How often should I see a dentist?

Dentists recommend that you attend a regular check-up and oral hygiene clean once every six months. Depending on your individual needs, your dentist may recommend recurring visits more frequently or less frequently, such as every nine to 12 months. During your check-up, your dentist will look at your oral hygiene and diet, the health of your teeth, lips, gums, and any risk of gum disease, signs of tooth wear and the alignment of your teeth, jaws and bite. Book an appointment online today.

Why do I need to see a dentist regularly?

Making regular visits to the dentist can help spot early signs of tooth decay and gum disease. These issues are easier to treat when caught early. Regular check-ups also allow your dentist to spot risks and prepare a treatment plan to manage them.

Should I spit toothpaste out or rinse my mouth with water?

According to the Australian Dental Association (ADA) it is better to spit out the toothpaste from your mouth rather than rinsing out as this provides on going protection to tooth enamel.

Can a professional dental cleaning damage teeth?

Hygienists and Oral Health Therapists are professionally qualified to clean your teeth safely and carefully and do not damage teeth. it’s common to experience a bit of tooth sensitivity after a professional clean, this is because of the effects caused by decay rather than the process of it being removed.

What are the alternatives to wisdom tooth removal?

If our dentists check your wisdom teeth and are happy with the way they are growing, we may recommend over-the-counter pain medication to help you manage the pain and discomfort and we'll monitor the tooth to check that it comes through normally. We may also prescribe antibiotics to treat an infection if there is one present. For some over eruptions or partial eruptions of wisdom teeth, we may recommend removing part of the tooth or some of the gum tissue covering the tooth rather than extracting the whole tooth. We'll make sure you know all your options so you can decide what's best for you.

How much does wisdom tooth removal cost?

The cost of wisdom tooth removal in Perth can vary depending on the number of teeth to be extracted and the type of sedation required. EVP Dental have agreements with two dedicated anaesthetists. This means for patients with private health insurance hospital cover (having served waiting periods and not exceeded yearly limits), the excess cost for the anaesthetist and hospital may be minimal. For patients without hospital cover, IV sedation can also be an affordable cost alternative for wisdom tooth removal and can be administered at our practice or at Southbank Day Surgery. For more information on wisdom teeth removal pricing at our Perth clinic, contact us today.

Why do I need a custom-fitted sports mouthguard?

A custom-fitted sports mouthguard provides the best possible protection for your teeth, gums and jaw while playing contact sports. While more expensive than over-the-counter types, the cost of treating a dental injury far outweighs the cost of a custom-fitted mouthguard.

What are the alternatives to wisdom tooth removal?

If our dentists check your wisdom teeth and are happy with the way they are growing, we may recommend over-the-counter pain medication to help you manage the pain and discomfort and we'll monitor the tooth to check that it comes through normally. We may also prescribe antibiotics to treat an infection if there is one present. For some over eruptions or partial eruptions of wisdom teeth, we may recommend removing part of the tooth or some of the gum tissue covering the tooth rather than extracting the whole tooth. We'll make sure you know all your options so you can decide what's best for you.

Dental Anxiety - Anxious Patients

Anxious Patients in East Vic Park
A fear of the dentist is more common than you think. Every day we help people overcome longstanding fears, anxieties and even phobias of the dentist. We do it by using communication, relaxation, distraction and sedation methods that help you stay in control of your oral health and address early signs of a problem before they get worse. Read about how the EVP Dental team can help you stay calm and confident for your upcoming appointment. Call Us
What Causes Dental Anxiety?
There are a variety of causes for dental anxiety. For some patients it’s a fear of the unknown and for others it can be because of a past experience with a dentist or another trusted healthcare provider. Some other causes for dental fear or anxiety may include: fear of pain lack of control loss of personal space fear of needles past trauma of loved ones in a similar environment other traumatic experiences, including abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder a history of neck or head trauma generalised anxiety or other mental health conditions Talking to your dentist and explaining your past experiences and concerns can help you feel calm and avoid any triggers for your upcoming appointment.
The Cycle of Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety causes patients to put off treatment which consequently leads to poor oral health. When oral health deteriorates, treatment becomes complex and costly and may even cause a dental emergency. This experience can reinforce feelings of guilt or shame for not seeking care sooner and can end up exacerbating dental anxiety. A viscous cycle ensues. The gentle and caring team at EVP Dental help you to break the cycle of dental anxiety, pain and guilt, allowing you to maintain control over your oral health. When you plan for dental anxiety, you’re able to receive treatment calmly and comfortably.
Nothing like your last experience
The dental profession has evolved over many decades, anxious patients who see us, will often find that their experience is nothing like their last one. By choosing an EVP Dentist you can expect an exceptional level of care, no matter how big or small treatment is. We take an empathetic approach to patient care and can offer a variety of methods to help you reach a calm and comfortable state. If it’s been more than a decade since your last trip to the dentist, you’ll discover things have changed quite a bit. Modern technology such as EMS Airflow, 3D digital scanning and intraoral photography save time, provide better accuracy and also make for a more comfortable experience overall.
Helping Anxious Patients
We help patients overcome dental anxiety every day. By using a variety of methods, we can help anxious patients achieve the right comfort levels they need to receive care. These strategies include: Communication Relaxation Distraction Sedation
Communication Avoid anticipating your visit by booking an early appointment Call ahead to ask questions Talk through your anxiety and what might be causing it Identify any triggers (needles, noises, smells) so your dentist can plan to avoid them Tailor your plan to break down time in the chair, or make one long appointment for less appointments overall. Use a hand signal to take a break through treatment Your dentist will explain exactly what will happen in your appointment and keep you informed throughout. They’ll also check in with you during treatment to make sure you’re comfortable.
Relaxation EVP Dental’s Dr Darren Cai explains how breathing exercises can help calm your breathing and clear the mind before an appointment. Some other relaxation techniques include: Meditation to calm you down before treatment Progressive muscle relaxation exercises to gradually release tension from head to toes Use guided imagery to visualise positive thoughts Check YouTube for guided imagery and meditation videos to keep you comfortable before your appointment. The hardest step can be walking through the door, we’ll help you from there.
Distraction Bring headphones to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks or watch a program or series on our ceiling-mounted TVs. Request a pillow and blanket Squeeze a stress ball or occupy your hands with an object Bring a friend along for support
Sedation If the above methods haven’t been right for you in the past, ask your dentist about a suitable dental sedation option for your treatment. Our practice is equipped to provide a range of sedation options for all dental treatments. Our sedation options include: Numbing (topical) gel Local anaesthesia to numb pain Oral sedation to produce a relaxed state of mind Sleep dentistry to sleep through your treatment (IV sedation) General anaesthesia (at Southbank day surgery)
Don’t Wait for Pain
Delaying routine dental care can cause lead to poor oral heath, pain and feed the cycle of dental fear and anxiety. The caring team at EVP Dental offer a range of methods to help you feel calm, comfortable and confident for your appointment. For more information or to book your first visit, call our team today on (08) 9470 3944 or book an appointment online. Book Online

Frequently asked questions

The main causes of dental anxiety include:

fear of pain
embarrassment
loss of personal space
side effects of anaesthesia
lack of control
fear of needles

Talking to your dentist and explaining your concerns and past experiences can help you both plan for your upcoming appointment.

Dentists aim to reduce painful or uncomfortable aspects of the dental experience by focusing on removing triggers that may cause fear or anxiety for patients. Triggers include sights, sounds, sensations and smells.

At EVP Dental, we encourage patients to call ahead and inform us of any triggers we may be able to work around for a more pleasant experience.

What are some coping methods for dental anxiety?

Our dentists use a combination of communication, distraction, relaxation and sedation options to help patients feel calm and relaxed for their upcoming appointment.

Dental practitioners are perceptive and are professionally trained to identify signs of dental anxiety, which may include: