A – Abscess
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms at the tooth’s root due to a bacterial infection. If left untreated, the abscess can spread to other areas, causing severe consequences to your overall health.
B – Brushing
Use an electric toothbrush for two minutes at least twice a day. Don’t brush your teeth until 30 minutes before or after eating. 60 minutes is even better
C – Cavities
Prevent cavities by maintaining good oral hygiene and reducing sugar intake from drinks and food.
D – Dental Checkups
Regular dental checkups (preferably twice yearly) are crucial for detecting and preventing oral health issues early.
E – Endodontics
Endodontics is a specialised area of dentistry that focuses on treating disease or injury to the dental pulp, also known as root canal treatment.
F – Flossing
Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles between teeth and molars that a toothbrush can’t reach.
G – Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an inflammatory condition of the gum tissue caused by the buildup of bacteria on the teeth. It is an early form of gum disease that has not progressed to the point of tissue or bone loss.
H – Halitosis
Bad breath, or halitosis, can indicate poor oral hygiene. To prevent it, maintain good oral care practices.
I – Implants
Dental implants are a solution for replacing missing teeth.
J – Jaw Health
Maintaining jaw health involves avoiding habits like teeth grinding and seeking treatment for bruxism disorders.
K – Kids’ Oral Health
Prevention and good dental hygiene are important to keeping your child’s teeth healthy. Teeth brushing and healthy nutritional habits play important roles in this.
L – Local Anaesthetic
Local anaesthetic is used to anaesthetise your teeth, thus keeping any pain caused by the process to a minimum. Major treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthetic.
M – Mouthwash
Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol or colouring. Ask your dental hygienist for further advice.
N – Nutrition
A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports healthy teeth and gums. Limit your consumption of sugary food and drinks to six or seven moments a day.
O – Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment involves strategically attaching metal or ceramic brackets to misaligned teeth, connecting them with a special wire incrementally adjusted to align the teeth and jaw.
There is also the possibility of using invisible braces from Invisalign®.
P – Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that causes damage to the gums and bone that can eventually jeopardise the health of your teeth.
Q – Quit Smoking
Smoking can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Quitting smoking improves oral health.
R – Root
The part of the tooth below the crown is generally encased in the jawbone. It comprises dentin, includes the root canal, and is covered by cementum.
S – Scaling
A procedure used to remove plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
T – Tartar
Tartar is a form of hardened dental plaque.
U – Ulcers
Mouth ulcers can be caused by irritation, stress, or certain foods. To prevent infections, maintain good oral hygiene.
V – Veneers
Veneers also known as facings, are a solution for cracks between your teeth. They can help repair multiple broken teeth and deliver a beautiful smile.
W – Whitening
Teeth discolouration can cause embarrassment, which is one reason that more and more people are opting for teeth whitening.
X – X-Ray
Not everything is visible to the eye, which is why dental x-rays are taken in order to detect any structural problem with teeth, molars or jawbones.
Y – Yearly Checkups
At a minimum, have dental checkups once a year, though twice yearly is preferable.
Z – Zinc
Zinc is an important mineral for oral health, helping to fight bad breath and support the immune system.