Is your toothpaste hurting your teeth or gums? 

There are lots of culprits when it comes to the causes of tooth sensitivity, but did you know the products you use can also make a difference? If you’ve noticed a sudden difference in your tooth or gums, your toothpaste could be part of the problem. Here’s what you should look for when choosing a toothpaste and what toothpastes you may want to avoid.

Can your toothpaste cause tooth sensitivity? 

Yes, some toothpaste can cause tooth sensitivity. There are lots of toothpastes on the market designed to whiten teeth, give you fresh breath and keep your mouth plaque free. Unfortunately, not all toothpastes are as gentle on our teeth and gums as others.

What types of toothpastes contain ingredients that could hurt your teeth or gums? 

Some people are more sensitive to ingredients than others. If you have sensitive teeth and gums you may want to avoid the following toothpastes or ingredients: 

Whitening toothpastes 

Toothpaste that includes a whitening agent can make tooth sensitivity worse. Whitening products can cause the tiny pores in our tooth enamel to become more receptive to changes in temperature or stimuli. Additionally, peroxide, which is the most common bleaching agent in whitening toothpaste, is known to irritate gum tissue.

Charcoal toothpaste 

Activated charcoal is a relatively new ingredient in whitening toothpastes. Some people like it because it’s a natural alternative for most whitening toothpastes.

The activated charcoal in these toothpastes can remove surface stains, but there isn’t much evidence to show that charcoal can remove stains below the tooth enamel.

The downside of charcoal is that it is a mild abrasive and unsuitable for daily use. Most charcoal toothpastes don’t contain fluoride, which keeps tooth enamel strong. For these reasons, using charcoal toothpaste could be doing more harm than good.

Whitening toothpastes with crystals 

Some people can use whitening toothpastes regularly and not have any problems. But, not all whitening toothpastes are created equal. There are newer toothpastes on the market that contain whitening crystals that can irritate your gums. These small crystals are designed to polish surface stains from the teeth. Unfortunately, these small crystals can feel a bit like brushing grit around your mouth and can easily cause gums to become inflamed. If you notice your gums look red or feel swollen or sore, stop regular use of this toothpaste. 

Mint flavoured toothpaste 

While there’s nothing wrong with using mint toothpaste, some people find that mint flavours give them a ‘burning’ sensation while brushing. If this happens, you may have tooth sensitivity or are just overly sensitive to mint flavour. In any case, try sticking to toothpastes in mild flavours. 

What toothpastes are best for your teeth? 

Everyone has their own personal preferences for the brands and products they use. When it comes to toothpastes you’ll want to use one that has the right ingredients and comes in a flavour you enjoy. Here are some things to look out for: 

Flavour 

There’s no real difference when it comes to choosing toothpaste based on flavour. If you have kids, it can pay to buy toothpastes in flavours that they enjoy, to encourage regular brushing.

Fluoride 

Toothpaste containing fluoride help to reduce decay and will protect the enamel on your teeth. fluoride is especially important if your water supply does not have fluoride in it. The fluoride contained in toothpaste is safe and beneficial for your teeth.

Most trusted brands, such as Colgate and Macleans contain fluoride.

Red Seal toothpaste is now available with and without fluoride. Make sure you read the packaging if you want to try out a ‘natural toothpaste’ as many of these brands don’t contain any fluoride.

Sensitivity 

If you have naturally sensitive teeth, you may want to try out a toothpaste designed specifically for tooth sensitivity. Sensitive toothpastes work by either blocking exposed dentine tubules or reducing how the nerve responds to stimulation. These toothpastes can be more expensive.

Whitening 

Whitening toothpastes often contain ingredients that irritate our mouths and gums. If you’re interested in whitening your teeth we recommend talking to your dentist. In-practice tooth whitening is often more effective and better for your teeth than at-home whitening kits, strips or pastes.

Natural toothpaste 

The major downside to natural toothpaste is that they don’t contain fluoride. For this reason, they’re not a preferred option when it comes to protecting your teeth from cavities and decay. Fluoride-free toothpastes will use natural ingredients in their pastes. As nice as this sounds, these ingredients are no substitute for the clinically proven benefits of fluoride toothpastes. 

What to do if you notice changes in your tooth or gum sensitivity 

If you’ve noticed sudden changes in the sensitivity of your teeth or gums, and you have recently switched to a new toothpaste, stop using it right away. If your tooth or gums don’t go back to feeling ‘normal’ within a few days book an appointment with your dentist.

Is it normal for teeth to wear over time? 

Worn teeth are a natural part of ageing. In fact, most people will experience some wear and tear to their teeth over their lifetime. It makes sense, considering we use our teeth to eat, bite, and tear food for our entire adult life.  

While a small amount of wear shouldn’t affect your bite or the appearance of your smile, severely worn teeth can lead to problems with your teeth. Here’s how to know if the wear and tear of your teeth is normal or when to seek treatment. 

What do worn teeth look like? 

Our teeth are naturally protected by a hard outer layer called enamel. This shell protects our teeth from damage. It also protects our teeth from sensitivity when eating hot and cold foods.  

Enamel is also what makes our teeth look white. Below this layer is the dentin – which is yellow. When the enamel starts to wear down it can change the shape and appearance of our teeth.  

While a small amount of wear and tear isn’t usually noticeable, if you have more severe wear and tear, you may notice your teeth look very short, flat, sharp or uneven. They may also appear quite yellow from where the enamel has begun to wear away.  

Worn teeth can also cause other symptoms like sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, pain when you bite down or just the feeling that your bite is a bit ‘off.’ 

What is the cause of worn teeth? 

While normal wear can happen over time from our upper and lower rows of teeth coming into contact with one another, more severe wear is usually caused by erosion or abrasion. 

Abrasion 

Abrasion is caused by grinding and clenching the teeth together. Over long periods of time, this can wear down the structure and cause teeth to look short and flat.  

Bruxism 

Severe or ongoing clenching and grinding of the teeth and jaw is called bruxism. 

Brushing too hard 

Brushing too aggressively, especially with a hard-bristled toothbrush can erode tooth enamel over time. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush instead. 

Acidic food and drink 

Drinking acidic foods such as fruit juice, sodas, energy drinks or eating citric fruit can erode tooth enamel over time. Drinking water after eating fruit and avoiding acidic drinks can help prevent tooth erosion. 

Uneven teeth 

If you have a crooked bite or uneven teeth, this can also cause wear on certain teeth.  

Chewing on objects 

There are some causes of worn teeth that can be avoided. Chewing on objects like pencils, toothpicks, fingernails or pen caps can wear down our teeth. Avoid using your teeth as a tool. 

Can worn teeth cause dental problems? 

Wear and tear can cause significant dental problems because of how susceptible to decay they are. If teeth get too worn, they can be hard to repair. With less tooth surface to work with, it can be hard to remove a cavity without damaging the remaining structure of the tooth.  

Worn teeth can also lead to an uneven bite. This can make chewing uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. An uneven bite can even lead to headaches, neck and jaw pain. 

Once tooth enamel wears down, it can’t be replaced. There are ways to fix worn teeth and prevent further erosion of the tooth structure or the surface enamel. 

How to fix worn teeth? 

There are several ways to fix worn teeth.  

• Dental crowns restore the functionality of a tooth especially if much of the existing structure is worn away.  

• Dental bonding involves applying a tooth-coloured composite to teeth to fix the worn edges of your teeth.  
• Flouride treatments can prevent further tooth enamel erosion. 

What should you do if your teeth are showing signs of wear? 

If you have a dental concern, see your dentist sooner than later. Regular dental appointments can help you keep on top of your oral health.  

At Gentle Dental, we have four Wellington practices to choose from and a wide range of opening hours, including late nights and some Saturdays. Book an appointment now. 

Are yellow teeth normal?

If your teeth aren’t a pearly shade of white, it’s easy to feel disheartened. Maybe you brush twice a day, floss religiously, and even use a whitening toothpaste, and yet still have slightly yellow teeth. Apart from being frustrating, should you be worried about yellowing teeth?

While teeth naturally yellow as we age there are ways to prevent and restore your teeth to a brighter shade of white.

Are yellow teeth a sign of poor oral health?

It’s understandable to think that yellow teeth are a sign of bad oral health. What many people don’t know is that teeth naturally come in many shades, from white to cream and even light yellow.

Yellow teeth can also be down to your genetics. While tooth enamel is naturally white, the dentine below is slightly yellow. People with naturally thinner or translucent enamel will generally have yellower teeth as the dentine is more visible.

Trauma and infection can also be a symptom of yellow teeth. Advanced tooth decay can breakdown the pulp, damaging the tooth root and turning the tooth grey. Trauma to a baby tooth can also cause an adult tooth to appear more yellow if the enamel hasn’t formed properly.

Can you prevent teeth from yellowing over time?

While genetics and time will influence the colour of your teeth, your lifestyle also plays a big part in keeping your smile white. What you eat, drink and smoke can thin the enamel, revealing more of the dentine below. You can prevent your teeth from yellowing further by:

Limiting foods that stain

Coffee, tea, wine and dark-coloured fizzy drinks can be absorbed by tooth enamel. Coffee and tea contain tannins that stain while red wine can roughen the pores within the enamel of the teeth.

Avoiding food and drinks high in acid

Tomatoes and citrus fruit such as lemons and oranges are high in acid which can erode and soften tooth enamel. Soft drinks, energy drinks and sports drinks should also be limited as these can dissolve enamel over time.

Quitting smoking

Nicotine and tar can cause your teeth to stain. While nicotine is colourless, it’s the presence of oxygen which can cause stains on teeth. Quitting tobacco products like cigarettes, pipes and cigars is good for your oral health in lots of ways but will also improve the appearance of your teeth.

Should I brush my teeth straight after drinking or eating to prevent yellowing?

While it’s tempting to brush your teeth straight after drinking coffee or orange juice, it’s best to wait thirty minutes after drinking before brushing.

Waiting at least half an hour allows your saliva to neutralize the pH in your mouth. Otherwise, you risk brushing the acids in these drinks into your tooth enamel causing unnecessary damage. Drinking water after coffee or orange juice also helps to remineralise tooth enamel.

When should I see a dentist about yellow teeth?

While teeth can change colour naturally, it’s okay to want whiter teeth. If you don’t like the colour of your smile you should see a dentist. If your teeth have changed colour quickly, or you’ve noticed discoloration in one tooth, it’s a good idea to book a dental appointment right away. This could be a sign of an underlying problem.

Can I whiten my teeth at home?

There are lots of whitening products on the market but not all of them are created equal.

Whitening toothpastes, pens, strips and at-home whitening trays are often ineffective and will only remove surface stains from your teeth. What’s worse is that some of these treatments can damage your tooth enamel, cause tooth sensitivity and irritate your mouth and gums.

Some whitening toothpastes even contain tiny granules which can irritate the gums, causing them to pull away from the teeth.

What are the best treatments for whitening teeth?

The best way to whiten your teeth is visiting a dentist for in-practice whitening treatment. During treatment a dentist will apply a whitening gel to the teeth and sometimes uses an LED light to activate the hydrogen peroxide in the gel, depending on which product is used.

In-practice teeth whitening is one of the fastest, most effective ways to improve the appearance of your teeth. The treatment lasts around an an hour to hour and a half, and most patients will notice instant results. You’ll need to have a pre-whitening consultation to make sure your mouth and gums are healthy enough to go ahead with treatment.

If your teeth are naturally yellow, you may not be a good candidate for teeth whitening. In this case your dentist may recommend a cosmetic solution such as veneers. Veneers are thin porcelain layers attached to the teeth’s surface.

If you’re worried about the colour of your teeth, book a consultation with Gentle Dental. We’ll talk through your options for safely and effectively whitening your teeth.

How often do I need dental exams and x-rays?  

Regular dental checkups are one of the best ways to look after your teeth and be proactive. Even if your teeth and gums look healthy, you could still be at risk of tooth decay and cavities. Here’s everything you need to know about getting dental exams and x-rays.

How often do I need to visit the dentist for an exam? 

How often you should visit the dentist will depend on the health of your teeth. For most people an annual dental exam and x-rays is enough to keep on top of their oral health. Other people might need to visit the dentist every six months. 

Either way, regular dental visits mean your dentist can stay on top of signs of decay, gum disease or other common dental problems. Regular dental checkups also mean you’re less likely to need an emergency appointment and the cost of checkups are relatively low compared to restoration, so you spend less on dental care in the long run. In fact, there is no downside to visiting your dentist regularly.

Do I need a dental x-ray at every checkup? 

The frequency of x-rays also depends on your dental health. X-rays enable dentists to see what’s going on beneath your teeth. If you have a history of cavities, periodontal disease or tooth loss, your dentist may recommend bitewing x-rays at every visit. Additional x-rays are usually recommended for follow-up appointments.

Common types of x-rays include:

Full mouth x-rays 

Most patients only need a full mouth x-ray every 3-5 years. These help dentists evaluate your tooth structure and bone levels in the jaw. 

Bitewing x-rays 

Most patients will get two bitewing x-rays at their annual checkup. Bitewing x-rays will show signs of cavities and decay between the teeth. 

Periapical x-rays 

Periapical x-rays can help dentists assess the condition of base of individual teeth and are used to help detect decay, gum disease and bone loss.

What happens during dental exams and x-rays?

If you haven’t been to the dentist for a while, you might not know what to expect. If you are a new patient, your first exam and x-ray appointment will usually take the longest. It’s a good idea to allow up to an hour for your first appointment.  

A routine check-up has three parts – a full mouth examination, x-rays and sometimes a series of photos. Before the exam your dentist will chat to you about your oral health, any problems you’re concerned with and your dental history. Your dentist will then check your mouth, teeth, gums and soft tissues for visual signs of:

• Decay 
• Gum disease 
• Other health issues 

A visual exam is only the first step. While your teeth may look healthy, tooth decay often happens beneath the surface. Bite x-rays help with the diagnosis and prevention of gum disease. They can help spot problems early on. 

Do I need to see a dentist and a dental hygienist annually? 

A dentist and a dental hygienist are two different services. Dentist will assess your teeth, mouth and gums, a dental hygienist will clean and polish your teeth and can help treat gum disease. At your annual checkup, your dentist may refer you to a hygienist if you: 

• Have plaque and tartar build up 
• Have signs of gum disease 
• Have persistent bad breath 
• Have sore or swollen gums 
• Have receding gums 

You can also visit a dental hygienist if you want a routine clean, scale and polish and like the feeling of a clean, fresh mouth.

Do I still need regular checkups if I don’t have cavities? 

Yes. Even if you’ve never had a cavity, you should still go to the dentist. There are even preventative treatments available that can help keep your teeth cavity-free for longer. 

Fluoride treatments: Strengthen your tooth enamel with an extra boost of minerals. Fluoride treatments help protect your teeth from decay. 

Dental sealants: Protect the tooth enamel in the deep fissures and pits in your molars from plaque and acids with dental sealants. A dental sealant is a thin filling applied on top of your molars that act as a preventive barrier from early decay.

What if I need extra treatments?

Treatments are completed at a second appointment. If you need something small done and there’s time, your dentist might complete some treatments within one appointment. At Gentle Dental, we won’t complete any work without talking to you first.  

Ready to keep on top of your oral health? Book dental exams and x-rays with our friendly dentists now. We have four practices in Wellington making it even easier to book at a time that suits your schedule.  

How much does the dentist cost in New Zealand?

The cost of going to the dentist can be enough to keep people who need treatment away. While it’s tempting to skip your annual checkup, regular visits to the dentist are the best way to look after your teeth and avoid a hefty dental bill in the process.

Here’s how much you can expect to pay at the dentist and more tips on keeping up with your oral health.

How much does the dentist cost for children in New Zealand?

Dental care is free for children in New Zealand up until the age of 18. You can enrol your child with a local oral health provider at any time, but if your child is six months old or already has their first tooth, they are due for a checkup.

Tooth decay is a chronic childhood disease in New Zealand, so enrolling your child early on is essential. Over 50% of kids under five have tooth decay, which can affect their short- and long-term health.

As well as taking your child for their annual checkup, teaching kids how to care for their teeth is important. Adopting an oral health routine at a young age means these habits will follow them into adulthood. You can help your child adopt a healthy attitude towards caring for their teeth by encouraging:

• Regular brushing and flossing
• Annual dental checkups
• Proper brushing technique
• A healthy diet

How much does the dentist cost for adults in New Zealand?

Overall dentist cost will depend on a lot of different factors. The type of treatment you need, the materials used, and where you get treatment will all influence the overall dentist cost. Even so, having a ballpark figure of what you can expect to pay for an initial checkup can be helpful.

A study published by the New Zealand Dental Association in 2020 showed that the average price of common dental treatments was $80 for a full mouth examination and $103 for a full mouth examination and x-rays.

How to avoid a big dental bill at the dentist

Tooth decay is an underlying cause of a lot of dental problems. Many dental treatments, such as fillings, root canals, dental implants and bridges, are used to fix problems caused by cavities.

Looking after your teeth from a young age is the best way to prevent cavities and the need for treatment. There are a few ways you can avoid a big bill at the dentist, including:

1. Eating a healthy diet. Sugary drinks and processed foods can increase your chance of cavities. When we eat sugar, our mouth produces bacteria and acids that can attack tooth enamel and form holes.
2. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Flouride strengthens the surface of our teeth and makes them more resistant against cavities and tooth decay.
3. Brushing your teeth every day. Plaque builds up on our teeth after every meal. Brushing your teeth morning and night helps to remove food, plaque and bacteria from our mouths.
4. Brushing for two minutes. How you brush your teeth is just as important as regular brushing and flossing. Make sure you brush every surface of your teeth, including behind your teeth, every time you brush.
5. Flossing every day. Even with regular brushing, food and plaque can get stuck between our teeth, leading to tooth decay. Daily flossing will keep your teeth healthy and clean.
6. Regular dental visits. Annual checkups are one of the best ways to prevent the need for dental treatment. Looking after your teeth in the short term is the best way to minimise dental bills in the long term.

How to choose an affordable dentist in Wellington

At Gentle Dental, we keep dental treatments affordable without compromising the quality of materials or your treatment. Here are some ways we can help.

Affordable new patient specials
We have one of the most affordable new patient specials in Wellington. Get two X-rays and a complete mouth examination for just $55.

No surprises paying for treatment
At your checkup, if you need further treatment, our dentists will talk you through a range of options so you know what it will cost. You’ll never be hit with a surprise dental bill.

A range of payment options
We offer a range of payment options to help you manage your budget and pay at a pace that suits you. Enjoy 3 months of zero interest with a Q Mastercard or pay in four instalments with AfterPay.

With four practice locations in Wellington and a range of payment options, we make finding a practice near you easy. Stay on top of your oral health by booking a checkup now with Gentle Dental.

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