Every week we field the same handful of questions from patients across Hornsby and greater Sydney — about brushing, bleeding gums, whitening, children's teeth and what a visit really costs. Below are the twenty we hear most, answered as plainly as we can. Use it as a quick reference, and if your question is not here, bring it to your next visit — no question is too small.
Everyday care
How often should I brush and floss?
Brush twice a day — morning and night — for two full minutes, and floss once a day. Night-time brushing matters most, because it clears the day's plaque before your saliva flow naturally drops during sleep. Flossing reaches the surfaces between teeth that a brush simply cannot, which is where a lot of decay and gum trouble quietly starts. Doing both consistently prevents far more problems than any single product ever will.
Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one?
A little, for most people. Electric brushes tend to remove plaque more consistently and make good technique easier, and the ones with a built-in timer help you brush for long enough. That said, a manual brush used well beats an electric one used carelessly — technique and time matter more than the tool itself. Whichever you choose, use soft bristles and let gentle movements, not pressure, do the work.
Do I really need to floss?
Yes. Brushing cleans the fronts, backs and tops of your teeth but misses the surfaces where they touch, and those hidden gaps are a common starting point for cavities and gum disease. If traditional floss is fiddly, interdental brushes or a water flosser are good alternatives that do the same job. The best method is simply the one you will actually reach for every day.
What is the best way to freshen bad breath?
Persistent bad breath almost always starts in the mouth, so the basics do most of the work: brush and floss well, and gently clean your tongue, where many of the odour-causing bacteria gather. Staying hydrated helps too, because a dry mouth tends to smell worse. If good habits do not fix it, see your dentist — lingering bad breath can be a sign of gum disease or an untreated cavity rather than anything you ate.
Pain and emergencies
My tooth suddenly hurts — what should I do?
Start simple: rinse with warm water, gently floss around the tooth in case food is trapped, and use over-the-counter pain relief if you need it. Avoid very hot, cold or sugary foods on that side for now. Then book to see a dentist, because sudden or lasting toothache is a sign that something needs attention and rarely settles on its own. The sooner it is looked at, the more likely the fix is a small one.
I knocked out a tooth — can it be saved?
Possibly, if you move quickly. Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root, rinse it gently if it is dirty, and either slip it back into the socket or keep it in milk. See a dentist immediately — ideally within the hour — as the faster a knocked-out adult tooth is re-implanted, the better its chances. Never scrub the tooth or let it dry out on the way in.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
Usually not a true emergency, but it should be seen soon. A small chip with no pain can generally wait a few days, while a large break, a sharp edge, or any bleeding warrants a prompt visit. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side and rinse with warm water to keep the area clean. Even a painless chip can let decay in if it is left too long, so it is worth having looked at.
My gum is swollen and throbbing — what does that mean?
A swollen, throbbing gum often points to infection — perhaps an abscess or advanced gum disease — and should be checked without delay. Do not try to burst or squeeze any swelling yourself, as that can push the infection deeper. Rinsing gently with warm salt water can ease things temporarily while you arrange a visit. Dental infections can spread if they are ignored, so this is one to act on rather than wait out.
Cosmetic treatments
What is the safest way to whiten my teeth?
Professionally supervised whitening. Your dentist checks first that your teeth and gums are healthy, uses controlled products, and manages any sensitivity — giving more even, longer-lasting results than shop-bought kits. Our guide to safe teeth whitening explains the options, and you can read about in-clinic tooth whitening on our service page. If your teeth are sensitive, that is worth raising first, because it can usually be managed.
Will whitening work on every tooth?
Not always, which is why an assessment helps before you spend anything. Whitening lifts natural staining well, but it does not change the colour of fillings, crowns or veneers, so those can end up a different shade from the teeth around them. Some discolouration — from certain medications or an old injury — also responds less predictably. Your dentist can tell you what result is realistic for your particular teeth.
Can I straighten my teeth without metal braces?
Often, yes. For mild to moderate crowding or spacing, clear aligners are a discreet, removable alternative to traditional braces that many adults prefer. They are not right for every case, but plenty of people are surprised to learn they qualify. See our clear aligners page for how they work and who they tend to suit.
Is straightening my teeth just about looks?
No — a well-aligned bite is easier to clean and less prone to uneven wear, so straightening often brings genuine health benefits alongside the cosmetic ones. Crowded, overlapping teeth trap plaque in spots a brush struggles to reach, which raises the risk of decay and gum problems over time. For many patients, straighter teeth mean fewer issues down the track, not just a nicer smile.
Children's teeth
When should my child first see a dentist?
By around their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Early visits are short, gentle and mostly about getting comfortable, so your child grows up unbothered by the dentist rather than anxious. They also let us spot any issues while they are minor and give you a chance to ask about brushing and diet. Our guide to baby teeth covers what to expect in those first years.
Are cavities in baby teeth worth treating?
Yes. A decayed baby tooth can cause pain and infection, and losing one too early lets neighbouring teeth drift into the space the adult tooth needs. Treating decay early keeps that space open and protects the permanent tooth forming underneath. It is a small step now that prevents a bigger, more complicated problem later.
Is thumb-sucking bad for my child's teeth?
In the early years it is normal and usually harmless. It only tends to affect the teeth and jaw if it continues strongly past about age four or five, when it can start to shift how the front teeth and bite develop. If the habit is lingering, mention it at a check-up and we can suggest gentle ways to help your child ease off it. There is rarely any need to worry in toddlers.
Should my child use fluoride toothpaste?
Yes, in an amount suited to their age. Fluoride strengthens enamel and is one of the most effective ways to prevent decay. Use a smear for toddlers and a pea-sized amount for older children, and supervise them so they spit rather than swallow. Your dentist can recommend the right toothpaste and amount for each stage as they grow.
Visits and costs
How often do I actually need a check-up?
For most adults, every six months — though the right interval depends on your risk, and some people safely stretch to once a year while others need to come more often. Regular visits catch problems while they are small and cheap to fix, long before they start to hurt. Our article on why regular check-ups matter walks through exactly what happens at a visit and why the timing counts.
Why is a scale and clean recommended so regularly?
Because even careful brushing leaves some plaque behind, and it hardens into tartar that only a professional clean can remove. Left in place, that build-up inflames the gums and drives gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Regular cleans keep your gums healthy and let us catch early changes — our guide to gum disease and periodontitis explains what is at stake if plaque is allowed to settle in.
What happens if I ignore a missing tooth?
The jawbone beneath the gap gradually shrinks without a tooth root to stimulate it, and neighbouring teeth drift into the space — so the longer you wait, the more complex the eventual fix becomes. A dental implant replaces the root as well as the crown, which is why it is the one option that halts that bone loss rather than sitting on top of it. Bridges and dentures remain good choices for some people, but they do not preserve bone in the same way.
How much will treatment cost?
It depends entirely on what you need, so the honest answer is that it varies from person to person. We give you an examination and a clear, itemised plan before anything begins, so you can weigh up your options and know exactly what each one involves. Where there is a choice between treatments, we will walk you through the trade-offs rather than steer you towards the most expensive one. If you have private health cover, we can also help you understand what it is likely to contribute, so there are no surprises when the time comes.
Still have a question? Ask us in Hornsby
If your question was not on the list, it is a good one to bring to your next appointment. At Good Morning Dental, we would rather you asked than guessed — and we take the time to answer properly, in plain language, so you can make a confident decision about your teeth.
You are welcome at either of our Sydney clinics:
- Hornsby — 141 Peats Ferry Rd, Hornsby NSW 2077 · (02) 9987 2555
Book a consultation and bring every question with you — we are happy to answer them all.