abscess

Toothache

Symptoms of a toothache may include:

  • Sensitivity or pain when drinking hot or cold drinks or breathing in cold air.
  • Tooth pain that may be sharp, throbbing, or constant. In some people, pain results only when pressure is applied to the tooth.
  • Swelling around the tooth
  • Fever or headache
  • Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth

A toothache is a pain in or around a tooth that may be caused by:

See your dentist as soon as possible about your toothache. Be aware of how long your tooth has hurt. If it’s been more than 1-2 days, you should see your dentist right away.

What are your options for treatment?

The type of treatment you have for toothache will depend on the cause of the pain, so your dentist will examine your mouth and may carry out an X-ray to try to identify the problem. If your toothache is caused by tooth decay, your dentist will remove the decayed area and replace it with a filling.

If your toothache is caused by a loose or broken filling, the filling will be taken out, any decay will be removed, and a new filling put in place. If the pulp inside your tooth is infected, you may need root canal treatment. This procedure involves removing the infected pulp and then inserting a special type of filling to seal the tooth and prevent reinfection.

Your tooth may need to be removed if the toothache can’t be treated using these methods or the tooth is wedged between another tooth and your jaw (impacted).

Does it hurt?

There can be some discomfort with different procedures, depending on what is required. Whilst we can’t promise a completely pain free experience, we do our best to talk you through every step along the way and make sure you are comfortable through all treatment. We will ensure that you are completely numb, and stop at any time you need to.

For our patients who are scared or who find it difficult to sit through lengthy treatments, we can offer oral sedation so that they are relaxed on arrival and during treatment.

How much does it cost?

The cost of your treatment will depend on the solution that you and your dentist agree is the best option for you. Once we understand the preferred solution then we can discuss the cost and payment options with you.

If you are a member of BUPA or HBF health funds – we are a preferred provider, so you will maximise your benefit when you make a claim for your treatment. Alternatively, if you have a Centrelink income, you may be entitled to government funding to assist with your treatment, under the Country Dental Health Services scheme.

If you haven’t been to our surgery before we are happy to arrange a 15-minute consultation, with no out of pocket cost,  to do a brief examination of your mouth, and discuss treatment options. At your consultation it is likely that the dentist will recommend a full examination and some x-rays for starters to determine fully what your treatment plan should be.

 

 

Sore Gums

Gums play a major role not only in your dental health, but in your overall well-being. In many instances, swollen and bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease.  When people don’t practice proper dental hygiene, bacteria in the mouth forms plaque on the teeth. These bacteria may cause your gums to become inflamed, which results in red, swollen, or bleeding gums. If we treat gingivitis early, it can be reversed and healed with proper oral hygiene. Be sure to see your dentist if you have the following symptoms, even if you don’t have any discomfort:

  • gums that bleed during and after tooth-brushing
  • persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
  • receding gums
  • red, swollen, or tender gums
  • loose or shifting teeth

When gingivitis progresses, it develops into periodontitis, a condition in which the gums and bone that hold the teeth in place can be severely weakened. The bacteria on the teeth release toxic substances destroying the attachment between the teeth and the bone, leading to infection. The infection and the inflammation that result when your body attacks the bacteria can degrade your gums and the bone in your jaw even further. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.

What are your treatment options?

The main goal of treatment is to eliminate and control the cause of the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease.

If on examination you do have gum disease, the dentist will remove the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease.

Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home which includes:-

  • Brushing your teeth twice a day.
  • Flossing regularly to remove plaque from between teeth. Or using a special brush or wooden or plastic pick recommended by your dentist.
  • Visiting the dentist routinely for a check-up and professional cleaning.
  • Assessing any systemic disease that may be contributing to the problem, including diabetes.

Does it hurt?

There can be some discomfort with different procedures, depending on what is required. Whilst we can’t promise a completely pain free experience, we do our best to talk you through every step along the way and make sure you are comfortable through all treatment. We will ensure that you are completely numb, and stop at any time you need to.

For our patients who are scared or who find it difficult to sit through lengthy treatments, we can offer oral sedation so that they are relaxed on arrival and during treatment.

How much does it cost?

The cost of your treatment will depend on the extent of the gum issue in your mouth and the recommended treatment plan. The dentist will examine you and discuss this with you.

If you are a member of BUPA or HBF health funds – we are a preferred provider, so you will maximise your benefit when you make a claim for your treatment. Alternatively, if you have a Centrelink income, you may be entitled to some government funding to assist with your treatment, under the Country Dental Health Services scheme. However, some of the treatment for gum issues is not covered under this the Country Dental Health Services Scheme.

If you haven’t been to our surgery before we are happy to arrange a 15-minute consultation, with no out of pocket cost, to do a brief examination of your mouth, and discuss treatment options. At your consultation it is likely that the dentist will recommend a full examination and some x-rays for starters to determine fully what your treatment plan should be.

Regular dental check-ups will assist with identifying any gum issue early on and allow you to get treatment before it becomes more serious.

 

Wisdom Teeth

If your wisdom teeth are causing problems, you may have symptoms such as:

  • Pain or jaw stiffness near an impacted tooth.
  • Pain or irritation from a tooth coming in at an awkward angle and rubbing against your cheek, tongue, or top or bottom of your mouth.
  • An infected swelling in the flap of gum tissue that has formed on top of an impacted tooth that has broken partway through the gum.
  • Crowding of other teeth.
  • Tooth decay or gum disease if there isn’t enough room to properly clean your wisdom tooth and nearby teeth.

Most problems with wisdom teeth affect people between the ages of 15 and 25, however some of the problems will manifest many years later. Your dentist will check for signs of a wisdom tooth coming through your gum or crowding other teeth. You will need to have X-rays to find out if your wisdom teeth are causing problems now or are likely to cause problems in the future.

What are my options for treatment?

Wisdom teeth that are causing problems should be removed, or extracted. This surgery can be done in the Dental Surgery by an experienced dentist using local anaesthetic, after administering oral sedation for the patient, if required.

The Dentist will open the gum tissue over the tooth if needed and remove the tooth. Sometimes a tooth will be cut into smaller pieces to make it easier to take out. After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches.

If you have an infection, you may need to wait until it is gone before you have your wisdom teeth removed. The Dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the infection.

Does it hurt?

There can be some discomfort with different procedures, depending on what is required. Whilst we can’t promise a completely pain free experience, we do our best to talk you through every step along the way and make sure you are comfortable through all treatment. We will ensure that you are completely numb, and stop at any time you need to.  

Generally, the treatments above, are fairly uninvasive so discomfort is minimal.

For our patients who are scared or who find it difficult to sit through lengthy treatments, we can offer oral sedation so that they are relaxed on arrival and during treatment.

How much does it cost?

The cost of your treatment will depend on the solution that you and your dentist agree is the best option for you. Once we understand the preferred solution then we can discuss the cost and payment options with you.

If you are a member of BUPA or HBF health funds – we are a preferred provider, so you will maximise your benefit when you make a claim for your treatment. Alternatively, if you have a Centrelink income, you may be entitled to government funding to assist with your treatment, under the Country Dental Health Services scheme.

If you haven’t been to our surgery before we are happy to arrange a 15-minute consultation, with no out of pocket cost, to do a brief examination of your mouth, and discuss treatment options. At your consultation it is likely that the dentist will recommend a full examination and some x-rays for starters to determine fully what your treatment plan should be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tooth or Gum Abscess

When the inside of your mouth gets hurt or irritated, bacteria may enter and cause an infection. Sometimes you will see a painful swelling filled with pus (a thick, yellowish fluid). If the pus can’t drain out, the area will get more swollen and painful. This is known as an abscess. The abscess forms a barrier around the infection. This is one way that your body tries to keep a bacterial infection from spreading.

Abscesses can form very quickly and can be either tooth related or gum related or a combination of both. Sometimes they form only one or two days after the infection starts. Abscesses are always serious because the infection may spread to other parts of the body. Call us for so we can arrange for you to see one of our dentists.

What are your options?

Your dentist may give you a prescription to help control the infection and relieve the pain.

If the infection started inside a tooth, your dentist will make a small hole in the tooth. This allows the abscess to drain. The tooth will need root canal treatment, followed by a filling or a crown.

If an abscess is very large or the tooth is badly damaged, you may need to have the tooth removed. A large abscess often will need to be drained.

Does it hurt?

There can be some discomfort with different procedures, depending on what is required. Whilst we can’t promise a completely pain free experience, we do our best to talk you through every step along the way and make sure you are comfortable through all treatment. We will ensure that you are completely numb, and stop at any time you need to.  

For our patients who are scared or who find it difficult to sit through lengthy treatments, we can offer oral sedation so that they are relaxed on arrival and during treatment.

How much does it cost?

The cost of your treatment will depend on the solution that you and your dentist agree is the best option for you. Once we understand the preferred solution then we can discuss the cost and payment options with you.

If you are a member of BUPA or HBF health funds – we are a preferred provider, so you will maximise your benefit when you make a claim for your treatment. Alternatively, if you have a Centrelink income, you may be entitled to government funding to assist with your treatment, under the Country Dental Health Services scheme.

If you haven’t been to our surgery before we are happy to arrange a 15-minute gap free consultation to do a brief examination of your mouth, and discuss treatment options. At your consultation it is likely that the dentist will recommend a full examination and some x-rays for starters to determine fully what your treatment plan should be.

 

Bad breath

If you don’t brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses also can help reduce bacteria.  In addition, odour-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. Bacteria cause the formation of toxins to form, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.

Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and dental caries (cavities). The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia), and certain medications, can cause bad breath.

What are your treatment options?

See your dentist regularly – at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning and will be able to detect and treat gum disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odour.

In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odour is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odour source and treatment plan. If the odour is due to gum disease, for example, your dentist can treat the disease for you.

If on examination you do have gum disease, the dentist will remove the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease.

Does it hurt?

There can be some discomfort with different procedures, depending on what is required. Whilst we can’t promise a completely pain free experience, we do our best to talk you through every step along the way and make sure you are comfortable through all treatment. We will ensure that you are completely numb, and stop at any time you need to.

Generally, the treatments above, are fairly uninvasive so discomfort is minimal.

For our patients who are scared or who find it difficult to sit through lengthy treatments, we can offer oral sedation so that they are relaxed on arrival and during treatment.

How much does it cost?

The cost of your treatment will depend on the solution that you and your dentist agree is the best option for you. Once we understand the preferred solution then we can discuss the cost and payment options with you.

If you are a member of BUPA or HBF health funds – we are a preferred provider, so you will maximise your benefit when you make a claim for your treatment. Alternatively, if you have a Centrelink income, you may be entitled to government funding to assist with your treatment, under the Country Dental Health Services scheme.

If you haven’t been to our surgery before we are happy to arrange a 15-minute consultation, with no out of pocket cost, to do a brief examination of your mouth, and discuss treatment options. At your consultation it is likely that the dentist will recommend a full examination and some x-rays for starters to determine fully what your treatment plan should be.

 

Sensitive Teeth

When the teeth are worn down or gums have receded, exposed areas of the tooth can cause pain and nerve irritation, which affects your eating, drinking, and breathing habits.

Tooth sensitivity may be defined as a short, sharp pain that is usually initiated by eating hot or cold foods or exposure to cold air. Aching often follows. Be sure to clarify exactly what you feel when you discuss the condition with your dentist and tell us what triggers the pain and what alleviates it.

An accurate diagnosis of tooth sensitivity is essential for effective treatment to eliminate pain. As pain symptoms can be similar, some people might think that a tooth is sensitive, when instead, they actually have a cavity or abscess that’s not yet visible. Pain can also be referred pain between adjacent or opposing teeth.

What are your treatment options?

Dentists have a variety of regimens to manage tooth hypersensitivity, including both dental treatments and products for you to use at home. If you are diagnosed with sensitive teeth, your dentist may apply a desensitizing agent or a protective coating. You may also be advised to use a desensitizing toothpaste or gel containing fluoride. The ingredients in these products help block the transmission of sensation from the tooth to the nerve. It also might help to massage the special paste onto your gums with your finger after brushing.

Does it hurt?

There can be some discomfort with different procedures, depending on what is required. Whilst we can’t promise a completely pain free experience, we do our best to talk you through every step along the way and make sure you are comfortable through all treatment. We will ensure that you are completely numb, and stop at any time you need to.

Generally, the treatments above, are fairly uninvasive so discomfort is minimal.

For our patients who are scared or who find it difficult to sit through lengthy treatments, we can offer oral sedation so that they are relaxed on arrival and during treatment.

How much does it cost?

The cost of your treatment will depend on the solution that you and your dentist agree is the best option for you. Once we understand the preferred solution then we can discuss the cost and payment options with you.

If you are a member of BUPA or HBF health funds – we are a preferred provider, so you will maximise your benefit when you make a claim for your treatment. Alternatively, if you have a Centrelink income, you may be entitled to government funding to assist with your treatment, under the Country Dental Health Services scheme.

If you haven’t been to our surgery before we are happy to arrange a 15-minute gap free consultation to do a brief examination of your mouth, and discuss treatment options. At your consultation it is likely that the dentist will recommend a full examination and some x-rays for starters to determine fully what your treatment plan should be.