Preventative care

About General dental care

General dental care

Preventative care

• Routine dental examination and teeth cleaning

  It is common to have your teeth and gums checked every 6 months by your dentist and/or Oral Health Therapist for early signs of gum disease or decay. Most importantly we look at what tools you need at home to ensure your at home brushing and flossing technique is effective in minimizing decay and gum disease through Oral Hygiene Instruction. An Oral cancer screening/examination is carried out on your head and neck area, both inside and outside your mouth. Changes in the colour, texture, size of spots or lesions can be an indication of head and neck cancer.

• Dental X-rays

  Dental x-rays are routinely taken to identify decay found between teeth and bone levels which are commonly affected by chronic or acute periodontal infection. An OPG (orthopantomograph) is a singe two-dimensional image of the whole mouth which is used to investigate wisdom teeth pain/position, generalised bone levels, dental abscesses and existing dental treatment such as fillings, root canals, implants, crowns or bridges. An OPG does not remove the necessity to take further intra-oral x-rays, as these are required for localised diagnosis.

• Fissure sealants

  Deep grooves are commonly found on the biting surface of molar teeth known as fissures. Deep grooves/fissures can be difficult to keep clean with your toothbrush and therefore create an opportunity for food debris and plaque to gather. A fissure sealant fills in the deepest part of the groove reducing the depth of the pit and thus allowing your toothbrush to keep this area where cavities commonly develop clean. (Insert before and after photos)

• Tooth grinding splints/mouth guard

  Tooth wear and/or jaw joint pain can be caused by clenching and grinding of the upper and lower together. A grinding splint does not cure the cause of the grinding, however it aids in preventing the upper and lower teeth from making contact and causing teeth to fracture or become worn. Common causes of tooth clenching and grinding can be related to, stress, anxiety, sleep apnoea, illicit drugs, medications or alcohol.

Gum disease

Gum disease, also referred to as Periodontitis is a progressive phase of gum infection which causes loss of the bone surrounding the teeth and subsequently the gums recede. Signs of periodontitis are visible if gum appear red, swollen and bleed easily. If left untreated it can lead to bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, affect the fit of dentures and teeth begin to move/drift. Causes of advanced gum disease can occur as a result of stress, medications, heritage, deficient fillings, poor diet and poor oral hygiene habits.

If you have developed periodontitis you may require a series of treatment carried out under local anaesthetic. Depending on the severity of your condition the number and length of appointments will vary anywhere from two to four 90-minute sessions. After this initial phase of deep cleaning it is necessary to follow up with 3-4 monthly review appointments. Your home care between the initial phase of treatment and the 3 month review is vital to ensuring that no further bone or gum attachment is lost.

Regular professional teeth cleaning and effective home care (brushing and flossing everyday) can all help prevent serious gum disease.

Under specialist supervision, our periodontal postgraduates are qualified general dentists who have returned to formally specialise in the area of dentistry and therefore the fees associated with this course of care are lower than you would expect to pay at a specialist periodontal clinic.