When should you worry about your children’s thumb sucking?
I meet a lot of parents who are amazed at their child’s thumb sucking. Many claim, “They’ve been doing it since they were in the womb,” and they’re not kidding. Sucking is a primitive reflex that we are all born with, one that infants associate with warmth and safety. It is the endorphins and dopamine […]
Are you missing out on sleep because of snoring?
Snoring and sleep apnoea prevents a good night’s sleep, however many who suffer with the condition aren’t aware they have it or its harmful effects. According to SNORE Australia, current figures indicate around 9 percent of women and 25 percent of men experience sleep apnoea and numbers are set to rise. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) […]
How to have good looking teeth for life
Good looking teeth and oral health care go together. A bit like Starsky and Hutch, sunshine and smiles, and Princess Leia and Hans Solo, they’re kind of inseparable. And that’s a good thing. Good looking teeth are a signpost for our health as much as they are an indicator of the age and stage we’re […]
Want to know your future?
Ask the all-knowing crystal ball!!! We are unable to predict the future, though with the knowledge we now ‘know’, just how important our dental health is. We have the ability to prepare for a more predictable future. Hindsight and knowing what has already been in the past is where we discover what is of concern […]
Plaque products: dental gimmick or serious diagnostic tool
Plaque products aren’t something most people think about, unless they’re a dentist or oral health therapist (or my wife, who is always searching for new blog topics for me). Without the profile of other dental diagnostic tools, plaque products can be underestimated for their value. This is especially the case when you know the damage […]
Tapping into Summer here at Dental as Anything – Calming the Mind
How long does it take to form a habit? Is it 21 Days? Do you have the answer? The range can be anywhere from 18 – 254 days. This is the question that was asked of the team at our ‘Team 2018 Vision Day’ where we got to spend a whole day away from our […]
Getting dentures, how to know if they can help you?
If you don’t have dentures, they’re not something you’re likely to give a second thought to. We’re human, right? If something doesn’t affect us directly, it simply doesn’t enter our mind. But the truth is, they are a reality for many people. Dentures are a dental treatment typically prescribed to a certain population group. Usually […]
Pet dental health: have you booked your pet’s regular check and clean?
Pet dental health? It’s not really what you’d expect a dentist to be writing about, is it? Our job is to care for our human patients, not their special furry friends. But what if I told you, we humans can have a tendency to do more for our pets’ health and wellbeing than for our […]
Who doesn’t love the cooler weather?
Who doesn’t love the cooler weather? Our winters are so perfect that we are able to get out and about without the usual heat. Whether it’s to go for a stroll around the Broadwater or Surfers Paradise, hop on a bike and explore some of the lovely bike paths or head up to the Gold […]
Dental finance: what are your options and how to know what’s right for you
At Dental as Anything, we have a lot of patients who ask about dental finance. When I hear that question, it does more than make me smile, but not for the reasons you might think. Here’s why. Dental as Anything patients know we take a preventive approach to oral health. For us – and them […]
How to quit smoking: why working with your dentist can help kick the habit for good
A challenge many people face is how to quit smoking. As a dentist practising for over thirty years, I’ve seen my share of patients who have reached the point of wanting to kick the habit for good. One thing I’ve learned when seeing these people is: it’s my job to be humble. We all know […]
What Peter Cottontail! Easter already? Aren’t you sweet enough?
We know you’ve been busy these past couple of months. What, with work, school, and life generally, sometimes it’s easy to let things slip by, thinking I’ll deal with it later. Now that might be fine sometimes, but it can get a little tricky when it comes to our dental health and decay caused by […]
5 sugar facts that prove you’re already sweet enough
Sugar is a hot topic right now. But it’s not a new thing. For a long time – close to several decades – there’s been awareness about its associated diet and health dangers. Countless studies, research papers and books have highlighted the connection to serious health issues. Think here: obesity, dental cavities, gum disease and […]
Will you give yourself this at Christmas?
Like you, our breath is taken away by just how quickly this time of year has rolled around again. We’re already playing Christmas songs, making lists, and counting down days. But there’s more to Christmas than craziness. Actually, we’re putting out the challenge. Let’s do it differently this year. Why not use Christmas as the […]
Does the dentist near me think preventative and long term?
Does your dentist near me, known for wanting patients to stick to a regime of good oral hygiene? More than just brushing and flossing, a good dentist near me wants to instil a regimen of regular hygiene visits. For some people (like your dentist, hopefully), this stuff is a no brainer. But for others, […]
Good as News! Here’s how to love Spring and YOU more!
Who isn’t loving this warmer weather and brighter sunshine? Spring is such a great time of year, it’s hard not to feel good, isn’t it? In this seasonal news, read about: > Self-care tips that will save you during the downhill run to the end of year > How grandparents can help kids have straighter […]
Oral Health Therapist – What is the difference to a Dentist?
Patients frequently ask me to clarify the difference between a dentist and oral health therapist. This question has emerged as the popularity of hygienists – or oral health therapists (OHT) – has escalated in recent years and is now considered the gold standard. It’s useful for patients to understand their differences so they can make […]
Nitrous Oxide – How to Manage a Fear of the Dentist
Nitrous Oxide is used to overcome a fear of the dentist. It is common among people who’ve had negative dental experiences. Maybe these less than happy experiences occurred as a child (sometimes many years previously). Or they may have happened because a treatment didn’t go well as an adult. Fear of the dentist could even […]
Mouth breathing, snoring and kids: the connection and why it’s important
Mouth breathing, snoring and kids are not things we typically connect with each other, but it does happen, and more frequently than you think.Aside from normal snoring, which might occur if a child is sick or very tired, persistent snoring in children is not normal. By persistent we mean habitual snoring that happens on four […]
Why root canal treatment gets a bad rap?
Root canal treatment gets a bad rap, doesn’t it? You only need to search Dr Google and you’ll discover why. There is every myth under the sun perpetuated by people who may not have a full understanding of the causes and effective treatments. We’re fortunate to live at a time, and in a place, where […]
What is it about Amalgam fillings that is contentious?
Amalgam fillings are a contentious issue among dentists, but it never used to be that way. Back in 1986 when Diana Ross sang the number one hit Chain Reaction and I graduated from dental college, amalgam fillings were the only fillings we worked with. As time went on, amalgam was joined by white resin fillings […]
FLOSS IS BOSS – Dr Mark helps us mere mortals
End of financial year greetings Is anyone else blown away by just how quickly this year has rolled around. It’s already nearing the end of June and it only seems like five minutes ago we were taking our Easter break. What?! With the ever constant fast forward pace that is life, it’s always good to […]
Is the pain at your dentist being managed this way?
Pain and dentists. It’s an association experienced universally, is based on fear and is frequently misplaced. In the long term, it could also cause more actual (rather than imaged) pain. It’s a phenomenon I see every day. And it comes at a huge cost: to a person’s health, well-being, and ultimately, their hip pocket. There […]
Sugar – are we in the midst of a war?
Sugar! Decay! Are you at risk? While we are all at risk, and indeed many of us are consuming far more sugar than we should on a daily basis, teenagers face the biggest threat. The good news is most of the extra sugar intake is coming from soft drinks, energy and sport beverages, fruit and […]
When is Myobrace a good idea for straightening kids teeth?
When is Myobrace a good idea? Great question and a perfect blog topic for a Gold Coast dentist who wants to provide options for patients. Is it the next big thing? When you’ve been in practice as long as I have – more than 30 years – you learn to be cautious about new technology emerging on the market. One […]
Dental as ‘Easter’ thing – Newsletter
Easter time and that means new life, right?! Not feeling it? Let’s help you! As the momentum of the year kicks in, it can sometimes feel like we need a re-set. On our worst days, it can even feel like it’s easier to watch our goals slip by rather than recalibrate and work on them […]
Invisalign or invisible braces is it worth it? A Gold Coast dentist views
No doubt about it, Invisalign and invisible braces are a hot topic in dental and orthodontic circles. For patients who’ve felt discomfort, embarrassment and crooked teeth – sometimes for a lifetime – it’s easy to understand why. Invisalign and invisible braces is a real solution for straightening teeth that works. Yes, there’s a price tag, but we’ll get […]
7 Signs A Man Is Avoiding The Dentist
7 Signs A Man Is Avoiding The Dentist I’m a man and I’m a dentist so I feel really confident writing this blog about men avoiding dentists. There are many reasons people avoid dentists, but I’m just talking about men. Why? Because generally, we’re the worst offenders. It’s common knowledge among the dental fraternity that […]
Australian dental researchers develop pioneering gum vaccine
In a move that could substantially reduce the need for surgery or antibiotics for people suffering from severe gum disease, scientists based at Melbourne University’s Oral Health CRC have developed a vaccine that works to prevent and reduce periodontitis. It does this by targeting enzymes generated by the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, triggering an immune response […]
World Oral Health Day survey exposes oral health myths
Today on World Oral Health Day, FDI World Dental Federation and the Australian Dental Association (ADA) are recognising how integral oral health is to our over wellbeing by busting the myths around what people around the world believe to be good oral health practices, in the process encouraging Australia to become better informed and take […]
Dental news – Newsletter – March 2017
Dental news to you! It’s kind of hard to believe we’re already well and truly into the year with the beginning of March looming just around the corner. Already things have been busy in our world, as we’re sure they have been for you too. For a start, we’ve welcomed our new dentist, Dr Lauren […]
Teeth whitening: The No. 1 dental tip for loving your smile
As a dentist’s wife, you have some funny conversations with people. Teeth whitening is almost always part of them. Hardly dinner party material, I find these conversations head into dental details that might best be kept for the next visit to my husband. This is because it’s common for people, when they find out you’re the […]
Gum disease: innocent, sneaky or just plain sinister?
Gum disease: innocent, sneaky or just plain sinister? The answer to the gum disease question posed here is actually “all of the above”. Yes, it’s true, gum disease can be painful and obvious as red and swollen gums. But equally, gum disease can be just plain sneaky, silent and sinister. As a dentist, sadly […]
Gold Coast Dentist in Helensvale, Southport, Oxenford
Dental as Anything has been providing quality dental care on the Gold Coast for nearly 30 years. In this video, hear directly from Dr Mark, a Gold Coast Dentist and owner of Dental as Anything in Helensvale. Dr Mark shares his philosophy on preventative dental care and how patients can avoid serious gum and teeth […]
Kids Teeth – Confessions of a Dentist Wife
How do I keep my kids teeth completely cavity-free without insane amounts of effort? My kids teeth had cavities. There, I said it. That secret I’ve been holding onto for, well, a really long time (because my kids are all grown up now) is finally out in the open. Is it such a big deal? […]
The scary dentist habit that should ring alarm bells with every patient
In a previous blog, I wrote about a patient whose reason for coming to me – a sore tooth – led to the discovery he was suffering from advanced stage gum disease. Sadly, advanced stage gum disease of itself is not that unusual. Many people don’t even realise they have it and may only notice […]
Learn something new about your dental care!
Learn something new about preventative dental care. Preventative dental is not just a message we teach and share with our patients. It’s one we live by as well. Recently, Dr Mark’s creative wife Angela, took his push bike to the bike workshop for some TLC. Angela was surprised by what she learned from Alex from […]
Dental as Anything stylin’ is random acts of kindness
Dental as Anything? Random acts of kindness? Who does them? How long since you were on the receiving end of one? Is it just a tired, old cliche? Or could a random act of kindness be a genuine opportunity to connect with another human, just because? These are questions we contemplated at Dental as Anything […]
Teeth are surprisingly strong but not indestructible!
Our teeth are a signpost for our health as much as they are an indicator of the age and stage we’re at in life. We may not consciously think of it as such, but this relationship with our teeth is for life and it changes over time. How it changes depends on many factors, not least of […]
Best solutions in preventing oral cancer
Did you know that dentist’s can check for oral cancer? We know how important it is to go to the doctor for regular check-ups and what we should do to keep our bodies in tip-top shape. But what about our dental health and oral cancer? Your dental health and general wellbeing are directly linked. Visiting […]
A dentist’s view on prevention
It may seem somewhat self-serving for a dentist to be sharing his personal views on prevention, after all it works in my favour if my patients adhere to the prevention principle, right? I get it. Undoubtedly, there is economic value for a dental practice in the age old maxim ‘prevention is better than cure’, but […]
Why do people think dental crowns are a good idea?
One of the most satisfying aspects of my practice is working together with patients to craft a solution they are not only happy with, but a solution that also meets their needs, works, and makes a difference. Dental crowns often fit the bill. The greatest opportunity for doing this satisfying work comes with patients who […]
Are dentures right for you?
Let’s start the “are dentures right for you?” question by asking a couple more questions. Have you ever suffered the discomfort of having lost or damaged teeth AND then lived with the embarrassment afterwards of a gap in your smile and an uncomfortable bite? Maybe you even felt uncomfortable just smiling. Are you carrying the […]
