News

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

Newcastle CBD Roadwork and Your Next Dental Appointment

13/09/2017 by Astronaut

As you may be aware, the NSW Government have started work on the Newcastle Light Rail. Work on Hunter Street is due to start in September, and the road out the front of our Dental Care Centre will be closed to traffic.

While there will be fencing around the road during this time, the footpaths will still be accessible, meaning that nib Dental Care Newcastle will still be open for business 6 days a week, with our usual extended trading hours.

There will be limited parking around the Centre during this time. If you are driving to your appointment, there is on street parking along Wharf Road and King Street, both which should only be a short walk to the centre. Alternatively you may wish to park at Harbour Park Secure Car Park, located in Argyle Street (accessible via Wharf Road), however you are best to book this online before you come in for your appointment.

Fare free bus services from Marketown Shopping Centre will still be running and can drop you close to our centre. If you are choosing to take a bus to your appointment, bus services may be affected due to the road closures. To help plan your trip, visit transportnsw.info

Whether you are due for your next check-up or already have one booked in, we all look forward to seeing you in the Centre soon.

New nib Dentists Erina

28/06/2017 by Astronaut

Looking for a new reason to smile? nib Dental Care is now open at Erina Fair.

Located near Big W, you’ll find our centre features modern, comfortable surgeries with friendly dentists ready to take care of your oral health.
nib Dental Care Centre Erina is open 7 days, with lunchtime and after hours appointments available. We also offer emergency appointments daily.
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.

Book your appointment online today.

nib dental

Danger of Sugary Drinks

24/05/2017 by Astronaut

When browsing the beverage aisle on your next trip to the local supermarket, you owe it to your health to ask yourself an important question: Should you be stocking up on carbonated drinks and soft drink? Did you know that soft drinks are also known as empty calories? Empty calories refer to foods that contain no nutritional value. Soft drinks are also loaded with sugar and bad carbs. Besides being detrimental to your overall health, they can also damage your teeth.
Some soft drinks contain as much as 20 teaspoons of sugar in a 600ml can – one teaspoon is equivalent to 4.762 grams. Just imagine spooning 20 teaspoons of sugar into a drink and handing it to your child. You may be shocked by how much sugar you are drinking. And that’s just the amount of sugar in one can of soft drink! The worst part is that such drinks are typically served alongside a high-calorie meal at your favourite fast food restaurant. The results are pretty dire as you can expect. Let’s look at the problems that arise from a “soft drink culture”.

Obesity

In Australia, 63 per cent of adults and 1 in 4 children, are said to be obese or overweight. These numbers will continue to rise if the soft drink culture is not curbed.
Fructose in sugar is the main culprit for a protruding belly. It stores body fat around the waistline and other organs in the form of visceral fat. Consistently high amounts of visceral fat – that can result in metabolic diseases – are found in people who drink high-fructose soft drinks and carbonated beverages.

Diabetes

The intake of high fructose beverages has also been found to increase the risk of developing adult-onset diabetes. According to a research study by Harvard University, people who drink 1-2 cans of soft drink per day are 26% more likely to develop type-2 diabetes.

Heart Disease and Cancer

Drinking soft drink has also been linked to higher risks of medical conditions like high triglyceride levels and high cholesterol readings, both of which have been thought to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Studies also show that people who consume soft drink had an 89% risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Dental Health

Due to the high concentrations of both sugar and acid, drinking soft drink can also damage your teeth. Frequent intakes of both sugar and acid can lead to a greater incidence of dental caries and erosion of the surface of your teeth. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help switching to diet and sugar free alternatives either, as even though diet soft drinks have a reduced sugar content, they are still highly acidic and can erode your tooth enamel. The phosphoric acid in soft drink breaks down the calcium in the enamel of your teeth, reducing the hard outer protective layer, which increases your risk of tooth wear, tooth decay and tooth sensitivity.

Looking for a trusted dentist to help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile? Contact one of our nib dental care centres today or visit our website nibdental.com.au