FAQ

General & Appointments

1. How often should I visit the dentist for a check-up and clean?
As your local Geelong dentist, we recommend visiting every 6 months for a routine examination and professional clean to catch potential issues early and maintain healthy gums.

2. What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring your health insurance card (if applicable), and any relevant medical history or previous dental records to our Newtown dentist practice.

3. Do you offer health fund claiming?
Yes, as a dedicated family dentist Newtown patients rely on, we accept all major health funds with HICAPS on-the-spot claiming.

4. How do I book an appointment with Aviva Dental?
You can easily book online through our website 24/7 or give our dental clinic Geelong reception team a call during clinic hours.

5. What is your cancellation policy?
We request at least 24 to 48 hours’ notice if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment so we can offer that time slot to another patient.

Preventative & Oral Hygiene

6. How often should I replace my toothbrush?
You should change your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3 months.

7. Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush?
Both can be effective, but electric toothbrushes often make it easier to clean hard-to-reach areas and ensure you brush for the recommended 2 minutes.

8. How can I prevent cavities at home?
Cavities are caused by sugars, including cane sugar and natural sugars like honey. Keep these as occasional treats with meals, and avoid consuming them between meals or within an hour of bedtime. While flossing helps slightly, a complete oral routine is best.

9. What causes persistent bad breath (halitosis)?
Bad breath can be caused by trapped food particles, gum disease, dry mouth, or tobacco use. Regular flossing and tongue cleaning help reduce bacteria.

10. Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
Bleeding gums are usually an early sign of gingivitis (gum inflammation). Consistent brushing and flossing often resolve this, but visit our gentle dentist Geelong team if bleeding persists.

Cosmetic & Orthodontics

11. Is professional teeth whitening safe for my enamel?
Yes, professional teeth whitening Geelong treatments supervised by a skilled dentist Geelong are completely safe and formulated to protect your enamel while lifting stains.

12. How long do teeth whitening results last?
Results typically last between 1 to 3 years depending on your lifestyle, dietary habits (e.g., coffee, wine, tea), and oral hygiene routine.

13. What is the difference between veneers and crowns?
Veneers cover only the front surface of the tooth for cosmetic improvement, whereas crowns enclose the entire tooth to restore strength. If you are dealing with missing teeth Geelong, a dental implant Geelong procedure is often the preferred full-structure solution.

14. Will cosmetic treatments cause tooth sensitivity?
Temporary sensitivity can occur after treatments like whitening, but it usually resolves within a few days. We offer desensitising gels to minimise discomfort.

15. What constitutes a dental emergency?
Severe toothache, a knocked-out tooth, uncontrollable bleeding, facial swelling, or a broken tooth requiring immediate relief from an emergency dentist Geelong are all dental emergencies.

Emergencies & Specialised Care

16. What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out?
Handle the tooth by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it with milk or saline if dirty, and try to place it back in the socket or store it in milk while heading to see our friendly dentist Geelong team immediately.

17. Are dental X-rays safe during pregnancy?
We would avoid these where possible, but if they have to be done, any recommended dentist Geelong expectant mothers visit will use modern digital X-rays with extremely low radiation levels and protective lead aprons to ensure safety.

18. Does a root canal treatment hurt?
Root canal treatment requires care from a professional dentist Geelong trusts, ensuring very good anaesthetic is given so that it can be done comfortably. Your dentist can explain what medication is needed after while it heals.

19. How long does recovery take after a tooth extraction?
Initial healing usually takes 3 to 7 days. Following post-treatment instructions are important to avoid post operative infections. Examples of these are how to keep the site clean and avoiding exercise immediately after.