Frequently Asked Questions at Go Dental Surgery

A. At Go Dental Surgery, your comfort is very important to us. Our team aim to make your experience as relaxed and pain-free as possible, whilst providing exceptional and gentle dental care tailored to your individual needs.

A. The number of visits varies and depends on the type of dental treatment required. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, we recommend our patients to attend routine hygiene appointments regularly, alongside any other dental restorative or cosmetic work required. Your dentist will advise how often you should have a dental checkup based on your dental health risk.At your initial visit to us, the dentist will assess and address your main concerns, and inform you of any other areas in your mouth that may require attention. It is best not to wait until a toothache or broken tooth occurs before seeking help. Regular dental maintenance is key in keeping your mouth looking and feeling good by preventing problems developing into something more serious.

A. This depends on the type of treatment required. Routine hygiene appointments generally do not require the use of a drill. Other treatment such as tooth fillings and dental crowns do require use of a drill to prepare the teeth to ensure that tooth decay and cracks are removed. The procedures are normally carried out using local anaesthetic and are generally not painful.

A. This depends on the procedure and each individual. The dentist will advise and discuss what is best for you. A local dental anaesthesia is nomally used to numb an area in your mouth for procedures such as tooth fillings, crowns, and tooth extractions. You stay awake, but free from pain.

A. Nitrous oxide is used as a calmative, most patients refer to it as happy gas. It has no effect on the level of pain someone may experience. Most patients report on a pleasant experience.

A. At Go Dental Surgery, we have special emergency time slots allocated for any emergency, so we will be able to see you on the day. We recommend contacting us to arrange an emergency appointment as soon as possible to avoid things from getting worse. We commonly see dental emergencies to fix toothaches, broken fillings and teeth, and mouth injuries.

A. Our reception team will do their best to accommodate your request. Booking 1-2 weeks in advance helps to ensure that you can be seen at time at time convenient to you.

A. In most cases, your first visit will be for a routine check up. Following completion of a new patient form and medical history, the dentist will ask you a few general health questions and enquire whether you have any particular dental pain, sensitivity or concerns. A comprehensive dental examination is carried out to check your jaw joints, mouth, gums and teeth. The dentist will also check your face and neck for any suspect lumps or bumps.Generally x-rays will be required during an examination, this way the full extent of any dental issues can be assessed. An x-ray can assist in diagnosing a number of problems that may not be picked up visually – such as tooth decay between teeth, impacted wisdom teeth, damage to the jawbone, in addition to any dental abscesses, cysts or tumours.If there are signs that you have lifestyle habits that are damaging to your dental health, your dentist will offer advice in reducing risks to your teeth and gums (such as changing your diet or stopping smoking), as well as oral care tips. If these habits can increase the risk of dental issues in future, the dentist will explain what problems you may be at risk of, and associated treatment required.A clean and polish may be done at the first visit. If further treatment is required to treat other dental issues, the dentist will recommend what steps forward to take. To obtain good dental health and function, further management may be needed to treat damaged, decayed or worn teeth, gum disease, or replacement of missing teeth.

A. Most health funds will only cover one free cleaning per year. You can call your health insurance provider to clarify this. In our practice our own unique dental membership allows 2 complimentary examinations and cleans per year – no restrictions.

A. in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums, our dentists generally recommend check-ups and routine hygiene care every six months. Based on your current dental health and individual needs, the dentist will advise how often you need to visit for checkups and maintenance.

A.Our dentists recommend that tooth brushing should follow flossing – each morning and night for 2 to 3 minutes each time.

A. In order to prevent cavities between teeth, help existing fillings to last longer, and keep your gums healthy, it is essential to floss twice a day – morning and night.

A. Your toothbrush should last you about 3-4 months. If the toothbrush bristles look like a “shaggy dog” after 1-2 months, you are likely brushing too hard and may be causing damage to your teeth and gums!

A. Soft and ultrasoft toothbrushes are best in giving your teeth a gentle and effective clean. Medium and hard toothbrushes can be damaging to the teeth and gums, resulting in tooth wear, gum recession, and/or sensitivity.

A. tooth decay and cracks can be removed and replced wtith dental fillings. White fillings are usually used in areas that are visible when you smile due to their more natural tooth coloured appearance. Silver fillings, also known as amalgam fillings, are made of a mixture of metal alloys which are safe, very hard wearing and long lasting with good maintenance on back teeth.

A. To ascertain the cause and to find out what treatment options you have for replacement, or repair, it is best to contact us as soon as posible. Teeth may fall out as a result of injury, gum disease, or as natural part of a child’s growth and development. Contact us to discuss your options in filling any gaps.

A. Some pregnant women may experience sore swollen gums which may be bleed. Bleeding gums are caused by plaque build-up on teeth. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the gums more sensitive to plaque, resulting in inflammation and bleeding. This is known as pregnancy gingivitis. It is very important to keep your teeth and gums as clean as possible while you’re pregnant. The best way to prevent and manage gum problems is to see your dentist for advice, checkup and regular cleaning, as well as maintaining good oral care at home.If you experience morning sickness, it is best to reduce the acid attack on your teeth by rinsing your mouth with water afterwards. Wait about an hour before brushing your teeth. Avoid brushing your teeth straight away as they will be softened by the acid.If you experience a toothache while you’re pregnant, it is best to see the dentist to get this sorted out as soon as possible. To avoid serious complications of spreading infection, any gum or tooth infections need to be addressed as matter of urgency. It is safer for the health of both you and your baby to have a healthy mouth – free of pain and infection. The ideal window during which to carry out dental treatment safely is during your second trimester. Urgent treatment, however, is not limited to this time.

A. Oral health is more important than you might realise. Your mouth is a window to your overall health. The health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health – and vice versa. Like many areas of the body, your mouth hosts many types of bacteria – most of which are harmless. Good oral care and a healthy-bodied person’s natural defences help keep these bacteria under control. Without proper brushing and flossing, bacteria and acid levels in the mouth can lead to oral infections – like tooth decay and gum disease.In addition, there are some medical conditions and many types of medication that can affect your dental health. Certain diseases such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making oral health problems progress more quickly. Medications such as antacids, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants reduce saliva flow. Since saliva has important buffering functions in cleansing the mouth and neutralising acid, reduced saliva increases risk of tooth cavities and gum disease.Your oral health might affect, be affected by, or contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

• Endocarditis:  Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your heart (endocardium). Endocarditis typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart.
• Cardiovascular disease: Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
• Pregnancy and birth:  Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
• Diabetes: Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels.
• HIV/AIDS:  Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis:  Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — might be linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.
• Alzheimer’s disease:  Tooth loss before age 35 might be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
• Other conditions:  Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include Sjogren’s syndrome — an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth and eating disorders.

Because of these potential links, be sure to tell your dentist if you’re taking any medications or have had any changes in your overall health — especially if you’ve had any recent illnesses or you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes.
From mayoclinic.org

A. To protect your oral health, practice good oral hygiene every day. For example:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Floss daily.
• Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed.
• Schedule regular dental checkups.

Also, contact your dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises. Remember, taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.

From mayoclinic.org

A. We are team of 2 female dentists who are renown for providing gentle dental treatment.

Very safe. It has been reported that more radiation is transmitted to a person, via a visit to the foothills area in Perth, therefore exposure to radiation while having an x-ray taken is minimal.

A. Exposure to radiation while having any dental x-ray is minimal.