Our surgery rooms are designed to cater for those with mobility or dexterity needs that require special facilities. We provide critically important services to ensure that individuals with disabilities or special needs receive the best dental care they need to maintain optimal oral health and overall well-being. In all cases, prevention is the key to a good long term oral health outcomes.  We will advise you if any structural issues need to be corrected and put in place a plan for any ongoing support.

Read the following article for more information:  https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/practice-alert-oral-health_0.pdf

Wheelchair Access and Assistance Animals welcome

The Elite Dental surgery is wheelchair and electric wheelchair accessible.   There is convenient and close parking.  Our team ensures that patients are comfortable and safe during all procedures. For example, we may use adaptive devices, such as positioning aids, to help patients maintain proper positioning during treatment.  We also welcome emotional support pets or assistance animals and we allow patients to retain their security blankets or toys as needed.

Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital

Currently, Dr Wareham, treats patients from the Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital and carefully follows best practice when engaging with patients and their carers.

What to do before a visit

When planning a dental visit, talk to the patient calmly explaining how Dr Wareham is there to help and that they may feel some discomfort. Dr Wareham will carefully monitor the patient’s comfort and stop regularly for breaks.   It is also important to bring a copy of their consent form and discuss with us if pain or relaxation medication might be administered prior to a visit.

For anxious patients with high needs, sleep or twilight dentistry can be arranged and we will arrange for an anesthetist to be present.

Following any procedures clear advice and follow-up is provided for post care.

If you need special disable access dental services, please contact us to discuss your needs.

To book an appointment.  Click here:  https://www.elitedental.com.au/here

The post Do you need special disabled dental support? appeared first on Elite Dental.

There are two categories of people who undergo teeth straightening, those who are conscious of their teeth not being straight and those who are advised to correct a structural issue.  Structural issues left unfixed can develop into a serious problem that can impact your health.

If you do see flaws, they can be fixed by ‘Teeth Straightening’.  Teeth straightening is an essential component of orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry

Speaking to your dentist is the first step in deciding which is the best approach to take.    At Elite Dental we look to create healthy teeth before addressing any cosmetic changes.  We are conscious, at all times, the costs associated with teeth straightening.

Invisalign vs Clear Correct

Elite Dental will take your budget into consideration and advise you the benefits and risks of each option depending on the complexity of your oral needs.   Elite Dental has already invested in the ClearCorrect system which will provide you with an overall lower cost and less visits to the dentist.  Depending on the complexity of your teeth we will advise you the appropriate treatment.  There are many brands of clear aligner treatments.  ClearCorrect or Invisalign are two of the most common clear aligners.

More information on two of most common aligners are available on Clear Teeth Straighteners – Invisalign Clear Aligners | Invisalign Treatment and Invisible Teeth Aligners for Better Smiles – ClearCorrect (straumann.com)

Invisalign vs. ClearCorrect Australia: An In-Depth Comparison (smileprep.com)

At Elite Dental, our dentists are happy to discuss the best teeth straightening option for you.

Make an appointment with us today.

The post Do you love your smile? Teeth straightening is an option. appeared first on Elite Dental.

Dr Neil Peppitt, president of the NSW branch of the Australian Dental Association has the following words for us to ponder; “The health of a society is gauged by how we look after those who can’t look after themselves”. He further explained that there is no oral health component in GP medical health assessments for people aged 75 years and older. Aged Care Assessment Teams are not required to consider a patient’s dental health before they engage in a home care program or enter a residential aged-care facility.

How does pain affect us?

Oral pain can lead to a person being unable to eat properly. This can lead to prolonged toothaches, dental abscess, gum disease and general deterioration of health. Malnutrition is directly associated with an increased risk of infection, decrease in coordination and higher chance of falls. Untreated oral diseases can increase the risk of contracting life-threatening conditions like pneumonia and cardio-vascular diseases. Gum disease has been proven to exacerbate diabetes. Dental pain can affect sleep quality. All these are particularly detrimental if an elderly person is unable to communicate dental pain.

We have to maintain a good quality of life for our older family members, the best we can. We will concentrate on preventative care almost exclusively, rather than complicated treatment. Even if dentures are being used, it is good to have a few natural teeth to keep the dentures. The aim is to keep dental health to a good standard so that comfort is attained, in function and at rest.

Preventative dental care is something that is extremely worthwhile for all of us. This is particularly true for all of us during the latter years of our lives.

The post Are those worn down teeth any good? appeared first on Elite Dental.

This is part of the campaign by the Rethink Sugary Drink initiative, of which ADA is a part of. It is an effective method with high visual impact to communicate with young people. On the site there are many images to highlight the detrimental damage done to teeth from drinking sugary drinks regularly.

Advertisement for sugary drinks

There were images of many young people looking attractive and glamorous until they open their mouths, revealing brown and horrifically rotten teeth. This was to parallel the way sugary drink companies and advertise their products, touting beautiful image, playing on the viewer’s vanity and desire. Those sugary drink companies have the endless budgets to advertise and portray any idea they want the audience to associate their product with. For example, the advertisements normally portray people that look good, being part of the ‘in crowd’, active, having a lot of fun and appearing healthy.

Consuming too much sugar has been linked to a plethora of health problems. The first predictor is body weight gain. The unhealthy weight gain increases the risk of other serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and 13 types of cancer.

Nevertheless, many young people may not notice any immediate effects on their general health and cannot associate sugary drinks with the health problems mentioned above. The effect on their teeth from sugary drinks though, can progress very fast. In many cases this is the only factor that might change their habits.

If these young people can cut back on sugary drinks, their teeth will be stronger and healthier from day one. Of course it is better to completely stay away from such drinks.

We have a cost free solution. Our municipal water is safe to drink. It is cost effective, tastes great and will keep our young people’s smiles beautiful for many years to come!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-22/soft-drinks-targeted-over-tooth-decay-new-health-campaign/10735064

The post What is happening to those smiles? appeared first on Elite Dental.

Brushing kids’ teeth can be challenging, particularly in the early years. They practically wriggle away from you. They cannot comprehend the importance of such an exercise.

Nevertheless, multiple research papers suggest the incredible benefits of keeping the children’s dental hygiene to a good standard from an early age.

The recent Australian oral health report showed that about 34% of Australian 5 to 6-year-old have experienced tooth decay in their baby teeth. This means if we take a class of Kindergarten kids, one out of three kids would have expected to have dental decay.

In my working experience I have seen the gradual increase in tooth decay in children. Reducing sugar intake is important. Reducing the plaque accumulation on teeth also reduces the incidence of tooth decay.

The study also showed that only about 68% of children of those ages brush their teeth the recommended twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste.

Children like to emulate the adults around them. Show them that you brush your teeth regularly. As soon as the first baby teeth appear, use a face washer wrapped around your finger to rub gently on those teeth. The first tooth usually appears around 6 months of age. As you incorporate this routine into your baby’s bath time, there should be a very smooth progression into the next stage of using a toothbrush.

When you introduce a toothbrush it is good to sit the toddler in your lap facing away from you. Coming from the front of a child can be threatening for them. It is more effective if there is a mirror for them to see what is being done for them.

How long do you help with brushing?

Generally children do not have the manual dexterity to properly clean all the surfaces of their teeth until they are at least 10 years old. This is of course a generalised guide. As you demonstrate and guide them, they will surprise you with the ability they have in self-care. The routine of brushing their teeth twice daily is one of the easiest habits you can establish for them.

Happy brushing and do not forget their regular dental check up!

The post When should I start brushing my kid’s teeth? appeared first on Elite Dental.