General Dentistry Banora Point & Tweed Heads
Not everybody knows that dental caries is an infectious and transmissible disease and even though largely preventable, tooth decay and gum disease are two big threats to general health and are among the world’s most common chronic diseases.
Four times more common than asthma and seven times as common as hay fever, tooth decay is the single most prevalent chronic diseases in children, teenagers, and young adults.
Untreated gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among older adults and research has indicated its associations with diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke, and low birth weight or premature births.
Good oral health is vital to overall health and wellbeing. In the same way, your general health and dietary habits may interfere with the health of your teeth, gums and bones. Daily brushing and flossing, as well as having a properly balanced diet and regular dental check-ups, will help keep your gums healthy and your teeth free of cavities.
At Banora Family Dental & Implants, our routine preventive maintenance program is based on education, and we aim for long term results. Educating our patients about proper oral hygiene care will enable them to keep a good and healthy condition and reduce the risks of having oral issues. Understanding your teeth and gums’ conditions are the foundation you need to help us treat some common oral issues.
In general, check-up and cleans should be conducted in 6-month intervals, but a personalised recall program may be suggested based on your particular needs. Regularly evaluating your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues ensures that any changes or irregularities are spotted and treated at an early stage. Early detection of problems allows our dentists to offer less invasive and more efficient care. If unattended, minor issues may lead to advanced problems, requiring major restorative treatments, increasing risks, complications and costs. That is why we place a strong emphasis on preventative care.
Call us to book a complete and comprehensive dental check today. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Banora Family Dental & Implants.
Dental Check up and X-rays
At your very first consultation (and in every recall appointment), our dentists at Banora Family Dental & Implants will thoroughly exam your teeth, gums, jawbones and surrounding soft tissues, looking for any signs of disease or unusual conditions.
At check-up appointments, exams will include:
- Check of your general health through a comprehensive medical history form;
- Discussion of your current and past dental conditions (including your primary concerns, complaints, goals and expectations);
- Examination of every tooth, including any present restoration (e.g. fillings and crowns) and surrounding bone;
- Assessment of the condition of your gums for signs of gum issues / periodontal disease and your oral hygiene practices;
- Screening of hard and soft tissues of the mouth (including lips, cheek and tongue) for signs of oral cancer;
- Analysis of your occlusion (bite) and any sign of TMJ disorder, teeth clenching or grinding;
- Evaluation of compromised function (due to missing teeth, for example);
- Discussion of any aesthetics concerns.
Our dentists may decide to use diagnostic imaging equipment, such as digital X-rays and intra-oral cameras, to help perform a very comprehensive exam. The purpose of diagnostic imaging is to assist in identifying any underlying issues that the human eye cannot see.
No unnecessary X-rays will be taken, even though today’s digital X-rays have decreased radiation exposure to the patient by approximately fivefold. The use of a lead neck collar results in another 50% reduction in exposure to the thyroid gland.
Not all patients require the same radiographic examination nor at the same frequency. Some current guidelines recommend taking a full mouth x-ray (OPG) once every five years (for teeth & jawbone assessment) and smaller bitewing x-rays every two years (to detect decay in-between the teeth and bone loss).
At the end of your appointment, your dentist will discuss if concerning issues are present, answer any questions you may have, and recommend options for your treatment. You will then receive a written tailored treatment plan if further treatment is required.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) may be performed by a dentist, a registered dental hygienist, or an oral therapist. During this procedure, staining, plaque (soft bacteria biofilm) and calculus (tartar – hardened plaque) will be removed, and your teeth will be polished and cleaned.
Oral therapists and dental hygienists are specially trained members of our team who focus on preventative and educational dental care. They work closely with dentists, playing an important role in oral health, providing individualised guidance to patients about appropriate home oral care to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Fillings
According to the Australian Dental Association, tooth decay is Australia’s most prevalent health problem, and dental fillings are the most common ways to repair the damaged tooth.
A dental filling can restore a tooth damaged by tooth decay, teeth wear and cracks. Not only white fillings give natural and aesthetic results, but they’re also very conservative and less invasive options to fix teeth problem.
However, white fillings are not always appropriate for teeth with larger cavities. Porcelain restorations (such as inlays or onlays) are stronger, and therefore more suitable for larger fillings. Porcelain fillings are custom-made and provide an excellent cosmetic result.
The life expectancy of a filling depends significantly on the size and location of the filling, along with your diet, oral hygiene practices and how often you visit your dentist.
Due to some concerns involving the mercury present in old amalgam fillings (silver fillings), we may recommend replacing worn, chipped or broken amalgam fillings. We take extra precautions and care when removing amalgam fillings in order to minimise exposure to mercury vapour and reducing the risks of our patients swallowing its toxic debris.
At Banora Family Dental & Implants, we use biocompatible materials (not harmful or toxic to living tissue), including BPA free filling material.
Children's Dentistry
Dental caries is the single most common infectious disease affecting children and adolescents. Parents usually transmit the bacteria that cause tooth decay to their babies by sharing cutlery, plates and cups, or kissing their child on the mouth.
Even though it is preventable, tooth decay is four times more common than asthma and affects 9 out of 10 adults over 20 years of age. Children are especially vulnerable to tooth decay because their teeth and immune system are not yet fully developed and resilient.
It is recommended that children have their first dental appointment soon after their first teeth appear or around the time they turn one. This helps introduce them to the dental environment, ensure they receive proper oral hygiene guidance and increases the chances of early detection and intervention of any developing issues.
We work closely with parents to ensure their children’s teeth are well cared for in an upbeat and positive atmosphere.
At Banora Family Dental & Implants, we aim to support your children from their very first dental visit through the growth of their adult teeth and beyond.
Dental Services & Specialties
Gum Disease
