Publications

About your new dentures
Advice and information about your new dentures.
Advice after dental trauma
Teeth that have been injured may develop complications many months or even years following the trauma. It is important that injured teeth are regularly reviewed by a dental practitioner. This publication also available in:
Advice following dental extraction and oral surgery for patients taking Anticoagulants
If you take prescription anticoagulant medication ("blood thinners") or you take non-prescription medication such as aspirin, fish oil or St.John's Wort, you are at an increased risk of unexpected, prolonged bleeding following your dental extraction.

This information sheet provides post-operative instructions for patients, who are taking anticoagulants, following an extraction or oral surgery procedure.
Advice to Parents and Carers
Although children are routinely warned of the dangers of biting their lip when it is numb, they sometimes forget.
Aids to help toothbrushing
Every so often people need more support than the standard soft bristle toothbrush.

Products are available that can assist with toothbrushing. Sometimes it's just a matter of finding the right one for a particular need.
Are your teeth really clean?
Plaque, an almost invisible film of bacteria forms daily on everyone's teeth. If it is not cleaned off thoroughly it can cause tooth decay and gum diseases.
Begin brushing early
Good dental health starts at a young age so make cleaning your child's gums and teeth an everyday habit.
Bone Density Medications and Dental Treatment Information
Bone density disorders such as osteoporosis, osteopenia and other disease related bone conditions are characterised by low bone mass and the deterioration in the microarchitecture of the bone quality leading to increased bone fragility...
Children's new adult teeth
It can be a very exciting time when children start to lose their first baby teeth. The new adult teeth start to appear in the mouth between 5 to 7 years of age.

Parents and carers can play an important role in helping their children adjust to the changes in their mouth by understanding how teeth grow.
Comfort sucking
Sucking is a baby's first instinct and is strongest in the first 12 months then gradually eases. Eventually, they will grow out of the habit, or stop with your encouragement.
Dental Crowns
Our easy-to-understand guide to dental crowns.
Sugar: a sticky situation
There are more than 56 different names for sugar. Sugar gives us energy (kJ), but no nutrients. Too much sugar increases the risk of dental decay, obesity and serious health problems.
Dentures: Stages in Fabrication
Dentures are created in a number of stages, and this information sheet explains them all.
Diabetes and oral health
Managing your blood glucose levels is the key to a healthy mouth. If you are living with diabetes and your blood glucose (sugar) levels are above your target ranges (high blood glucose levels) then you have an increased risk of problems in your mouth, such as infections, reduced blood supply to the gums and dry mouth.
Do you need a mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a cushioning appliance made of flexible material that fits snugly over the teeth to help prevent injuries to the teeth and mouth. An effective mouthguard is like a 'crash helmet' for teeth and jaws.
Drinking from a cup
When your baby is around 6 months old, you can start to teach them how to sip drinks from a cup.
Drinks and healthy teeth
Sugary drinks help to make many of life's moments sweeter. But .... having sugary drinks, often or in large amounts, increases the risk of tooth erosion and dental decay.
Dry Mouth Information
Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while - if they feel nervous, upset or stressed. A dry mouth is felt when there is not enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. If you have a dry mouth often, it can be uncomfortable and may lead to health problems.
Early Childhood Decay
Early Childhood Decay (tooth decay) can start soon after teeth appear in the mouth and can cause pain, sleeping difficulty and eating problems. It is the most common and costly childhood disease in Australia. YOU can help prevent it.
The electric toothbrush
Our easy-to-understand guide to the correct use of electric toothbrushes.
Eruption dates
A baby's first tooth usually erupts (appears) around 6 months of age. However, this can vary for each individual. By around three years of age, a child should have a full set of 20 baby teeth.
Instructions following tooth extraction
Following a tooth extraction there are several instructions you should follow. This publication also available in:
Fissure sealants
Fissure sealants (a strong plastic coating) can sometimes help prevent cavities in younger children.
Fluoride information
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in food, plants, air and water. It strengthens teeth against plaque acid attacks which are produced after eating or drinking anything containing sugar. Fluoride can also reverse the early stages of tooth decay.
Give your child's teeth a healthy start
(For ages 0 to 4yrs) A healthy mouth and healthy baby teeth are important to eat and grow, talk clearly, give shape to jaws and face, keep space for the adult teeth and to smile and feel good.
How much sugar is in that?
Sugar is often hidden in everyday foods and drinks! Eating and drinking TOO MUCH sugar TOO OFTEN can lead to TOOTH DECAY!
How to brush your teeth
Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. This publication also available in:
How to floss your teeth
It is recommended that you clean between teeth and under the gum line daily with floss.
Information You Should Know About Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections or diseases caused by bacteria.

Antibiotics are used for a range of infections caused by bacteria, including urinary tract infections, skin infections and infected wounds.
Lift the lip to check for decay
How to check your child for early signs of tooth decay.
Mouth Care - a guide for carers
A healthy mouth contributes to a person's general health, comfort, self-esteem and quality of life.
My Child's First Dental Visit
Your child's first dental visit is a way to meet the dental team in a non-threatening and friendly way. Ideally take your child for a dental check-up before they turn 2 years of age, especially if you think there may be a problem.
Oral Health and Endocarditis
People with heart valve disease are at increased risk of infective endocarditis.
Pregnancy and your oral health
Pregnancy is an important time in your life, and a time to take extra care of your teeth and gums.
Quick Guide:Dental Health Services (DHS)
As the largest public dental health services provider in Western Australia (WA) funded by the state government, DHS can trace its history to 1926 when the first public dentist was employed by the Public Health Department. This publication also available in:
Root Canal Treatment
Our easy-to-understand guide to root canal treatment.
Social story - "Maggie goes to the dentist"

A social story of going to the dentist to help prepare patients and their carers for the sites, sounds and experience of going to the dentist.

Other resources that may be of use (external sites) are:

Snacks and healthy teeth
We all enjoy a snack, so it is a good idea to think of snacks as 'mini meals'. Make these foods part of the overall diet. Food and drinks low in sugar, reduces the risk of developing dental decay and other health problems.
Sugar in breakfast foods (A4 poster)
How many added teaspoons of sugar are in breakfast foods?
Sugar in drinks (A4 poster)
How many added teaspoons of sugar are in drinks?
Sugar in snack foods (A4 poster)
How many added teaspoons of sugar are in snack foods?
Teething
Your child needs healthy baby teeth to eat and grow; help make the shape of their jaws and face; to keep the space for the adult teeth; to speak clearly; and to have a healthy, happy smile.
Tips to help when a child refuses to brush their teeth
(with toothbrushing chart)
Tooth Enamel Defects
Information sheet: after checking your child's teeth we have found some areas where the enamel has not grown properly. These areas are known as enamel defects.
Tooth knocked out
Don't delay... time is CRITICAL
Vanishing teeth - acid alert
Today's diet and lifestyle are putting our teeth at risk.
What is tooth numbering?
A handy guide to tooth numbering which is used by dental practitioners to identify and provide specific information linked with a particular tooth.
Where do you go for dental care in High School
After primary school, the School Dental Service continues to provide free general and preventive dental care across WA for all enrolled students in Years 7-11 or until the age of 17.

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Contact us...

(08) 9313 0555

Head Office

43 Mount Henry Road
Salter Point, WA 6152

Locked bag 15
Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983

You said...

[Child] had his dental check-up today and I liked how the dentist explained everything to [child] and myself.

Very happy with how it all went!
(Somerly DTC)