Long Time Between Dental Visits? Come and See Mornington Peninsula Dental Clinic!

We get it – going to the dentist isn’t exactly at the top of everyone’s to-do list! However, the longer you leave between dental visits, the higher the risk of oral health problems you’re exposed to. Dental check-ups should be booked every six months (unless specified otherwise) to avoid avoidable oral health issues.

At Mornington Peninsula Dental Clinic, our patients are our first priority. Our team strives to ensure that you feel comfortable and secure during your visit and is open to answering any questions you may have.

If it’s been a long time between dental visits, you may be unsure of the type of consult you should have. In this blog, we will advise on the types of dental consults we offer and who they may best be suited to.

Preventative dentistry

One of the most important dental visits you’ll have is the preventative check-ups every six months. Seeing a Mornington Peninsula Dental Clinic team member regularly means that you’re putting preventative measures in place for your oral health. These check-ups monitor your teeth and gums and ensure they are maintained and cared for. Our expert team can provide oral health tips, help you develop a daily hygiene routine and recommend products for you.

In a preventative check-up, your dentist can provide a range of dental care services, including:

• Examining the teeth and mouth.
• Preparing a care plan and discussing treatment options.
• Restoring adult and baby teeth.
• Removing ‘baby’ teeth when needed.
• Storing your dental records.
• Providing preventative dental care such as fissure sealants and fluoride therapies.
• Providing referrals for children who require further dental treatment.
• Sharing oral health advice and preventative measures.

Who should book a preventative dental appointment: Everyone! Booking a dentist appointment every six months will ensure that you care for your oral health in the best possible way.   

Children’s dentistry

Children’s dentistry is an essential service that we offer. Familiarising children with the dentist from a young age and ensuring they’re comfortable means that there is a greater chance they won’t develop a fear of the dentist as they get older.

Kids’ mouths and jaws are constantly growing and developing. By seeing a dentist regularly, we closely monitor their facial growth and dental development. By doing this, we’re helping to avoid jaw issues and crowding of teeth. We examine and care for all aspects of your child’s oral health and address factors such as large tonsils, sleep apnoea or snoring, mouth breathing and thumb sucking.

Some of the children’s dentistry services we provide at Mornington Peninsula Dental Clinic include:

• Check-ups and x-rays
• Teeth cleaning and fluoride treatments
• Fissure sealants
• Oral health education
• Ortho ascent
• Growth monitoring
• Sports mouthguards

Who should book a children’s dental appointment: Children should book this type of appointment (well, technically, it’ll be the parents booking the appointment!). You should book your child’s first dentist appointment when their first teeth appear or by the time they turn a year old (however, you are more than welcome to come and see us earlier if you have any questions).

Emergency dentistry

Sometimes, life deals us with some curveballs, and emergencies happen. Regardless of how careful you are with your teeth, accidents, unfortunately, do happen. The Mornington Peninsula Dental Clinic team is well-equipped to deal with dental emergencies like a broken tooth or severe toothache.

The most common dental emergencies we see at our clinic are:

• Toothache due to decay, especially when the tooth nerve or bone is affected.
• A broken tooth or split tooth.
• A whole tooth getting knocked out.
• A loose crown or tooth cap.

If an emergency does occur, contact us immediately. Even if your symptoms begin to subside, seeking treatment is vital to prevent future or under-the-surface damage.

Who should book an emergency dental appointment: These appointments should be booked by those experiencing a dental emergency (such as those mentioned above). If an emergency does occur, it’s important not to panic. You need to act quickly and calmly, call us for help and come in for a check-up – even if you’re not in pain. 

Fillings

Fillings are another standard treatment we provide. During your routine check-up, your dentist will advise whether any teeth need fillings. Most fillings are done because of a tooth cavity, but they can also help prevent toothaches and further tooth decay. Sugary foods and neglect of oral hygiene put you at risk of developing cavities. If you need a filling, you’ll need to book a separate appointment to have the treatment done.

Who should book a fillings appointment: If your dentist has advised you that you need a filling, you’ll need to book a fillings appointment.

How do I book my first appointment?

If it’s been a long time between dental visits for you, it’s time to book in! To book an appointment with one of the Mornington Peninsula Dental Clinic dentists, you can email or call us at (03) 5975 5944. Our friendly administration team will be able to discuss your options, including which appointment is best suited to you.

To learn more about our practice, team and the services we offer, head to our website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.