Stage 3 restrictions are now in place which means dentists and hygienists are not allowed to perform any aerosol inducing treatments. This includes all cleans. Having to temporarily cancel our patients who were booked in for cleans to help do our part in preventing the spread of the virus, the least we could do is to give you some at-home tips so you can hold off as long as possible until we’re able see you.

Continuing your daily oral hygiene routine is so important. Here are some recommendations (how many of the six are you already doing?)

1) Brush twice daily, once in the morning and again before bed!

Remember, it is quality, not quantity. It’s not about doing it fast, its about being gentle yet thorough. Pay special attention around your gumline – brushing too hard can cause gum recession. Opt for a softer toothbrush head, whether it is electric or manual.

2) Change your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) at least every 3 months or when you’re noticing that the bristles are worn – whichever comes first.

Please note: if you’re noticing worn bristles too often, this may mean you are brushing too aggressively. Try to keep track of how often you’re changing your toothbrush/toothbrush head.

Though we beg our patients to do so, we can understand how tedious it can be (I, myself, have been caught skipping on the floss here and there too) but it honestly makes a difference! Now that you have some spare time at home, not flossing is a no no! 

Bonus tip: we highly recommend investing in a water flosser. Water flossers are amazing and almost feels like you’re getting a clean at the dentist… almost.

Often, we may forget to clean our tongue when brushing our teeth. Cleaning your tongue after brushing will help in the removal of plaque and bacteria that may cause bad breath.

Think about it, our bathroom is not only the storage facility of our diffusers and designer soaps – it’s where we store our toothbrushes, towels and other intimate items. Ensuring a clean bathroom will further protect us from unwanted germs or bacteria. Products containing bleach are recommended for bathroom cleanliness subject to your surfaces.

6) Drink plenty of water and cut down on sugary/acidic drinks, foods and snacks!

Hydration is key! Drinking water helps keep your mouth from being dry. It will also help you produce more saliva and assist in rinsing out bacteria.

Though we have elected to shut our clinic and to donate our resources to the local hospitals who need it the most, we are not going to abandon our patients. We have reception staff working from home daily. If you are in pain or discomfort, please call us on 03 9878 8208. We have emergency dentists available on-call. Our patient coordinators will assess and book you an urgent appointment accordingly, if it fits within the stage 3 restrictions.

Your health depends on it!

Keep your teeth clean during COVID-19

With all our Invisalign patients, we’ve heard every story in the book:

You wore braces in your teens but didn’t wear your retainer so it’s moved back to its old position.

You can now finally afford to straighten your smile but train tracks? No way, let’s go with the clear alternative.

You came in for veneers to immediately fix your uneven smile but we’ve said let’s do it the RIGHT way and straighten your teeth first so we can move forward with no-prep veneers at the end of your orthodontic treatment.

You have a special event or wedding coming up down the track and you need to finally address your unhappy smile!

You woke up with an epiphany and decided that today is the day you get braces!

Whatever it may be, we’ve heard it all and we’re here to help! I, myself, am an avid Invisalign user so I shall relay all my knowledge unto my dear unsuspecting future wearers who have no idea what they’re getting into!

I'm half-way through my Invisalign treatment here. Can you tell? 😛

Let’s start off with 10 Invisalign HACKS that will get you through your teeth-straightening journey!

Your Invisalign Case IS YOUR FRIEND. Keep it in your bag, in your pocket, in your hand, in your shoe – everywhere! There’s nothing worse than going to a nice fancy restaurant for your birthday and not bringing your case because it didn’t match your outfit so you wrapped it in a tissue only for the waitress to pick up and throw away. Does this sound ridiculously implausible? Trust me, it isn’t.

Invest in a good nail file. Fellas, I am talking to you too (you can say it belongs to your super gorgeous girlfriend)! Sometimes new aligners can come with unexpected sharp spots that not only cut your tongue and mouth but it feels really bloody annoying! File that sharp spot down and you’re good to go! Don’t waste time going back to the dentist when you can fix it quick and easy at home.

Say goodbye to chewing gum. No matter what ANYONE says, you absolutely cannot have gum whilst wearing your aligner. Don’t believe me? Try it and comment below about your experience.

A lot of people seem to think that once they start Invisalign, they have to give up lipstick/lip-gloss. THIS IS FALSE and I pity those that let their lips go dry and colourless. It’s all about using the right product. I find matte lipsticks work best and ensure your lips are set and dry before you make any mouth movements (smiling immediately after application can leave a mark on your aligner). Not to worry, when it does, it comes off easily.

Switch to your new aligners before you go to sleep! Why is this, you may ask? It’s best to move your teeth into its new position for an undisrupted period of time. Think about it, it’s better having your new aligners in for 8 hours straight whilst you sleep vs. in and out throughout the day.

Coloured lozenges and lollies are an enemy! If you can avoid it, try not to have sweets in your mouth whilst wearing your aligner. Not only can it cause cavities to brew below but it can also stain your aligners to a nasty colour which you will be stuck with until your next aligner change.

Keep an emergency dental travel kit in your bag or car. It’s so important to put clean aligners on clean teeth. This doesn’t necessarily mean we expect you to brush your teeth after each meal, but it is important that rinse thoroughly and remove any food that may be stuck in your teeth before putting your aligner’s in.

If you have Invisalign, you will know what an absolute pain it is to take out your aligners AFTER you get your attachments! Because of this, they’ve invented a great little tool called an “outie.” With it, you can eliminate the hassle of using your hands (especially after you’ve had a fresh manicure).

Soak your Invisalign in a denture solution whilst you’re having breakfast or dinner to refresh your aligners and help you brush off the excess gunk (or maybe it’s just me haha).

SMILE! Smile all day err’ day and don’t be afraid to show off your beautiful teeth and talk about Invisalign to others. The evolution of orthodontics is absolutely amazing.

What every Invisalign wearer must know

10 Invisalign hacks that will blow your mind

There are numerous internal and external factors that can contribute to the staining of our enamel. Some of which are beyond our control – where others are created by our habits and indulgence.

Certain facets of our upbringing can add to the internal staining of our teeth. This includes the absorption of fluoride at a young age, certain medications taken through your childhood as well as trauma to your permanent tooth.

Intrinsic loss is when the inner structure of the tooth has been stained.

There’s no doubt that we all love to indulge in the pleasures of food and beverages but certain consumption can have an impact on the brightness of our smile.

Other external causes include poor dental hygiene (producing cavities and tooth decay), smoking, diseases that require chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Extrinsic loss is when the surface of the enamel has been damaged.

The best preventative action is by improving your overall dental hygiene through regular and consistent brushing, flossing and rinsing. Upholding your six-monthly dental clean and check-ups is essential to conserving your pearly whites (and making sure they stay white!).

Avoiding foods and beverages that stain teeth

Investing in composite or porcelain veneers

Undertaking whitening treatments (either in-chair or with a personalized take home whitening kit)

What causes it? How to get rid of it?

How staining works

It is extremely import to continue retention even after your Invisalign or braces treatment has ended.

What happens at the end of your braces journey?

Your braces finally come off! You’re free, happy, loving life and admiring your new smile. You go through your days with every excuse to show off your perfect, pearly whites. At first, you wear your retainer every evening. Then you come home from a late night out with the girls (or boys) and you jump straight into bed. You’re staying at a friend’s house the night after, so you can’t wear it then either. So the days go on and you’re wearing your retainer less and less. The day you finally put it on, it’s tight and uncomfortable so you resolve that you just won’t wear it anymore.

A year later, you look in the mirror and noticed your teeth have shifted. You shrug your shoulders – no one has said anything yet and you continue on with your life. A couple more years down the track and it’s almost as if you’ve never had braces before. Then you think to yourself, why? How could this happen? Why did I do this to myself? Will I have to go through braces again? More often or not, the answer is yes.

The fact of the matter is that you had the chance! You’ve gone through years of the agony and the embarrassing discomfort of your life with braces. It is extremely important to maintain the retention routine (for life – yes! Life!) to ensure that your smile stays straight and beautiful as the day of your last orthodontic appointment!

Clear retainers are much like Invisalign Aligners. They are made of clear plastic and aimed to prevent your teeth from moving. They are known to have a shorter life span then metal retainers and are slightly more difficult to clean.

Metal Retainers come in either acrylic or plastic and fixed with a flexible metal wire. The wire sits along the front side of your teeth and the acrylic or plastic is moulded to fit exactly inside the top of your mouth. This type of retainer offers the convenience of future adjustments as our dentist can continue to fine-tune any movements. It is long lasting and easy to sanitize.

Permanent retainers and bonded perpetually to the back of your teeth. This method retains teeth successfully and remains well hidden. Permanent retainers aren’t suitable for everyone, depending on your bite. They can be difficult to clean and require special floss but it is a great option for those who like the freedom of not having to wear a retainer to bed each night! 

Teeth that are not retained in their new positions will move! It is like coming home from a long day of work or school and the first thing you get into is your fat pants. You’re comfortable, you’re free and it’s what you’re used to. You’re not going to come home from work and stay in your business suit or come home from uni and stay in your tight jeans – it’s just unnatural! This applies to your teeth. They will go back to their natural, original positions.

What happens at the end of your orthodontic treatment?

It doesn't stop after braces

Some of the things you should look for when finding a good dentist is the synergy between the staff. How do they correlate with one another? Are they happy where they are? Yes, it’s important to analyse the skills and quality of work that the practice does, but it’s essential to establish whether they genuinely enjoy what they do. Is that sincere commitment or are they just there for a pay-check?

One of Vogue Dental Studios’ strongest aspects is the hardworking and passionate team that care about you!

Motivational environment where we all strive for excellence

We are all responsible for our actions and work together to ensure appointments are smooth and coherent

A strong, caring team is not only important in the workplace, but it applies to many facets of our lives. A team can be your soccer club, group of friends, workmates or your family. Establishing and building on that not only provides delegation and efficiency, but also support and guidance. It is necessary to know where you stand but also that you have people there to help you when you feel like you’re about to fall.

Exceptional variety of Dental work and results.

At least 20+ positive and current client reviews/feedback/word of mouth praise.

Up to date magazines in the waiting room (and a good variety of it).

Friendly phone manner (that isn’t too pushy for you to make an appointment).

Offers cute dental stickers at the end of your appointment.

You don’t want someone grumpy who doesn’t want to be where they are, holding a mechanical drill in your face!

When the stakes are high, the team must be tight.

The importance of having a strong and caring team

American Academy of Periodontology (2015). More than a quarter of U.S. adults are dishonest with dentists about how often they floss their teeth. [online] Available at: https://www.perio.org/consumer/quarter-of-adults-dishonest-with-dentists [Accessed 9 Dec. 2019].

It’s no secret that we don’t like chores. You can hire a gardener to mow your lawn and a housekeeper to keep your kitchen tidy – but you can’t hire someone to floss your teeth! Based on research conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology, more than 1/3 people (of the 2021 people measured) say they much rather clean the toilet than floss every day! These are crazy stats! The same study also show that a lot of us lie to our dentist about flossing our teeth. Major tsk tsk!

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that we floss at least once daily. A lot of people question, ‘Am I meant to floss before or after I brush my teeth?’ The truth is, it doesn’t really matter. I have asked two nurses, one receptionist and two of my sisters what order they floss and brush. Of the answers, 50% said they flossed then brushed and 50% said they brushed then flossed. None of them could tell me what order was the “right” order.

The ADA suggests that we should floss prior to brushing to clean the spaces between our teeth and allow the toothpaste to clean all aspects of our enamel (if you brush thoroughly).

Here are the beneficial aspects of flossing:

Minimizes the development of plaque and bacteria

Those germs generate an acid that irritates your gums and can lead to gum disease – why not prevent it from happening?

Removes food that is stuck between your teeth and the discomfort of it

If you’re a virgin at flossing, chances are you will bleed and will continue to bleed until your gums adjust. The more you do it, the more you will regret starting so late! It is amazing how much gunk you find between your teeth. Trust me – I was a late bloomer as well.

How can I get rid of the gunk between my teeth?

There are many types of floss made for different purposes!

STRING
A lot of us will be quite familiar with stringed floss. They’re easy, simple and our friend – don’t forget that! They can come in great minty flavors and either waxed or un-waxed, based on your personal preference.

BRISTLES
The inter-dental brushes work great to thoroughly clean the gaps between your teeth.  It effectively removes plaque through the inter-proximity of your teeth and can be useful for those who have larger hands and find it harder to use string floss. We often recommend bristle brushes for our orthodontic patients as it successfully gets between those hard to reach spaces!

FLOSSER PICKS
Flosser picks are a great alternative to wrapping string between your fingers. They are essentially stringed floss but on a nifty little handle. Many people enjoy it’s convenience, especially children that are transcending into the habit of flossing.

DENTAL WATER-JET
The water flosser offers a spa dental-clean feel. It works by aiming water at your teeth to assist in removing particles of food. It is reported to assist in reducing the effect of bleeding gums.

When are you meant to floss and why?

What's this business about flossing?

No, your dentist does not want to keep secrets from you! Contrary to what many people think, they don’t want you to have cavities or break your teeth just to charge you a fortune for treatment. They actually care about your overall health and well-being. ❤

The drier your mouth, the faster bacteria will grow. Keep yourself hydrated and ensure that you generate enough saliva. Not only does saliva help wash away food and assist in your fight against cavities, but it also has antibacterial agents and aids in repairing teeth.

More people spend money on their hair than their teeth – even though the teeth is the second thing people generally notice when looking at you.WHY?

Plaque can only be removed by you or your dentist. If you don’t brush your teeth or floss, it will legit just stay in your mouth–literally!

Plaque also grows whilst you sleep. What does this mean? It means no, you can’t skip your morning brush, no matter how much of a rush you’re in or how well you cleaned your teeth last night!

If plaque is not removed, it turns into tartar which can only be professionally eviscerated by your dentist or hygienist. Don’t let it get to this.

Bad oral hygiene can lead to gum disease! Nobody wants gum disease 🙁

Brushing too hard can lead to the recession of gums. We recommend using a soft toothbrush head or investing in an electric toothbrush to assist in controlling the pressure.

Mouth and tongue piercings can have a negative effect on oral health. A majority of patients that have oral piercings come in with chipped or broken teeth (don’t let this be you).

Check what your insurance covers BEFORE your dental appointment! In this case, we don't have the answers, your insurance does! Certify that you’re insured for major cosmetic dentistry before you go ahead and ask for 10 veneers.

No matter how good your oral hygiene is, you still need to see your favourite dentist for your 6 monthly check-ups and cleans 🙂 Believe it or not, but dentists have the power of seeing things in your mouth that the average Jo can’t.

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Notes from VDS

Keep your teeth clean during COVID-19

10 Invisalign hacks that will blow your mind

How staining works

Latest Posts

It doesn't stop after braces

The importance of having a strong and caring team

What's this business about flossing?

Keep your teeth clean during COVID-19

10 Invisalign hacks that will blow your mind

10 Facts that your dentist wants you to know