Dental Health Services Victoria

Tooth abscesses are caused by an infection around the root of the tooth, which appears as a pimple on the gum. When the gum is pressed, there may be a discharge of pus. It is important to seek dental advice if you believe you have this.
 

Bruxism is involuntary clenching, grinding of the teeth. It generally happens during sleep, but some people experience it when they are awake. To find out more, go to Teeth grinding.
 

A publicly funded community health centre or hospital that provides oral health treatment. Also known as a ‘public dental agency’.
 

The patient's contribution to the cost of the dental service.
 

Crowns are caps that are permanently bonded to a damaged tooth. Crowns can be made out of porcelain (a tooth coloured dental ceramic), metal (a gold or other metal alloy), or a combination of both.

Key reasons for a crown to be fitted are: restoration of a tooth to its original shape e.g. after a decayed area is removed, to strengthen a tooth or to improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.
 

A person who provides chair-side assistance to a dentist, dental therapist, or other oral health professional as they treat patients.
 

When you consume food and drinks that are sugary or starchy (high in carbohydrates), the bacteria that naturally lives in your mouth and in plaque break down the carbohydrates into acids. These acids attack and dissolve the outer surface of the tooth (enamel). This process is known as demineralisation.

The first sign of demineralisation is a chalky white spot. At this stage, the decay process can be reversed.  If you suspect you have the start of dental caries, make an appointment to see your dentist or other oral health professional. 
 

Tooth Erosion is the gradual wearing away or dissolving of the outer enamel layer of your teeth. It is caused by regular exposure to acid found in certain foods and drinks and also exposure to stomach acid through frequent vomiting or acid reflux. More information - ADA - Dental Health Week

Diet is the major contributor to tooth erosion, with soft drinks, (sports drinks) and fruit juice consumption consistently the most common contributor.

Cheese helps to neutralize acid, stimulate saliva and keep bacteria from sticking to tooth enamel, so a small lump of cheese eaten after a meal or a sugary/acidic drink will help protect tooth enamel.
 

A clinician who provides a defined range of preventative dental care under the supervision of a dentist.
 

Implants are sometimes used to replace a missing tooth. A small titanium screw is fixed into the jaw and the crown or tooth is fitted. In time, the screw becomes fused with the bone of the jaw.
 

A dental sealant is a plastic film that is professionally applied to the deep grooves on the back of the teeth as a preventative measure to stop tooth decay where it most often starts. Dental sealants
 

A person who constructs and repairs dentures, crowns, bridges and orthodontic appliances on prescription from an oral health professional.
 

A clinician who provides dental care for children and young adults (to the age of 25) in consultation with a dentist.
 

A clinician who provides the full range of general oral health care.
 

Dentures are replacements for missing teeth. They can be taken out and put back into your mouth. There are two main types of dentures: full and partial.
 

A dry mouth can occur when there is not enough saliva (spit) in the mouth. Drying irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection. Symptoms of a dry mouth include parched, red or dry gum tissues, very little or no saliva, thick ropy saliva and difficulty in swallowing and chewing.
 

Enamel is the hard white, outer layer of the teeth which protects the sensitive, major parts inside teeth. Decay and sensitivity can occur when enamel is stripped away through tooth erosion.
 

A form of dentistry that specialises in the diagnosis and management of cases involving the roots and soft matter below the tooth and treatment of the tooth pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of the tooth, once the pulp has become diseased or injured.
 

Dental fillings are used to restore teeth back to their normal shape and function and treat tooth decay. Fillings and sealants
 

A compound of the element fluorine used in a variety of ways to reduce tooth decay. Find out more about Fluoride.
 

Frenula are little strings of tissue found underneath the tongue, inside the cheeks near the back molars and under the top lip. While an embryo is developing in the womb, these strings guide the growth of various mouth structures. Once we are born, the frenula are largely redundant, although they seem to help in positioning the baby teeth.
 

The inflammation of the gums caused by a build up of plaque on the teeth. Gum disease is preventable with good oral hygiene practices. Severe gum disease is referred to as ‘periodontal disease’. Periodontitis (gum disease)
 

Oral disease refers to the range of problems that occur in the mouth. The most common oral diseases are tooth decay (dental caries) and periodontal disease (gum disease). Other oral diseases include oral cancer.
 

Oral health is not simply the absence of oral health problems. It refers to a state of wellbeing regarding the mouth, in which an individual can eat, speak and socialise without discomfort and embarrassment. The term “oral health” is often used instead of “dental” because it reflects the whole mouth, rather than the teeth alone.
 

Advice given by registered oral health professionals including dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists and dental hygienists.
 

Refers to a registered oral health professional such as a dentist, dental specialist, dental therapist and dental hygienist.
 

Refers to keeping your teeth and gums clean by brushing and flossing correctly and regularly.
 

A special form of dentistry that deals with surgical correction of diseases, injuries and defects of the mouth, jaws and associated structures.
 

Oral thrush is a fungal infection and can be caused by a number of medications as well as poor oral hygiene practices or wearing dentures for long periods of time.
 

Oral trauma can include damage to the teeth, gums, tongue and lips, or fractures of the jawbones.

Further information:

Knocked out or broken teeth
Mouthguards
 

A special form of dentistry that involves the correction of problems in the alignment of teeth and jaws. Find out more about Orthodontics.
 

An overbite is when the top teeth bite over the bottom teeth more than normal. In extreme cases, the edges of the front teeth can damage and strip away the gum and loosen the lower teeth or the edges of the lower teeth can cut into the roof of the mouth. Find out about Orthodontics.
 

Severe gum disease which is caused when the bacteria from plaque produces toxins that seep down between the teeth and gum. This can cause reddening, bleeding and swelling of the gums.
 

A special form of dentistry that involves the treatment of the bone and supporting soft tissue of the mouth.
 

A sticky, soft film which forms on teeth which has bacteria in it. Plaque needs to be removed every day through brushing and flossing your teeth to prevent tooth decay and gum problems.
 

Primary or ‘baby’ teeth are those that children first grow. These will fall out and be replaced by permanent ‘secondary’ teeth.
 

A clinician who provides denture related services.
 

A special form of dentistry that involves the replacement of natural teeth with removable dentures, crowns and bridges.
 

Protruding or ‘buck’ teeth, is when the front teeth are positioned further forward than normal. A person with protruding teeth is more susceptible to tooth damage from accidents and may suffer from speech or eating problems.
 

Receding gums refers to a loss of gum tissue resulting in an exposure in the roots of the teeth. When gums recede, teeth appear to be getting longer as the root of the tooth becomes more visible.
 

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that replaces a tooth’s damaged or infected pulp with a filling. Root canal treatment may be performed over a number of appointments.
 

Saliva helps to maintain a healthy mouth by acting as a barrier to acids produced by bacteria, and replenishing lost minerals from enamel. Without the cleansing effects of saliva, tooth decay and other oral health problems become more common.
 

Secondary or permanent teeth usually grow once the primary (‘baby’ teeth) have fallen out. They generally develop between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
 

Tongue-tie is a condition that is caused by a short frenum that restricts tongue movement. For example, some people have difficulty licking around their lips or raising the tongue tip inside the mouth. This can mean that they have difficulties with eating and speech.
 

Tooth sensitivity is tooth pain due to the wearing away of the tooth's surface (enamel) or gum tissue. The most common cause of sensitive teeth in adults is exposed tooth roots due to receding gums.
 

A mouth ulcer is the loss or erosion of part of the delicate tissue that lines the inside of the mouth. They are painful and tend to recur either as one or multiple lesions. It is important to consult a medical or oral health professional if ulcers do not heal after two weeks.
 

When the lower jaw is forward in relation to the upper jaw, the lower front teeth protrude beyond the upper teeth, causing an "under-bite". Find out about Orthodontics.
 

Wisdom teeth are rear molars that erupt last, usually around the late teens or early 20s. There are normally two wisdom teeth in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. They can cause various oral health problems. Find out more about Wisdom teeth.