Dental FAQ
Questions & answers
Listed below are the most commonly asked questions we receive from our patients.
How often do I need a dental check up?
Just like your car, your teeth need regular servicing and maintenance. Without a doubt, a healthy mouth saves you from discomforts and costly dental procedures.
At My Local Dentists West Ryde, we recognise the utmost importance of prevention and how it can positively affect your overall wellbeing.
We recommend a dental check up twice a year or once every six months. The check up may include scale and clean, X-rays, oral hygiene instructions, and tests such as oral cancer screening.
Visiting your dentist for regular check ups helps you prevent the threats of various oral health diseases such as cavities and periodontal disease. With early detection comes prevention of those diseases.
At My Local Dentists West Ryde, we believe that prevention should not be expensive. All our Preventative Care Services are GAP FREE for all health funds.
How do I schedule my next check up?
Simply call our practice! Our front desk staff will be happy to help schedule your next dental check up at your convenience. If you are a new patient, please let us know and we will provide you with all the information you need for your first dental visit.
Call us on (02) 9809 7000 or request your appointment online. You can also visit our dental office at Shop 20 West Ryde Marketplace, 14 Anthony Road.
We are open from Mondays to Sundays. Refer below for our opening hours:
Monday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
You can schedule your follow up check up right after your dental appointment.
How soon can one have braces?
At My Local Dentists West Ryde we recommend signing your child up for an orthodontic evaluation as early as seven years old. This is the age when the first adult teeth start to erupt.
An orthodontic evaluation is a series of tests to evaluate your child’s teeth, jawbone, and gums among other things. Your child’s teeth are examined including their spacing, how close or far away they are, as well as whether they are are erupting in a straight manner, or leaning in.
The results will be discussed with your dentist and necessary dental treatments to correct those issues will be introduced. Together you can create a plan for your child’s oral health needs.
Your dentist will determine whether or not your child is ready for orthodontic equipment.
Young adults and even those in the later years can still straighten their teeth. Invisalign is removable orthodontic equipment. It is a series of clear retainers, and are nearly impossible to distinguish when worn.
Is it necessary to remove a wisdom tooth?
Wisdom teeth, sometimes known as ‘third molars’, erupt in the back four corners of the mouth, usually between the ages of 16-26. Not everyone has them, and the teeth can perfectly function without them.
It is not necessary to remove a wisdom tooth if it does not pose a threat. Your dentist may advise extraction if the erupting wisdom tooth is problematic. The following are the common reasons for its removal.
- Dental pain
- Bone damage
- Infections
- Dental caries that can’t be restored
- Insufficient room in your mouth for all of your teeth
If a wisdom tooth has any of those issues, extraction is necessary. Otherwise, the pain continues, which can ultimately lead to other problems such as infections.
What is a gum disease?
Gum disease is the infection of the gums caused by poor oral hygiene. It has stages that begin with gingivitis.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of gums. The gums become red and swollen and bleed easily when brushed. This stage can be treated with a scale and clean. The tartar buildup is removed and the teeth are smoothened so plaque can’t reattach to them. The gums slowly heal and reattach themselves.
Untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease. The inflammation has now progressed to the bone of the tooth, resulting in loss of bone, connective tissue, and support for the tooth. This leads to pain, wobbly teeth, infection, and eventual loss.
Some other contributing factors for gum disease are:
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Some medications
What are your teeth replacement options?
Patients can choose from our multiple teeth replacement options at My Local Dentists West Ryde.
For single to multiple missing teeth, a bridge is one option. A bridge is a fixed appliance which closes the gap/space by bridging the gap between one natural tooth to another.
Dental crowns go together with dental implants and are permanent restorative devices. An implant is a titanium alloy prosthesis, which is surgically placed into your jaw, acting as the artificial root of the tooth. The titanium alloy integrates with the surrounding bone, firmly holding it and securing it into place.
For little to no natural teeth left, dentures are recommended. They are a removable appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth, which assists in chewing, speech, and the overall appearance of your smile.
How do I treat a dental abscess?
To treat a dental abscess, your dentist’s help is needed. A dental abscess is an accumulation of pus, a whitish-yellow protein-rich fluid, composed of dead, white blood cells. It appears in the site one or two days after an infection.
Once a dental abscess appears, it will not go away on its own. Only your dentist can properly cure it and stop it from coming back.
At home, you can rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution several times a day to help reduce your symptoms. Put a half-teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of clean water. Schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible to receive professional treatment.
Treatments for gum abscess may include:
- Antibiotics
- Abscess draining procedure
- Tooth extraction
- Root canal procedure
- Periodontal surgery
Can a knocked out tooth be put back in place?
The answer is yes. But it requires utmost care, urgency, and a trusted dentist. How you handle the first 30 minutes of the injury determines your chances of saving your knocked out tooth.
In case of a knocked out tooth, follow these steps:
- Find the tooth immediately.
- Hold it by crown and not by the root.
- In case the tooth is dirty, rinse it water. However don’t use soap or detergents. Also, do not scrub, dry or wrap the tooth in a tissue or cloth.
- For adult teeth: reinsert the tooth into its original position if possible. If you can’t reinsert the tooth, put it in a container containing milk or saliva.
- Hold the tooth in place by biting down on a clean handkerchief.
Go to the nearest emergency room or visit your dentist as soon a possible within 30 minutes of the injury.