FAQs

You can easily book your next appointment with us either over the phone on (02) 6170 1405 or online with the ONLINE APPOINTMENTS button above. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Of course, one thing that being a professional dentist requires is the experience. Because there can be no true expertise that it is not backed by extensive experience. All of the dentists at our clinic boast both!

Brushing your teeth twice daily is extremely important to maintain excellent oral health. However, there are also a number of other steps you should be taking to safeguard your teeth. These include flossing daily and avoiding the consumption of large quantities of sugary food or drinks.

In addition, it is also important to see a dental professional every six months to remove the stubborn calculus. Unlike plaque which can be easily removed through regular brushing and flossing, tartar can only be removed in a dentist’s office that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. Tartar (calculus) harbour dental plaque which full of bacteria, the resulting bacteria (if left untreated) can cause irreversible damage to the gums and supporting bone around the teeth. This often leads to early tooth loss and other health related issues.  Just remember, gum disease is a “silent disease”. The good news is gum disease is preventable with regular cleans from your dentist.

Even if you brush and floss twice daily, you may be missing crucial areas in your mouth. Brushing alone is only suitable for cleaning 3 out of 5 tooth surfaces – and generally misses the areas between your teeth. It is in these hard-to-reach areas that plaque accumulates. And if you are one of the estimated 75% of adults that don’t floss or use interdental brushes then the plaque in these areas can build up over time and solidify into a cement-like substance called tartar – a precursor to gingivitis and gum disease.

Tartar can only be removed by a dentist at a regular dental scale and clean treatment. Having tartar removed every six months helps to keep your mouth clean and healthy, and allows for an earlier diagnosis of any potential oral condition.

You may require more frequent visits depending on your dental history, oral hygiene habits and the rate of tartar build-up and decay. Children or adults with special needs may be more vulnerable to plaque and tartar build-up.

Consult with your dentist to find out what frequency of visits best suits you.

Through visual inspection of the mouth, your dentist is only able to sight large, obvious holes. X-rays are an additional tool that can show decay between teeth and changes in the thickness of bone caused by gum disease. They assist in determining any wear or breakdown of dental fillings. They can also reveal any unusual changes in the root and surrounding bone structures.

X-rays are an important step in avoiding dental issues and complications as they enable us to check hidden areas we can’t see with the naked eye.

Yes. The amount of radiation you are exposed to when you receive a dental X-ray is extremely minute.
Advances in the development of modern digital X-ray machines confine the radiation beam to just the area that is being X-rayed.

Current X-ray films also have much higher speeds resulting in ever shorter exposure times to radiation. Government regulations also require that X-ray machines are tested and calibrated for safety and accuracy at regular intervals.
Nowadays, with the use of digital x-rays, radiation is further reduced by another 90%.

Any tooth pain is usually a direct indication that there is a problem. Even if the pain subsides, an infection may still be present. Other related symptoms may surface. These include: severe facial swelling, cysts, overall systemic health issues or the sudden onset of a severe toothache.

Most toothaches get worse if left untreated. This deterioration may also be the result of other dental conditions. So, if any dental pain is experienced, it is recommended that you contact your dentist at Franklin Dental Care immediately. The sooner you seek treatment, the easier and more successful your outcomes will be.

Over recent years, concerns have been raised about the safety of silver-coloured fillings, otherwise known as amalgams. This is because amalgams contain mercury, a toxic substance that is harmful to the human body.
However, the mercury levels in amalgams are extremely low, and when combined with other metals, such as silver, tin, copper and zinc, they form a very stable alloy.
When people consume sea food, they ingest more mercury into their bodies than in amalgam fillings. Ultimately, the best dental filling is no dental filling. Prevention is the best medicine. The best tooth is what you are born with.

You can dramatically decrease your risk of cavities and other dental diseases simply by

• Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride tooth paste.
• Flossing your teeth
• Eating Balance Diet
• Visiting the Dentist Regularly

If you are pregnant, we highly recommend regular dental visits for the wellbeing of you and your unborn child. It is safe to receive routine dental treatment during pregnancy. However, some procedures or medication should be avoided in the 1st trimester.

If you are planning or currently trying to fall pregnant, it is important to inform your dentist at the time of your dental visit – to ensure x-rays are not taken. In some circumstances, an x-ray may be required to assist with identifying and achieving suitable pain relief.

During pregnancy, changes in hormone levels can cause an increase in oral bacteria. This results in the prevalence of gingivitis (bleeding gums) which can become quite severe if left unchecked. It is recommended that you continue regular maintenance visits during your pregnancy.  Be sure to schedule regular check-ups during your 2nd trimester.

It is recommended that your child have their first dental check-up when the baby teeth appear in the mouth (between 8-12 months). Dental problems at an early age are not uncommon. The earlier the dental visit, the earlier prevention can begin.

By the time your child is 2 ½ to 3 years old, they would have developed all their baby teeth. Children should have regular annual maintenance visits. This helps minimize your child’s risk of future unpleasant or major procedures that can cause dental fear and anxiety.

Baby teeth are necessary for proper chewing, learning to speak, jaw muscle development, and a healthy self-image. Some baby teeth must serve until the child is at least 12 years old. Early examination will help ensure your child gets the best possible start towards a lifetime of good oral health.

From the age of 6, children should be visiting the dentist every 6 months to monitor the eruption and positioning of adult teeth.

A dental sealant is a thin acrylic coat that is applied onto the chewing surfaces of teeth – usually the premolars and molars – to seal and protect them from tooth decay and the development of cavities. As the liquid sealant is applied, it fills in and bonds to the grooves and depressions of a tooth. Once hardened, it forms a protective barrier over your tooth’s enamel.

It’s not about which brush you should use but how you use it.

If don’t have the patience or time to spend two minutes twice a day to brush your teeth then electric toothbrushes may be a more effective alternative to manual toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes may also be more suitable for impatient children with poor brushing habits.

However, if you use a manual toothbrush with proper technique for the recommended time (2min) and frequency (twice daily) – then manual brushing is just as effective as powered brushing.

Plaque is a whitish sticky biofilm that forms constantly on your teeth. It develops mainly in hard to reach places – between your teeth, on the back of your teeth and along the gum line.

The reason why plaque is bad for your oral health is because it contains and protects billions of bacteria. The acidic by-products of these bacteria damage your teeth leading to tooth decay, cavities and ultimately gum disease, if left untreated.

Over time plaque can harden into tartar which makes it impossible to remove unless you visit your dentist for a scale and clean. The good news is that you can prevent tartar easily by removing plaque with thorough brushing and flossing in all areas of your oral cavity – including the hard to reach places. These areas are most vulnerable to plaque and its effects because plaque can accumulate and develop undisturbed for long periods of time.

Periodontal disease is a common cause of tooth loss in adults. It is largely a hidden disease with few symptoms in its early to mid-stages.

However, once it has progressed to a more advanced stage, there are a host of obvious symptoms. These may include: inflamed, swollen and/or bleeding gums; persistent halitosis; unstable teeth; and changes in the way your upper and lower teeth interlock when biting.

As part of your routine check-up, your dentist will look for any signs of periodontal disease. They will use a periodontal probe to identify any breakdown in gum tissue attachment or the presence of any pockets developing between your gums and teeth.

If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, your dental hygienist/dentist may have treatment options available.

For advanced stages, you may be given a referral to a periodontist. A periodontist is a specialist in diagnosing, preventing and treating periodontal diseases. Treatment is customised to suit your individual needs. A periodontist will determine how far your condition has progressed and assess how well your body will respond to treatment and therapy.

Treatment options include:

Your hygienist/ dentist can remove plaque and tartar all the way to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. These build ups are carefully removed with an instrument called a small scaler. An ultrasonic cleaner is often used also.

After this deep clean, the tooth’s root surfaces are planed or smoothed. The gum tissue is now able to heal. In the future, plaque will be less likely to accumulate along those root surfaces. As a follow up, you will be instructed on how to care for your teeth and gums as they heal.

With regular check-ups, gum disease can be treated in its early stages before it progresses to a more serious condition. Treatment will be necessary if your condition is in an advanced stage. Remember to maintain healthy oral hygiene at home twice daily after your treatment. Back this routine up with a good diet and regular check-ups with your dentist. This way you can prevent periodontal disease from recurring.

• Brush your teeth and oral cavity twice daily
• Floss every day
• See your dentist for regular check ups
• Maintain a healthy and nutritious diet, avoiding junk food
• Avoid tobacco products

Grazing on foods and beverages for extended periods between meals upsets the balance of the demineralisation/re-mineralisation cycle. Unfortunately for people who like snacking, it tips in favour of the demineralisation and decay.

Snacking on sweet sticky foods (like caramel and raisins) between meals should be avoided. The continuous acid attack overwhelms the saliva’s ability to clean and repair. These sugary foods should only be eaten at meal times. This allows for a more even tug-of-war between your saliva and the acids. This is a more manageable situation for you and your teeth.

In short, you can prevent tooth decay by:

• limiting the consumption of sweet sticky foods between meals
• limiting the sipping of sweetened beverages and refined fruit juices between meals