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Gingivitis is the initial phase of gum disease, it is characterised by red, swollen and inflamed gums which can bleed when brushing or flossing.

It is caused by bacteria that proliferate within the mouth to become plaque and tarter if proper oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing and flossing are not met.

Gingivitis, if left untreated, can lead to advanced gum disease, or periodontitis which causes bone loss and eventually loss of teeth. Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in Australian adults, more so than cavities and trauma and it is preventable and/ or manageable if diagnosed early.

To minimise the risk of gingivitis, it is important that people undertake certain steps when taking care of their teeth and gums:

1) Brushing with a soft toothbrush, a least twice daily

2) Flossing daily to remove bacteria and food particles between teeth

3) Seeing your dentist at Confident Healthcare at least twice a year for check-ups and cleans to ensure optimum oral health

If you are pregnant and notice your gums have become red, swollen and may bleed when brushing, you may have what is called Gestational Gingivitis. This condition is usually as a result of hormones during pregnancy and usually subsides after delivery. During this time ensure that you take extra care of your teeth and gums to minimise the chance of any pregnancy complications that can be linked to gum disease.

If your dental practitioner has told you that you have a cavity and require a filling, you may be curious as to what getting a filling actually involves.

Firstly, there are many different types of filling materials out there today which might leave you wondering which one is best for you. It is dependent on many factors that your dental professional at Confident Healthcare will discuss with you such as function, appearance and cost.

Amalgam: 
Amalgam fillings are a mixture of metals including copper, tin, silver and mercury. They are strong and durable but have been controversial due to containing mercury. They are a less aesthetic filling material.
Note: Confident Healthcare is an amalgam free practice.

Gold: 
Gold fillings are among the most durable filling materials, more closely resembling the properties of tooth enamel. Gold fillings are non-corrosive and can last a very long time but can cost considerably more than regular fillings.

Composite:
Composite fillings are the most common in dental practice today. They are tooth coloured and made from a mixture of glass and resin and are suitably matched to your tooth shade. Composite fillings however are not as durable and may need to be replaced more frequently.

Glass Ionomers:
Glass Ionomers are made from glass and acrylic which bonds chemically to hard dental tissues and slowly release fluoride over a period of time. These types of fillings are more suitable for smaller fillings in areas that do not take a lot of pressure, for example, tooth roots. They are also often a temporary filling material for baby teeth which are soon to fall out on their own.

Ceramic:
Ceramic fillings are porcelain in material and are formulated in a lab. They can be quite abrasive to opposing teeth so your dental professional with ensure you bite is correct before considering this option.

If your cavity is quite deep, your dentist will numb the area using a local anaesthesia before commencing treatment. Once it is numb, the decay will be removed using a dental drill and any debris will also be cleaned and removed. The filling is then placed and “cured” (set) with a special blue light. After placement, the filling is then polished and your bite is checked.
After a filling, it is quite normal to experience some sensitivity for a few weeks after the procedure, even in adjacent teeth, triggered by very hot or very cold foods. If this persists for more than a few weeks, or is keeping you awake at night please contact your dental professional as soon as possible.

Please make sure to keep regular check-up appointments to ensure the longevity of your filling.

WE ARE ALWAYS HERE TO ANSWER ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS SO DON’T HESITATE TO CALL US ON 4285 1222.

During pregnancy most women will experience minimal complications although sadly at times miscarriages and stillbirths may unfortunately happen.
In regards to your oral health, scientists have been looking closely at the correlation between gum disease and miscarriages where experts say it could increase the risk by 3 times.

Gum disease can be classified into 3 groups: Gingivitis, Early Periodontitis and Advanced Periodontitis. It is caused by harmful bacteria harbouring in a person’s mouth and causing infection and inflammation to their gums and surrounding tissues. These germs and bacteria can travel into the bloodstream (up to 700 different types) and eventually to the womb potentially increasing the risk for miscarriage and stillbirth.

The links between gum disease and pregnancy complications has been established in regards to: low birth weight, early delivery and dangerously high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia) which, in turn, could lead to miscarriages or stillbirth.

If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, or are pregnant, please see your oral health professional at Confident Healthcare for a thorough check up and clean and adhere to a regular brushing and flossing routine to minimise any risks and ensure optimum health during your pregnancy.

Call us today to schedule your appointment on 4285 1222. Looking after your Oral Health is looking after your baby.

Halitosis is the name for chronic, severe bad breath. It has many causes which are important to identify in order to correct the problem.

Diet: Foods can contribute to your bad breath; they are released through your breath after the food is absorbed into your bloodstream and remain until the body has fully processed the food. This can be exampled by garlic, onions, coffee and alcohol etc.

Smoking: If you are a smoker, then tobacco use is definitely a cause for bad breath. The only way to rectify this is to quit. If you are ready, it is recommended to ask your GP or dentist here at Confident Healthcare for advice and support on quitting.

Dry mouth: Dry mouth or xerostomia, is where your mouth does not produce enough saliva to rinse away bacteria and excess food particles which, in turn, can build up on your teeth and tongue causing bad breath. Dry mouth, itself has many different causes and it is best to speak to your oral health professional at Confident Healthcare to determine its cause and how to improve the condition.

Infections: If you are suffering from chronic bad breathe and your dentist has ruled out any oral health issues, you may have an underlying infection somewhere in your body. It can also be caused by bronchitis, sinusitis and other respiratory tract infections, diabetes etc. It is best to consult with your GP to diagnose any problems.

To improve your breath, it is best to follow a regular oral health routine incorporating brushing, flossingand regular dental check-ups with us at Confident healthcare.

CALL US ON 4285 1222 TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

Research Seminar – 11 November 2014 : Application of advanced structures in localised delivery of chemotherapy to
Pancreatic Cancer: Proof of Concept
Presenters: Dr Mori Aghmesheh, A/Prof Simon Moulton, Dr Kara Perrow

The overall aim of this project is to develop and test novel, implantable three-dimensional (3D) drug-loaded polymeric nanofibers for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This project will, through exploration and discovery of the appropriate material combinations, optimise drug release properties (kinetics) to be effective against pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro. This is a timely and significant project considering medicinal nanotechnology (i.e. the integration of nanomaterials into therapeutics) is a newly emerging field and has already revolutionised the treatment of cancer. For example, nanocarriers synthesised from organic and inorganic materials (e.g. micelles, carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, quantum dots and nanofibers) have shown great potential by enhancing the performance of medicines and reducing systemic side effects in order to gain therapeutic efficiency. In particular, electrospun nanofibers (fibers with diameters less than 1 micrometer that are formed using the spinning process have the potential to be used as antitumour drug carriers because the delivery of the drugs can be easily set to the targeted area, and the drug release profile from the nanofibers can be highly controlled by modulating the fiber morphology, porosity and composition. They offer great potential as novel scaffolds to deliver drugs with sustained release profiles and ultimately long-term antitumour activity for anticancer therapy. This is the first time the electrospinning process will be used to load the anticancer drug Abraxane and Gemcitabine into biocompatible polymeric nanofibers with the view to form implantable structures for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The innovative aspect of this project is the fabrication of 3D Abraxane loaded polymer nanofibers that can be i) used to coat biliary stent when the cancer is located in the head of the pancreas or alternatively ii) surgically implanted directly at the site of the primary pancreatic cancer when it is in the body or tail of the pancreas, allowing for localised drug delivery. The ability to administer an anticancer drug directly at the site of the tumour holds great promise in avoiding many of the undesirable whole body effects normally associated with systemic chemotherapy.

This is anticipated to result in the ability to deliver a higher dose of anticancer drug. In addition, since the drug is delivered directly at the site of the tumour the total amount of drug acting on the tumour remains in the therapeutic range longer, therefore greatly increasing the efficacy of treatment. It is important to note that while the structures to be developed in this project are targeted towards the treatment of pancreatic cancer, the processes developed to form 3D drug loaded polymer nanofibers are applicable to any cancer requiring chemotherapeutic intervention. The project involves a direct collaboration between clinician from cancer services at ISLHD and researchers from two other institutions at two separate facilities; Associate Professor Simon Moulton from IPRI and Dr. Kara Perrow from IHMRI. Outcomes from this proof of concept study will advance our understanding of the use of novel material architectures to deliver anticancer drugs to cancer cells. It is anticipated that these studies will lead to the future development of a safe and effective delivery system designed to combat different type of cancer for which currently there is minimal chance of cure. This technology may also be applied to a broader range of cancers, for example malignant brain tumours, where sustained local release from an implantable delivery system would be an advantage.

The New Year is approaching fast and Dr Parisa Javady and the staff here at Confident Healthcare have already begun to think about our New Year’s resolutions. Some of you may be considering resolving to save money, get a better job or lose excess weight. Many of you will set goals to have a healthier lifestyle in the 2015.

Oral Health is proving to be an important part of our overall health so why not make one of your New Year’s resolutions improving your dental health?

Follow these tips to get you on your way toward giving you a brighter, healthier, whiter smile in 2015:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day

Brushing and flossing protect your teeth from decay and gum disease, which is caused by your teeth’s most persistent enemy, plaque. Confident Healthcare’s hygienist Sahil enforces that flossing and brushing are equally important for good oral health. Only flossing can remove plaque from between teeth and beneath the gum line, where decay and gum disease often initiates and that is why it is important to adopt both of these into your daily routine.

Without proper brushing and flossing, you may develop bleeding gums, which could worsen to swollen, red and bleeding gums also known as gingivitis and, can eventually turn into significant gum disease. As these diseases in the mouth can affect your overall health, it is vitally important to uphold good oral health.

Eat your fruit and vegetables

Eating healthy is vital for your dental health. Poor nutrition can affect the whole immune system, increasing susceptibility to many common oral diseases, including gum (periodontal) disease. Nutrients that are found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts improve your body’s ability to fight bacteria and inflammation which serves to protect your teeth and gums. Crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots and celery help clean plaque from your teeth and freshen up your breath.

Quit smoking

The use of tobacco can damage your mouth in many ways, increasing risk for tooth discoloration, cavities, gum recession, gum disease and throat, lung and oral cancers. People who smoke are twice as likely to lose their teeth as non-smokers. It is not just smoking tobacco that has harmful effects on your oral health, use of smokeless tobacco is just as damaging to your oral health. The good news is that the risk of tooth loss reduces when you quit smoking or stop using smokeless tobacco.

Limit your alcohol consumption

We all know that excessive alcohol consumption can have an effect on our overall health, but did you know that it also affects your oral health? People who smoke, eat poorly and consume excessive alcohol also have increased gum recession also known as periodontal pocketing. Studies show that smokers who frequently consume alcohol are less likely to brush their teeth on a regular basis and are less concerned about their health than non-smokers.

See Your Dentist for Regular Checkups

Seeing your dentist every 6 months for regular check ups can assist in preventing any dental health issues before they cause discomfort or need more comprehensive and costly treatment. Regular visits allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and endorse a dental health routine to address areas of concern.

In this coming year why not resolve to treat yourself and your mouth right, by improving your diet, quitting smoking and improving your oral hygiene habits… Your body and your teeth will thank you!!

The team at Confident Healthcare is ready to bring on a happy and healthy 2015 are you???

Come visit us – Wollongong’s friendly dentists – Confident Healthcare Corrimal – Ph:42851222

We’re delighted to welcome you to the first post on our Confident Healthcare Blog!

Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be updating our blog weekly to give our patients access to information about the best in Dental and Medical care, videos, staff interviews and much more…….

We thought we’d start by telling you a bit about who we are and what we do…

Confident was foundered in 2010 by Dr Parisa Javady and Associate Professor Morteza (Mori) Aghmesheh to provide high quality Dental and Medical care to our patients across the Illawarra region.

Parisa is a qualified Dentist with more than 13 years’ experience. Our team consists of 2 Dentists, 1 Dental Hygienist/Therapist, 1 Dental Therapist and 11 friendly staff who specialise in Preventative Dentistry, Children’s Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Emergency Dental Care, Orthodontics, Crowns, Bridges and Veneers, Dentures, Root Canal Therapy and Dental Implants. Confident Healthcare is renowned for helping even the most anxious patient feel at ease. Accompanied by our friendly team our Dental Practitioners use their years of experience, calm & friendly manner and dental techniques to make your experience a pleasant one.

Associate Professor Morteza (Mori) Aghmesheh runs the Medical Oncology Centre at Confident Healthcare along with our specialist team that includes Geriatrics, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology and also Southern Pathology. Mori is also a Cancer Specialist at Illawarra Cancer Care Centre (ICCC) at The Wollongong Hospital. He is a visiting medical officer in the Medical Oncology at Figtree Private Hospital and is also running an Oncology Clinic at Shellharbour Hospital. Mori’s aim is to deliver personalised therapies to his patients and their families.

Our focus is you, your health and developing a long term relationship with you. We look forward to sharing our blog with you well into the future and would love to hear from you if there are any topics you’d like us to cover.