Decided to get your teeth whitened? You’re not alone! This procedure is becoming more and more popular thanks to the rise of social media. If you’re chasing a beautiful, pearly white smile then perhaps teeth whitening in Brisbane is for you. Before you plonk yourself in the chair, however, here’s a rundown on what the procedure will involve. First Things First, Choose Your Dentist Wisely This isn’t a permanent treatment or fix but you still need to ensure that you’re choosing the right professional for the job. Generally, the ‘white’ look will only take a number of treatments if you’re putting your teeth in the right hands. The treatment can last from between six weeks to two years if you ensure that you avoid activities like smoking or consuming food and drink inclined to stain (farewell, coffee and red wine!). You may want to do ‘touch ups’ using an at-home teeth whitening kit, but these won’t have the same impact as having it done in the dental chair. For the best results in teeth whitening, Brisbane customers are advised to seek out a dental professional. What’s Involved in the Teeth Whitening Procedure? There are a number of elements that need to be examined first before treatment begins. The presence of cavities If you’ve got cavities, these will need to be treated prior to the process beginning. If not, the decayed areas will soak up the treatment and infiltrate the inner parts of your teeth – potentially causing both pain and damage. Sensitivity Tooth decay or receding gums may make your teeth more sensitive to the treatment. Your dentist will take a photograph of your teeth first in order to both monitor the progress as well as ensuring that nothing is present that may hurt you or cause discomfort. The Treatment Begins! An intense cleaning will be the first step when getting your teeth whitened. The procedure itself should take between a half hour to an hour and a half. This is dependent on the condition of your teeth and how they respond to the treatment. A gel is applied to your gums and hydrogen peroxide is applied to your teeth. The next step is a bright light that will cause oxygen to be released. This will lift stains and whiten your dentine. Teeth Whitening: Brisbane Dentist or Home Kit? The procedure is safer and more personally crafted if you undergo teeth whitening at the dentist rather than using a home kit. You’re more likely to have better results and you can be left satisfied that you trusted your teeth to a professional rather than an Instagram-recommended product. For the very best in teeth whitening, Brisbane professionals Robert Duhig Dental...

There’s just something about our end of town. Something undefinable. A timeless quality. The breezes that speak of both the past, the present and the future. Both the constants and the changes interweave until we forget where the past ends and the present begins. There’s something about having grown up in this area in the 1980s that has shaped many of us into the adults that we are today. The experiences we shared, both positive and negative, have permeated this area and created the wonderful place that we call home today. Do you remember? Do you remember what it was like here before the renovations and gentrifications took place? Before progress marched in and the high rises went up? We do. Because Robert Duhig Dental has been here the whole time. True Sandgate 1980s Kids Remember The Big Storm We remember because we were there. The great storm of December 16th, 1980 sent roofs flying and hailstones the size of golfballs, causing massive damage to homes and businesses. This was a time when this community banded together in a massive clean-up that saw brooms, hoses, rakes and good old-fashioned hard yakka combine to get the mess cleaned up. It’s that ‘let’s just get on with it’ attitude that we still see in the Sandgate area today. We know what needs to be done and so we put our heads down and just get to it. Simple, straight-forward and in solidarity with our fellow Sandgate-ians. You can still see a lot of the impact of this storm around the Sandgate and Brighton area today. There are lots of homes with ‘quick fix’ roofs that still require replacement. Just some little reminders of the storm of the century that this Sandgate dentist battled through with the rest of us. A Trip to the Cinema Do you remember what it was like to go to the movies? The Seabreeze RAAF theatre (now the administration building of St Pat’s) and the Drive-in at Boondall were perfect places for 1980s kids to watch (now) classic films like ET, The Princess Bride and all the John Hughes movies. Popcorn aplenty and some nervous teenage hand-holding gave these places a truly magical feel. While progress may have decided that it was time to move on, these special places will always hold a dear place in our hearts. Freedom and good fortune Sandgate kids from this era will remember: Grabbing some hot chips from the chippy straight after school and eating down by the water, sipping on Cokes and bumming cheeky smokes from their friends. Drinking at the Brighton Hotel or the Osbourne Hotel (now known as the Full Moon), under age and full of spirit. Or...

It’s the stuff of dentistry nightmares and the guilty pleasure of so many Australians. Consumption of sugary soft drink. And though some common myths about certain soft drinks being able to dissolve coins has been subsequently debunked, there’s no denying that regularly consuming sugary drinks can have. Detrimental effect on our dental health. We know it’s bad but we do it anyway. So really, surely there’s some way to stem the effects of soft drink on teeth. Some magic cure or special tool at the dentist’s office that can undo a lifetime of bad beverage habits? Let’s investigate.   What are the effects of soft drink on teeth? These drinks are very high in sugar. This sugar interacts with the bacteria already in your mouth to form acid that then goes on to attack your teeth. This is a damaging reaction and, depending on how often you indulge, can have some fairly catastrophic effects. The enamel (the hard, protective layer that forms on the top of your teeth) is attacked by the soft drink. Over time, you’ll see the development of tooth decay as well as dental cavities. It’s not looking too good for those soft drinks, is it? When you take into account the predilection of younger people to consume a lot of soft drink, it seems like this is a problem that’s targeting the young and impressionable members of our society.   What’s to be done? So is there a quick fix? A special toothpaste? Perhaps a magic wand? The answer is no. The ONLY way to fix or reverse the damage that soft drink can have on teeth is to stop consumption in its tracks and replace bad habits with appropriate dental care.   What needs to be done? Arranging a check-up and clean with your dentist and dental hygienist is the first step on the road to teeth recovery. Ensuring that you are brushing your teeth appropriately (at least twice a day for two minutes each time) is an excellent place to start. Regular flossing will also improve the health of your teeth as you stage an oral comeback. Avoiding sugary drinks and replacing them with (chiefly) water will help to cut down on the chances of nasty bacteria forming inside your mouth.   Speak to the Gentle Dentist. If you’re concerned about your oral health, make an appointment at Robert Duhig Dental...

There’s no denying it – your child has a tooth cavity and the damage looks pretty bad. You can’t help but feel terrible. Weren’t you doing everything to help keep their mouth healthy? Brushing, flossing, reducing sugar: you did all the right things, but your child still managed to get a hole so big they now need crowns on their baby teeth. Well, you can set aside the parental guilt, as tooth decay in children is incredibly common – the World Health Organization estimates that between 60-90% of school-aged children worldwide have cavities. And while it sounds like a crown is an extreme course of action for a tooth that will fall out soon anyway, it’s actually quite necessary.   Why would a child need crowns?   There are several reasons a child would need a crown on their baby teeth rather than just a filling or removing the tooth altogether. The tooth may be so damaged that a filling is not enough to save it, or it is broken, making filling it impossible. In these cases, it is important to have a crown fitted so the tooth remains strong, durable, and the decay does not spread further into the tooth or the surrounding teeth. Baby teeth are essential for the healthy eruption of adult teeth, and a tooth that is weakened or removed will interrupt the growth of the permanent tooth, impacting the child’s oral health, speech development and ability to chew. A crown on baby teeth will protect the tooth that is left and will fall out naturally when the time comes. It will also help preserve the space for the adult teeth, which may not come through until their teens (depending on the tooth).   What’s involved in fitting crowns on baby teeth?   Putting crowns on baby teeth is a relatively simple procedure, but it can take a little while. We first numb the area, isolate the tooth to protect the surrounding teeth, gums and cheek, and then remove the decay using a special drill. During this time, we will shape the tooth and prepare it for the crown. We then fit the crown snugly on top so that it is stable.   What to expect after the crown is applied   After the procedure, the child must avoid sticky food but can otherwise eat normally (being careful not to bite their numb lips and cheeks!), and it’s perfectly fine to brush their teeth as usual. During brushing, the gum may bleed slightly or even appear blue: this can be the shadow of the metal under the gum tissue and not a cause for concern. The area will regain normal feeling in a few days....

‘Ding Ding.’ I received an SMS from my brand new dentist. “We’re looking forward to seeing you on Friday for your appointment with Dr Duhig,” read the SMS. I felt my whole body tighten up and a sick feeling started whirling up in my stomach. Did I mention I used to be scared of the dentist? The experience that made me scared of the dentist My anxiety all started with a not so forgettable experience at another dentist where I dribbled so much because my mouth was numb and the dental nurse couldn’t suck my spit up quickly enough with the spit sucker thingy. I couldn’t forget about my inability to spit into the little bowl, embarrassed as a string of saliva hung from my mouth. I also couldn’t forget the massive discomfort of a dental tool being pressed with force on my numb lip. Oh, and did I mention the needles? I needed two of those bad boys, and it sure didn’t tickle! After that experience, I was so worried it would repeat itself over and over, each time I visited the dentist. But I took the matter into my own hands and decided to change dentists. Yes, I was extremely anxious before seeing Dr Robert Duhig, but I can happily say I’m no longer scared of the dentist! Firstly, the fact that Robert Duhig Dental call themselves ‘The Gentler Dentists’ got me really curious. They HAD to be better than my old dentist who was far from gentle. The visit to my new dentist – Robert Duhig Dental At my first appointment, anxious and sweating profusely, I entered the room and was greeted by Robert and the dental assistant. They were both quick to make me feel welcome and calm, asking me about myself and engaging in lovely conversation while, unbeknownst to me, they were prepping for the examination. Their ability to hold conversation really took my mind off things. As I opened my mouth wide in preparation for the scratching and sucking to begin, all I could think about was the dreaded spit sucker; was this nurse going to suck spit better than at my old dentist? Well, I’d like to report that I’d happily give the dental nurse at Robert Duhig Dental the award for top spit sucker because she’s well and truly banished my anxiety about dribbling at the dentist! And as for pain and discomfort, there was none. I couldn’t believe how gentle the dentist was, even with the hook instrument which, I swear, has made me feel a bit like a fish in the past. The conversation continued after the examination had finished, I happily swished the water in my mouth and...