Both adults and children should see their dentist at least once every six months for a regular clean and oral hygiene check-up. If you are prone to concerns, your dentist will advise you on how often you need to visit to maintain good oral health.
Payment is required on the day of treatment, unless arranged with our practice prior to treatment. We accept cash and all major credit cards, or direct deposit for pre-payment before a procedure.
On occasion, we are able to arrange payment plans to prepare for an upcoming procedure, which will need to be finalised before treatment commences. Please speak to our friendly client service team to discuss your options.
For patients with private health insurance, HICAPS is also available.
As a guide, children usually lose their first baby tooth around the age of 5 or 6, though timing can vary widely. If you are concerned, speak to your dentist.
Baby teeth are important for your child’s healthy development and should be looked after as well as you do permanent adult teeth. Teaching good oral hygiene habits from young, including flossing, will ensure your child grows up with healthy dental habits that will continue as they transition from baby teeth to permanent adult teeth.
As you get older, dry mouth can be a symptom of many different problems but is quite often a side effect of some medications; especially heart, blood pressure, and depression tablets.
If you are taking any regular medication from your doctor, it might be worth discussing these symptoms to see if there is an alternative that does not have the same side effects. People who experience dry mouth can find eating very uncomfortable so it’s best to discuss your options with both your general doctor and dentist if you feel like dry mouth is affecting your daily activities. If possible, we may recommend one of the many products that are available over-the-counter to help to alleviate the problem.
At Racecourse Road Dental and Orthodontics, we encourage prevention over treatment. A strong home daily cleaning followed up with routine check-ups and professional cleaning (combined with updated x-rays), we look for early detection and prevention rather than allowing smaller problems to become bigger concerns.
The main source of tooth decay can be attributed to plaque, the sticky substance that forms on your teeth which can build up over time when not cleaned properly. Tooth decay can be prevented with healthy oral hygiene habits, but if a cavity has formed and is left untreated, if will progressively get worse and infect deeper layers of the tooth.
You might not know you have deep decay until an infection forms and you get a toothache, which then requires a greater treatment plan.
Common reasons why gums bleed can be due to applying too much force whilst brushing or flossing, a harsh toothbrush, or early signs of gum disease. With multiple reasons why gums can bleed, it’s important to identify the cause of the bleeding so that you can determine the severity of the issue.
If you notice that your gum is swollen around a tooth or in your face or cheek, then it is likely that you have a tooth infection or gum disease. You will need to seek professional care to properly and effectively treat the issue.
Gum disease primarily develops due to poor oral hygiene, with improper care between dental visits. As bacteria naturally amasses in the soft tissue of the mouth through eating and drinking, it forms a sticky film on the surface of your teeth that is eliminated through daily brushing. However, with improper care this plaque continues to cultivate, harden and transform into tartar and eventually can no longer be removed by brushing the teeth alone. Tartar can only be treated and removed through professional cleaning and care by a qualified dental hygienist.
Common symptoms include:
If you are experiencing sensitivity, you can try using a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth. Together with brushing, if you rub a small amount of toothpaste into the sensitive area before bed it can help protect the surface.
Try to avoid strongly acidic foods or drinks which may aggravate the issue, and additionally wait at least an hour after eating before brushing as this could cause even more sensitivity.
Grinding your teeth can also increase sensitivity so discuss this with your dentist as a mouth guard may be necessary.
If you are experiencing any strange or abnormal growths in your mouth, sores that won’t heal, areas of numbness or pain, problems with chewing or swallowing, or the feeling that something is caught in the throat, these can be early indicators that your Dentist needs to investigate for oral cancer.
Oral cancers are usually found on or under the tongue but can also occur on any of the soft tissues of the mouth (gums, cheeks and lips) and on the soft palate (the back of the roof of the mouth).
Having regular check-ups with the dentist is the best way to ensure your oral health is kept in check.
Depending on where in your mouth the cracked tooth occurred and how severe the crack is, treatment will vary. For example, a front tooth may crack from a knock or bump, or using your teeth to open something and we may be able to fill it with a composite resin (as used for a filling) to hold the tooth together.
If the crack is more severe, we may need to remove the tooth and replace with an implant or bridgework, or, if the cracked part of the tooth can be removed cleanly, a crown could be an option. If there has been any nerve damage, a root canal might be an option – saving your tooth and reliving the pain.
It’s best to schedule an appointment immediately when dealing with a cracked tooth.
With a variety of cosmetic treatments available, from in-office teeth whitening to total smile makeovers, the treatments available will depend on your overall goals.
Cosmetic dental procedures can help improve your smile and boost self-confidence; transforming the shape of your smile, the colour of your teeth, any alignment and spacing concerns and makes it possible to achieve an almost perfect smile.
Cosmetic dental treatments can include:
Treatment plans are developed specifically for your needs and can include one or a combination of the following dental procedures; crowns, veneers, gum contouring, a smile makeover and teeth whitening.
Sometimes, cosmetic dentistry plans overlap with some restorative or orthodontic services.
Restorative dentistry refers to a specific division of dentistry that is dedicated to restoring the health and function of your smile following incidents such as tooth damage, decay, or even loss. These procedures can also relieve pain, improve appearance, and improve oral health both now and in the future. The benefits of restorative dentistry include to:
Relieve pain
When teeth are damaged or decayed, they can become painful. Amongst other things, restorative treatments can help protect your tooth nerves.
Restore function
When teeth are damaged or missing you are at risk of problems with functionality, including difficulty chewing or even speaking. Restorative dentistry can address these concerns and restore correct function to your teeth.
Improve appearance
Whether you are looking to repair a chipped or missing tooth, restorative dentistry can give you back the smile you’ve always wanted.
Improve Oral Health
When dental treatments restore significantly decayed or damaged teeth, you are actively reducing the risk of dental problems such as infections and gum disease.
At Racecourse Road Dental and Orthodontics we offer dental bridges, implants and full mouth rehabilitation as part of our restorative services.
The benefits of orthodontics go beyond correcting misaligned teeth or an overbite – it can also improve self-image and establish greater confidence in your day-to-day activities. It is important to have a consultation with a qualified dentist to discuss your particular needs and treatments available, with some of the most common benefits of orthodontics including:
As a family practice, we are committed to delivering exceptional orthodontic care for the entire family with treatment plans that include invisible aligners, such as Invisalign, and traditional braces treatment plans becoming available in 2024.
We have made it our mission to provide exceptional Dentistry and Orthodontic Care with honesty and confidence you can trust, in an environment that will make you feel at ease.
