General and preventative dentistry
We care for all aspects of general and preventative dentistry for the whole family, including examinations, cleaning and gum care, digital x-rays for diagnosis, fissure sealants, mouthguards, splints, oral health education, restoration of decayed or broken teeth, emergency treatment, and extractions.
Examinations
Our philosophy at Ocean Grove Dental Clinic revolves around thorough maintenance of your teeth and gums to try to prevent issues arising in the first place. Regular examinations are encouraged so that small problems don’t become big problems. Many dental issues are initially quite painless and therefore can go undiagnosed for many months. It is important to recognise these problems at an early stage, allowing simpler treatment, and thus reducing the likelihood of toothache and more costly procedures in future.
Cleaning and Gum Care
As part of our preventative approach, we recommend regular cleaning and scaling of your teeth. We all get some build-up of tartar on our teeth which cannot be removed with toothbrushing alone, and this accumulation of bacteria is responsible for the progression of gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis). Our dentists are mindful that some people can find teeth cleaning uncomfortable, and always take the utmost care to be attentive and gentle. Gum disease is often a chronic, ‘silent’ disease with very subtle early symptoms, but unfortunately it can have devastating effects on our oral health if left untreated. Many people can experience bleeding, swollen or tender gums and sensitivity or loosening of their teeth when gum disease is active.
Digital X-rays
As part of the examination process, we use dental x-rays to explore parts of your mouth that cannot be seen with direct vision. These x-rays can be used routinely to look for new areas of decay, or specifically to investigate areas of pain, and also during treatment procedures. We use digital x-ray equipment, which significantly lowers your radiation exposure, and also produces better diagnostic images. Within half a minute, we are able to show you the x-ray image on the computer screen, and point out important features to help you understand what is going on in your mouth.
Fissure Sealants
Fissure sealants are an important aspect of preventative dentistry for children. When deep grooves exist on the biting surfaces of back teeth, it is easy for bacteria to accumulate and cavities to form. In fact, most cavities found in children of primary school age start off in these grooves. This simple procedure is tolerated very well by children, and seals off these grooves to allow for easy cleaning, and is proven to prevent cavities. It is mostly the permanent first and second molars that are sealed, but sealants can be placed in grooves on any permanent teeth that appear susceptible to decay.
Mouthguards
Custom-fitted mouthguards for sport are proven to help prevent serious traumatic injuries and damage to teeth. Once injury has occurred, it can often be a painful and costly experience to regain the health and aesthetics of that tooth, so it makes sense to invest a little in preventing this from the beginning. We provide properly-fitted, well-adapting mouthguards that will absorb impact during contact sports. You can choose from a large range of colours.
Splints
An occlusal splint is a special type of mouthguard that is worn at night to prevent damage to the teeth from grinding and clenching. It can also help to reduce jaw joint and muscle soreness caused by teeth grinding and clenching.
Oral Health Education
We can offer advice on how to best look after your teeth and gums, from toothbrushing and flossing demonstrations, to dietary advice on how to reduce your risk of tooth decay.
Restoration of Decayed and Broken Teeth
Restoration of broken or decayed teeth is an essential service provided by our dentists. We always take great care and pride in our work. Unless there is an important reason why we can’t, we always use tooth-coloured materials for our restorations (ie. fillings) for a healthy and aesthetic result.
Emergency Treatment
We always do our best to accommodate for dental emergencies which occur unexpectedly. Our reception staff are trained dental nurses who can give advice over the phone to help minimise further damage. They will also arrange an appointment with one of our dentists as promptly as possible. Never hesitate to call us in the event of an injury or sudden pain or swelling. Our clinic participates in the Geelong emergency dental roster, which enables our patients to gain access to a rostered dentist in the Geelong region on Sundays and public holidays. The contact number for this service is on our ‘Contact Us’ page. In the event of very serious trauma, we suggest you immediately proceed to accident and emergency at Geelong Hospital.
Extractions
Occasionally, a tooth cannot be saved and will need to be extracted. We understand it can be a stressful experience, and always take a gentle, caring approach to make the procedure as easy and painless as possible. We provide follow-up care during the healing period after an extraction whenever required.
