Month: April 2024

by
A woman smiling with her hair by the side of her face. Her smile is in focus.

It’s been a while since you’ve come in for a check and you’re not sure what to expect at the dentist. Here, we’ll go through the steps of coming in to see us, what questions we ask and why.

 

Making an appointment:

  • Our friendly receptionists will take your call and ask the nature of your concern. This may be that you have a toothache, or that you would like to come in for our $195 new patient special, or you would like to start with a check up and a clean.
  • You are welcome to book online or email us for convenience.
  • We will ask for your details.
  • We ask for a deposit of $50 for all new patients to hold your appointment time. This will be applied against your appointment and removed at the end, this is not an extra charge.

 

Filling out forms:

  • We will send you a link to fill out our medical history form and a questionnaire.
  • These are helpful for us to know how to best take care of you.
  • If you are unable to do this on your phone or device, please come in 5 minutes earlier to fill this out.

 

Arriving to our clinic:

  • We are located at 68 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Corio, on the service road.
  • Entry to the service road is at the intersection of Purnell Rd and Bacchus Marsh Rd, or via Canadian Parade.
  • We have ample parking at the back of the practice.

 

Seeing the dentist:

  • Our dentists will go through your medical history form and questionnaire together with you. This is the best time for you to let us know what you expect from your dentist.
  • Please let us know if there is anything you would like to discuss privately.
  • We will ask you about your dental health, routines, and overall lifestyle.
  • We will do a comprehensive exam, and then any x-rays if needed.
  • From here we will talk about the treatment needed and go through with you the different options and price points available.
  • If you specifically wanted treatment, then we will do this for you.

 

Our aim is to make sure that you feel comfortable, so at any point that you prefer we would do something different, we ask you to speak up. We will always listen and work together with you to get you to where you need to be.

 

BOOK A CHAT WITH US NOW

by
Cracked lips with some pigmentation. This is a sign of dry mouth

Let’s talk about dry mouth-

Dry mouth is a condition where you feel that your mouth is consistently dry because of a lack of saliva. It can be uncomfortable and cause issue when eating and speaking. It can also give dental problems such as increased risk of decay, risk of oral infections such as thrush, bad breath, mouth ulcers, burning mouth sensation, and dry and cracked lips.

 

Dry mouth can be caused by many things. These include:

  • not drinking enough water
  • being on certain medications, such as blood pressure medication, antidepressant or anxiety medication, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
  • having immune conditions such as Sjogren’s Syndrome
  • snoring or mouth breathing
  • drinking a lot of alcohol, or caffeinated drinks.
  • smoking

 

What can I do to help?

Treatment of dry mouth depends on the cause. We always aim to treat the problem at the cause, rather than treating the symptoms.
Here are some easy things to do:

  • Drink more tap water through the day.
  • Stimulate your saliva by chewing sugar free gum (a non-acidic flavour such as mint is best!)
  • Drink flavoured water (non-acidic flavour such as mint or cucumber is best!)
  • Use a bi-carb rinse to neutralise any mouth acid.
  • Use a higher strength fluoride toothpaste.
  • Look to fix the cause of mouth breathing and snoring. A sleep study might be helpful for you.
  • Avoiding acidic and spicy food and drinks.
  • Speak to your doctor- Ask your doctor if there are any alternatives to the medications you take. You may also be able to take a medication to increase the flow of saliva. Do not start or stop taking medications without seeking advise from your doctor.
  • See a dentist more often- decay can turn up quickly. Seeing a dentist frequently can help catch these small cavities before they turn into big problems.

Depending on the cause, our dentists can chat with you to help you live your most comfortable life.

 

BOOK IN FOR A CHAT

by
An orange football boot on grass

What is a mouthguard?

A mouthguard is an important piece of equipment to prevent damage if you or your child are playing contact sports. Many accidents can happen while on the playing field or court, and a mouthguard protects the worst of the damage to your teeth. Jaw fractures, broken teeth, displaced and head traumas can all be reduced by wearing a mouthguard. This is especially the case if you have complicated dental work such as veneers, crowns, and braces. Damage and loss of baby teeth can have a significant impact on the adult teeth and how they eventually grow. Children’s skulls are also more delicate and needs be to be protected while growing.

 

Mouthguards help prevent damage by:

  • Absorbing some of the shock of impact on the teeth
  • Protecting the lips, cheeks, and gums from getting cuts
  • Stopping the bottom teeth from hitting the top teeth
  • Supporting the lower jaw in a way that prevents fractures at the jaw joints.
  • They may also be able to prevent damage to the head and neck but this is not fully proven.

 

What age should my child be wearing a mouthguard?

There is no minimum age of when a child should be wearing a mouthguard. If they are old enough to be playing a contact sport, they are old enough to have a mouthguard. In some sports, a mouthguard is mandatory and your child will not be able to play without it.

As your child grows, they will need to get a new mouthguard to fit their mouth.

 

When should my child be wearing the mouthguard?

At any point that your child is playing the sport, whether in training, or in a competition, they should have their mouthguard appropriately fitted. Many accidents can happen in training and a mouthguard only works to prevent damage if it is being properly worn.

 

What kinds of mouthguards are there?

There are many options in mouthguards- they come in many thicknesses, depending on the requirements of the sport. You can also get them in different colours to match your uniform, or show support for your favourite teams.

All mouthguards made by us are fitted exactly to the mouth, for maximum comfort. An ill-fitting mouthguard is a mouthguard that does not get worn.

 

How do I care for my mouthguard?

After using your mouthguard, rinse it with water and keep it in it’s case. When you get home, brush the mouthguard with soap and water to remove any stains and debris. Dry it and keep it dry in its case. Keep it out of reach of pets who love chewing on it!

 

GET YOUR MOUTHGUARD NOW