General Dental

With over 30 years in the business, at Dural Dental we pride ourselves on being a practice that provides high quality treatment to each and every member of the family. Our philosophy is based on offering a bespoke service to every patient to maintain their general dental health whilst preventing any future problems. A combination of professional expertise, and state-of-the-art equipment means we can create beautiful smiles that last for life.

When it comes to oral health, consistency is key, and we strongly encourage all our patients to visit us every 6 months. As preventative dentistry is paramount to avoiding problems later in the day, we suggest children start coming to see us from the age of 2 to get them on the right track early.

Common Dental Problems

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of the hard surfaces (enamel and dentine) of the teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the enamel creating a cavity which continues to progress until the decay is removed and the tooth is filled

How can tooth decay be prevented?

To reduce the chance of getting tooth decay, you should minimise your sugar and acid intake, brush and floss regularly and use a toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride is a safe and effective naturally occurring mineral that incorporates itself into the teeth as they develop and is proven to make teeth more resistant to decay. Fluoride may also reverse the early stages of decay, meaning there is no need for corrective dental treatment in the future.

Tooth Wear

Tooth wear is the loss of the outer surface of the tooth caused by abrasion or erosion of the teeth. One of the main causes of erosion are diets that contain high levels of acidic food and drinks, such as fruit juices and sparkling drinks. This can cause the tooth surface to soften and can accelerate tooth surface loss simultaneously.

Other causes of tooth surface loss include eating disorders and stressful lifestyles leading to stomach acid regurgitation and tooth grinding. Tooth surface loss is also found to be more prevalent in those who consume high levels of alcohol or experiment with social drugs.

Tooth wear can be incredibly painful due to strain being placed on jaw muscles from subconscious grinding, and eventually leads to functional issues with the bite. Aesthetically, it can cause the teeth to chip away and become shorter and more sensitive.

How can tooth wear be prevented?

Putting a stop to the triggers of tooth wear early is the most effective preventative method. This includes reducing exposure to acidic foods and drinks, addressing health concerns and medical conditions, and developing excellent oral hygiene practices. In some cases, your dentist may advise you to wear occlusal splint if you are grinding your teeth at night due to anxiety and stress.

Mouthguards

A major cause of damage to teeth is through contact sports. We provide custom made mouthguards to minimise the effects of the two and give our patient’s the best possible protection.

Splints

A dental splint is an appliance used to protect teeth and their supporting structures from damage caused by grinding or clenching, otherwise known as bruxism.


Dental splints reduce the forces on the teeth generated by bruxism, ease muscle tension and stabilise the jaw. However, these do not cure bruxism itself and patients may continue to clench and grind their teeth at night.

No More Nasties: Brushing for Kids!

With a little imagination, brushing can be fun! Learn how to brush like a pro AND fend off Invisible Nasties that love to set up home in people’s smiles.

Book an appointment with one of our dentists or our Oral Health Therapist if you are due for a regular check up and clean!

Recent Articles

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waiting area of dural dental

Dural Dental Practice
Suite 1, 644 Old Northern Road,
Dural, NSW 2158
Ph: (02) 9651-2085