frequently asked Questions

i BROKE MY TOOTH, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you are in pain contact us or an available dentist for an emergency appointment immediately. If you are not in pain then contact then make an appointment. Until your appointment time it is important that you keep your tooth clean and avoid biting hard.

Do you remove wisdom teeth?

Yes, our clinic accepts all patients who require wisdom tooth removal. Not all extractions are the same. Some may be simple and other may be surgical depending the on condition and position of the tooth. If your wisdom tooth or teeth are causing pain book an appointment with us immediately.

how do i best look after my teeth?

To best practice for oral health:

Visit the dentist every 6 months for your general check up and clean.
Brush your teeth twice a day. First thing in the morning and last thing before bed.
Bad breath? Use antiseptic mouthwash to wash away bacteria that generally causes bed breath
Drinking water after sugary or staining beverages and foods (e.g. lollies, soda, coffee and alcohol)
Flossing daily is important as it removes plaque and food from areas that your tooth brush cannot reach. Remember your teeth have 4 walls not two, so using a floss can help you reach the walls of the your teeth that are side-by-side. If you do not floss for prolonged period it can increase your risk to decay or gum disease.

The health of gums is vital to our overall oral heath. They are the foundation to your teeth which is why it is not only important to brush and clean teeth, but your gums as well. Professional check up & cleans, at home flossing and brushing (massaging) of teeth can minimise the risk of gum disease.

how can i prevent gum disease?

It is recommended to have a dental check up every 6 months to keep up on your dental health and to catch any decay or infection before it causes irreversible damage. When tooth decay starts, it can easily get into the tooth and infect it within 6 months. A small amount of bacterial decay can easily turn into a big problem if left unchecked.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY TEETH EXAMINED?

It is recommended to have your teeth cleaned every 6 months. Regular cleanings are essential to your dental health by preventing gum disease, decay, infection, and bone loss.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY TEETH CLEANED?

“Bitewing” x rays are needed to check for any decay or infection that may be forming in the back teeth or “molars” that cannot be seen with the naked eye. These x rays are usually taken during regular check ups and are only needed every 2 years.

WHY DO YOU NEED X-RAYS (BITE-WINGS) EVERY TWO YEARS?

At Tamworth Dental we use digital x rays which are very safe and only give out a small amount of radiation. LEAD aprons are available.

ARE DENTAL X-RAYS SAFE?

According to the ADA, dental work while pregnant, such as cavity fillings and crowns, should be treated to reduce the chance of infection. Use of dental local anesthetics, as well as dental treatment during pregnancy, do not represent a major teratogenic risk. If dental work is done during pregnancy, the second trimester is ideal.

JADA 146(8) http://jada.ada.org August 2015

SHOULD I SEE THE DENTIST WHILE PREGNANT?

It is recommended to start bringing your child to the dentist at the age of one. Believe it or not, decay can already start forming on your child’s teeth by this time. It is important to keep on top of any issues that may occur so it can be dealt with early on before it progresses or goes on the effect your child’s adult teeth.

HOW EARLY SHOULD I START BRINGING MY CHILD TO THE DENTIST?

The Child Dental Benefit Schedule, or CDBS, is a is a government initiative providing $1000 of free dental benefits to children aged two to seventeen who meet the eligibility criteria. This $1000 will be valid every two calendar years and continue until the child is over 17 years of age. You can find more information on CDBS at: https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/childdental

WHAT IS THE CHILD DENTAL BENEFIT SCHEDULE?

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover dental treatments as the dental practice is a private organisation and therefore, not covered by government programs (excluding CDBS).