Frequently Asked Questions

• At what age should I bring my child to the dentist?

• Should I have my amalgam fillings replaced?

• What should I do if brushing or flossing makes my gums bleed?

• What can I do if I'm scared about dental treatment?

• Should I have dental treatment during pregnancy?

• How safe are dental X-rays?

• How many times a day should I brush my teeth?

• Is flossing really that important?

At what age should I bring my child to the dentist?

It is recommended to begin regular check-ups as soon as your child's first tooth comes through. Unfortunately even young children are not immune to tooth decay and prevention is better than a cure. Another benefit of bringing children to the dentist regularly from a young age is that they will feel confident in the environment and be much less likely to develop any dental phobias as they get older.
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Should I have my amalgam fillings replaced?

Amalgam fillings are safe to have and do not break down in the body. Unless a filling is broken, there is existing decay or a particular cosmetic concern the best option is to leave them. Replacing fillings unnecessarily could cause other problems such as further damaging a weak tooth or creating pain and sensitivity after the replacement.

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What should I do if brushing or flossing makes my gums bleed?

Bleeding during brushing or flossing is your bodies way of telling you these areas need more attention. The important thing is not to stop cleaning these areas. Visiting for a professional clean will remove plaque and calculus that holds bacteria and allow you to gain some tips on effective cleaning. Once the affected areas are cleaned thoroughly and maintained with correct brushing and flossing at home the bleeding should cease in 1-2 weeks.

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What can I do if I'm scared about dental treatment?

Come in a talk to us about your personal concerns. There are different options available when it comes to reducing anxiety. One such method is an inhaler which provides mild sedation and produces a sense of calm. If you intend to avail yourself of this treatment please organise for someone to see you home safely.

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Should I have dental treatment during pregnancy?

It is recommended to schedule your regular check up and clean during the second trimester for precautionary reasons. Other dental treatment is advised to be completed during or after pregnancy, for emergency situations please consult a dentist directly. Please let your dentist know if you are pregnant of planning to become so at the beginning of your visit.

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How safe are dental X-rays?

Dental x-ray technology has improved greatly over the years and radiation exposure is almost non existent. In fact you are exposed to more radiation being in a plane for an hour then you receive during your dental x-rays. Browns Plains Dental Centre uses a digital x-ray system of the most advanced kind.

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How many times a day should I brush my teeth?

It is important to brush teeth at least twice daily and before bed time is a particularly important time. During the day bacteria and food debris causes a layer of film called plaque to build up. Unless this is removed thoroughly with a tooth brush the bacteria living in the plaque will start to produce acids that eat away at the tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay. Without proper cleaning the gums and underlying bone will also become inflamed and start to recede reducing the tooth's support structure. Even with the best brushing a professional dental clean is recommended every six months to remove build up that is deeper or has hardened.

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Is flossing really that important?

Flossing may seem a little pedantic but it is vitally important in preventing tooth decay. When we eat small particles of food get caught in between the teeth in an area the toothbrush simply cannot get to. Daily flossing cleans these surfaces of the tooth and prevents decay starting in these areas. If you find flossing difficult we will happily demonstrate an easy technique or show you alternative options such as Piksters or the Water-Pik.

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