General dentistry | McMahons Point Dental

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday - 8am to 7pm
Saturday - 8am to 5pm

General dentistry

General Dentistry Services North Sydney

 

Our dental care centre is centrally located in McMahons Point on

the lower north shore of Sydney, a short walk from the North Sydney CBD and convenient to Crows Nest, St Leonards, Waverton, Greenwich, Neutral Bay and Cammeray.

Dr Edwina provids an extensive array of cosmetic and genera dental services:

  • Cosmetic Dentistry – Crowns, Veneers, Teeth Whitening, White Dental Fillings 
  • Orthodontics and Invisalign 
  • Family and Children’s Dentistry 
  • Periodontal (Gum) Treatment 
  • Snore Appliances (Sleep Apnoea) 
  • Wisdom Teeth Removal 
  • Dental Implants 
  • Emergency dentistry  
  • Dentures 

To find out more, click on the links above, or contact us and speak to our friendly reception team on (02) 9460 1661. You can also email us: reception@mcmahonspointhealth.com.au 

McMahons Point Dental, servicing Crows Nest, St Leonards and North Sydney surrounding suburbs.

Regular Preventive Dentistry

Dentist in North Sydney

For most patients, we recommend booking a regular check-up and clean every six months, although Dr Edwina will recommend shorter or longer intervals between check ups in certain circumstances. Coming regularly means the build up on your teeth (plaque, tartar and staining) is not allowed to get too bad and your teeth look clean, fresh and healthy. More importantly, many dental conditions such as oral cancer and decay develop slowly and do not become painful until extensive damage has already occurred. So it is vital that you have regular recalls even if you have not noticed any symptoms. If you have further questions, please contact us at our North Sydney dental surgery on 02 9460 1661 or reception@mcmahonspointhealth.com.au

Dr Edwina’s comprehensive dental examinations include screening for the following conditions: 

Dental Caries

Commonly called tooth decay, dental caries is caused by bacteria in the mouth that thrive on sugary foods. Most people know that sweets and soft drinks can cause decay, but many people are unaware of the many other foods and drinks that can cause damage. These include: 

  • Muesli bars 
  • Sweet and savoury biscuits 
  • Dried fruit snacks 
  • Cordials 
  • Fruit juice 
  • Fruit in jelly or syrup 
  • Numerous products marketed as health foods 
  • Alcohol 
  • Sports and energy drinks 
  • Even breads and pasta 

Dental decay can take years to develop and rarely causes symptoms until the bacteria have almost reached the nerve inside the tooth. Call us on (02) 9460 1661 to make an appointment and ensure you do not have any dental decay. 

Periodontal Disease (Gum disease)

Gum disease is a process of inflammation that affects the gums (gingiva) and the periodontal ligament that supports the tooth in the bone. Mild symptoms of gum disease include red, puffy gums that bleed easily. This is called gingivitis. In its most severe cases, gum disease can cause loose teeth, bad breath and even tooth loss. This is termed periodontitis 

Gum disease is prevented by daily flossing to remove plaque and food debris before it turns into calculus, also known as tartar, the hard build up on your teeth. Since none of us can remove all of that debris ourselves, calculus still builds up and must be removed by a dentist before further damage can occur. Dr Edwina uses an ultrasonic device to gently remove calculus from the teeth, then polishes the plaque and stains off using an instrument similar to an electric toothbrush. 

If you are concerned about gum disease, please call our reception staff on (02) 9460 1661 or email us on reception@mcmahonspointhealth.com.au. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.  

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

This term covers a range of symptoms affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Symptoms include: 

  • Clicking and popping of the jaw joint 
  • Locking of the jaw 
  • Pain in the muscles directly surrounding the joint; sometimes spreading up around the head and down the neck 
  • Headaches 
  • Clenching and grinding of teeth 

TMD can also be associated with poor posture and obstructive sleep apnoea. TMD treatments vary according to the symptoms but may involve: 

  • Heat packs, resting the jaw and anti- inflammatory medication 
  • Occlusal splints worn over the teeth at night 
  • Correction of the bite 
  • Orthodontic treatment 

Oral Cancer Treatments

Although rare, unusual growths or tumours can occur on the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth and throat. Often these go unnoticed by the patient until they are at a serious stage. Dr Toulmin checks for any abnormalities in the appearance of these areas during every examination

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea ( OSA)

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea can be used to describe any temporary, partial or complete blockage of the airways during sleep. Often, but not always, this is associated with snoring. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea can have severe and far- reaching effects on your dental and general health. Read more about the symptoms and treatments for OSA. 

Tooth Wear and Erosion

Tooth wear and erosion can be caused by: 

  • An incorrect bite 
  • Bruxism (grinding of teeth) 
  • Habits such as biting fingernails 
  • Excessive intake of acidic foods and beverages e.g. alcohol, soft drinks and fruit juice 

Treatment can include white dental fillings, crowns and veneers and night guards (occlusal splints). Of course, any damaging habits should be stopped. 

Fractured Teeth

These are often difficult to diagnose. Commonly patients feel something is “not quite right” for months or years before the fracture is eventually found. Dr Edwina pays special attention to screening for these, using direct vision, transillumination and Methylene Blue to aid her diagnosis. 

Other Orthodontic Concerns

While Dr Edwina enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, she has a special interest in orthodontics. Beginning with Invisalign and clear aligner technology, she continued her training with a two- year residency in orthodontics. She uses metal and ceramic (clear) braces, clear aligners, fixed and removable appliances to correct the crowding and cosmetic issues in children, teens and adults. While she is careful not to treat children too early, in some cases she may begin treatment as early as six years old. There is no upper age limit on orthodontic treatment. As long as you can keep your teeth clean, you can have your teeth corrected. Click Here for further information, or call our North Sydney dental practice on (02) 9460 1661 for further information about orthodontics and Invisalign. 

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth normally erupt during a person’s late teens or early twenties. Because of our modern, softer diets, human jaws are becoming smaller so we often don’t have space for wisdom teeth to erupt correctly. Subsequently, many people suffer pain from their wisdom teeth. Treatment depends on severity, but many cases require extraction. Dr Toulmin has extensive experience with wisdom tooth removal and can perform them in chair, avoiding the need for costly and potentially dangerous General Anaesthetic. For patients who feel they need something to relax them, Dr Toulmin is qualified to administer Nitrous Oxide (happy gas) or prescribe sedatives. Conscious sedation, which is like a lighter form of General Anaesthetic, can also be arranged in our North Sydney rooms

Facial Asymmetries

These can be a sign of a nerve disorder or tumour and may require further investigation. 

Salivary Gland Disorders

Saliva plays an important role in protecting the mouth from dental decay and gingivitis. If a salivary gland is blocked or stops producing saliva, the teeth are no longer protected. There are many causes of salivary gland dysfunction which Dr Edwina can discuss with you at the time of consultation. 

Fungal, Bacterial and Viral Infections

There are many diseases of the oral cavity that can show up as red, white or yellowish discolourations or bumps. They can be associated with pain, discomfort, itching or burning sensations but are often symptom free. Dr Toulmin screens for these conditions at every examination. 

Looking for North Sydney Dental Specialist?

Book an appointment with McMahons Point Dental, a professional practice providing general, family and cosmetic dentistry to North Sydney families and individuals. McMahons Point Dental is located on the lower north shore of Sydney, servicing Crows Nest, St Leonards, Cammeray and surrounding suburbs. Call us today on 02 9460 1661.