Dental Tips

Dental Care Tips For New Patients

If you haven’t been to Northam Dental Surgery before, or even if you haven’t been to the dentist at all, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.

How Long Should I Leave Between Visits?

If your teeth and gums are in good shape, you probably won’t need to return for three to six months. If further treatment is required — say to fill a cavity, remove a wisdom tooth, or repair a broken crown — you should make an appointment before leaving the office. And don’t forget to ask your dentist any questions you may have —this is your chance to get the answers you need.

What Benefits Can I Get With Private Health Insurance ?

Private Health Insurance may provide you with a free examination, and a scale and clean each year; please check with your Private Health Insurance.
Private Health Insurance may also cover up to 80% of your dental treatment costs in rebates, hence you may only pay a gap of 20%. This depends on your level of cover, please check with your Private Health Insurance.

How Do I Prevent Pain and Infections ?

You should regularly see your dentist and hygienist for check-ups, at least once a year.
We may detect problems that you may not be aware of.
Do not wait until you are in pain for it may be too late for simple dental treatment, you may end up in severe pain due to infection and requiring expensive treatment later.
For example, early diagnosis may only necessitate a simple filling. Whereas leaving it too late may result in pain, physically due to infection, and financially as it may require a root canal treatment which will cost 10 times as much.

Can I Visit The Dentist Too Often ?

You can’t visit a dentist too often, but you can certainly have too much work done on your teeth.
You may have heard of over servicing, and yes some dentists may over service your teeth.
At the Ellenbrook Dental Clinic we only carry out procedures that are necessary.
For example, an OPG Xray isn’t usually needed at a routine dental examination appointment; or
Laser Bleaching isn’t recommended when a much cheaper alternative Home Bleaching is available.

I Want To Whiten My Teeth. Are Whitening Toothpastes Good Enough ?

All sorts of toothpastes help remove surface stains via the use of mild abrasives. Certain whitening toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that provide additional stain removal.

Whitening toothpastes act to remove surface stains only and do not contain bleach; over-the-counter and professional whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching substance) that helps remove stains on the tooth surface as well as stains deep in the tooth.

None of the home use whitening toothpastes stand a chance to producing the same bleaching effect you get from your dentist’s office through home bleaching kits. Whitening toothpastes can lighten your tooth’s color by about one shade. In contrast dentist home bleaching kits can lighten your teeth from 3 to 8 shades lighter.

I have A Terrible Fear Of Going To The Dentist. What Should I Do?

If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone. A small proportion of the population state they avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. The first thing you should do is talk with your dentist. If you have an underlying fear you don’t know how to handle or talk about, don’t worry, we’ve helped many others overcome their fears and still maintain good oral health.

The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears . Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she will be better able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more comfortable.

I Can’t Afford Regular Dental Care. What Can I Do ?

If you are a low income earner then you are in luck, you can still access regular dental care thanks to government support. See Government Subsidies for more details.