Frequently asked questions

It is often helpful to get a full picture of what is happening in your mouth before any treatment starts. Book a check-up with one of our dentists. They will carefully assess your mouth and teeth, and X-rays may be needed. Your dentist will explain what they find, your treatment options and the costs involved. Together, you can then work out a treatment plan that you are comfortable with.

It depends on you. How often you need a check-up depends on your own risk of dental problems, such as your history of decay and gum disease, your general health, and habits like diet and smoking. Your dentist will recommend a check-up interval that suits you, which may be more or less often than every six months.

Regular check-ups are worthwhile even when nothing hurts, because dental decay and gum disease often do not cause pain until a later stage. Finding problems early means they are often simpler and less costly to treat. Check-ups also allow your dentist to check the soft tissues of your mouth for problems such as pre-cancerous lesions.

For most people, despite daily efforts to keep their teeth clean, some plaque, tartar and staining will still build up. Generally, the longer tartar is left on your teeth, the harder it is to remove, and a professional clean removes this built-up tartar. Your dentist will let you know whether you need a clean at each check-up, based on your own teeth and gums. Please talk to your dentist if you have any concerns about having your teeth cleaned.

Dental check-ups can start as soon as your child has teeth. In practice, around age 3 is a good time to start, as most children are then cooperative and can understand spoken instructions well. It is important to clean your child’s teeth each morning and night from the time the first tooth comes through, and to keep an eye on their teeth. If you see anything you are unsure about or concerned about, bring your child to see one of our dentists, whatever their age.

Eligible children can be bulk billed under the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Find out how the CDBS works.

Yes. Many of our patients feel nervous about visiting the dentist, and we are happy to take things at your pace. If you are nervous, it can help to start with a check-up visit, so you can get familiar with the practice and get to know your dentist before any treatment starts. Feeling comfortable with your dentist makes a big difference. If you are in pain and think you may need treatment at your first visit, let our front desk know that you are nervous when you book, and we will do what we can to keep you comfortable.

Call us to book a check-up with one of our dentists. Once your dentist has assessed your teeth, they can give you an estimate of the costs of the treatment you need. If you have extras cover, you can claim your health fund rebate on the spot with HICAPS. Please let your dentist know about any financial concerns. Often, we can work out a priority list based on what is most urgent, and space out treatment over several visits to ease financial pressure.

Book an appointment to see one of our dentists. In the meantime, you can use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or paracetamol for short-term pain control. Ask your pharmacist if you need advice on which pain reliever and what dose is right for you. Do not place pain relievers (especially aspirin) next to the sore tooth, because this can burn the soft tissues of your mouth. Your toothache may stop with pain relief, but you should still see a dentist to find and treat the cause of the problem.

Call us to book an appointment with one of our dentists. In the meantime, avoid chewing on the tooth if possible to prevent further breakage, avoid foods and drinks that irritate it, and use a pain reliever if it is causing you constant discomfort. It is important to have the tooth fixed even if it is not hurting, because the sooner it is repaired, the less likely it is to cause further problems.

Facial swelling has many possible causes, and dental infection is one of them. Swelling due to a dental infection should be attended to straight away, as it can sometimes lead to more serious medical problems. Call us and let our front desk know that you have facial swelling, and you will be placed on our priority list to see a dentist. If you cannot see a dentist on the same day, your GP may be able to help manage the swelling and pain until your dental appointment.

If the swelling is severe or spreading, or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

If it is a baby tooth, do not put it back in the socket. For an adult tooth, act quickly:

1. Handle the tooth by the crown only (the white part). Do not touch the root.
2. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with milk or saline (such as contact lens solution). If neither is available, use your saliva.
3. Put the tooth back in its socket.
4. If you cannot put it back, keep the tooth in milk or saline in a clean, sealed plastic bag.

Either way, seek dental help straight away. Call us on (03) 9773 4044.