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Q. I brush my teeth well do I need to use dental floss?
A. Your tooth brush can only reach the outside, inside and biting surfaces of your teeth. It cannot reach between the teeth and that is why we need to floss as well. By not flossing plaque will build up between the teeth leading to bleeding gums (gingivitis), bad breath (halitosis), decay between the teeth, build up of tartar (sub gingival calculus) and bone destruction (periodontal disease).
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Q. Are fizzy drinks bad for your teeth?
A. Most fizzy drinks have a high sugar content as do most sports drinks that are all the rage at the moment. While sugar is a good quick source of energy, it is also the basic food of the bacteria that cause dental caries. It is better to get the energy by eating fruit rather than obtaining it from soft drinks and candy bars. Small amounts of sugar are however an integral part of a balanced diet.
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Q. How useful are mouthguards in protecting against sports injuries?
A. Prevention is better than cure and nobody wants chipped, broken or dislodged teeth, resulting in pain and frequent trips to the dentist to repair the damage from sports injuries. Over the counter mouthguards do afford protection but are bulky, uncomfortable, tend to cause gagging; but you will never see a serious sports person with one.
Only a custom made mouth guard fitted by a dentist will be contoured to fit your teeth exactly encouraging you to wear it, which in turn means that most sports injuries will be avoided or much less severe. Like brushing and flossing you should view a mouthguard as essential part of preventive dentistry.
Mouthguards can be made in your football team’s colours or other favourite colour combinations. What better way to encourage children, both young and old, to wear them!
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Q. Is Dental Treatment Tax Deductible?
A. Yes, all amounts spent on your health, be it medical, dental, optical chiropractic, physiotherapy or pharmaceutical, are a legal legitimate deduction. The first $1500 spent on your health care needs is taken as given and are covered in your general exemption, but amounts over that are claimable deductions at the rate of 20%. Also you will need to make allowance for any health fund rebate you may receive. If you are required by your terms of employment to provide a certificate that you are “dentally fit”, it may be that any treatment to maintain your dental fitness is 100% deductible as a work related expense. Check with your accountant!
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Q. Is Dental Treatment subject to G.S.T.?
A. Mostly the answer is no! Health has been exempt from GST. What is important here is that treatment is required for the health and functioning of your dentition. For example if a crown or porcelain facing is required to restore a tooth to normal function and appearance then GST is not applicable. If however you want a crown or facing to enhance the appearance of your tooth, then that is purely cosmetic in nature and is subject to GST at the rate of 10%. I am curious as to how the Tax Department will view practitioners that advertise themselves as “Cosmetic Dentists” or “Cosmetic Dentistry”. The Dental Practice Board of Victoria makes it very clear that there is no such specialty as Cosmetic Dentistry. My personal view is that all dentistry must strive to achieve the best form, function and cosmetic appearance possible.
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Q. What is Rubber Dam?
For some procedures it is helpful and sometimes essential to isolate the tooth or teeth being worked on. To do this we use a rubber sheet with a hole or holes in it to isolate teeth. The teeth come though the holes and enable work to be done on those teeth. There are many advantages to using a rubber dam. It stops saliva contamination in the work area and keeps fluids we use from being ingested by the patient. Some procedures that rubber dam is useful for is placing composite (cosmetic) white restorations in back teeth, removal of amalgam and when we want to keep an area dry for a long procedure. Where rubber dam is essential is for vital bleaching of teeth and endodontics. If you are having a root treatment (endodontics) your dentist must always use a rubber dam for the following reasons:
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• To stop the root canal system becoming infected with saliva.
• To stop irrigation fluids getting into the mouth.
• To prevent small files from falling down the throat and being inhaled.
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Q. Do I have to have my wisdom teeth out?
This depends on the following situations and every case needs to be assessed on its merits. If all goes according to natures plan the size of the jaws and teeth match perfectly and you have room for 32 permanent teeth. If you have large teeth and small jaws then there will not be enough room for the last teeth (the wisdom teeth) to erupt correctly or if they are facing the wrong way (impacted) then you will have to get them removed. Sometimes orthodontics in your teens will involve the removal of 4 premolar teeth leaving enough room after the rest of the teeth have been straightened.
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Q. Should an Oral Surgeon remove my wisdom teeth?
This depends on how difficult they are to remove. For most people the idea of being asleep (general anaesthetic) during the procedure is preferable to local anaesthetic in the dental chair. However some people prefer to have their wisdom teeth removed under local because they do not incur the cost of a hospital visit or an anaesthetist’s fee. In all cases your options are explained so you are able to make an informed decision that best suits you.
Q. Will I end up with dentures like my grand-parents?
A large proportion of Seniors nowadays do not have dentures. This is partly due to advances in implant surgery and the fact that other advances in dentistry can save teeth that could not be saved a few generations ago. Of course scrupulous dental hygiene as well as regular six monthly check-ups guard against tooth loss. Today most people can look forward to retaining healthy teeth for life.
Q.Why is a scale and clean important before tooth whitening?
A scale and clean is necessary before tooth whitening because it removes calculus, plaque and surface stains. Whitening gel is more effective when applied to a clean tooth surface and not on to a layer of plaque.
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Disclaimer: Information given here is a brief guide only and may not be applicable to every situation. Information is based on current knowledge at the time of posting and will be amended as more accurate or more up to date information comes to hand. Comments of a non dental nature are true as best as we can ascertain, but you are advised to seek confirmation yourself from an appropriately qualified professional. |
