It's important to maintain the health of your teeth. Your pearly whites are good for more than just chewing food. According to the National Oral Health Alliance (NOHA), over one in three Australians leave dental treatment until the last minute because they can't afford it.  However, not only does this lead to oral health problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease, it could also affect the standard of your relationships.

If you have recently received the news that you require braces, you might be wondering about your options. Many people are unaware that they have a range of options. Below is a brief guide to the 3 most common types of braces commonly used by orthodontist to correct the position of teeth. Metal Braces Because metal braces are the most commonly used type, it is probably what most people think of when they imagine someone wearing braces.

Having any tooth extracted is typically not a pleasant experience; however, having a wisdom tooth taken out can be more stressful and problematic than the norm. Sited at the back of your mouth, wisdom teeth may not be in an easy position for your dentist; their removal may take more work, especially if the tooth is impacted or isn't growing straight. You may also find it harder to deal with a wisdom tooth socket after extraction.

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals, snacks and acidic drinks can help keep your teeth in tip-top condition. While you may brush your teeth religiously twice a day, gum can help you ward off problems between brushings. Chewing gum gives you a natural boost in your saliva. This gives you a quick and easy way of keeping your teeth clean and free from substances that may cause damage, such as the acids and sugars in the things you eat and drink during the day.

Tooth sensitivity is caused by nerve irritation after your protective enamel coat has been worn down by various causes. Your dentin (the layer under the enamel) contains tiny tubules that lead up to nerve endings. Exposing these tubules makes you more prone to irritate your nerves underneath. If you feel pain when your teeth are exposed to very hot or cold foods or air or acidic foods, you may have tooth sensitivity.

A removal dental prosthesis refers to an intra-oral device that is used in the reconstruction of dental defects. These prostheses can be taken out and inserted back into the mouth at whim by the wearer. Some of the defects that these prostheses address include chipped parts of a tooth, reconstructing parts of the jaw or replacing missing teeth. One of the more common reasons why patients need to visit a dental prosthetist is for missing teeth.

If you are in need of a dental restoration, you might be concerned about how long it can take and the fact that it will require multiple visits to your dentist. However, there is also the option of finding a dentist offering CEREC technology. CEREC, or ceramic reconstruction, uses advanced technology to give you a high-quality dental crown right in your dentist's office. Here are some things to know about this type of dental technology.

If you have recently traded in your natural teeth for a complete or partial set of dentures, keeping up with your previously normal diet can come with a host of new challenges. This is because you will be restricted in terms of what foods you can consume without inflicting harm to the dentures. Here are tips on what foods to eat and avoid when putting on dentures. Just after being fitted with dentures

Your teeth and gums aren't the only things you need to look after in your mouth to maintain good oral hygiene; your tongue also has a part to play. If your dentist notices that your tongue is not as clean as it might be, you may be advised to add brushing it to your hygiene mix. As well as keeping your tongue looking healthy, this also has some health benefits.

Proper dental care can be expensive, but it's also necessary for protecting your teeth and even for your overall health. Allowing infections in the mouth to go untreated might mean those infections spreading or settling into another area of the body. Broken or chipped teeth that you don't cover with a cap or otherwise treat can scrape the inside of your cheeks and gums and cause pain and swelling. While dental care is needed for you and your children, it can also be seemingly out of reach financially for many people.