News

nib Dental Care coming to Brisbane CBD

06/02/2018 by Astronaut

We are excited to announce the opening of nib Dental & Eye Care Centre, Brisbane on Monday 5th March 2018.

Our modern centre will be located on Eagle Street in the bustling heart of the Brisbane CBD. Open 6 days per week, we’re friendly, affordable and provide a full range of dental services to meet the needs of you and your family.

nib customers with eligible cover may be entitled to receive 100% back on their dental check-up. Terms and conditions, waiting periods, annual limits and service limits apply. Click here for details.

nib Dental & Eye Care centres are open to the general public, which means that you don’t need to have private health insurance with nib to visit the centre. Anyone can access our wide range of dental services including:

General Dentistry: check-ups, fillings, fluoride treatments and all of the other general dentistry services you and your family require
Cosmetic Dentistry: Restoring your smile with veneers, crowns, implants and whitening treatments
Emergency Appointments: Same day emergency appointments are generally available for accidents or toothaches

You can request an appointment before the centre opens here.

Later in the year, you’ll also be able to book in your next eye test or purchase eye wear and contact lenses at the nib Eye Care Centre opening at the same location.

Is your dentist open this Christmas?

11/12/2017 by Astronaut

At nib Dental Care, we understand that dental emergencies don’t necessarily wait for the season’s festivities to be over.

Which is why we endeavour to cover you this Christmas and New Year by keeping some of our centres open, even on public holidays, so we’re there when you need us most.

Whether you’re a new patient to nib Dental Care or have been coming to see us for years, we’ll be there to ensure your smile is in tip top shape to bring in the new year.

The centre’s below will be open on the following days-

Christmas Day 2017

All nib Dental Care Centres will be closed. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Boxing Day 2017

Melbourne, Chatswood, Erina, Glendale

New Year’s Day 2018

Erina, Glendale

Most centres will be open as usual all other days between Christmas and New Year. Contact your local centre for specific opening hours and appointments.

Bookings can easily be made online here or contact your local centre by phone.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

23/10/2017 by Astronaut

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is the inflammation and infection of the gums. Gum disease can occur where there is a build-up of plaque and tartar (calculus) on teeth which houses harmful bacteria. The best way to avoid gum disease is by establishing good oral hygiene patterns, cleaning and flossing your teeth daily to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria.

The initial stage of gum disease is referred to as gingivitis (an inflammation of your gums). If you have gingivitis, you may have symptoms such as bleeding gums (especially when brushing or flossing), bad breath, gum redness or tenderness. Gingivitis is reversible and can be treated by regularly removing the plaque and tartar from teeth. A regular scale and clean by your dentist and maintaining your own daily oral hygiene habits will prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar and help keep your gums healthy.

If gingivitis is not treated and the inflammation and bacterial infection continues, it may progress to an advanced stage of gum disease called periodontitis. This stage of gum disease can cause serious damage to teeth and gums and may also impact on the bone supporting your teeth. The gums may start to recede or pull away from your teeth forming pockets between the gum and teeth. These pockets become harder to clean and the disease continues. As the infection progresses, the surrounding bone is impacted and in severe cases, teeth may become loose and require removal.

You may not be aware that you have gum disease so regular dental check-ups are important. The earlier gum disease is identified and treated, the better the long term outcome. Treatment of gum disease will vary depending upon the stage of gum disease present, however the aim of treatment remains the same, to stop or slow down the progress of disease and to help you introduce daily maintenance procedures that help keep your gums healthy.

Your dentist will look for signs of gum disease during your routine dental check-ups. Signs may include bleeding gums, red and swollen gums, bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth, or teeth which have become loose. Should you notice any of these signs, it is important to visit the dentist to discuss any concerns.

We recommend that you check your health cover before seeking treatment. You can call nib on 13 14 63 or log on to nib Online Services to review your dental cover and remaining annual limits.

Ways to Overcome Your Anxiety About Going to the Dentist

23/10/2017 by Astronaut

Do you put off going to the dentist because you think it might hurt, or you hate the sound of the drill? Many patients avoid having their dental work done because they are nervous about it. It may be related to personal experience, experiences of others you’ve overheard, or exposure to books and movies that feature a scary dentist.

The truth about modern dentistry is that it is constantly improving. Fears that you may have had many years ago may very well now be a thing of the past. We’ve put together a few strategies to help you manage and overcome your anxiety about going to the dentist – and how to make good dental habits a normal part of life.

Make Visiting the Dentist Part of Your Routine
Afraid that a visit to the dentist may cause you pain? The worst thing you can do is put off going to see your Dentist, as regular dental check-ups mean that your Dentist can identify any problems and treat them before they get any worse.

A mistake people often make is waiting until they are in pain before they visit the dentist. By putting off your dental appointment until the pain is unbearable, you may be risking a more unfavourable outcome and more complex dental visit. While booking in for regular check-ups is the best course of action, it is important to book an appointment if you notice any discomfort. The longer you leave it, the more damage your dentist may need to repair.

Honesty is the Best Policy
Be honest with your dentist – they are no strangers to anxious patients and understand what you are feeling. At nib Dental Care Centres we care about your experience and provide nervous patients with solutions so they can undergo treatment without the anxiety.

Sleep Dentistry is a safe and comfortable way for nervous patients to visit the dentist. Sleep Dentistry involves having your dental work completed either in surgery under IV sedation at your nearest participating nib Dental Care Centre, or in hospital under general anaesthetic where you can sleep through the entire procedure. You can read more about Sleep Dentistry here.

Be Early
The last thing you want to do after you have gathered up enough courage to make a dental appointment is turn up to your appointment late and flustered. Try arriving at the Centre a little earlier to familiarise yourself with the environment and people.

Looking for a trusted dentist to offer you an affordable and comfortable check-up? Find your nearest nib Dental Care Centre by phoning 1300 345 300 or visit nibdental.com.au.

We recommend that you check your health cover before seeking treatment. You can call nib on 13 14 63 or log on to nib Online Services to review your dental cover and remaining annual limits.

The Play-by-Play on Mouthguards

13/10/2017 by Astronaut

One of the best methods to prevent dental-related sports injuries is to wear a mouth guard. Consult your dentist to find out what is the most suitable type of dental device for your specific needs.

There are three basic types of sporty mouth guards – Stock; Boil and Bite; and Custom-fitted.

Stock Mouth Guards
These pre-formed mouth guards are inexpensive and you can readily find them at your local sporting goods store. Because they are not designed to match the dimensions of your mouth, they offer minimal protection and usually do not fit well. If you’re on the hunt for the most inexpensive and accessible mouth guard solution for your kids, stock mouth guards are one to consider. However they are sometimes difficult for little mouths to keep in and use effectively – they can however end up in more in hands rather than in mouths.

Boil and Bite Mouth Guards
Also found at most athletic stores and pharmacies, Boil and Bite mouth guards allow a slightly better fit than the stock mouth guard as they do attempt to conform to the shape of your mouth. As the name suggests, you are required to heat the guard in hot water so that it becomes soft, then insert it into your mouth and allow it to cool, allowing it to conform to the shape of your teeth and gums using tongue and biting pressure. While it isn’t a perfect fit, Bit and Boil mouth guards may provide a more customised fit than Stock mouth guards.

Custom-fitted Mouth Guards
Custom-fitted mouth guards are just as the name suggests – a guard customised by your dentist to allow an individualised fit specific to you. The accurate fit of these mouth guards allows for maximum comfort, retention and protection. Custom fitted mouth guards can be fabricated in a variety of colours (go team colours!) and in varying thicknesses, depending on what level of protection is needed. Due to the accurate fit of custom-fitted mouth guards, it’s also easier to breathe with (in comparison to stock and boil and bite guards) and to clearly tell your teammates about your game-winning play strategy.

Custom-fitted mouth guards can also be tailored for children who wear braces or people who have undergone extensive dental work.

While custom-fitted mouth guards are the most expensive of the three options, the benefits far outweigh the cost. If you take into consideration the cost of the dental repairs from a ball (or knee) to the face, a custom mouth guard doesn’t seem so expensive after all.

nib health insurance may pay benefits towards the cost of customised mouth guards. You can call nib on 13 14 63 or log on to nib Online Services to review your dental cover.

Looking for a mouth guard to keep you protected this sports season? Find your nearest nib Dental Care Centre by phoning 1300 345 300 or visit nibdental.com.au