your teeth This is not as hard as you think! Stay away from opening beer bottles with your teeth. Avoid chewing on chicken bones and ice cubes (even though the ice might give you temporary relief from the scorching hot weather). No matter how tasty that pork crackling is, dont bite on it if you have big fillings in your back teeth. 3.  Brush and floss Brush with a soft bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with the correct toothbrushing technique angle the bristles of the brush about 45 degrees towards the gums and make small gentle circular motions along the gumline. Spend a total of 2 minutes brushing each time. Do this twice a day, and floss at least once daily in between your teeth. 4. Drink lots of water Water keeps us hydrated and makes sure we have plenty of saliva to neutralise the acids in our mouths. Substitute the fizzy drinks for water. Rinse with plenty of water after eating or drinking acidic or sugary foods. 5. Chew sugar free gum in between meals instead of snacking The chewing action we make with our jaws when chewing sugar free gum stimulates our saliva flow. Saliva is important for protecting our teeth and provides a reservoir for the minerals that are lost when we are constantly eating and drinking. For more information on caring for your teeth, visit these fact sheets:

• Dental decay causes and prevention
• Tooth wear contains the acid levels of different foods and drinks
• How to brush and floss with handy diagrams

The team at Paul Trembath Dental wishes you and your families and safe and merry Christmas.

Why wear a mouthguard? Every year thousands of children and adults are treated for painful, costly and disfiguring dental injuries related to sporting accidents, which could have been avoided or minimised by wearing a protective custom-fitted mouthguard. Which mouthguard should I choose? Custom-fitted mouthguards Custom-fitted mouthguards are made by a dentist, who takes an impression and creates a plaster model of your teeth. Dentist will also assess your mouth and provide the best fitting mouthguard for you. Custom-fitted mouthguards are comfortable, tight-fitting, allow you to speak clearly, wont restrict breathing and provide maximum resistance from being dislodged. Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends custom-fitted mouthguards because they provide the greatest protection and are the most comfortable to wear. Over-the-counter (boil and bite) mouthguards These mouthguards are significantly less effective than custom-fitted mouthguards because they are self-fitting. Some studies place their degree of protection as only slightly better than wearing no mouthguard at all. These types of mouthguards are not recommended by ADA and Standards Australia. Over-the-counter mouthguards should only be used as a short-term solution if there is absolutely no alternative available. How long will my mouthguard last? The mouthguard might need to be replaced when baby teeth are lost and permanent teeth have come through or the mouthguard is damaged. The mouthguard should be assessed by dentist at your regular check-up to ensure it still fits correctly. How do I take care of my mouthguard? Rinse mouthguard in cold water after use (never hot as it can damage it). Use products specially designed for mouthguards such as Erskine Oral Appliance Cleaning Tablets Store it in rigid plastic container Keep it out of direct sunlight and heat to ensure it maintains its shape Replace your mouthguard if it becomes damaged A custom-fitted mouthguard is a valuable investment when compared to the significant costs associated with repairing damaged teeth.

Recently several new over-the-counter whitening products have been introduced to the Australian market.  While professional whitening will help you achieve more dramatic results, these inexpensive and readily available alternatives is a great way to subtly brighten up your smile. Oral-B 3D White Whitestrips Oral-B 3D White Whitestrips have been introduced to Australia earlier this year. They have been a popular choice among consumers in North America under the name of Crest Whitestrips for several years. Oral-B 3D White Whitestrips are thin, flexible strips that are coated with a tooth whitening gel containing 6% hydrogen peroxide. Designed to conform to the shape of your teeth, they work by holding the whitening gel to your teeth. They are designed to be worn for 30 minutes twice per day for 7 to 14 days (come in a pack of 14 or 28 individually wrapped strips). Best for gradual whitening results and will require a good compliance. They are designed to reduce yellowness and brighten teeth. Colgate Optic White Toothbrush + Whitening Pen This new products comes as a toothbrush with built-in whitening pen containing 4% hydrogen peroxide. Brush as you normally would with your regular toothpaste. The Colgate Optic White toothbrush is specially designed with polishing bristles and stain removers to help remove surface stains. Turn the dial at the bottom of the whitening pen and apply gel. There is no need to rinse whitening gel. Best for those who want easy-to-use convenient product. However dont expect dramatic results as the product will only have a short contact time with your teeth. Colgate Optic White Toothpaste Colgate Optic White Toothpaste contains 1% hydrogen peroxide to gently whiten your teeth, making it a convenient part of your daily beauty routine.   Best forvery subtle results for those who want convenient whitening product. Whitening products are designed to be used short-term and may cause increased sensitivity.   Other tips for whiter and brighter smile

• Have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice per year to remove stubborn staining as well as tartar build-up. Not only will it brighten your smile but it will also make your gums healthier and give you a fresher breath.
• Avoid excessive consumption of tea, coffee and red wine.
• Quit smoking
• Brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent stains from building-up

Paul Trembath Dental is excited to announce that we have the latest Zoom WhiteSpeed whitening system available at our practice. Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed whitening system offers better whitening results and less sensitivity through advanced LED light technology.   Zoom WhiteSpeed has new light which genetares less heat compared to older versions thus maximizing patients comfort during the procedure. Additionally it has variable light intensity settings . Our Dental Assistant Nik had Zoom WhiteSpeed whitening done recently and she kindly agreed to share her photos and experience. Nik never had her teeth whitened before. She has healthy natural teeth and gums making her an ideal candidate for the procedure. Before and After During the whitening procedure her lips, gums and soft tissues were carefully isolated and she had three 15-minute sessions of whitening. Ive always wanted to have my teeth whitened but due to sensitivity it made me a little reluctant. After hearing about the latest light technology I thought this would be a great chance to give it ago. I experienced some slight senstivity at the end but overall I was really happy with the procedure and over the moon with the results. Having my teeth whitened made me more confident to smile in photos Nik If you would like to know more about our Zoom whitening do not hesitate to call us on (07) 3849 2711 or email us info@ptdental.com.au

Dental hygienists work together with dentists to provide the best possible care for your dental health. Together they assess, plan, implement and evaluate preventative oral procedures based on individual needs. A dental hygienist is a registered dental professional who focuses on preventative oral health. During your appointment your overall dental health will be examined by both dentist and the dental hygienist. Together they will assess your teeth and gums plus evaluate radiographs (x-rays) to plan oral health treatment and maintenance program. Dental hygienist will perform a thorough scale and polish of your teeth carefully removing the deposits of plaque, tartar and staining. This will enable the dentist to do a comprehensive examination of freshly cleaned teeth. At the end of the appointment a remineralizing treatment (in most cases concentrated fluoride) will be applied on your teeth to make them more resistant to caries, erosion and sensitivity.   Dental disease can be prevented through effective oral hygiene, use of fluoride and good diet choices. Dental disease can occur at any age, therefore a treatment and advice from a dental hygienist can benefit everyone.  You dental team can assist you in maintaining healthy teeth and gums for life!

It is 3.30 in the afternoon and you start to feel tired and a little bit hungry. Before you reach for a sugar-loaded muesli bar or even worse a chocolate bar please consider these tooth-friendly options that are also heathier for you. 1. Nuts They are naturally packed with fibre, protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals. Nuts are naturally low in sugar! Go for almonds and hazelnuts if you are watching your saturated fat consumption. Choose natural raw or toasted nuts over flavoured or salted pre-packaged variety as it may hide lots of additives. 2. Carrot and Celery Sticks with Hommus Dip Crunchy, fresh and healthy! Pre-cut your carrot and celery sticks and store them in plastic zip-lock bags for convenience. Either eat them as it is or try them with hommus dip. 3. Boiled Egg Nothing beats good old-fashioned boiled egg! It is a good source of protein and amino acids plus naturally low in sugar. Cook it to your liking and sprinkle a bit of salt on egg yolk. 4. Cheese Cheese is rich in calcium and phosphate plus helps to neutralise acid in your mouth making it an ideal tooth-friendly snack. Store single-serve portions in your fridge for a quick and easy snack option. 5. Milk Just like cheese it has lots of calcium and phosphate. It is high in protein and if you are watching your fat intake opt for low-fat or skim variety (choose plain over flavoured type).  Try having a glass of milk instead of sugar-loaded fruit juice as your next pick-me-up drink.