At Charlestown Dental Care, we believe in helping patients achieve their goals for their smiles. Dental examinations provide our dentists with the ability to assess your current oral health and see if treatment is needed immediately so they can help organise a plan. They will also try to see what might be needed to keep problems from happening later on.
Good preventive dentistry can help our patients avoid dental conditions—and that is everyone’s goal.
Preventive care is a crucial aspect of any effective dental programme to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Some of our preventive services include:
We use digital x-rays and an intraoral camera to see beyond what we see in a visual examination. We will look for any developing issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease. Often, the earlier we can recommend needed treatment, the less invasive and less costly it is.
Twice-yearly dental exams are foundational to maintaining good oral health. During examinations, we will assess the current health of your teeth, gums, jaw and soft tissues. Our dentists will also conduct oral cancer screenings as well as look for signs of teeth grinding and joint disorders.
Many people develop gum disease without even knowing it. Often, by the time symptoms such as bleeding gums develop, the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. The only way to know for sure that gums are healthy is with regular dental exams.
Scientific research continues to underscore the link between gum disease and systemic conditions, including:
Left untreated, gum disease can also lead to tooth and bone loss.
Everyone is different, so we customise care to meet our patients’ specific needs and to promote good oral health. Although general guidelines indicate that most people benefit from dental cleans twice each year, we will recommend a cleaning frequency based on your current oral health.
Dental cleans at our Charlestown, NSW dental clinic include a scale and polish that will eliminate tartar that has developed since your last appointment, leaving you with a fresh, smooth-feeling smile. We love educating our patients on proper home care, so we invite you to ask questions about anything that can help you keep a beautiful, healthy smile.
If it’s been a while since your last examination and clean, we welcome you to contact our Charlestown, NSW dental clinic to book an appointment. Our experienced, friendly dentists will assess your oral health and help ensure you maintain a healthy smile you can feel good about.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
The appropriate treatment for your gum disease will vary depending on how far your disease has progressed and any contributing factors such as hygiene and other health conditions. Some of the treatments recommended for gum disease include:
At Charlestown Dental Care, we will discuss your situation and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your unique needs. Contact our dentist in the city of Lake Macquarie today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward better dental health.
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. If you suffer from gingivitis, you may have some of these symptoms:
If you notice these symptoms, it's a good time for you to reach out to your dentist to arrange a booking for a teeth clean and exam. If you have gingivitis, your dentist can help you manage your condition with a thorough, professional clean and improve your home care routine. Sometimes, patients can even reverse their condition at this stage.
Advanced gum disease is known as periodontitis. In this stage, you may notice tooth mobility, pain and tenderness when chewing, and changes to your bite.
Periodontitis requires a deeper cleaning to remove the plaque and bacteria build-up below the gumline, which is causing the infection. Our dentists may also suggest antibiotic therapy or surgery for severe periodontitis.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for gum disease, but our Charlestown dentists can help you manage your condition and keep it at bay by providing additional cleanings throughout the year to remove plaque and bacteria.
We welcome your call to Charlestown Dental Care if you have questions about gum disease.
While saltwater is not a cure for gum disease, it can help alleviate some of the symptoms of gum disease and promote comfort.
Here are some things warm saltwater rinses can help with:
To make your own saltwater rinse, mix one cup of warm water with one teaspoon of salt. Swish or gargle the solution around in your mouth for about 15 to 30 seconds, then spit it out, being careful not to swallow it.
Red, swollen, and irritated gums are all signs of early gum disease (gingivitis). You may also notice bleeding during brushing and flossing if you suffer from gum disease.
If you visit your Charlestown dentist regularly, they can help you manage, control, and sometimes even reverse gingivitis.
We invite you to call Charlestown Dental Care if it's time for your next preventive clean and check-up.
Professional dental cleanings in Charlestown, NSW, play an important role in supporting oral health. While daily brushing and flossing are essential for keeping teeth and gums healthy, a professional cleaning can reach areas that are often difficult to manage at home.
During a dental cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth and along the gumline. If plaque is left to build up, it can contribute to tooth decay and gum inflammation. By removing these deposits, dental cleanings may help reduce the risk of developing cavities and gum disease.
Regular check-ups also give your Charlestown dentist the opportunity to examine your mouth for early signs of oral health concerns. Identifying issues early often means they can be managed with simpler treatment, before they become more complex.
It’s important to remember that dental cleanings alone do not guarantee prevention. Good oral hygiene at home also plays a key role. These hygiene habits include:
If you’re due for a check-up, booking routine dental cleanings in Charlestown, NSW, can help support your long-term oral health.
We welcome your call!
Regular dental cleanings and exams will help keep your gums in great shape, but what you do at home matters as well. Brush twice daily and floss every evening. Our hygienists will be happy to show you good brushing and flossing technique if you need a reminder.
Other steps you can take to prevent gum disease include:
Peter was born in Newcastle and went to The Junction Primary School and Newcastle High School. Following in his father’s footsteps he entered Sydney University Faculty of Dentistry. Graduating in 1984, he moved back home to Newcastle and has been working in Charlestown in the practice his father started in 1960 ever since.
Peter has been a member of The Newcastle Dental Study Group since 1985 and regularly attends continuing education to keep up to date with current trends in the delivery of quality dental care.
Peter has two children. Abbey is ...
Yes, dental checks and cleans can help prevent conditions and issues like:
Dental cleans rid your teeth and gums of the ingredients that lead to these complications, while check-ups with the dentist allow for early detection, often meaning less invasive long-term care.
Regular dental cleanings do more than keep your teeth looking their best; they also play a role in protecting your overall health. Research shows a strong link between oral health and conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Professional cleanings may lower your risk of serious systemic illnesses ...
Maintaining a healthy and happy smile doesn't have to be hard! You can do several things at home to protect your smile and dental health, which, in turn, also protects your overall health and well-being. Here are some helpful tips and tricks!
A consistent ...