Cleanings & Exams
Many of our patients are conscientious about their health and appearance. When patients come to us and want to know the best way to prevent dental conditions, we discuss at-home oral care, dental exams, and professional dental cleanings.
Good preventive care helps reduce your risk for certain illnesses and can help you achieve and maintain the level of excellent oral health that helps you look and feel your best.
Providing Your Medical History
Your biannual visit is a great opportunity to tell your dentist about any issues or discomfort you’ve been experiencing in your mouth. You’ll also want to give a detailed description of your medical history and come prepared with a list of any medications you take.
Knowing your medical history allows your dentist to gain a better understanding of your overall health. After all, there is a strong systemic link between the health of your mouth and your overall health.
Dental Examinations
During your visit, your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and bite. We will also check for signs of tooth decay and risk factors associated with illnesses like bone loss and periodontal disease. This way, potential problems can be identified in their early stages while they are more easily treatable.
Diagnostic x-rays are an important part of your regular dental visits, as they allow your dentist to see what is not visible through visual inspection alone.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
During your visit, our hygienist will gently and thoroughly clean your teeth. Part of your dental cleaning includes a polish, which can remove surface stains and improve the colour of your teeth. Your dental team will meticulously remove hard-to-reach tartar.
We also enjoy sharing information with our patients about how to best care for your teeth at home and your hygienist can show you proper procedures for brushing and flossing if you need a refresher.
We will design your professional dental cleaning schedule according to your needs. For some patients, twice-yearly visits will do, while other patients may require more frequent dental cleanings to stay healthy.
Schedule a Dental Appointment Today!
Are you due for your biannual visit? Contact our office and schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each child is different! We will determine the type of preventive care necessary for your child based on your child’s unique needs. If you have concerns about certain types of treatment, call our office; we will be happy to discuss those with you.
X-rays allow your dentist to evaluate what is not visible with a visual inspection alone. Often, problems start inside your teeth or beneath the gum line. By the time the problem is visible to the naked eye, it can be painful and more difficult to treat. Using x-rays taken on a regular basis, we can catch problems early and treat them quickly and comfortably.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Sometimes, a simple teeth whitening procedure is all it takes to put the sparkle back into your smile.
If your staining or discolouration is resistant to whitening, however, we have other ways of improving the appearance of your teeth using cosmetic dentistry procedures such as veneers, bonding, or porcelain crowns. Call us to find out which of our services is right for you.
Dental exams allow us to monitor the health of your teeth, gums, jaw joints, bite, and to provide an oral cancer screening. We may use diagnostic x-rays to see what lies beneath the surface of your enamel. By investing in prevention, you can often avoid more serious dental conditions in the future.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Teeth staining can have several different causes. Some of the most common culprits we see include:
- Smoking
- Drinking staining beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine
- Eating staining foods like berries and curry
- Inadequate dental hygiene
- Certain health conditions
- Genetics
Contact us for a consultation to determine if we can improve the colour of your teeth.
Our Team
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Dr. Gwen Flanagan
Principal Dentist
Gwen is Newcastle born and bred, growing up in Cooks Hill before graduating in dentistry at Sydney University in 1987. Gwen brings years of experience, gained from practicing dentistry in Public Hospitals and Private Practice in Sydney and also working overseas in the United Kingdom (British) dental system. Gwen worked in Cobar, NSW in her own dental practice for several years before returning to her home town of Newcastle. She has spent the balance of her dental career in our great city, where she currently provides her years ...
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