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Forster Dental Centre FAQ

Forster Dental Centre FAQ

Questions & answers

We know that you may have questions for the different types of dental treatments available, so we have put together answers to some of the more common questions below.

At what age should I bring my child in for their first dental check-up?
The dentists, Forster Dental Centre are often asked when their child should have their first dental check-up. While it may seem early, your child should have their first visit by the age of one, especially those who may be at risk of early cavities or tooth decay.

This is a great age for your first visit to a children’s dentist, not just to check for decay or cavities, but also to discuss with your local dentist tips on caring for your child’s mouth, proper brushing techniques, habits such as thumb sucking and teething issues.

During the first dental check-up dentist Dr Oxenbould will check your child’s teeth and gums for cavities or tooth decay and discuss any issues that may be found. We also like to do a gentle scale and clean, and will outline a dental care plan including how often you should visit for further dental check-ups.

We try to make this first visit fun and rewarding, with a ride in the special chair, where appropriate on mum’s lap, or by themselves, to help familiarise them with the dentist environment.

As your local dentist in Forster we practice preventative dentistry, focusing on care to prevent any potential complications from developing. Having your child’s first dental check-up as early as possible is the most effective way to establish good oral hygiene practices but also stop more serious problems from occurring.

To establish healthy teeth in your children book in with our Children’s Dentist, Foster Dental Centre. Phone (02) 6555 5554 today.

Why are wisdom teeth so painful and why do they need to be removed?
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through and are located at the back of your gums; they usually grow during your late teens and early twenties, by which time your other adult teeth are in place leaving little room for the wisdom teeth to grow. Due to this lack of space, wisdom teeth can grow at an angle, get stuck or only partially emerge through the gum. This is often rather painful, and a wisdom tooth that grows this way is known as an impacted wisdom tooth.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a number of issues apart from pain, leading to removal by our skilled dentist, Dr Richard Oxenbould. Food and bacteria often get trapped in and around an impacted tooth which can lead to issues such as toothache and tooth infection, tooth decay, gum disease, periodontitis, cellulitis, a tooth abscess and cysts.

As many of these issues can be effectively treated with antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash, your dentist may only recommend removal of your wisdom teeth when other treatment hasn’t worked. The Dentist’s priorities at Forster Dental Centre lie in keeping and saving a tooth rather than removing it, so if we can prevent the removal of a tooth we will do so in every instance.

If your Wisdom Teeth have been causing you pain or you are experiencing tooth aches or red swollen gums call your Dentist in Forster today on (02) 6555 5554.

Why do I need to see my local dental hygienist in Forster?
There are many reasons to make a booking with your dental hygienist in Forster today.

If you suffer from bleeding gums when you are brushing your teeth, if you get told you have bad breath or you notice you have an unpleasant taste in your mouth, these are all symptoms of gum disease and a perfect reason to make regular appointments with your dental hygienist for the treatment of gum disease so it doesn’t develop into more serious problems or result in you having to have your tooth removed.

A dental hygienist specialises in detecting and preventing gum disease, tooth decay, tooth infection and mouth infections. At your appointment the hygienist will remove any build-up of plaque and tartar from your teeth. If you have diabetes, heart conditions, are at risk of having a stroke or osteoporosis among other systemic conditions, you should be seeing your dental hygienist regularly to help prevent gum disease.

If you already have gum disease or tooth decay, a hygienist will be able to keep an eye on the infected area and monitor the ongoing health of your gums and teeth.

The team at Forster Dental Centre are especially focused on preventing all the dental problems that you do not want. Our Hygienists Louise and Erryn are here to help you achieve this positive outcome.

Do not put off treating your bleeding gums or getting to bottom of what is causing your bad breath. Book in an appointment with Dental Hygienist Louise Oxenbould Forster Dental Centre today… phone (02) 6555 5554 today.

What are the best options for straighter teeth?
If you are looking for straighter teeth for medical or cosmetic reasons, there are a large number of products on the market these days to choose from. Local Forster dentist Dr Oxenbould will be able to help you in deciding which option is best for you, as there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration.

One of the more popular choices today is Invisalign. Invisalign is system that consists of you wearing clear moulded plastic guides that fit over your teeth. With the Invisalign teeth straightening system you will wear the guides to realign your teeth; and as the teeth move a new set of guides are specially fitted to your teeth. This process is carried out a number of times until you have straighter teeth and the desired results have been achieved.

One of the great benefits of Invisalign is that they are almost invisible to others and so may be the perfect option for adults who wish to straighten teeth, correct an overbite and improve their smile. In addition to this the Invisalign clear braces are comfortable to wear and should not cause any irritation.

Traditional braces are a long term fix, and are made of metal brackets adhered to your teeth with an adhesive, with each bracket connected by a wire. Traditional braces are often known as metal braces; these require regular tightening to allow the pressure to gradually straighten your teeth.

When you are looking to have straighter teeth, the product you choose will come down to how much straightening is required. Clear braces or the clear aligners used in Invisalign are great for minor straightening while for teeth that require major straightening, you may find traditional braces are required as they will give you the best results.

If you would like to improve your smile and have straighter teeth speak with our Dentist, Forster Dental Centre today to make an appointment and discover why millions are turning to Invisalign.

To schedule your appointment phone: (02) 6555 5554.

What are the dangers of teeth whitening?
When it comes to teeth whitening, the two main options to consider for whitening teeth include cosmetic dentistry where your teeth are whitened by a dentist or dental hygienist or the other option is at home teeth whitening kits where you whiten your teeth yourself.

If you have not considered the risks associated with teeth whitening you should do so before undergoing this treatment as all teeth whitening in general can pose some dangers.

While you may end up with whiter teeth, teeth whitening, or teeth bleaching, can carry risks such as tooth sensitivity and damage to your tooth roots. There is a chance of gum burns, and if performing the teeth bleaching at home using an at home teeth whitening kits, you may damage the tooth enamel.

The benefit of having your teeth whitened through cosmetic dentistry at your local dentist in Foster is to understand any potential risks and complications and have a treatment designed especially for you based on your health and the current state of your teeth and the shade of white you wish to achieve.

Dr Oxenbould can also check for any tooth sensitivity or any other signs of damage or dental problems that may need to be addressed before you have your teeth whitened.

Some over the counter teeth whitening kits often don’t contain enough of the bleaching product to be effective, and the mouth-guard is not guaranteed to fit your teeth properly. This leaves you open to burns, blistering and on-going sensitivity.

If you do want to undergo a teeth whitening procedure, make an appointment with your dentist, Forster Dental Centre first and he will be happy to explain everything to you so you get the best results and you are happy with you whiter smile.

Get your teeth whitened, Forster Dental Centre now. Book an appointment on (02) 6555 5554.

Do I need to wear dentures?
Many people will end up with dentures at some stage in their life; whether you maintain good dental hygiene throughout your life or not, you may still find yourself losing teeth as you get older.

Depending on your needs, there are several different types of dentures available. Complete dentures or full dentures are fitted if all of your upper or lower teeth are lose or need to be removed.

Your Dentist in Forster will be able to arrange to fit new dentures straight away, which gives your gums time to heal, but doesn’t leave you without teeth.

Partial dentures are for those who still have some of their own natural teeth remaining. Partial dentures are used to fill in gaps left when you lose a tooth. They can be attached to your natural teeth with a clasp allowing them to be removed; alternatively dental crowns and bridges are placed over your natural teeth, becoming the anchors for the dentures to attach to.

Dental implants are used as a support component for dental crowns and dental bridges that being placed in the mouth, because you are missing teeth. The placement of some Dental Implants involves a more involved procedure including surgery.

Depending on your needs, your dentist Dr Richard Oxenbould may use traditional or mini dental implants.

Should you need dentures, dental implants or your crown and bridge to be placed due to you missing a tooth or several missing teeth Forster Dental Centre can assist. Book your appointment today on (02) 6555 5554.

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