Dental Tourism - It's your money, your teeth and your health

Dental Tourism

It's your money, your teeth and your health

We have found a very interesting article about Dental Tourism form the ADA which we would like to share.

At Woollahra Dental Practice we realise that the oral cavity is not treated separately from the rest of the body. Our field is linked in many ways to whole body health.

Complex dental treatment can sometimes come at a high cost. Some Aussies consider getting their treatment overseas in order to receive a ‘free’ holiday out of their dental treatment instead of having it done at home. But what are the risks? Is there a reason dental treatment is significantly cheaper in the developing world? Is it worth the risk?

The ADA has prepared the resources to demonstrate the risks associated with overseas dental treatment.

For high quality dental services in Eastern Sydney visit www.woollahradental.com

Dental Tourism

We have found a very interesting article about Dental Tourism form the ADA which we would like to share.

At Woollahra Dental Practice we realise that the oral cavity is not treated separately from the rest of the body. Our field is linked in many ways to whole body health.

Information and Questions

Are they a qualified dentist with positive feedback?

When considering receiving dental treatment overseas you should always do your research.

First, ask these important questions:

1. Where was the dentist trained?

2. Is it a reputable university?

3. Are you absolutely confident you will receive quality professional treatment and care?

When seeking any healthcare treatment it’s important to research how much experience your care provider has in their field. You must have complete confidence that the overseas dentist and their team are qualified and experienced - it’s your health in their hands. 

What happens if something goes wrong?

There is a risk that complex dental procedures could go wrong overseas. Signs of a dental procedure gone wrong may not immediately appear. In the event of an incident, you will need to be certain that you can rely on the overseas dentist repairing the work that they may have incorrectly performed in the first place. It is unlikely you will be able to return for further treatment in an appropriate time frame, however, if an Australian dentist was chosen, any incident could be dealt with immediately.

What are the health standards for the country? Is the dentist following the standards?

Australia has clear and strict regulation on infection control. They are endorsed by National Law, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and the Dental Board of Australia. Patient safety and health is at the forefront for all Australian dental professionals to ensure quality procedures are carried out.

First, ask these important questions:

Are there adequate health standards in the country you are looking to receive your dental treatment?

How do you know the dentist is following the standards?

Do you know the materials and instruments being used for the procedure are safe and are going to be used, sterilised and disposed of correctly?

Does the cost truly weigh up against the risks to your oral health?

You need to account for every cost involved travelling overseas for treatment. They will include flights, accommodation, transfers, after treatment care and more. You may also need to factor in return travel if treatment is not successful. While the savings may seem attractive, you may not be considering the cost to your health.

A trade mark of Dental Tourism is compressing multiple treatments into an inappropriately short time frame. Compressing treatment time drastically increases the chance of a failed or troubled procedure. Between each treatment an appropriate amount of rest and healing is required in order for the gums and teeth to settle. Most Australian dentists create a treatment plan for complex procedures which consists of multiple treatments spaced over several weeks. A treatment plan allows the gums to rest and the dentist to monitor your progress.

Many dental procedures are invasive and some procedures performed cannot be undone. It is important to weigh up all factors when considering overseas dental treatment. Although lower fees may be enticing, you need to consider at what cost it is to your teeth and health.

www.woollahradental.com

source: ADA Australian Dental Association website.

Tips for oral hygiene part 1

A better, more confident you begins every morning and ends every evening if you stick with a consistent oral hygiene routine. This, in addition to regular dentist office visits, helps develop not only strong teeth and gums, but also overall good health. You'll feel good, look great, avoid unnecessary bills, and experience an improvement in many of your day-to-day social interactions. It's easy once you understand the basic routines required to maintain good dental hygiene. Get started with some basic dental education and a thorough awareness of the steps that should and should not be taken toward great, long-term oral health.

Proper oral hygiene is important in helping you stay healthy if you have risk factors such as diabetes and heart problems.

Oral hygiene benefits

Daily cleaning of your teeth, gums, and tongue, combined with annual check-ups helps ward off harmful bacteria and microbes that may cause tooth decay, bleeding gums, and oral infections. Proper oral hygiene is also important in helping you stay healthy, especially if you have risk factors such as diabetes and heart problems. Plus, oral hygiene elevates your sense of self-esteem. This is especially true for teenagers and adults who frequently interact with others at work or in social situations. Maintaining proper oral hygiene ensures that you won’t experience embarrassing conditions, such as plaque, tartar, and bad breath. It also lowers the need to treat dental problems that could otherwise be inexpensively prevented. For example, according to Kaiser Health News reports, dental costs make up approximately 20 percent of a child’s total health care expenses, and the costs are escalating rapidly.

Oral hygiene for kids

Enforcing good oral hygiene habits early in a child’s life is essential for his overall well-being. According to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cavities in children between the ages of two and five has escalated by 15 percent. Proper oral hygiene habits must start as early as the child begins to bottle feed. This is when babies are prone to tooth decay if they are given a bottle filled with sugary liquids, like milk or juice, when put to bed. While baby teeth should be cleaned using a washcloth, young babies should eventually have their teeth and tongues brushed using soft brushes. It is important for parents to teach children the proper way to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, to take them for regular dental check-ups, and to serve foods that will help strengthen teeth. These include milk, cheese, and vegetables.

Oral hygiene for adults

Many adults experience significant dental problems that could be prevented through basic oral hygiene practices, like regular dentist appointments. For example, in 2009 alone, CDC data indicated that only 62 percent of adults surveyed had visited the dentist. To maintain optimal oral health, adults should brush their teeth at least twice a day, preferably after each meal and before going to bed. Flossing is also an essential part of an adult’s daily oral hygiene regimen. Regular brushing and flossing can prevent unpleasant conditions, such as plaque and bad odor. However, over-brushing or flossing may result in mouth bruises and bleeding, which can lead to infections. Adults should visit their dentist regularly for routine check-ups and before using over-the-counter medication.

www.wollahradental.com

References:Medline Plus: Child Dental Health Add a Few to Your Next Health StoryUniversity of Missouri: Basic Dental Health for Older Adults; Jerry D. Michel

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Oral and Dental HealthKaiser Health News: Kids and Dental Health: Rising Costs and Struggling State Programs a Dangerous Mix ; Blaire Briody

Interesting Oral Hygiene Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Our Woollahra Dental Practice team wants to share with you a few fun facts about oral hygiene that you may not be aware of. There are plenty of myths surrounding dental hygiene and you shouldn’t believe everything you hear on the streets. Dental health is a whole science in itself and there is a lot more to it than there appears and the Sane Dentist Blog reported 7 facts about oral hygiene that you may have never heard of.

If you’re someone who puts a cap on their toothbrush each time after you use it, then consider tossing that cap and letting your toothbrush air out. The commonly used practice of putting a cap on toothbrush is actually more detrimental. The moisture entrapped in the cap favours bacterial growth.

Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colourless “plaque” on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing doesn’t clean, which if left untreated can turn into gum disease.

People who tend to drink 3 or more glasses of soda daily have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss than others. If you habitually drink soda or even sugary juices, you should drink them through a straw and make sure to brush your teeth right after so the sugar doesn’t have time to linger on your teeth.

The first toothbrush with bristles was manufactured in China in 1498. Bristles from hogs, horses and badgers were used. The first commercial toothbrush was made in 1938. Thankfully, our toothbrushes are no longer made from animal hair.

Fluoridated toothpastes when ingested habitually by kids can lead to fluoride toxicity. You should make sure to teach your kids to spit out excess toothpaste into the sink and not to swallow it. Too much fluoride could lead to dental fluorosis, which is a cosmetic condition that affects the teeth during the first eight years of life. This is the time when most permanent teeth are being formed.
You are supposed to replace your toothbrush after you have an episode of flu, cold or other viral infections. Notorious microbes can implant themselves on the toothbrush bristles leading to re-infection. So make sure to get a new toothbrush after you’ve been sick so you don’t re-infect yourself.

Newborn babies do not have tooth decay bacteria. Often, the bacteria are transmitted from mother to baby when she kisses the child or blows on hot food/drink before feeding the baby.
If you have any questions about oral hygiene in Eastern Sydney, then please Woollahra Dental a call today 02 9363 5690 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ancell.

Source: the Sane Dentist Blog

Principals of Orthopaedic & Ortho-Postural Dentistry

Principals of Orthopaedic & Ortho-Postural Dentistry

Incorporating innovation, knowledge and experience to deliver a higher level of patient well-being.

Oral health involves understanding the ultimate relationship between jaw growth, airway physiology, sleep quality and head and neck posture. Breakdown of teeth, excessive wear, jaw joint inflammation and muscular or neurological pain in the head or neck are often signs of the result of the body’s breakdown when compensating for less than ideal growth and development.

Woollahra Dental examines the patient to determine the causal sequence represented by the problem in question before commencing a treatment plan. This approach has proven to deliver a much higher level of care, where head and jaw pain problems are relieved before restorative, orthodontic or surgical procedures are undertaken.

Ortho-Postural Dentistry

Ortho-Postural Dentistry brings together years of research and understanding from the fields of sports medicine, neurology, orthopaedics, respiratory and whole body physiology and chronic pain treatment. The philosophy is based on rehabilitation of injured tissues, including worn teeth, with a view to restoring optimal function.

The system of treatment is based on aligning the skeletal system, which in turn results in a balanced muscular relationship. Minimal wear and stress to the supporting structures is therefore achieved.

Orthopaedics

Ortho-postural dentistry starts with the developing infant and growing child. A major aim is to correct aberrant myofunctional habits, establishing an ideal breathing pattern and developing jaw bones to their ideal genetic potential. These functions are critical to the child’s physical, emotional, biochemical and aesthetic development.

Orofacial pain

The treatment of chronic pain of the head and neck is a difficult diagnostic puzzle. In an acute injury, the pain is at the site of origin, in a chronic condition however, the brain and body have instigated a variety of compensatory mechanisms that may drastically alter the degree and location of symptoms.

Diagnostic postural balance tests are used to prioritise treatment and identify the origin of the presenting systems, which may involve: muscle pain of the head, neck or back; dizziness or vertigo; migraine; pain in the arms, hands or shoulders; sleep deprivation; swallowing difficulty; and many other symptoms. Treatment involves jaw joint stabilisation using removable pivots or splints and mandibular postural appliances to correct any structural injuries. Referral to other medical and allied health practitioners is required if systems persist for treatment of biochemical, physiological, hormonal or respiratory disorders.

Following jaw joint stabilisation, pain relief and a full range of jaw movements, restorative dentistry is undertaken (if required). This involves protecting compromised heavily restored teeth, improving aesthetics, reconstructing the correct intermeshing of teeth using restorative techniques (crown, bridges, implants or only) orthodontics, orthognathic surgery or cosmetic dentistry,

http://woollahradental.com/orthopostural.php

About Woollahra Dental Practice

At Woollahra Dental Practice we recognise that your dental health is directly linked to your general health. We aim to provide a holistic approach to your dental care and always consider your overall health when providing you with a treatment plan.

Our philosophy is that we are here to help you be a healthier you. That’s is why we have developed an extensive network of allied practitioners such as;

• Chiropractors, Osteopath, Physiotherapist, etc.
• Periodontists, Neurologists, Endodontist, etc.
• Ear Nose and Throat Specialists, Respiratory Physicians, etc.

To help you not only achieve the best dental health but reach better whole body health. We apply this special philosophy to all our treatments which include;

• Orthodontics
• General and Cosmetic Dentistry
• Ortho-Postural Dentistry
• Preventive and Oral Health Care

We provide minimal intervention dentistry and always provide safe dentistry to all our patients. This is why we always use the latest research-based materials and techniques in our practice.

We also recognise the importance of periodontal (gum) health on your general health. Your mouth is a gateway to your body and healthier mouths lead to a healthier body. That’s why we have employed Dental Hygienists as a part of our clinical team. 

We would like you to browse our site to help you understand potential treatments that are important for you. Please feel free to ASK DR ANCELL any questions regarding your relationship with Woollahra Dental Practice.