Is this true in the world of dentistry too?
In this blog entry Dr Darryl Marsh writes… my perspective on why the price of dental work is less important than how you take care of your teeth over your lifetime.
As my friends and I reach our 50s I can fully appreciate the adage that ‘Youth is wasted on the young’. At age 25 good health seemed a given. Bodies required no maintenance to keep them feeling good and in reasonable running order. It’s like you’re floating downstream with the current.
At age 50, my how ‘the game has changed’. Being 50 is more like you’re rowing upstream. You have to work hard at being healthy, eating sensibly and exercising, just to stay in the same place.
Like all dentists, leaning over and bending at strange angles to see inside my patients’ mouths has taken its toll. Neck and back pain are par for the course in 50 year old dentists. For me this means I am getting to know my physio and daily stretches quite well.
It’s a similar thing for many of my patients with their teeth. Years of wear and tear with the teeth mean that the amount of dental treatment, both repair work and active maintenance (those six monthly check-ups), become more important to keep things humming along smoothly.
Many people ask quite rightly “What if I just have all the teeth extracted? What will happen then?”
The good news is, you can still eat it’s just not eating as you know it. Life without all of your teeth has significant biological costs, ie damage to the body, which may not be possible to repair fully. Research tells us that replacement of missing teeth with dentures will only let you chew with one fifth the power of your original natural teeth. The longer the time since the teeth were removed, the worse this becomes.
Whilst some people are suitable for dental implants this is a very expensive way to do things.
What I would like is for all my patients not to have to spend thousands of dollars anxiously dealing with one painful dental disaster after another. My goal is to have low stress preventive oriented visits so they can control their dental problems and minimise the risk of future problems.
So when you go to the dentist next remember, “You get what you pay for”, ie high quality and long lasting work will mean you spend less on your teeth in the long run.
Lets also not forget the emotional costs of lost sleep, the pain of tooth abscess or lengthier treatments to fix advanced dental problems.
“Having all your teeth out and simply replaced by dentures is not a fun or cheap option for your future dental happiness.”
Isn’t having a regular check up and clean better and cheaper than to waking up in the middle of the night one weekend searching for a 24 hour emergency dentist you don’t know and who doesn’t know you.
Please don’t ever ignore a sore tooth, gum pain, bleeding or tender gums, tooth sensitivity to hot or cold – these are the body’s early warning signs. – These signs are telling you to take care of a problem now and if you ignore them the problem will definitely get worse.
And my final word… no matter how old or young you are make sure you (and your wallet) are with a dentist who you trust and is working with you for the best long term health of your teeth!
Keep Smiling!
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I highly recommend this dentist, especially if you suffer with anxiety or a fear of dentistry."
Your first visit at Today’s Dentistry is all about creating a Dental Roadmap so you know exactly what condition your teeth and gums are in, and what your options are for treatment.
Your first appointment includes:
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B. Oral Health (Therapy & Hygiene)
“Working with patients of all ages continues to ignite my passion within dentistry and I strive to provide a gentle, supportive and positive environment for every patient I work with. ”
B. App Sci (Oral Health)
“I enjoy seeing the delight that our patients show when they realise how easy dental care can be! Our team at Today’s Dentistry work together to make every patient feel completely comfortable.”
Dr Sharon's commitment to excellence has shown itself right from the start of her dental career, when she graduated from the University of Queensland with Class I Honours. Her commitment to her craft is reflected in the numerous professional development courses she participates in, with a desire to get the best possible outcomes for her patients.
Dr. Sharon is passionate about empowering patients through education about their dental conditions, supporting them through overcoming dental anxiety, and helping them achieve their dental goals.
Away from the clinic, Dr. Sharon is an avid baker, a keen photographer, and a fitness enthusiast aiming to conquer the Bridge to Brisbane run in 2023.
I always loved going to my own dental visits, and one day I honestly just though ‘why don’t I give dental assisting a go’. I applied for a job and got a call back straight away, and have been in the industry ever since!
I studied my Cert 3 in Dental Assisting online alongside working full time in my first dental job. I chose to do it online so I had more time to work as I am more of a hands on learner.
I LOVE smile makeovers. I love seeing the joy, and happiness it brings patients and the amount of confidence they gain by having their dream smile.
I love feeling like I am making some sort of impact on people’s lives. Whether it is helping them with their smile makeover, holding their hand during a procedure or just being an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.
The team, they are all so wonderful and both Darryl and David are so great to work for. But also what our core value is – which is patient care. I think we are a really great team at making sure our patients come first and their experience with us is a positive one each and every time.
Brisbane born and bred, Sarah’s passion for dentistry began during her orthodontic treatment in her teens. After graduating from highschool, Sarah began working as a dental nurse and decided her true calling was as a dental hygienist. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2006 and has worked in both the private and public sector since then.
Sarah’s focus is on prevention and education. Her goal is to empower her patients so that they can achieve and maintain the best possible oral health for life.
In her free time Sarah can be found spending time with her two sons, hiking, attending a pilates class or exploring Brisbane and the surrounds looking for new restaurants to eat at or adventures to have.
I have been a proud part of the Today's Dentistry team for 20 years now.
My journey to get here though was anything but straight forward and I can probably thank my own childhood family dental visits in Newcastle NSW for my interest in this area of care. It too was a very special practice that took the time with their patients young and old and truly cared about them.
Having my own great experiences as a patient I was thrilled for them to accept me for my Year 10 work experience as a dental assistant and fell comfortably into the role. Due to life as it was back then and lack of public transport my career took me in a whole different direction and I had many years at the Aluminium Smelter in Kurri Kurri.
Once my children were at school I applied for a position as a receptionist at the local Dental Practice only to be told it was actually for an assistant and was I still interested? Silly question! Hands on training the old school way which put me in great position for further learning when our family moved to WA for a couple of years and then finally finding my way to QLD and Darrly and David.
Dentistry to me is a package of many very important parts, the precision and artistry of the actual treatment, the person behind the treatment and understanding of not only their dental needs but emotional drivers and the communication and care to put this all together. Although I now find myself not chairside but doing the behind the scenes administration I still get to talk with our patients and be confident that they are in good hands with my wonderful team.
B. App Sci (Oral Health)
“I love the professionalism and challenge at Today’s Dentistry. It is great to work at a practice that believes in quality patient care”
Founder and Principal Dentist
“I value the many loyal patient relationships that I have built over the last 25 years and enjoy witnessing the procedures I have done stand the test of time.”
B. App Sci (Oral Health)
“I have worked in Dentistry in one form or another since I was 16 years old. I love this profession and making a difference in others lives.”
B.DSc (Hons) B.Sc (Hons)
“Although I love the scientific side of dentistry, I also get a great deal of satisfaction from helping our patients and surprising them with what modern dentistry is capable of.”