Yes, we offer payment plans through Pretty Penny Finance or AfterPay, providing flexible payment options to make your dental procedure more affordable. Please call 9228 3434 for more information. As an alternative option, you may also apply for early release of your superannuation to help fund your dental procedure/s – this option is available to accepted applicants only, through SuperCare. Please call 1300 665 440 or visit the SuperCare website for more information.

Visiting the dentist regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. Dental care is important because it:

• Helps prevent tooth decay
• Protects against periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to tooth and bone loss
• Prevents bad breath; brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly will help reduce the amount of bad breath-causing bacteria in your mouth
• Gives you a more attractive smile and increases your self-confidence
• Helps keep teeth looking bright by preventing them from becoming stained by food, drinks, and tobacco
• Strengthens your teeth so that you can enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles for the rest of your life!

There are several ways in today’s Dental World to enhance your smile. Certain procedures include:

• Tooth Whitening
• Bonding
• Porcelain Veneers
• Porcelain Crowns
• Implants

We have the capability to improve your smile using one or all or some of these procedures. For a comprehensive dental consultation, please contact your local, caring and gentle dentist.

Unlike porcelain veneers, regular teeth are porous and susceptible to staining. Teeth stain at different rates depending on mouth chemistry, diet and lifestyle (foods and drinks consumed). This means that how easily teeth stain and how easily they whiten varies from person to person. There are numerous methods on the market today that range in price and ease of use. The premise behind most teeth whitening methods is essentially the same — a form of hydrogen peroxide finds its way into the pores of the teeth and bleaches stained particles. The variable is in the type of application and the corresponding strength of the whitening gel. What works well for one person may not work well for another. Studies have shown that with normal or suggested use of teeth whitening products, there is no harmful effect on teeth. It is common for some people to have some sensitivity to the teeth whitening products.

Your teeth may feel fine, but it’s still important to see the dentist regularly because problems can exist without you knowing. Your smile’s appearance is important, and your dentist can help keep your smile healthy and looking beautiful. With so many advances in dentistry, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth. Today’s dentists offer many treatment choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:

• Professional teeth whitening
• Fillings that mimic the appearance of natural teeth
• Tooth replacement and full smile makeovers

Choosing a dentist who “clicks” with you and your family is important. During your first visit, you should be able to determine whether the dentist is right for you. During your appointment, consider the following:

• Is the appointment schedule convenient?
• Is the office easy to get to and close by?
• Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?
• Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
• Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health?
• Is information about cost presented to you before treatment is scheduled?
• Is your dentist a member of the ADA (Australian Dental Association)?

ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth at least three times a day, and floss at least once!

• Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities.
• Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth causing more plaque and possibly cavities) and avoid tobacco (this can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and eventually lead to oral cancer).
• Don’t be afraid to brush your tongue! By brushing your tongue, you will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque causing bacteria. Tongue brushing also helps keep your breath fresh.
• Be sure to schedule your routine checkup. It is recommended that you visit the dentist every six months.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children first see a dentist as early as six-months-old and no later than one-year-old. During this time, your child’s baby teeth will be coming in and your dentist can examine the health of your child’s first few teeth. After the first visit, be sure to schedule regular checkups every six months.

Children, teens, and adults should all see the dentist for a regular checkup at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for oral cancer or gum disease may be required to see the dentist more than just twice a year. Your doctor will help determine how often you should visit the dentist for regular checkups.

A filling is a synthetic material that your dentist uses to fill a cavity after all of the tooth decay has been removed. Fillings do not generally hurt because your dentist will numb your mouth with an anaesthetic. Fillings are made from a variety of different materials, including composites, gold, or ceramic. If you need a filling, be sure to talk to your doctor about what type is best for you and your teeth.

Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease, and is an infection of the gums surrounding your teeth. Gum disease is one of the top reasons for tooth loss in adults, and because it is virtually pain free, many patients do not know they have the disease. During each regular checkup, your dentist will check for signs of periodontal disease by measuring the space between your teeth and gums.

Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque (a sticky form of bacteria that forms on the teeth). If the plaque is not removed (by flossing, brushing, and regular dental checkups), it will continue to build up and create toxins that can damage the gums. Periodontal disease forms just below the gum line and creates small pockets that separate the gums from the teeth. Periodontal disease has two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis.

• Gingivitis — This is the early stage of gum disease, when the gums become red and swollen, and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is treatable and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.
• Periodontitis — If left untreated, gingivitis will advance into periodontitis, and the gums and bone that support the teeth will become seriously and irreversibly damaged. Gums infected with periodontitis can cause teeth to become loose, fall out, or be removed by a dentist.

Certain factors can increase a patient’s risk of developing periodontal disease, including:

• Smoking or using chewing tobacco
• Diabetes
• Certain types of medication such as steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives
• Bridges that no longer fit properly
• Crooked teeth
• Old fillings
• Pregnancy

• Gums that bleed easily
• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Any change in the fit of partial dentures

Treatments for gum disease can vary depending on the severity of each individual case. Typical treatments include:

• Non-surgical treatments such as at home periodontal trays, and scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
• Periodontal surgery and laser gum surgery
• Dental implants

Regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are important for maintaining your health and the health of your smile. You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. By practicing good oral hygiene at home, you can significantly reduce your chances of ever getting gum disease. Remember to brush regularly, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental check ups to help keep your smile healthy.

Using the most advanced dental technology possible is just as important as staying up-to-date on the latest treatment techniques. Because our practice is dedicated to providing you with the safest and most convenient treatment options available, we utilize advanced digital X-ray technology in our office. Digital X-rays provide several advanced imaging options designed to save time, provide clearer dental photos, and expose patients to less radiation than with traditional X-ray technology. Our practice is focused on making your dental experience as comfortable as possible. At your next appointment, we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Simply call our practice! Our front desk staff will be happy to help schedule your next dental check up at your convenience. If you are a new patient, please let us know and we will provide you with all the information you need for your first dental visit.

Aging accounts for some tooth sensitivity. As we age, enamel (the outer tooth surface) naturally wears down, exposing the dentin (the initial inner tooth surface) and causing sensitivity. But tooth sensitivity also results from a variety of other factors, including:

• Gum recession.
• Acidy liquids (such as soda) that cause enamel wear and dentin exposure.
• Tooth grinding, in which case all teeth feel sensitive.
• Brushing teeth too hard, which may cause enamel loss and dentin exposure.
• Dental treatment such as teeth whitening, professional dental hygiene cleanings, orthodontics or tooth restorations (i.e. root canals).
• Root nerve damage, gum disease (periodontitis), or a chipped or fractured tooth