Dental care seems straightforward for most of us. Brush twice a day. Visit the dentist twice a year. If anything seems out of the ordinary, ask your partner to look in your mouth and then compare the problem area to gross photos on Google Images. Easy peasy. But what you DIDN’T know is that there are six MAJOR things that you’re probably doing wrong right this second when it comes to the health of your teeth, gums and mouth. Dental Care Disaster: The Toothbrush Terror Some of you may believe that pain is gain when it comes to dental care. But brushing very hard, using a hard bristle brush or even following the old wives’ tale of brushing with abrasive materials (think baking soda) can have a negative impact on the health of your teeth and gums. Engaging in this kind of rough touch hygiene can see the precious enamel on your teeth depleted. Enamel is important because it prevents teeth becoming damaged by acids found in food and drink. It also helps your teeth stay that beautiful pearly white. Dental Care Disaster: The Gum Neglecter On the other hand, some of you may go too gently when it comes to brushing. Making teeny tiny brushing movements only on the teeth and staying well away from the gums will see the development of gum line plaque. This is the main culprit of the dreaded bleeding gums phenomenon that so many patients present with in the dental chair. Dental Care Disaster: The Discolouration Dilemma Love coffee? Red wine? We know! We can see it on your teeth! Regular flossing, using the correct toothbrush, keeping up your dentist visits and a dedication to mouth cleanliness can minimise the impact of teeth discolouration. The only thing that will minimise it completely is putting a stop to those tooth-hurty vices altogether. Dental Care Disaster: The Cursed Cigarette Without shadow of a doubt, cigarettes are far and away the most easily avoidable dental disaster. If patients choose to smoke (and they do make a choice to do so) then they are opening the door for serious gum disease. They’ll discolour the teeth but that problem is far outweighed by the very real, lifelong damage being done with every drag on a cigarette. Butt out for your own health and the health of your poor teeth and gums. Dental Care Disaster: The Great Ignorer When’s the last time you visited a dentist? A year? Two years? Five years? Ignoring a dental care problem will not make it go away – it will only magnify the issue. Make a move towards a friendly dentist who understands your hesitation. Dental Care Disaster: The Over-Rinser Here’s one you’re...

  Something Borrowed, Something Zoom – Teeth Whitening: The Finishing Touch To Your Special Day Your wedding day promises so much, the start of the rest of a happy life together. Put your best teeth forward on the day with Zoom Teeth Whitening at Robert Duhig Dental! A Smile To Stop Time You’ll look back on your wedding photographs years from now and smile. A wry smile at a crazy hair-do or fashion choice, perhaps reminiscing about older family members no longer with us. And your biggest smiles will be saved for the photos of the happy couple together. Having lovely, white teeth in your wedding photographs will remind you of the time in your life when you were so happy and poised on the verge of wonderful shared adventures: the start of your family’s journey together, the next step into the big, bold world of adult responsibilities. A gorgeous, sparkling smile speaks of health, happiness and harmony – a perfect message to send on your wedding day. Wedding Preparation Checklist Many people view weddings as a stressful challenge. They want to lose weight, get in shape and smarten up before the big day. It’s important to remember that your partner loves you exactly as you are, but we like to view this special day as an opportunity to be the best version of YOU that you can possibly be. And if you’re self-conscious about your smile, having your teeth professionally whitened can make all the difference. Many couples will be in the same position as you and want to ensure they’re looking their best on the big day. Wedding season is a HUGELY busy time for dentists so if you want to get your teeth whitened, you’d best ensure that you book your appointment sooner rather than later! Zoom Teeth Whitening Zoom Teeth Whitening offers dynamic whitening results that can leave your pearly whites up to EIGHT SHADES whiter! A post-treatment gel will be applied to protect any sensitivity and your dentist can cleverly tailor your treatment plan to be the perfect fit for you. Robert Duhig Dental – The Gentler Dentists The lead-up to a wedding can cause worries but a bright, confident smile does not have to be one of them. Organise those necessary procedures early on to cut down on anxiety. The happiest day of your life approaches – invest in the brightest smile! Contact Robert Duhig Dental today to arrange your Zoom Teeth Whitening Procedure. We specialise in beautiful...

Why We’re The Go To Sandgate Dental Clinic For Nervous Nellies! Dental anxiety and nervousness is not only common but understandable, too. There are a lot of variables outside of your control and the idea of having instruments (let alone fingers!) shoved into your mouth can be enough to make even the toughest amongst us break out in a cold sweat. Selecting a Sandgate dental clinic who will have the best interests of you (and your family) in mind can go a long way to allaying those fears and turning your regular dental check-ups into a positive experience. Yes, the right dentist can make all the difference! Here’s what to look out for. Signs of dental anxiety Your dental anxiety is nothing to be ashamed about. People with dental anxiety often experience: Racing heartbeat or palpitations Fainting (or feeling like fainting) Crying, panic, shaking Withdrawal or accidentally becoming aggressive Postponing or completely ignoring the need for regular dental check-ups You may have had a bad experience in the past or be triggered by the sounds and smells of the dental surgery. Whatever the reason – you deserve fair, ethical, gentle treatment and you need to ensure you are not letting your anxiety stand in the way of your physical health. Signs that your dentist is not the right fit You deserve trained professionals who can take the time, consideration and care that you require. There are many Sandgate dental clinics, including those in the surrounding areas, that will be happy to take your custom but fail to give the appropriate treatment to patients such as yourself. Here are the signs of a poor clinic choice for someone who has dental anxiety or phobia: You are rushed through and treated like a number instead of a patient Your treatment is overly clinical with no personal touches to make you feel comfortable Your concerns and questions are dismissed and you are made to feel silly There is no continuity of care and you do not develop a working relationship with your dentist You are not checked on throughout the procedure Choosing the right team The Robert Duhig Dental team have been operating in Sandgate for over 28 years. Our philosophy is to put patients first at all times, rather than focusing on numbers and targets. We aim to provide individualised care to every customer and we pride ourselves on being the gentle dentists. Don’t let your anxiety hold your dental health hostage. Book an appointment with the Robert Duhig team today – we’re the gentle Sandgate dental...

Robert Duhig Dentist in Sandgate provides top quality care for patients of every age. If you’d like to book a consultation appointment you can do so here. Timeline for teeth Parents are confronted by the reality of painful teething early on in their children’s lives but they are often confused by the best way to care for those tiny chompers. Here is an easy-to-follow timeline for your children’s tooth care by age. Dental health timeline for children • Prior to the eruption of teeth, try to gently wipe your baby’s gums with a wet cloth a few times a day. You can time these around feedings. • Brushing will begin when the first tooth arrives. Speak with your dentist about the best brush and paste combination. This is also when you should have your first visit to the dentist to check that teeth are coming in appropriately. • When teeth appear together, you may begin flossing. This may seem silly when they are so small but you are investing in developing a lifetime of good habits. Flossing early will naturalise the process for your children and make it part of your bedtime routine. • After the age of one, you may look at different toothpaste options. Continue your flossing routine. Try to remember your twice yearly dental cleanings and examinations. • If your child uses dummies or is a thumb sucker, talk to your dentist about strategies to put an end to this habit as they may have negative consequences on permanent teeth development. • At around age 6, baby teeth will begin to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth. Painful adult molars will appear which may cause some distress. • When adult teeth have all appeared, it may become apparent that braces are required. You should consult with your dental technician and dentist about this process. When children play sports, you may also want to get them fitted for a mouthguard. Every day dental care The above milestones are significant moments in your child’s maturity. You can ensure they put their best teeth forward by: • Making sure they brush and floss twice a day • Making sure they attend their friendly dentist for twice yearly check ups • Making sure they have a once yearly professional dental clean Make it a habit! Develop an active relationship with your family dentist today to instil positive dental associations in your child. You’re their best chance for a show-stopping smile! Contact our friendly staff today to arrange your family’s dental...

The first few days after getting braces are tough. Your child will likely experience some discomfort and sleepless nights but it isn’t forever. The first week is all about the mouth adjusting to the brackets, hooks and wires and getting used to the pressure on the teeth. The pressure is what will eventually make the teeth move into the right spot. Follow these tips for a much easier and comfortable first week. What to do in the first week of getting braces Offer pain relief New braces have to be adjusted and with this comes discomfort so try to have some mild pain relief on hand. There may also be instances where the cutoff point at the back of the braces moves and can poke the gum or the mouth. If this happens, bring your child back to the dentist to have it snipped and offer pain relief. Keep the braces clean Your dentist will give you a special cleaning pack to keep the braces clean. Have your child get into a good routine to ensure their braces are kept nice and clean by using a soft toothbrush and focusing on each individual tooth as they brush. It’s a good idea to have them brush after lunch too, ensuring that all remnants of food are removed. Offer cold and soft foods In the first week, cold and soft foods are your child’s friend. If you need to cut the food with a knife, it’s best your child doesn’t eat it. Your child will, no doubt, be very happy with the option of ice cream, custard and jelly. Healthier food options are eggs, mashed potato, soup, pureed pears and yoghurt. Avoid spicy and citrus foods While the mouth is getting used to the braces, they can sometimes rub on the gums causing abrasions that can become irritated, particularly by citrusy and spicy foods. It’s best to avoid these foods while the mouth adjusts. Ditch the normal floss Experienced parents and dentists swear by a water jet flosser for children with braces. Although they cost over $100, the consensus is that this is a must-have investment when getting braces. Get your child to sleep on their back If your child is a tummy or side sleeper, try to get them to sleep on their back in the first week. Sleeping on their stomach or side means the lips will be forced into the braces, making them become sore or causing cuts. Put some pillows beside your child to stop them from rolling. Getting braces is a big adjustment, particularly for children, but the discomfort and dietary changes aren’t permanent, just a worthwhile inconvenience for a set of lovely, straight teeth. Even...