Moonee Ponds patients ask: How do I practice good dental hygiene?

We advise all Smile in Style patients to visit our Sunbury or Moonee Ponds rooms twice a year for their preventative care visit. However, a lot can happen in six months. Good daily habits between visits are just as important as in-office treatment. Never underestimate the importance of your home care dental hygiene habits.

In Moonee Ponds Area Patients Ask, how Do I Practice Good Dental Hygiene?

How often should I brush and floss?

Ideally, you should brush your teeth twice a day: after breakfast  and dinner. However, it is a mistake to brush immediately after eating. Acidic foods and beverages soften tooth enamel. Unless your meal was particularly low acid, brushing too soon could damage your teeth. Instead, rinse your mouth with water, which removes the acid from your teeth. Then wait about 30 to 60 minutes before brushing.

Floss at least once a day. While it might be tempting to skip this step, doing so is an invitation for gum disease and tooth decay to happen. Why? A brush can only access about two-thirds of the total tooth surface.

Which toothbrush should I use?

There are a few things to consider when choosing a toothbrush.

  • Type – The first question is standard or electric toothbrush. Either type of toothbrush will work, providing you are careful to thoroughly clean every surface of your teeth. However, for the young or for people with muscle and joint problems such as arthritis, it can be difficult to grasp a toothbrush, and perform precise movements. In this case, an electric toothbrush can be a great benefit.
  • Bristles – Many people mistakenly believe that a stiff brush will clean teeth better. However, while plaque is quite sticky, it is also soft. If it is not removed promptly, it will harden and become tartar (calculus), which is so hard you will not be able to remove it with a toothbrush no matter how stiff the bristles are. Therefore, there is little benefit to stiff bristles. They can damage your gums and possibly even your tooth enamel.
  • Size and shape – The handle should be comfortable to hold, and the head should be small enough that you can easily reach all of the surfaces of yourl teeth. This is especially important when choosing a toothbrush for a child.
Moonee Ponds Office
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Sunbury Office
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What else can I do to keep my teeth clean?

When you brush, be thorough. Clean all the way to the gumline. Be sure to clean the entire tooth, including the chewing surface. Beyond brushing and flossing, there are a few other beneficial habits:

  • Water – Hydration is good for your body, and water naturally rinses particles from teeth. It is a much better choice than juice, soda or sports drinks, all of which have high sugar and acid content.
  • Gum – Chewing gum can help remove some food particles, and it stimulates saliva flow. However, the sugary variety can do more harm than good. Choose a sugar-free gum, preferably one with xylitol. Studies have shown that xylitol actually reduces the risk of decay.
  • Snacks – We all eat between meals, at least occasionally. Choose your snack-food wisely. Avoid acidic or sugary foods, especially sticky ones that cling to teeth. The best choice is crunchy vegetables, such as carrot or celery sticks which can scrape some particles from your teeth as you chew.

Do you have questions about dental health and hygiene?

We are happy to answer your questions, provide advice, and help you develop a healthy routine based on your unique needs. In fact, patient education is one of the most important parts of your bi-annual preventative care check. Call us at 03 8400 4104 (Moonee Ponds) or 03 8001 6021 (Sunbury) to schedule an appointment or book online at www.smileinstyle.com.au.

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Smile In Style Dental office near Moonee Ponds and Sunbury

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Throughout our site, you will find valuable information about our services that will help you get to know us better. It is our mission to create beautiful white healthy smiles using the latest technologies. Our experienced Dentists and staff aim for lifelong relationships with our patients, providing relevant dental education and continual care throughout life. Here, you can learn more about the various dental conditions that may develop and the ways in which we treat them.
Some of the services you can expect to find at Smile in Style include: Our goal is to work together with you to achieve your healthiest, most attractive smile, whilst ensuring your comfort and satisfaction.

Safe Amalgam Removal Protocol

  • Chlorella drink prior is given prior to treatment and a mouth rinse post-treatment. Chlorella can help bind and prevent mercury absorption.
  • Physical protective barriers - Masks, protective coverings, eyewear, in-mouth non-latex dental dams, and other steps are taken to prevent physical contact with mercury for the patient and staff.
  • Oral evacuation - Generous amounts of water are used to continuously rinse particulate matter from the mouth while suctioning it away. Combined with protective dental dams, this prevents patients from swallowing dental amalgam particles during treatment. Additionally, the rinsing helps lower the temperature of the filling, reducing the amount of mercury vapour released.
  • External air - A continuous supply of non-contaminated air or oxygen is delivered via a mask or similar apparatus, preventing inhalation of mercury vapour or particles.
  • "Chunk it out" method - Rather than using a drill to grind the filling down, it is carefully removed in the largest possible pieces, minimising friction, vaporisation.
  • High Volume Evacuation Suction is used by the dental assistant to remove amalgam particles in the mouth.
  • High Volume Air suction and Air Purifiers are used in the clinical room that is able to remove mercury vapour from the room.
  • Amalgam separator use - This device collects mercury-contaminated waste before it can enter the sewage system, allowing us to dispose of it safely.
Dr. Terry Rose Dr. Sally Fairbairn Dr. Helen Luo Dr. Meenakshi Rajcoomar Dr. Darshan Brar Dr. Jasdeep Kaur

Dr. Terry Rose

Dr. Terry Rose completed his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand. He then moved to Australia and founded Smile in Style in 1990. With over 25 years of orthodontic experience, Dr. Rose has been a Progressive Orthodontic Seminar instructor. He is an Accredited Biological Dentist certified in the SMART protocol through the IAOMT and completed the LA&HA Master’s Program in Laser Dentistry. In 2021, he was named an Advanced Instructor in dental lasers, and he continues to train dentists in laser and CEREC technology.

In Moonee Ponds Area Patients Ask, how Do I Practice Good Dental Hygiene?

Dr. Sally Fairbairn

Dr. Sally Fairbairn completed her Bachelor of Science before earning her Bachelor of Oral Health in Dentistry from Griffith University in 2011. She also earned a Graduate Diploma in Dentistry. Certified in Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) by the IAOMT, she is expanding her expertise by pursuing accreditation as a Biological Dentist. Dr. Sally’s proficiency in biological dentistry and dedication to ongoing education have established her as a trusted dentist.

Dr. Helen Luo

Dr. Helen Luo graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, where she was recognised with a prize in Paediatric Dentistry. Since joining Smile In Style in 1998, she has gained extensive experience using CEREC for inlays, onlays, and crowns, as well as using the Dental Laser for both children and adults. Dr. Luo is also certified in the SMART technique by the IAOMT and offers advanced teeth whitening with the Kör system. She enjoys treating children as well as adults in the Sunbury surgery.

Dr. Meenakshi Rajcoomar

Dr. Meenakshi Rajcoomar graduated from the University of Melbourne and completed a residency in functional breathing and craniofacial pain. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics from Progressive Orthodontic Seminars and is a Certified Clear Aligner Practitioner. A member of the IAOMT, Dr. Rajcoomar is SMART certified and completed an oral surgery course at the University of Melbourne. Her broad expertise and commitment to continuing education make her a well-rounded dental professional.

Dr. Darshan Brar

Dr. Darshan Brar earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in India in 2001 and obtained her Australian Dental Council Certificate in 2010. She is trained in Safe Amalgam Removal using the SMART Technique. She has an interest in Endodontics and same day inlays/onlays and crowns using CEREC. Dr. Brar’s commitment to continuing education ensures she stays current with the latest advancements in dental care, providing her patients with high-quality, modern treatment options.

Dr. Jasdeep Kaur

Dr. Jasdeep Kaur is an experienced general dentist who earned her Bachelor of Dentistry in India in 2012 and completed the Australian Dental Council Exam in 2017. She has experience working in regional Victoria with Community Health and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Dr. Kaur is skilled in the SMART technique for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal and offers a range of cosmetic treatments, including full mouth restorations, teeth whitening, crowns, and bridges. She embraces modern technology and is committed to ongoing education to continue providing her patients with the highest level of care.