1300SMILES Dental Health Blog- Advice & Education

By the Dentists, Hygienists, Therapists and Staff at 1300SMILES

This blog is intended to help you better understand dental health so you can keep your teeth healthy for life. -  Visit the archives - Subscribe RSS

Wednesday
May122010

Dentists Recommend Changing Your Toothbrush Every Three Months

By 1300SMILES Dentists Carseldine

Healthy teeth need a healthy toothbrush.

However, your toothbrush is the perfect place for germs and bacteria to get comfortable.

Here are 5 tips to keep your toothbrush healthy.

1. Store your toothbrush upright in a cup holder where the bristles are able to dry between uses.

2. Do not let your toothbrush come into contact with other toothbrushes, as bacteria can be passed from one brush to another.

3. Store your toothbrush away from the toilet area to protect from airborne bacteria.

4. Change your toothbrush after you have had a cold, flu, a mouth infection or sore throat, as germs can hide within the toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection. 

5. Change your toothbrush every 3 months.

To make an appointment at 1300SMILES Dentists Carseldine, please call (07) 3862 8300.

Tuesday
Mar162010

Meet the 1300SMILES Dentists - Dr Craig Jolicoeur 

Dr Craig Jolicoeur - 1300SMILES Upper Ross, Townsville, Ph (07) 4789 2288

I come from the beautiful islands of the Seychelles. 

I studied for my degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery at Otago University, New Zealand from 2001 to 2005.  Since then I have worked both in Australia and overseas. 

The reason I chose to become a dentist is because it offers me the flexibility to balance my professional and personal life. I can choose to work in a clinical setting with other dentists or own my own practice.

It is a bonus to receive a great deal of personal satisfaction when providing health service to a community.

Outside of dentistry I enjoy soccer, fitness training and spending time with family and friends.

I enjoy living in Townsville. It’s very relaxed and people are easy going and friendly.  

I’m dedicated to bringing my patients comprehensive routine dental care which include:
•    Dental Treatment Plans including regular check-ups
•    Fillings, extractions, root canal treatment
•    Crown and Bridge
•    Dentures
•    Mouth-guards
•    Tooth whitening
•    Composite and Porcelain veneers
•    Treatment of gum disease

Details of Services I provide:

Examination

The examination is a complete visual inspection of the oral cavity along with any necessary x-rays. Screening for oral cancer and periodontal disease is part of the exam. A treatment plan is drawn up at the end of this appointment and an estimate of the cost of any treatment required is given to the patient.

Cleaning (oral prophylaxis)

Cleaning is a preventative procedure that is important to have done at least every 6 months, more often for certain individuals with more advanced gum disease

Sealants

A sealant is a plastic resin material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. This preventative measure allows the sealing out of plaque and food from the grooves and pits in teeth that are prime targets for decay.

Root Canal Therapy

When the pulp that is inside the tooth becomes infected, it cannot repair itself. Years ago, extraction was the only option. Today, through endodontics/root canal therapy, these teeth can be saved.

Fillings

Minor cavities can be restored with white (tooth-coloured) fillings. This type of treatment is a good way of correcting a small problem before it becomes a bigger and more expensive problem.

Extractions

Extractions are performed when teeth cannot be saved or when they need to be removed for other reasons, such as orthodontics (braces).

Crowns

When too much of a tooth is decayed or broken away, it is best restored with a crown. A crown is typically fabricated with porcelain (a tooth-coloured material) or gold.

Bridges

When single or multiple teeth are missing, they can be replaced with either fixed or removable bridges.

Dentures

When too many teeth are missing to be restored by bridgework, dentures offer a good solution.

Periodontal Therapy

The leading cause of tooth loss in adults today is periodontal, or gum, disease. Early diagnosis and treatment for this condition is critical for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Bleaching / Teeth Whitening

Dentist supervised bleaching is the safest and most effective method to brighten your smile. Two systems are offered for your convenience: an in-office procedure and a take-home delivery system.

Enamel Bonding

The appearance of malformed or broken teeth can be amazingly improved by bonding a veneer of porcelain or composite to their surfaces.

Mouth-Guards

Mouth injuries resulting in lost teeth, fractured jaws and concussions are often sports related. Wearing a mouth-guard could prevent many of these injuries. A professionally fabricated mouth-guard not only protects well, but also allows for easy speech and breathing.

You can make an appointment with Dr Craig Jolicoeur by calling 1300SMILES Upper Ross on (07) 4789 2288.

Tuesday
Oct132009

Braces Are Cool According to Celebrities

Click the link to see photos of famous people sporting braces and other dental improvements.

The list of stars includes Delta Goodrem, Dakota Fanning, Tom Cruise and Miley Cyrus.

PS Currently at 1300SMILES take-home teeth whitening is only $199 extra, (normally $550) when you have your 6 monthly check up and clean. (Selected 1300SMILES practices)

Friday
Oct022009

Court Rules Teeth Whitening Only Be Performed By Registered Dental Care Providers

Thu Oct 01 09:48:00
The Daily Telegraph reports on the trial of a beauty therapist who performed teeth whitening on her clients.

Excerpt:

"A MELBOURNE magistrate has effectively ruled that teeth-whitening procedures must only be carried out by registered dentists, after a beauty therapist was fined $2000 for carrying out the treatment.

Magistrate Jill Crowe said teeth-whitening was an "invasive and irreversible procedure" and should only be performed by registered dental care providers.

Read the full story here...

Friday
Jun052009

Free Dental Treatment Vouchers for Teens

FREE dental treatment for teenagers is enough to make any bargain hunting parent smile and the good news is thousands of Townsville kids are eligible.

Under a Federal Government plan to improve teenage dental health, about 1.1 million Australian teens received free dental vouchers worth $153.45 to cover preventative treatments.

The vouchers, which have to be redeemed by December 31, are available for teenagers aged between 12 and 17 and are receiving a Youth Allowance or Abstudy.

Teens are also eligible if their parents are receiving the Family Tax Benefit A, Carers Payment, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment, Special Benefit or Double Orphan Pension.

1300SMILES dental therapist Karen Ward said the vouchers were brought in to replace the school-based dental van service. She said the vouchers came at no cost for users, with most private practices bulk billing under an arrangement with Medicare.

"These vouchers are invaluable for a family on a tight budget because people tend to sacrifice on health issues when it comes to financial restrictions," Ms Ward said.

"Everyone deserves the right to receive the necessary oral health care.

"There was cause for concern when the free dental van service stopped servicing high school students, but the vouchers are a great alternative."

Eligible teenagers receive one voucher at the start of each calendar year.

Anybody who has misplaced or didn't receive their voucher can organise a replacement by calling Medicare on 132 011.