Dentist near Woodridge

Tank water, bore water and fluoride

Most of Perth's scheme water has a small amount of fluoride added, which helps protect teeth against decay. Rainwater from a tank has almost none, and the fluoride in bore water depends on the bore. If your household drinks tank or bore water, your teeth may be getting less fluoride than you'd expect.

Things that help make up the difference:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and spit rather than rinse afterwards so the fluoride stays on the teeth.
• From 18 months to 6 years, use a pea-sized smear of children's low-fluoride toothpaste. From 6, switch to a standard fluoride toothpaste.
• Tell us what water you drink at your check-up. We may suggest a fluoride varnish, or a higher-strength toothpaste for some adults.
• Fissure sealants can help protect the grooves of new adult molars, which is where decay often starts in children.
• On a bore? A water test will show how much fluoride it has. Bring the results along and we'll talk through them with you.

Coming down Indian Ocean Drive

Between Woodridge and Two Rocks there's 13 km of state forest at Wilbinga, and Two Rocks is the first town you reach heading south. From the King Drive turn-off it's a straight run down Indian Ocean Drive.

There's no practical bus from Woodridge, so plan to drive. If you're bringing the whole family, book back-to-back so everyone's seen in one trip. We're open Saturdays as well as weekdays.

What about fluoride tablets?

Fluoride tablets and drops used to be common for children on tank water, but they're not generally recommended in Australia any more. Too much fluoride while adult teeth are forming can leave white marks on them. Fluoride toothpaste used the right way, plus fluoride varnish at the dentist where it's needed, is the usual approach now.

If someone has suggested supplements for your child, talk to us first and bring along anything you know about your water.

Getting here from Woodridge

1. From Nicklaus Avenue, turn onto King Drive and follow it out to Indian Ocean Drive.
2. Turn right onto Indian Ocean Drive and head south for about 17 km, through the Wilbinga forest.
3. Turn right onto Breakwater Drive into Two Rocks.
4. Turn into Constellation Entrance at the roundabout on Breakwater Drive — we're at number 6.

Questions from Woodridge