Do I need to have X-rays?

There’s a lot going on in your mouth that is not visible to the naked eye, and dental x-rays allow our dentist to see what’s happening below the surface, usually before any symptoms occur. The amount of radiation involved in dental imaging is extremely low, and is equivalent to the sort of exposure you’d receive on a 1-2 hour flight. Our dentists recommend taking these x-rays every 2 years at your regular check-ups. Generally, the earlier that a problem is found, the easier (and cheaper) it is to treat. You are able to refuse x-rays, however routine x-rays allow our team to give you the earliest possible diagnosis and offer you the best outcome for your mouth.

How often should I have my teeth cleaned?

In addition to cleaning your teeth at least twice a day at home, it is strongly recommended to have a clean by a qualified dental practitioner every 6 months (most of the time, this clean will be covered twice a year by your health fund!). Only a dentist can remove calculus to prevent decay and gum disease in chair.
For patients with ongoing treatment (such as gum disease), your dentist may recommend more frequent visits for maintenance.

When should I take my child to the dentist?

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends your child have their first visit to the dentist at the age of 1 at the latest, or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing. Though this is usually a short, enjoyable appointment, with a ride in the chair and a count of your child’s teeth can make it a fun and painless experience. This can help prevent fear or anxiety towards dental treatment. If you receive benefits such as Family Tax Benefit A payments, you can take advantage of government programs such as the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (link to CDBS) to bulk bill your child’s dental visits. * Note: The CDBS provides bulk billing to children between 2-17 years of age.

What type of toothbrush and toothpaste should I use?

Our dentists recommend any toothbrush with soft bristles as they will ensure your teeth get the best clean, without damaging your enamel or gum tissue. Medium and firm toothbrushes should not be used as they can result in receding gums and hypersensitive teeth.

Both electric and manual toothbrushes clean teeth well, though you may find it easier using an electric toothbrush if you have difficulty with fine-motor movements. Toothpastes with the Australian Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval always have fluoride, which strengthens and protects teeth. If you are using a product bearing the seal, you can be confident that you’re choosing a product endorsed by dental professionals.

Will my dental procedure hurt?

Our dentists try to make every appointment as painless as possible. Some procedures may require local anaesthesia, which will be carefully administered by our dentists to ensure you are comfortable and pain free in the chair.

How long will my appointment take?

This is dependent on the type of appointment needed, and the time requested by the dentist based on your specific condition. If you’d like to check how long we expect your appointment to be, contact our friendly team.

How much will my health fund cover?

This varies depending on your health fund, treatment plan and level of cover. If you visit us in the practice, often we can swipe your health fund card and give you an instant quote. Otherwise, if you have a copy of your treatment plan from our practice, simply call your health fund and quote the item codes on your plan to find out what rebate you can expect.

Is my treatment plan still valid?

Dental conditions can worsen quickly, and most dental emergencies are an urgent matter. If an emergency treatment plan hasn’t been carried out within 30 days of diagnosis, we can’t guarantee that the cost of the treatment plan will remain the same. Unfortunately, over time and as a condition worsens, it becomes more difficult to treat and sometimes more expensive.

Why do I need to floss?

If you’re relying solely on brushing to keep your teeth clean, you’re missing nearly half the surface area of your teeth (in between your teeth). For that reason alone, flossing should be an essential part of your oral care routine and never an optional extra. Flossing (or use of interdental brushes) is the only way to effectively clean between the teeth and under the gum at home. It’s best to floss when you’re not in a rush or when you’re too tired to do it well. If you find you're exhausted at the end of the day, then it's a good idea to floss first thing in the morning or after lunch. Alternatively, if you like to go to bed with a clean mouth then floss before your nightly brush. If you have large gaps between your teeth, your dentist might also recommend using other items such as interdental cleaners, which you may find more effective, to compliment your flossing regimen.

I have heard I should be avoiding all carbs. Is this right?

It is a common misconception that carbs (carbohydrates) need to be avoided by everyone.

In some cases, reducing or carefully selecting specific types of carbs is important but rarely do they need to be avoided all together. In fact, avoiding all carbohydrates could affect your energy levels and concentration.

The key here is to choose mostly unrefined, wholegrain carbohydrates that look brown and 'grainy' as these provide better nutrition and fill you up for longer.

Are there any foods I should completely avoid after surgery?

Foods that give you severe reflux or cause regurgitation should be avoided initially and can be re-trialled later. Common foods that do this are stringy meats, doughy bread and hard vegetables. If you are symptom free, there are no particular foods to avoid. However, high calorie food and drinks should be left for special occasions as they can affect your overall weight loss if consumed frequently.

How much should I be drinking to stay hydrated?

This can vary depending on your pre-surgery weight and medical conditions, but 2 litres is a good goal. Remember, it is important to avoid drinking 30 minutes either side of meals to avoid discomfort and avoid larger portions than needed.

What do I eat straight after surgery?

For the first 1-2 weeks following surgery, usually a liquid diet is required. This allows your stomach to recover from surgery. Following this, you would start on a pureed diet then progress to a soft food diet. From approximately 7 weeks after surgery, you will gradually reintroduce solid foods and increase the variety of foods eaten. The exact time frames will be explained by your surgeon. It is important to have adequate protein in your diet to avoid muscle loss after surgery.

If I don't feel hungry, should I avoid eating?

Probably not. Some people don't get hungry very often at all after surgery, but this doesn't mean they don't need to eat. It is important to get enough protein and nutrients to support your body.

If you don't feel hungry, aiming to have 3 meals a day is a good guide, with snacks added only if you need them. Also aim to have protein at all 3 meals (for example: meat, eggs, dairy, nuts or legumes) as well as a range of fruit and veggies.

I feel hungry constantly; what do I do?

Make sure you are recognising the difference between true hunger and eating in response to emotions.

If it is true hunger, are you grazing on food across the day instead of having 3 main meals? This can make you hungry all day; try to re-structure your meals. Are you eating foods that are high in fibre? High-fibre foods can keep you full for longer. Are you restricting any food groups? Consider increasing the variety of foods you eat; your body may be telling you it's missing something!

If you are eating in response to emotions, speak to your dietitian and/or psychologist about managing this.

I find it difficult to have breakfast as I often feel sick of a morning if I eat; what can I do?

Try having a sip of water or a hot drink before breakfast. This can clear any mucus sitting at the top of your stomach.

Also try different types of breakfast: eggs or yoghurt are good places to start. Still having trouble? Check in with your surgeon or dietitian.

What do I do if I feel dizzy/shaky/sick after meals?

You may be experiencing dumping syndrome, which most commonly affects those with a gastric sleeve or bypass more than with a band.

How long after meals does this happen? Have you noticed a pattern of which foods/drinks cause this? Create a list and talk to your surgeon or dietitian.

My bowel habits have changed; should I be concerned?

This is quite common after weight loss surgery because of the change in type and amount of foods eaten.

It could be from not having enough fibre in your diet or not having enough fluids. If you increase the amount of fibre in your diet, make sure you are well hydrated! If your bowel habits are really affecting your life, get it checked out by your surgeon or GP.

My weight loss has started to slow down/plateau; what do I do?

This can happen for a number of reasons. It can be useful to step back and see how far you've come. Are you happy with your weight loss? Do you have better control over your medical conditions (if you have any)? If not, are you eating suitable portions? Are you incorporating exercise into your week? If you need further support, talk to your GP or dietitian.

How long until I can exercise following surgery?

This will mostly depend on any conditions you had before surgery and how well your body has adapted to the surgery. Speak to your surgeon about this one.

If you feel concerned or nervous about any aspects of eating before or after your surgery, a bariatric-trained dietitian can help to navigate and guide you as well as pick up on potential nutritional problems.