Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Family and General Dentistry

Ensure you have a healthy diet limited in sticky, acidic or high sugar contact foods, brushing towards your gums gently twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing between your teeth, ensuring to clean under your gums gently at least once daily.  

Schedule Your Routine Dental Exams

Regular dental examinations will help catch caries early and allow the dental professional in Clifton Hill, VIC to educate and give skill tips on how to prevent it from spreading.

We Welcome Your Call Or Email

Do you think you need some further tips on how to prevent dental caries? No problem. We invite you to call or email our friendly dental clinic with any further questions you may have.

Generally, we recommend a professional scale and clean every six months. However, the time between visits may change based on your gum health and the additional risk factors of each individual. Some cases may require three monthly cleans rather than six-monthly.

When you visit our Clifton Hill practice, we will examine your dental situation and assess your oral health before suggesting a customised programme for your dental cleans. 

Our Goal Is To Help You Achieve Optimal Oral Health

Our goal is to help you achieve the best oral health possible. If we notice signs of developing gum disease, we will likely recommend more frequent cleans to help you get to a better place with your oral health. Similarly, if we find that your teeth and gums are healthy and strong, we likely will stick to six-month cleans. 

However, as mentioned above, we will consider other risk factors as well when making our recommendation. If you have any questions about the cleaning schedule we recommend, please let our team know. We are always happy to answer questions and provide patient education. 

We hope you leave our practice after every visit with a clear path for achieving excellent oral health and feeling fully confident in your dental care. 

Call Your Dentist Near Northcote

As a cosmetic dentist in Northcote, we provide outstanding dental care to patients, including routine dental cleans and exams. At Clifton Hill Dental, we love helping patients keep their smiles bright and healthy, and regular dental cleans are a vital part of that!

We invite you to call our practice to book your next dental clean with our skilled and friendly team.

Dental caries (tooth decay) is a process that causes localized destruction of tooth tissue. It starts with demineralization of the hard tissues until it progresses and cavitates. It’s cause is multifactorial, so caused by: diet- frequency and type of consumption, frequent snacking and high sugar content, plaque- amount and acidity. The longer the plaque is there, the more acidic it becomes. Saliva- flow and composition. Lower flow has lower buffering system and less ions to remineralise the teeth. Tooth resistance- exposure to remineralising agents such as fluoride and other helpful minerals.

Have Further Questions? Reach Out To Our Clinic

Do you think you need some help with dental caries? If so, reach out to Clifton Hill Dental to ask any further questions and book your next consultation with us.

An oral health therapist is a specialised dental professional who collaborates with dentists and other dental professionals to deliver comprehensive care and promote optimal oral health for patients of all ages. Oral health therapists draw on training in both dental hygiene and dental therapy to help patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health through education, preventive care and treatment.

An oral health therapist's main responsibilities typically include:

• Dental hygiene. Oral health therapists perform thorough dental cleanings to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from teeth. They also educate patients on oral hygiene practices like proper brushing and flossing techniques and diet optimisation to prevent dental issues like cavities and gum disease.
• Dental therapy. Oral health therapists are also trained to perform basic dental treatments like fillings, sealants, and fluoride applications. 
• Patient education. Oral health therapists play a vital role in educating patients about the importance of oral health and its impact on overall well-being. They offer guidance on healthy habits, oral health management, and informed decision-making.

Discover Oral Health Therapy in Clifton Hill, Victoria

If you're in Clifton Hill, VIC, and would like to learn more about how oral health therapy can help you and everyone in your family achieve and maintain optimal oral health, contact me, Dr Nick Malamas, BDSc., and the friendly and helpful Clifton Hill  Street Dental team to arrange a consultation.

After a warm welcome to the clinic, the Oral Health Therapist will assess your gum health, keeping you involved in the presentation of your gum health and provide reassurance or education on how to achieve optimal health of your gums which are the foundations for your teeth.

Gum Disease Prevention 

After the gum health check, your teeth will be cleaned using an ultrasonic scaler, hand instruments, and floss, followed by a polish. This is done to remove the calculus (tartar) buildups from around your teeth and sometimes under your gums that may be causing gingivitis (gum disease). We invite you to contact our Clifton Hill clinic if you have any questions.

An oral health therapist is a vital part of any dental team. They provide oral health therapy and dental hygiene services. They also educate patients about best practices between clinic visits for optimal dental health.

About Oral Therapists in Clifton Hill, VIC

Our oral therapists can help you achieve excellent oral health for life!

The responsibilities of an oral health therapist may include:

• Dental exams, diagnosis and developing treatment plans
• Assistance with filling cavities and preparing teeth for treatment
• Taking dental x-rays and related films
• Straightforward dental extractions
• Anesthesia delivery
• Professional teeth cleanings
• Periodontal health checks
• Oral health education
• Advice for at-home oral hygiene

It would be best to visit your oral therapist once or twice yearly to ensure optimal oral health. These visits typically include a checkup or conversation with your Clifton Hill dentist. Additionally, oral therapists are always happy to chat with you if you have questions between dental clinic visits.

Oral therapists help lower your risks for preventable conditions or issues like:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Oral infections
• Bad breath

Is It Time for Your Next Preventive Dental Visit in Clifton Hill, VIC?

If it’s time for your next dental visit or if you have not been to the dentist in a while, we urge you to contact a friendly dental team member today to book your next appointment in our clinic.

Periodontal disease is used to describe chronic inflammation of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. The most common form of periodontal disease is gingivitis.

Gingivitis 

Gingivitis is defined as inflammation restricted to the tissues of the gums, which become red and swollen, and bleed easily. It is caused by the presence of bacteria in the undisturbed plaque that rests in the crevice of the gum around the tooth. There is no destruction of the supporting bone or ligaments, making it reversible with appropriate dental treatment, unlike periodontitis.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is inflammation affecting the gums and ligaments, as well as tooth roots and supporting bone which can result in drifting of teeth or tooth loss. It is often associated with halitosis (bad breath) and bad taste as the bacteria develop in the pockets of gums around the teeth. Major risk factors include smoking and poorly controlled diabetes. Management usually involves debridement of the calculus (tartar) deposits from under the gums usually under a local anaesthetic, some cases may require surgical treatment.

How do I prevent periodontal disease?

Ensure you’re brushing towards the gums gently morning and night, as well as nightly flossing, aiming to hug the tooth and allow the floss to glide under the gums. This will help disrupt the bacteria in the crevice of the gum surrounding the teeth before it has a chance to become acidic. Reducing risk factors such as smoking and controlling diabetes can help reduce onset and progression of periodontal disease. Regular professional cleans will also help to maintain your gum health, usually recommended for every 6 months, sometimes more frequently depending on the conditions of your gums and risk factors.

In terms of electric versus manual toothbrushes, we generally recommend an electric toothbrush for the best results. When used correctly, both electric and manual toothbrushes do the job, but most people have better results when using an electric toothbrush as it is smaller and does a lot of the work for you. 

What Is The Best Toothbrush?

Either way, it is best to use a soft toothbrush or toothbrush head without rubber wings. Hard or medium brushes can be too abrasive and wear the enamel off the teeth, which may give you sensitivity. Additionally, abrasive toothbrushes may cause the gums to recede.

If you have questions about our recommendations for your specific situation, let us know. We are happy to provide you with information on the best toothbrushing methods, so you get the most out of your oral hygiene routine.

Visit Your Dentist Near Me for Dental Cleans

Regularly scheduled dental cleans offer you the best path toward exceptional oral health, so don’t forget to include regular cleans in your oral hygiene routine. It’s important to have a dental professional remove any tartar or plaque from hard-to-reach areas, and we can provide you with tips and advice on home care during your visit.

We provide excellent dental cleans in our Northcote dental practice to help our patients keep their teeth and gums strong and healthy. For a dental clean in the Northcote area, we invite you to contact Clifton Hill Dental.

Each patient is individually assessed and your treatment will be tailored to suit your dental needs. The oral health therapist may ask you a variety of questions related to your diet, lifestyle and oral hygiene habits. They will assess the health of your teeth and gums, gather information from the dentist and read over x-rays to determine your risk of gum disease. A periodontal evaluation will identify any pocketing or gum recession associated with gum disease.

Step #1: Remove Plaque and Calculus

They will remove the plaque and calculus deposits from above and below the gumline. You may also be given advice on products, diet and smoking or lifestyle risks. A home-care maintenance programme will be demonstrated to help keep your mouth healthy in between visits.

Depending on the dentist's recommendations, and based on the status of your oral health, the appointment can take between 45 minutes to one hour. Scale and cleans are usually pain-free at our practice. We do, however, have different types of desensitising agents and anaesthetic gels if the patients want added peace of mind during their procedures.

For Further Questions, Contact Our Clinic

Your oral health therapist will be open to any questions or concerns you may have regarding your oral health and dental treatment.

Our oral health therapists are an essential part of our Clifton Hill Dental team.

Oral health therapists are dental professionals who have completed training at university and are qualified in dental therapy and dental hygiene. They are able to provide a wide range of dental care to children, adolescents and adults. Because of their training, oral health therapists are equipped to work in collaboration with dentists on preventive, restorative and certain cosmetic procedures. 

Resources and Advice for Patients

Oral health therapists also provide valuable advice and resources to help patients achieve optimal oral health.

• Nutritional counselling
• Smoking cessation
• Home dental hygiene practices
• Scale and clean frequency
• Gum therapies
• Children's dentistry

Our oral health therapists also have an extended scope of practice that enables them to provide minor restorative services to patients of all ages and also provide both in-chair and at-home teeth whitening systems for a brighter, more youthful smile.

We Welcome Your Call to Our Clifton Hill Practice

At Clifton Hill Dental, we recommend adults have a thorough examination with a dentist before seeing one of the oral health therapists for teeth cleaning or further treatment. Your oral health therapist is your partner in oral health and is available to answer any questions or address any concerns you have about the health and appearance of your teeth and gums. We invite you to call our Clifton Hill clinic.

Oral health therapists are specially trained at university in the general maintenance of the mouth, teeth and gums, and also in gum disease therapy. A dentist will refer a patient to an oral health therapist for more specialised preventive oral care, whilst the dentist will continue to provide complex treatment and most restorative and cosmetic treatment with the exception of teeth whitening. Oral therapists are prevention-oriented, and their scope of care is highly personalised to meet the changing needs of patients over every life stage and throughout medical and dental changes.

Benefits Of An Oral Health Therapist

Some dentists will see you for hygiene appointments; however, many people realise that oral health therapists have been specially trained to carry out hygiene therapies. They can spend a more extended amount of time demonstrating a maintenance program for you to continue at home to ensure keeping your teeth and gums healthy all year around.

If gum disease develops, your oral health therapist will customise a hygiene protocol and follow-up on your progress regularly, acting as an educator and provider as your gums heal. 

Learn More By Reaching Out

We hope that you will develop a long-term relationship with every member of our team so that we can get to know your goals for your smile and provide you with the dentistry you need for a healthy mouth. If you like to learn more our dental clinic in Clifton Hill or would like to ask further questions, we invite your call or email. We can't wait to hear from you.

We warmly welcome children to our Clifton Hill dental practice from their very first visit. Children should see the dentist for the first time between age six months and one year to help them acclimate to the dental clinic environment and to monitor their development and growth.

Oral Health Therapist in Clifton Hill

Our oral health therapist is particularly equipped to demonstrate proper oral care for children, coach parents in looking after their children’s smiles and discuss proper nutrition to bolster healthy growth and healthy smiles.

At your little one’s first dental visit, we will focus on familiarising him or her with the dental clinic and the team. We speak to children using kid-friendly language, let them hold the mirror to look at their teeth and have a look if they cooperate.

Once your child develops and grows, we will incorporate preventive dental treatments such as check-ups and cleans, bitewing x-rays, fluoride application and fissure sealants to protect their smiles.

Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they are an essential part of your child’s development and maintain space and alignment for permanent teeth. This is why maintaining their health is essential to your child’s oral health.

We Welcome Your Call

If it’s time for your child’s first visit to the dental clinic, we invite you to call and arrange a booking. We provide convenient appointments on evenings and Saturdays to accommodate busy parents.