"I Haven't Been To The Dentist In 10 Years"
Here's What To Expect When You Do
Here's What To Expect When You Do
It does happen. Life gets busy. Work is crazy and you barely have a free minute at home either, and when you do, you like to spend that precious spare time doing something happy and fun. Next thing you know, you wake up one morning with a bit of a nagging toothache and you realise it's been 2, 5, maybe even ten years since you actually visited a dentist. How the heck did that happen? And what is a dentist going to say when you have to tell them you've been so remiss?
In this situation, some people would be tempted to put off a visit to a dentist, even though they now seem to actually need one. They are simply a bit too embarrassed to consider having to admit that , although they really do do the whole brushing and flossing daily thing, and haven't had a problem with their teeth at all - they are even pretty white - they have neglected what they know is the most important part of oral health care; a regular dental checkup.
The fact is though, if you haven't made it to the dentist in a while, and yes, even if it's been ten years, we won't judge you. Life happens. As good dentists we will be glad you're there now and that you are finally taking proper charge of your oral health, even if it's taken a bad toothache to get you to see us.
The other thing that makes people in this situation very nervous is not really knowing what to expect once they do make it to the dentist's chair. Although it will of course vary from patient to patient, here's a little about how it'll generally go.
The Paperwork
We don't do paper anymore! Emergency Dentist Sydney is almost completely digital. New patients simply fill in a digital form on our iPad upon arrival and sit in our comfy reception until we are ready to see you – which won't be long we promise!
The Examination
If you haven't been to a dentist in ten years, chances are you'll be rather surprised by how much things have changed around a dentist's office in general. TVs with Netflix in the waiting rooms? That's new. Free tea, coffee or water? Well that didn't used to happen before. They do laser root canals now? Well isn't that some Star-Treky stuff!
Once you've got past the pleasant surprises in the waiting room your appointment will begin with a basic checkup and a chat with the doctor about your oral health history and any issues you seem to be having right now (like that toothache) No lectures, no looks of shocked horror, and no patient shaming when you admit just how long it's taken you to get there, just a chat about starting afresh!
The X-Rays
Even if you did manage to dig up old x-rays, you'll need some new ones. Ideally, dental x-rays should be repeated on an annual basis, as a lot can change, even for an adult. We know that x-rays can be uncomfortable, but they don't hurt and they'll be over in a flash and give your dentist the below the gum line view they need to ensure that any and all oral health issues you might be experiencing, even if you don't know they exist (yet), can be properly addressed.
Treatment
A lot can happen in ten years in terms of anyone's oral health. That toothache? It might be caused by a cavity, it might be caused by gum disease, it may even be caused by pesky wisdom teeth still lurking below the gum line. And now's the time you'll find out, and, if there are problems, talk with the dentist about the plan going forward to sort them out.
If you are one of the lucky ones, you might not even need that much work done at all. But a proper, professional cleaning is certainly a must and gosh will you be surprised by how clean your teeth look and feel once that's over. Then, if we're completely honest, it might be time for a little lecture. A really little, gentle one, that emphasises the importance of keeping up the good work you've started and making the time - and the effort - to make going to the dentist a part of your life again.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
If the last time you saw the dentist was a decade ago, don't be shy, come on back. It really is never too late to take full charge of your dental health and in ten years from now, you'll be really glad you did. And you might even have learned to like us by then!
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First Impressions Count
"...And Remember To Smile
And Remember To Smile
Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Appearances matter, and remember to smile”. As dentists we have adopted the latter part of that quote, #RememberToSmile. In context, Mandela was talking to Time Magazine about some important lessons he had learnt during his 90 years and we can see why.
Before an interview, a big presentation and certainly before a date or a night out you take great care to make sure your clothes are on point, your hair looks good and everything smells good. In fact, you no doubt spend more than a bit of time and money on these efforts to make the best possible first impression. But here's a question for you, how much did you spend on your smile?
“Appearances matter, and remember to smile”
You've heard the expression 'million-dollar smile' right? It's more than just a jaded saying though. Your smile has a far bigger impact on that great first impression than you might realise. According to a psychologist from the States, Dr Paul Ekman, professor of psychology at the University of California and a man known as 'Professor Smiles', as he has devoted his career to studying them, people respond to a great smile from up to 30 meters away. And a smile, he says, lets people they are likely to get a good reception, making it hard not to reciprocate. In other words a smile is a great way to set up a good interaction before you ever say a word, a real plus when you are on that big interview or first date.
That having been said a great smile is about a lot more than the ability to get those facial muscles into the right place. The focus is on the mouth when you smile, which means your teeth. A bright white smile and a set of healthy, well-cared for teeth and gums can say an awful lot about you, mainly that you take pride in your appearance and that your health is important to you. It is also a confidence booster for you, as people with teeth that are stained, cracked, discoloured or otherwise imperfect smile a lot less than people with 'good teeth', whether they realise it or not, and people who avoid smiling often come across as self-conscious, nervous or even rather rude.
The Keys to a Confident Smile
These 'smile problems' are far from unusual of course, lots of people have problems with more than just the colour of their teeth, their teeth might also be broken, cracked and/or crooked. And they may think there is not too much they can do about those latter problems other than keep their mouth closed as much as possible. However, that really isn't the case anymore. Modern dentistry has a 'fix' for pretty much all of them.
A good smile really starts in the most mundane of ways; with a simple check up at the dentist. Regular checkups and basic cleanings really are the foundations of a great smile and they are also the way that more serious issues can be examined, addressed, and yes, fixed, so that you can begin your journey to that 'million dollar smile.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene are the first steps to a healthy smile. And remember, a smile comes from the inside out.
Don’t Fear The X-Ray
Dental X-Rays Explained...
Dental X-Rays Explained
For years now, x-rays have been a standard part of dental care and most of us are used to the idea and have been since we were little kids. Being used to something does not always mean being OK with it though, and it's fair to say that more than a few people are a little nervous and scared about dental x-rays and some even avoid them, fearing that an x-ray may in some way be harmful to their health.
The fact is that dental x-rays are very safe, and in the 21st century they are safer than ever before. Yes, a very low level of radiation is produced when an x-ray is taken - that is, after all, how they do their 'job' - but you are actually exposed to more radiation during an hour's flight on a plane than you are during a routine four image bite wing x-ray session!
However, if you are still a little wary it might help for us to explain dental x-rays, why we need them and what they really involve in a little more detail:
Who Needs Dental X-Rays?
Our Dentists. Dr Amrinder Oberoi & Dr David Graham
Dental x-rays are used by dentists to help them get a clear look at oral health issues that may be hard - or even impossible - for them to see with the naked eye, even the very trained eye of a dentist. Making use of these images your dentist can:
Decay, including areas of decay that are often 'hiding' between the teeth or underneath an old filling or crown.
Abscesses, which are basically areas of infection that sit at the root of a tooth or between a tooth and the gum.
Bone loss caused by gum disease
Changes or abnormalities in the root canal of a tooth
If an x-ray is not performed some of these issues may be missed and go untreated until the condition is more serious and painful than it needed have been. In addition a dental x-ray can also help a dentist when they are preparing fillings, crowns and braces.
Kids and Dental X-Rays
Some parents are especially concerned that dental x-rays may be harmful to their kids, as they are younger and smaller and their bodies are still growing and developing. However, the very low levels of radiation are so low that they are safe for kids of all ages and a dental x-ray can be especially useful to a dentist when he or she is treating a child. Why? Because thanks to an x-ray a dentists can:
Ensure the child's mouth is big enough to properly accommodate incoming teeth.
Determine whether or not primary teeth are loosening properly to allow secondary teeth to erupt properly.
Monitor the growth of wisdom teeth.
Identify gum disease and decay at an earlier stage.
It is especially important that children visit the dentist regularly - at least every six months - and that get x-rays when their dentists recommends them. Childhood is a crucial time in terms of oral health and a lack of dental care when you are a kid can have serious lasting effects well into adulthood.
Dental X-Rays and Pregnancy
As a general rule pregnant women are advised to avoid x-rays while pregnant, not because there is any real proven danger to them or their unborn child but as a matter of simple and sensible precaution.
Dental care is very important during pregnancy though and there are certain situations in which a very carefully administered x-ray may still be necessary. For example, it is an accepted fact that periodontal disease in pregnant women can have adverse effects on their pregnancy, and so in some cases a patient's dentist and OB may agree that an x-ray presents far less of a risk than the damage that can be caused by gum disease, as several bodies of research have found that women suffering from gum disease during pregnancy are at an increased risk for giving birth to a pre-term or low birth weight baby.
If an x-ray is called for during pregnancy a dentist consults with a patient's OB first and extra protections like having the patient wear a lead lined apron and thyroid collar and keeping the number of images taken to an absolute minimum.
Every dental professional does understand that there are lots of things that many people find scary and daunting about a visit to the dentist's office and are more than happy to discuss concerns they have before any procedure, including dental x-rays, is started. If you have concerns about x-rays and whether or not they are really needed, ask and any dentists will be more than willing to address - and allay - your fears, even if they seem a bit silly to you.
One inexpensive alternative to standard floss in a box are floss sticks, or floss picks as they are also known. Lots of people do prefer these to standard floss as a lot of the measuring and guesswork is taken out of the equation and although you can only really use each pick once for hygiene reasons, making it a bit pricier to use them, the potential oral health benefits of actually flossing make the investment worth it.
There are also several different kinds of 'mechanical flossers' on the market. Some make use of water, some make use of air and they are priced anywhere between $10 and about $75, depending on the model you choose. Some do work well, and a water flosser can be an especially good choice for those with braces or bridges, as they can remove food particles that brushes and flosses often miss. Should you make the larger investment in one of these gadgets? If you struggle to floss now but think they might change that, by all means go ahead.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
Dental x-rays are safe and the images they produce are the key to making sure we receive the correct information to treat you appropriately.
Does a Toothache Always Equal an Extraction?
Does toothache equal extraction automatically? The answer is a little more complicated than you might think...
Here's The Rundown
You've been up half the night thanks to the pain from that nagging aching tooth. Come to think of it, you were up half of the night before as well. Painkillers from the local chemists aren't even touching the pain anymore and you know you really should book an appointment with a dentist ASAP. But you don't like needles and pain, you're not even that fond of dentists and you really don't want to go through a tooth extraction. So you're stalling...
But does toothache equal extraction automatically? The answer is a little more complicated than you might think...
What's Causing the Pain?
Before you start ringing around dentists in Sydney asking about tooth extraction pricing it's important to understand one thing; tooth pain has lots of different causes and they don't all mean that the first thing a dentist is going to want to do is yank the offending tooth out. In fact, it's probably the last thing they want to do as they actually spent all of those years in dental school learning to save teeth rather than just do extraction after extraction.
Alternatives to Tooth Extraction
Because there are lots of different reasons a tooth might be giving you trouble, there are also lots of ways to treat these problems. If a cavity is the culprit then a simple filling may be the answer. If it's actually a gum infection - something that's more common than you might think - then a good deep cleaning and a course of antibiotics often works wonders. A tooth extraction is not even the automatic recommendation when the pain involves wisdom teeth, whatever you might have been told. And the pain may not really even be coming from a tooth at all.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
As we mentioned, the real key to getting to the root of the problem when it comes to a toothache is a careful, considered dental examination. This will often involve taking x-rays and a chat about your past dental history as well as a routine exam. Only then can a dentist figure out what's really going on and present a patient with their treatment recommendations and options.
Isn't It Just Easier to Get a Bad Tooth Out?
In some cases, the problem that's really been causing a nasty toothache may come along with several different possible treatments options and yes, one of them might be extraction and that may sound like it's the quickest, easiest and possibly least expensive way to go.
However, before you choose that option based on time or money, listen carefully to what your dentist as to say. Every tooth in your head is there for a reason, even those pesky wisdom teeth, and if it's no longer there may very well be downsides you don't really won't 'get' until it's too late and the tooth is gone for good.
The #EmergencyDentist Says:
Don't automatically assume that an aching tooth is one that's going to have to come out. Give us a ring, come in for an appointment after hours, or when needed, and we'll work out the best course of treatment for you and your tooth.
Don't forget to checkout our Dental Emergency Care Tips if you're experiencing discomfort.
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