1300SMILES Blog

Dentists Recommend Changing Your Toothbrush Every Three Months

2010-05-12T03:00:33Z

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.

Meet the 1300SMILES Dentists - Dr Craig Jolicoeur

2010-03-16T00:09:27Z

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.

Braces Are Cool According to Celebrities

2009-10-13T00:32:44Z

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)

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

2009-10-01T20:24:54Z

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...

Free Dental Treatment Vouchers for Teens

2009-06-05T02:59:56Z

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.

Dr Dinesh Singham Talks About The Dental Operating Microscope (DOM)

2009-06-01T03:46:34Z

Seeing is believing.

Dr Dinesh Singham (1300SMILES Fulham Road Surgery) can now explore more than ever before with the Dental Operating Microscope (DOM). Available to all patients, this new technology enables Dinesh to explore hidden areas within the teeth. We asked Dinesh to tell us about the DOM…

Is there a benefit for patients to use the Dental Operating Microscope?
The main benefit for the Dental Operating Microscope (DOM) is it allows me to see into the patient's mouth/teeth at higher magnification and illumination. The magnification range is from 3x to 20x. There's the old adage "you can't treat what you can't see". Well now, I can see a lot better!!!

What are the main benefits?
There are four main benefits for the patient:

1. My actual treatment ie drilling and restoring of teeth is much more precise leading to more predictable results and "precision" dentistry.

2. Preventative dentistry - problems can be identified and treated earlier.
This results in more conservative and less invasive treatment required to fix the patient's problem. For example think about a tiny crack in a tooth. With the DOM, I'm able to clearly see this crack and treat it earlier, minimising the risk of abscess formation or a broken tooth in the future which may require the tooth to be extracted.

3. I'm able to take photos through the microscope which can show the patient what is happening in their mouth.

4. I'm also seated further away from the patient and it’s less of an invasion of their personal space than if I'm right in their face.

Is there any significant difference for root canal therapy or endodontics?
This is an area where the operating microscope makes a big difference.

Successful endodontics is dependant on the identification and treatment of the root canal system within the tooth while preserving as much tooth structure as possible.

With the DOM, I'm able to locate more canals (treat more of the root canal system) within the tooth and remove minimal tooth structure (leaving a stronger tooth).

This gives me a higher success rate of treatment and again more predictable results. In fact the DOM is becoming an essential piece of equipment in most endodontic specialist practices throughout Australia.

You can make an appointment with Dr Singha at his Fulham Road surgery (Townsville) by call 1300SMILES on 07 4775 6655.

Cowboys & Pride Wear 1300SMILES Mouth Guards

2009-03-01T05:51:54Z

Dr. Daryl Holmes fits Johnathan Thurston for a mouth guardA mouth guard is the essential piece of protective equipment when you play contact sport.

The North Queensland Cowboys and feeder club the Cairns based Northern Pride this year wear 1300SMILES mouth guards.

Result? Thurston gives the thumbs upBe like your sporting hero's... always wear a properly fitted mouth guard.

Your local 1300SMILES dentist can have you fitted and wearing your mouth guard in no time.

Protect your smile...

Phone 1300 764 537

5 Dental Health Tips for Pre-Schoolers

2009-02-25T22:00:01Z

By Karen Ward, 1300SMILES Townsville, Upper Ross - Begian Gardens - Woodlands.

1. You should brush your children’s teeth and encourage them to learn how to brush correctly, using a small pea sized quantity of low strength fluoride toothpaste.

2. Most importantly, avoid sweet snacks and sweet drinks between meals. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sweet things are in contact with the teeth.

3. Seek your dentist’s advice without delay if your children’s teeth become damaged – whether loosened or just chipped.

4. If a baby tooth is dislodged do not attempt to straighten or replace it. Take the child to your dentist straight away.

5. Now-a-days, dentists concentrate on preventing dental disease. Ask your dentist how frequently your children need a check up so that problems can be detected early enough to allow the dentist to prevent them without the need for fillings

Editor: For more information or to make an appointment with Karen (in Townsville) please call 1300SMILES (1300 764 537). Karen also visits schools and day care centres to educate young children on dental health. Go here for details.

5 Dental Health Tips for Babies & Toddlers

2009-02-21T21:29:45Z

By Karen Ward, 1300SMILES Townsville, Upper Ross - Begian Gardens - Woodlands.

1. To soothe the irritation of teething, give your baby a teething ring to chew on.

2. Don’t give sweetened drinks from the bottle as they can cause decay. Establish regular bottle feeds and, if your baby needs a drink between feeds, use cool boiled water.

3. After feeding to prevent tooth decay, wipe your baby’s teeth with a moist cloth. At about eight months, start your infant drinking from a cup as this reduces the time that decay-producing sugars are in contact with the teeth.

4. Introduce your infant to tooth cleaning as soon as the teeth appear. As infants are unable to control swallowing, a small smear of low strength fluoride toothpaste (or no toothpaste at all) should be used.

5. At about eighteen months, take your child to the family dentist for a check-up to become accustomed to regular dental visits.

Karen and the Tooth Fairy Visit St Pauls Day Care

2009-02-07T09:06:07Z

Bridget Arthur has a special hug from the Tooth Fairy

Thursday 29th Jan 2009

St Paul's Lutheran Child Care Centre Townsville, had a special visit from Dental Therapist Karen Ward and Liz the Tooth Fairy.

The children of group 1 & 2 listened intently to Karen as she explained the good foods to make their bodies strong and the correct way to brush their teeth. This was followed by many eager questions from the children.

Liz the Tooth Fairy then surprised everyone with special bags of toothbrushes, toothpaste, balloons, and colouring pencils.

If you live in Townsville and would like to organise a visit from Karen and the Tooth Fairy to your School or Day Care centre please email thetoothfairy@1300SMILES.com.au or phone (07) 4721 1238 and ask for Liz the Tooth Fairy.

Regular dental checks by Karen Ward will assist in keeping your child's teeth healthy and you smiling.

Karen provides dental checks for children at 1300SMILES Belgian Gardens, and 1300SMILES Upper Ross.

PS. The Tooth Fairy would love to receive a letter from you.

Attention: The Tooth Fairy - PO Box 5021, Townsville Q 4810