We will create the time to set up an immediate appointment with someone experiencing extreme tooth pain.

At your first appointment, we will examine the area experiencing pain to discover the cause and outline the best treatment plan; this may require an x-ray and testing the tooth. Solving the pain and the problem for the long-term may require subsequent visits, depending on what is causing the pain.

If the pain is severe, we can provide instant relief via anesthetics. To control the pain after you have left the dentist, we can prescribe pain medication. In some cases, over the counter pain medications (such as Panadol) may be sufficient.

Prevention is better than a cure.

Severe pain is often indicative of a more serious problem that could have been prevented. Toothaches do not happen overnight, most frequently toothaches are the result of slow and ongoing tooth decay. To prevent severe pain, we suggest scheduling regular annual or biannual visits to your dentist. These will prevent tooth decay from regular cleaning and filling in cavities before decay becomes large and significantly damaging. If you experience nagging toothaches, schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. The tooth decay will advance and with it, the pain. Prevent pain and poor oral health with regular visits to your dentist.

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Orthodontists suggest braces if teeth need room to grow, teeth are overcrowded, an overbite or underbite needs correction, the jaw needs alignment, or there is other disorders of the jaw joint. If these issues are not addressed, tooth decay, gum disease, earaches and headaches can occur. In more extreme circumstances, some have difficulty chewing and speaking without their teeth being corrected through orthodontic treatment.

The orthodontist has three primary goals:

• To straighten teeth;
• To have teeth looking natural, symmetrical, and proportional to the face;
• To make sure the bite is in alignment and teeth fit into each other when closed; to correct the bite relationship.

Braces can be useful for children and adults. In some cases it is appropriate to suggest orthodontic treatment to children as young as eight. Many adults also receive braces if there has been mouth trauma or if they would like straighter teeth for a more beautiful smile. Mild discomfort can occur after a visit to the dentist when braces are tightened, but pain is brief and mild. The length of treatment time will vary depending on what is being remedied. Most treatment plans will be from 12 to 24 months.

Open communication and a positive dentist-patient relationship is necessary during orthodontic treatment as braces require extra commitment and care. The brackets and wires of braces create spaces that are difficult to clean and increase the likelihood of food and plaque becoming trapped, elevating the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Permanent damage to the tooth enamel can happen without daily care and cleaning. To prevent this, we clearly outline what treatment is needed and why, as well how the patient should care for their teeth while wearing braces.

At My Family Dentist, we will always welcome your concerns, reservations and questions, to ensure that having braces is a successful experience. During orthodontic treatment, we suggest regular visits, so that little problems do not become big ones and your needs are met with regularity.

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Dentists alone are not able to prevent tooth decay or gum disease. Every individual needs to care for his or her teeth daily to prevent gum disease, cavities, enamel wear and more. Preventative dentistry is something everyone can do to look after their teeth. Below are some examples:

• Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Replace your toothbrush 3-4 times a year
• Eating a balanced diet
• Daily flossing

Scheduling annual dental cleaning and exams will also prevent decay from becoming destructive to the structure and strength of our teeth. Our dentists will identify existing decay or disease and outline the best line of action to mitigate or avoid any potential problems.

Preventive dentistry results from the combined effort of the dentist and patient. Together, the integrity and health of your mouth and teeth can be maintained. My Family Dentist works diligently to maintain your dental wellbeing for the long-term.

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These can occur from both cavutues and external trauma. Dental restoration involves the multiple ways dentists can replace a whole tooth or repair a missing part.

Restorative Dentistry includes the following:

• Fillings are the most common form of restorative dentistry. Fillings fill in cavities to prevent further tooth decay.
• Crowns are placed on top of the tooth to cover and restore its shape, strength and appearance. Crowns are also used to cover a dental implant are to secure a bridge in place.
• Bridges are false teeth that fill a gap created by one or more missing teeth.
• Implants are used to replace a tooth’s roots. They consist of a small metal post placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. The implant is then covered with a crown.
• Dentures are replacement teeth that are removable. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth, while partial dentures exist when some natural teeth remain. The dentures can be secured by metal clasps to the natural teeth.
• Veneer is a thin material placed over the tooth, which protects the tooth from damage and is an immediate improvement to the appearance of the tooth. Veneers are useful to repair teeth that are heavily filled, chipped, worn down, or poorly formed. At times veneers are used for Cosmetic Dentistry, but can also be used for restoration.

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Going to the dentist doesn’t need to be a difficult or scary procedure for your child. We have compiled a list of common questions parents ask, to help you and your child have a pleasant visit to the dentist, and as a lifetime of good oral health.

When should my child see the dentist for the first time?

Prevention is the best way to ensure excellent dental health. This is why the Australian Dental Association (ADA) suggests children have their first dental visit when they are 12 months old, or shortly after their baby teeth start showing.  According to the ADA, “preventive dental visits from an early age lay the foundation for a lifetime of good oral and dental health.” Start the tradition of healthy and clean teeth while your child is young.

Why should my child go to the dentist when they are 1?

At My Family Dentist, we will assess the child’s oral health. We will look at their face and jaw to make sure they are in proper alignment. We examine any showing teeth to make sure they are healthy. We will let the parent(s) know what is the best way to keep their children’s teeth clean through diet, brushing, fluoride, and general health tips.

Baby teeth are important to preserve, even if they eventually will be replaced by adult teeth. Cavities will develop when food that contains sugar remains in the mouth for a long time. Bacteria in the mouth will flourish on the bits of sugar in the mouth and teeth, and will eat away at the tooth’s enamel. Saliva will wash the bacteria and sugar away between meals, but if there is food or sugar in a child’s mouth for extended periods, saliva will not be able to wash them away and decay or cavities will occur, and because of this, it is critical to identify tooth decay early. Tooth decay often starts close to the gum line, in places that cannot seem to be cleaned off.

After a thorough examination of your child’s mouth, My Family Dental will provide ways you can keep your children’s teeth and mouth clean and healthy. Depending on the assessment, we will suggest when the next visit should be.

Preparing for your child’s visit to the dentist

There are a couple of things parents can do to help the child feel comfortable going to the dentist:

• Play ‘dentist’ at home, taking turns cleaning and counting teeth.
• Read stories about going to the dentist
• Make the dental appointment at a time when your child will be rested and fed.
• Let the dentist know of any medical or psychological problems your child may experience. Openly discuss with them any questions or concerns you may have.
• Talk with your child about why it is important to go to the dentist.
• Feel free to bring your child’s favourite toy and story along.

It is important that parents do not assume the child will be scared to go to the dentist. Do not transfer any apprehension you may have about going to the dentist on to them. For example, do not say, “the dentist will not hurt your or use an injection”. This could trigger fears when there should be none. In general, try to speak positively about going to the dentist and do not use negative words, such as drill, need, hurt or pain, when referring to the dentist around your child. This is the first step to helping them thinking positively about going to the dentist and taking care of their teeth.

What should I do when my child’s tooth starts to wiggle?

At around 6 years of age, children’s teeth will begin to wiggle. It is best to let your child wiggle the tooth until it comes loose on its own. Doing so is the least painful and will cause minimal bleeding.

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Examples of Cosmetic Dentistry:

• Adding dental material to improve appearance. This can include bonding, porcelain veneers, crowns (caps) and gum grafts.
• Removing parts of the tooth or gums. Examples of this are enameloplasty and gingivectomy.
• Improving the colour of the teeth or gums, such as teeth whitening (bleaching) and gum depigmentation.
• Orthodontics, the practice of straightening teeth to improve appearance, can be considered a cosmetic procedure. To learn more, head to our Orthodontics page.

A bright smile and straight teeth give the appearance of health and youth, something that is important to both professionals and fashionistas. We understand the importance of having straight and white teeth. Protect and maintain a great asset, your smile.  To learn how we can assist you, contact us.

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General treatments include complete exams, scale and clean, as well as x-rays to see if there are any cavities that need to be addressed.  Fillings, root canals and extractions are more serious procedures, but are also considered a general treatment.

General treatments help treat and prevent oral diseases, in addition to maintaining the hygiene, function and appearance of a person’s teeth. Most procedures are done at My Family Dentist, however complicated cases or extensive surgeries may be referred to a specialist.

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