FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Regular check-ups are recommended every 6 to 12 months. If you are unsure when your last check up was, you can always call the surgery and we can check your patient file for when the last time you were here.

Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to detect problems as early as possible. By catching decay early and filling it with a filling could save you from an extraction or root canal down the track.

Bleeding gums, bad breath, tooth sensitivity, cracked/broken teeth, discoloured teeth, dry mouth, mouth sores are all signs of an unhealthy mouth. If you are experiencing any of these, we highly recommend that you arrange a dental check-up as soon as possible to prevent any further complications.

Dentures should be cleaned every day and rinsed after every meal. By rinsing the denture it will remove loose food particles and any adhesives that are used. The denture should also be brushed the same as you would with your existing teeth. This not only removes food but also helps prevent staining. This should only be done with a soft bristled brush as hard bristled toothbrush can damage the plastic or bend attachments on the denture.

For the very first time it is going to feel a little strange. It is best to start off slowly and chew evenly as if you chew on one side this may slip the denture out of place. While you’re still getting used to your new teeth and learning how to chew it is best to cut your food into smaller pieces. Chewy and sticky foods may become trapped which can develop irritation and/or infection, so just make sure to clean your denture and mouth afterwards.

It is recommended to take your dentures out when you go to sleep. This is so your mouth and gums can rest as it is very likely your gums will go red and swollen due to the constant pressure of the denture. Although it’s not hard, no to wear your denture when you sleep, it is best that you take your denture for at least 6 hours. This is just most practical when you go to bed.

The process of braces is performed by putting constant pressure on the teeth and jaw to change the position of the teeth and alter the smile with brackets/wires. Over time teeth move into the desired position. The brackets hold the archwire in place which places pressure on the teeth.

The right time to get braces can be very dependent on the child. Generally, it is best to get braces between the ages of 10 and 14 due to the structure and growth stages of the head and mouth, and when all the adult teeth have erupted.

Every child’s case of orthodontics is different on how long it may take to complete the course. Normally, it can take around 12 months – 3 years. This is also determined on how severe the case is – a more severe case may take longer to get the alignment correct. This is something that your dentist/orthodontist will explain to you when you go in for your initial consultation.

An orthodontist and dentist have similar traits although, a dentist covers a broad range of oral health issues and an orthodontist specializes in straightening teeth and correcting your bite as well as general oral health issues.

Depending on the complexity of the case, invisalign can take as little as 6 months. This will be discussed with your dentist at your first visit.

Here at the Forbes Dental Surgery, Invisalign cost approximately $6000.

You will need to wear your trays for no less than 22 hours a day. The reason we don’t say 24 hours a day is because you will need to take your trays out to eat and brush your teeth. Depending on how long you need to wear that particular tray will be directed by your dentist.

By wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day, you are only allowing 2 hours for the teeth to move back and undo all the work you have been doing to get them into the desired position.

A root canal treatment is a dental procedure needed when the tooth’s root becomes inflamed or infected. The procedure involves removing the bacteria in the root canals of the tooth and then sealing the tooth up again so that bacteria cannot re-enter.

Normally root canal treatment has 3 stages. First stage is where you start to remove the infection in the pulp of the tooth and place the antibiotics.

After the extraction you may experience slight discomfort and minimal bleeding. This should all resolve itself over the next few days. Salt rinses that can begin 24 hours after the extraction takes place. Avoid any alcohol or smoking for the next 7 days to give yourself the best chance at healing.

It is recommended to limit activity and rest your body so that you give yourself the best chance to heal as quickly as possible without any complications.

The extracted tooth can be replaced with a bridge, partial plate or dental implant. Although we do not offer dental implants at the Forbes Dental Surgery, we do have a recommended specialist. It is best to speak to your dentist about these options further at your appointment.

You should contact the surgery immediately if you experience excessive bleeding or unbearable pain. By the third day post-surgery, your symptoms should improved significantly with all bleeding and pain associated with the extracted tooth.

Patients often say to us that they were here not that ago, why do I need to fill out a medical history update. This is a legal requirement to have our patients update a medical history form every 12 months. For some patients that have an extensive medical history we may ask for this on every visit.