Inside Whitehorse Dental which is a dental clinic in Blackburn, catering to family dental care

Preventative Dentistry



It’s the age-old saying: prevention is better than a cure.

Proactively managing your oral health is an important part of keeping your teeth strong and healthy for life. It also avoids major and costly restorative dentistry down the track! At Whitehorse Dental, we’re here to help make this easy. We offer our patients a range of preventative dentistry services in a friendly, and comfortable envfitted mouthguardironment.

Regular Maintenance Check-Ups

Our dentists wholeheartedly believe in preventative dentistry. They recommend that our patients visit us for regular dental check-ups every 6 months. This helps us track your dental health and manage any potential conditions or issues.

Given most dental conditions do not cause discomfort at first, these check-ups are important for early detection. This helps combat disease in the early stages, both protecting your teeth and limiting your expense!

Some of the things our dentists will do during your visit are:

  • Look for any signs of decay, acid wear, cracks or damage from grinding your teeth at night
  • Check your teeth’s gum and bone support
  • Do an oral cancer screening
  • Clean and polish your teeth
  • Take x-rays to check the areas between your teeth that can’t be seen by visual examination

Even if you’ve had problematic teeth and gums in the past, our experienced dentists can equip you with the most efficient way of taking care of your teeth.

Fissure Sealants

Our back teeth often have deep grooves in them that accumulate food and bacteria. Whilst brushing your teeth twice daily removes some of this build-up, it does not remove it all. So, over time, decay sets in.

Fissure sealants are a tooth-coloured resin. Our dentists use them to fill the grooves, protecting your teeth against future decay. Applying fissure sealants is quick, easy and painless. It requires no anaesthetic or drilling!

At Whitehorse Dental, our dentists recommend that a good time to apply sealants is when the adult molars first start to grow in children. This occurs at about age 6 for the first molars and age 12 for the second molars.

Custom-Made Sports Mouthguards

Did you know that every year, thousands of people are treated for dental injuries that could have been prevented or minimised if they were wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard? Our dentists can create a personalised mouthguard to protect you or your child from dental injuries caused by contact to the face during sports.

Night Guards | Clenching & Grinding

Clenching and grinding your teeth during your sleep means your teeth can be rubbing against each other for hours. The amount of force we exert whilst grinding our teeth is five times that experienced whilst chewing. Our teeth are not designed to withstand that kind of pressure. Apart from damaging your teeth, grinding your teeth during the night can result in jaw pain, headaches and joint issues.

We can help you protect your teeth and avoid the associated discomforts of grinding with a made-to-fit night guard. Using a dental night guard relaxes your jaw muscles and protects your teeth from wear.

Oral Appliances for Snoring

We’re lucky enough to have specialised dentists who are trained to make custom oral appliances for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. Based on more than 40 years of scientific studies, The Australian Sleep Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine back these oral appliances as a key treatment for these conditions.

Our dentists work under the recommendation of several leading sleep physicians and ENT specialists to deliver appliances that assist in the management of snoring and sleep apnoea.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is preventative dentistry and why is it important?
Preventative dentistry focuses on proactive oral care—catching and stopping dental issues early to avoid more extensive (and costly) treatments later
How often should I have a dental check-up and clean?
Whitehorse Dental recommends visits every six months for routine check-ups and cleans. Some patients with low risk may be seen annually, while those with higher risk may need visits every 3–4 months
What happens during a preventative check-up?
“During your visit, the dentist will: Examine for cavities, enamel wear, gum and bone health Screen for oral cancer Take x‑rays as needed Provide a professional clean and polish”
What are the benefits of preventative dentistry?
Preventative dentistry helps detect issues early, reducing the need for complex treatments like root canals or extractions. It protects your natural teeth, improves overall health, and lowers long-term dental costs.
Is preventative dentistry suitable for all ages?
Yes, preventative care is important for everyone—from toddlers to seniors. Children benefit from early dental education and monitoring, while adults and older patients gain protection against gum disease, enamel wear, and other age-related issues.
What role does diet play in preventative dental care?
A balanced diet low in sugary and acidic foods helps protect your enamel and gums. Drinking water, especially fluoridated tap water in Australia, also supports oral health between brushing.
How does professional cleaning support prevention?
Professional dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar build-up that can’t be eliminated by brushing alone. It helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, and allows the dentist to spot early signs of issues.
Can preventative dentistry help avoid major dental work?
Absolutely. Regular preventative care often identifies problems in their earliest stages—before they require fillings, crowns, root canals, or tooth removal. This approach saves both time and money in the long run.
How can I help prevent cavities at home?
Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, limiting sugary/acidic foods and snacks, and drinking plenty of water between meals
Why should children start preventive care early?
Early dental care—including education, check-ups, fluoride, sealants, and no‑drill treatment—lays a healthy foundation for lifelong oral health. It also helps children develop comfort and familiarity with dental visits.