The Dental Survival Guide.

Transcription

1 The Dental Survival Guide

2 Meet Dr Adrian and Dr Tanya Dr Adrian Kat and Dr Tanya Kat are the sibling owners of Advanced Dental Artistry. Having inherited the practice from their father, the brother and sister duo have been striving to accomplish some of the best dental work in Australia. Their passion for dentistry is in their blood, and they really do love what they do! A Note From Adrian Here at Advanced Dental Artistry we combine our excellence in dentistry with relaxation and tranquillity to create a personalised dental experience like no other. Our highly trained and dedicated team will guide you throughout your journey to achieve your ultimate goal by explaining and discussing all of your available treatment options and ensuring each visit is as relaxed, comfortable and enjoyable as it can possibly be. We are seen as one of the leading experts in the field of cosmetic, reconstructive, neuromuscular and implant dentistry, but more than that, we have heart and passion. We believe it is essential to further our education and grow with the ever-changing world of modern dentistry; this allows us to continue to offer a wide range of treatments at an exceptionally high standard. We are very proud to be one of a small group of dentists in Australia who have completed cosmetic dentistry training at the prestigious, Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies. We have completed cosmetic treatment on Perth patients in Sydney and the USA. Our dedication is rewarded daily with the wonderful feedback and testimonials left by our patients and the biggest compliment of all when our patients recommend their family and friends to become new patients at our clinic. We look forward to welcoming you into our practice. Dr Adrian Kat and the Team at Advanced Dental Artistry The Dental Survival Guide 2

3 Table of Contents Why bother with the dentist? Get to know your aches and pains What s the solution? Scared of the dentist? Don t be! The ADA difference The Dental Survival Guide

4 Why bother with the dentist? The field of dentistry is a fascinating one (at least, we think so). In terms of human history, it has never been more important to look after your teeth. We probably sound slightly dramatic, but it s the truth! Why? Well, the answer is simple, human life expectancy is so much longer than it used to be. Biologically, your tooth has a natural lifespan of about 50 years (this is because humans historically only really made it to the age of 60 at best). Nowadays we live far longer but our teeth are not naturally attuned to a full modern lifespan. Not to mention all of the sugars, acids and other dental risks humans never really used to encounter. Keeping it all in check can be tough. But it is important. Your teeth, gums and the bone that holds it all together play an essential part in your life. They are responsible for chewing, speech and the aesthetics of your entire face. The bottom line is, the wellbeing of your mouth is vital to your overall health. Thankfully, dentistry has come a long way. By visiting your dentist, you are accessing a wealth of knowledge, expertise and technology that will greatly aid not only your oral health but your general health as well. The practice of modern dentistry was founded in the 17th century, however, to call it modern is a bit of an overstatement. In fact, most of the practices from that time are totally barbaric when compared to a dental visit today! The first evidence of human dentistry was discovered in Italy and dates back to around 14,000 years ago! Even then people recognised the importance of dentists.

5 Get to know your aches and pains Toothache A toothache can be very painful. Whether it be a sharp, shooting sting, or a dull throb a toothache is not ideal. It s important to remember that any pain in your teeth is an indicator there is an issue. Identifying the cause of a toothache can be more abstract, as it can be due to a number of different things. Ordinarily, this is due to decay, infection or injury. Potential solution: filling, root canal treatment, TMD treatment, crowns/bridges. Back toothache While toothache in the back of the mouth is most likely due to injury or decay, those in early adulthood could be experiencing this pain because of problems with their wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth do not erupt correctly, as they are trapped within your gum or have come in the wrong way, they can cause a great deal of pain. Potential solution: filling, root canal treatment, wisdom tooth extraction, crowns/bridges Pain in gums If your gums are tender, sore or bleeding then this could be an indication of gum disease. Gingivitis is the precursor to gum disease and is inflammation of the gums. This can, if left untreated, lead to periodontitis which is more commonly known as gum disease. Gum disease can cause a lot of damage if left untreated and may result in tooth decay, infection, injury and even tooth loss. Potential solution: Scaling, cleaning, correct oral hygiene The Dental Survival Guide 5

6 Get to know your aches and pains Headache/neck pain What do headaches and neck pain have to do with dentistry? In truth, a whole lot. If you are experiencing chronic pain in your neck or head, this may in fact be caused by problems in your teeth or jaw. Tooth decay, injury and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) are some common issues that can cause headache and neck pain. Potential solution: filling, root canal treatment, wisdom teeth extraction, TMJ treatment Jaw pain Pain in your jaw can be very disruptive. What can cause these problematic aches can be due to a few things. The hinge that connects your upper and lower jaw is called the temporomandibular joint, and it can suffer from a few different things that will lead it to feeling quite painful. A clicking and popping jaw is an indication that there could be something wrong. Aside from TMJ disorder, jaw pain can also be caused by decay, injury or tooth grinding. Potential solution: TMJ treatment, filling, root canal treatment, wisdom tooth extraction, splints Feelin fine! Just because nothing hurts doesn t mean everything is fine. When it comes to oral issues, often pain is only noticeable in later stages. That s why it s important to visit your dentist regularly as they can identify and treat these issues before they become too serious. The Dental Survival Guide 6

7 What s the solution? Fillings As the name suggests, fillings use a tooth coloured resin to fill holes (cavities) caused by tooth decay. This strengthens the tooth and prevents any further damage caused by the bacteria. Root Canal Treatment A more extensive version of fillings, root canal treatment, is necessary when the inside nerves of a tooth (the pulp) are infected. Crowns and Bridges These are used for damaged or missing teeth and effectively cap or replace teeth. They are made of porcelain and can be matched to the shape and colour of your other teeth. Wisdom Teeth Extraction Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop in the mouth. They usually erupt from ages 17 to 21, however, can often grow incorrectly, only emerge half way or get trapped underneath the gum altogether. In these cases, the wisdom teeth are extracted. Though this sounds intense, it is a very common procedure performed under anaesthetic. Splints Teeth grinding can be a real problem, especially for those who are unknowingly grinding their teeth during sleep. This can flatten and wear down teeth, causing further issues and increased the risk of infection. To help this, you can get splints which are essentially mouthguards worn at night that protect your teeth from grinding. TMD treatment At Advanced Dental Artistry we use a variety of specialised equipment to detect and measure jaw misalignment. We usually treat TMJ misalignment with corrective splints worn at night. Whitening This is a cosmetic treatment that is increasingly common. If your teeth are stained or if you have a special event coming up and would like a brighter smile, then you may consider teeth whitening. We offer both take-home and in-chair options for whitening. The Dental Survival Guide

8 What s the solution? More extensive stuff (dental implants) If you have some more serious dental issues, such as severely decayed or missing teeth then you may need some more extensive restorative treatment such as dental implants. Additionally for those with crooked, chipped or broken teeth you may wish to seek cosmetic treatments like porcelain veneers. These are thin (yet strong) porcelain shells that effectively mask teeth and give a more uniform appearance. Brushing This may seem like a pretty obvious statement, but brushing your teeth is important. It s also important to know how to brush your teeth correctly. As a standard rule, you should brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. If you don t, plaque and bacteria can build up on your teeth and gums causing decay and disease. This is why many dental practices have hygienists, as they ll be able to assess your teeth and gums and give you tips on how to better look after your teeth. Flossing As a wise man once said, only floss the teeth that you wish to keep! A lot of people find flossing annoying or difficult. However, it is far too important to your health to disregard. Brushing your teeth alone doesn t reach all of the surface areas of your teeth, you need to floss to get into those nooks and crannies where food and bacteria can hide. If not, then you put your teeth and gums at risk of infection and decay. The best time to floss is just before you go to bed. Teeth-friendly diet Having bright and healthy teeth is made a lot easier when you have a tooth friendly diet. This means avoiding foods and beverages that are very sugary, such as chocolate or soft drinks, as they contribute to tooth decay. Additionally, if you are trying to keep your teeth white, things like red wine and coffee can stain your teeth. Of course, you can always enjoy these things in small quantities, but make sure you brush and floss your teeth afterwards. Visit your dentist! Keeping your teeth healthy can be made a lot easier with regular trips to the dentist. There are a few things that we all have to do at least twice a year. Changing your smoke detector battery and the blades on your cars window wipers are some examples. This is no different for visiting the dentist. These routine check-ups will ensure that everything is functioning as it should. If there are any issues, they are more likely to be picked up early before they become too serious or too costly! The Dental Survival Guide

9 Scared of the dentist? Don t be! If you knew how many people were scared or anxious about dental appointments, you d be surprised! It is an incredibly common fear to have, so if you have these same sorts of concerns, please don t feel self-conscious. We at Advanced Dental Artistry understand the thought of dental treatment can be intimidating, so that s why we offer sleep dentistry. We want you to be as comfortable as possible during treatment, and if that means local anaesthetic is simply not enough, then that s fine. If you are having extensive treatment or would prefer not to have memory of your treatment occurring, then you are welcome to our sedation options. Here at ADA we have our own in-house anaesthetists whose job is to make sure your treatment is comfortable and as pain-free as possible. We ve had many positive patient experiences over the years, with some patients even saying they enjoy coming to the dentist now! It sounds pretty unbelievable, but it is true.

10 The ADA Difference Finding a dental practitioner you can trust is one of the best things you can do for your dental health. Whether that is Advanced Dental Artistry, we can t say we will always encourage you to seek a second opinion. Although we would absolutely love to have you, we also want you to feel safe and comfortable. If you are interested in our services, then the next step is to book a consultation at our Morley practice. We offer a free first consultation so there s no pressure or obligation. Our Morley practice is a beautiful place with friendly and experienced staff on hand. We have two dentists at our Morley practice, Dr Tanya Kat and Dr John Lamb. Our aim is to create a dental experience like no other: from the treatment you receive, to the surroundings of our practice. We are always seeking to grow our education so that we are at the forefront of modern dentistry. We really aim to put our patient s first and will do what we can to ensure that your treatment is of the highest standard. Our heart and passion for what we do is our driving motivation behind our practice. We are here to help you on your dental journey.

11 ADA MORLEY Tel (08) Wellington Rd, Morley WA 6062