Dr Matthew Clougher was born and raised in Hobart. He graduated from the University of Sydney in 2006 and moved back to Hobart to start practising in 2007. Having worked in both the public and private dental sectors.

Is there any science behind cultured foods and probiotics promoting better oral health?
For many years, most of the research on probiotics was strictly limited to benefits in your gut health. The benefit for gut health is good enough reason alone to consume probiotics, but more recently, research is indicating that probiotics can be very beneficial for your oral health as well.

Many people believe that digestion only begins the moment food is swallowed however it really begins at the very moment you put the food in your mouth.

Chewing begins the digestive process, releasing saliva, which creates digestive enzymes therefore helping to break down your food. For this very reason, your mouth and oral hygiene plays a huge role in your digestion process.

During any routine six month check-up with your dentist he or she will perform a full oral screening and will notice any changes in your mouth, especially ones that may look cancerous. When it comes to cancer early diagnosis is vital, so it is important that your dentist and you know your mouth and can be aware of any critical changes early

People often ask me what natural mouthwash they should use daily for the best oral hygiene.

The simple answer is: It depends!

Any natural mouthwash should be used to benefit you in the way it is required. Some mouth rinses may soothe mouth ulcers, where others calm bleeding gums, and many are swished just for that refreshing feeling.

Here are some great all natural mouthwash recipes from around the world to get you started on taking your oral health into your own hands.

Electric toothbrush versus manual toothbrush – Does your choice really make a difference?

When it comes to cleaning your pearly whites, is your choice of toothbrush really that important?

Dentists have been asked this question for as long as electric toothbrushes have been available.

Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child’s teeth to liquids containing sugars these are: milk, bottle formula, fruit juice, fizzy drinks and other sweetened drinks. The sugars contained within these liquids can pool around your child’s teeth and gums and feed bacteria that cause plaque and tooth decay can begin.

School Lunches: It’s Time To Squeeze Out the Fruit Juice.

Sending the kids back to school means it’s time to start packing those lunch boxes again! And when you do, keep in mind that what your children drink can also greatly affect oral health just as much as what they eat.

The scientific evidence is overwhelming that sugar is one of the most damaging dietary factors that cause tooth decay, and that soft drinks are still the largest source of sugar in many children’s diets.

There are so many considerations to be made before whitening your teeth that only a qualified dentist can help you with. They will first check for cavities, shrinking gums or cracks and leaking fillings, which DIY whitening products can cause irreversible damage and extreme pain if seeping occurs. They will check for other dental work such as crowns or bridges, which do not bleach and can be damaged by the chemicals contained in cheap bleaching products. A dentist can assess your teeth’s suitability for whitening as well as help to manage the outcome and your expectations.

Watch our safe amalgam removal video by clicking on the image.