FAQ’S
General:
How often should I brush and do you need to floss?
We recommend brushing well twice a day and flossing daily to help prevent decay and gum disease. Visiting a dentist regularly and avoiding or limiting foods that cause decay can also help.
My gums bleed when I brush or floss, is this a problem?
Healthy gums DO NOT bleed when you clean your teeth. Bleeding maybe a sign of gingivitis or gum disease. Your gums must be healthy to maintain teeth long-term Having regular cleaning by your dentist helps prevent gum problems.
How often should I have my teeth cleaned by a dentist and what does it involve?
Having regular six-monthly checkup and cleaning will prevent most dental problems. Early detection of a problem allows costly work to be avoided.
How often should I have dental x-rays?
If you brush and floss regularly, we recommend bitewing x-rays every 1.5-2 years. X-rays help us to see between teeth and under fillings, where decay can start.
I brush well, do I need to see a dentist if I am not in pain?
Prevention is better than cure. Visiting a dentist every six-months will help prevent most dental problems. We can assist in correcting cleaning techniques, diagnose problems early to prevent them progressing.
How can smoking affect my teeth?
Smoking can increase your risk of getting gum disease by changing the environment in the mouth to encourage harmful bacteria that cause the disease. Smoking increases the risk of cancer in the mouth, throat and airways. It also causes unsightly staining and discolouration of teeth.
When should my child first visit the dentist?
Children’s first dental visit should be after the first baby teeth erupt and before their first birthday. We aim to assist you to give your child the best possible dental experience through educating you on correct brushing and dietary habits.
Baby teeth will eventually fall out, they aren’t that important, are they?
Baby teeth help hold space for yet to erupt adult teeth. If lost prematurely, space loss and crowding can occur which may require orthodontic correction.
Adults that have a dental phobia have usually had a lot of dental work as a child, like fillings and extractions. Preventing dental problems with six-monthly checkup and cleaning, can give your child the best dental start in life. Good habits start early.
How do I transfer my old dental records to Rozelle Dental?
After your initial appointment, we will ask you to sign a request form that we will send to your old dentist to transfer your dental records to us.
Can I claim on my dental insurance the same day? What type of payment do you accept?
We appreciate payment on the day of your treatment and have HICAPS to assist with health fund claims. For further payments, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Bank Cheque and Cash.
Whitening:
How does whitening work and how long will it last?
Whitening works by removing staining that has penetrated into the tooth.
How long it lasts depends on how often you consume foods and drinks that re-stain the teeth. The more chromogenic foods you consume, the quicker teeth stain. In most cases, whitening lasts years. However, a touch-up can be done yearly or every two years to help maintain the colour.
I have discoloured fillings on my front teeth, how can they be fixed?
Staining can be discolouration from foods, leaking fillings and even decay. Depending on the cause, you may just require replacement of the fillings. Depending on the size of the fillings, you may require veneers or crowns to help protect and improve the appearance of your teeth.
What is the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?
Veneers cover the visible surface of teeth to help improve appearance by correcting shape and colour. Porcelain veneers have similar optical properties to enamel and look more translucent and are naturally glossy like teeth. They are more superior compared to composite veneers and are the treatment of choice.
Composite veneers are inexpensive compared to porcelain ones, however can be prone to staining. The optical properties of composite are not as superior as porcelain, but good results are achieved by our skilled dentists.
Emergency:
What should I do if my tooth has been knocked out?
Retrieve the tooth by holding the crown (NOT root), rinse with saline or milk and call your dentist IMMEDIATELY. The tooth is required to be replaced within 20 minutes to give the best possible chance of survival.
What should I do if I have a fractured tooth or filling?
It is best to have it repaired early. Decay weakens teeth causing fractured. Removing decay early prevents the need for major dental treatment like root canal therapy.
My tooth is very painful, what should I do?
Call your dentist immediately to arrange an appointment to have the pain diagnosed. Pain can be a sign of infection and should not be ignored. Pain can be caused by a medium sized cavity, if addressed early can prevent more costly work like root canal therapy. Visiting your dentist every six-months can avoid the need for extensive and expensive treatment.
If you would like more information about any treatments we offer or to arrange an appointment, contact us today.