Before a Rottnest trip or a day on the water
Hillarys Boat Harbour is the departure point for Rottnest ferries and whale-watching cruises, and its pens are home to private boats as well. If a tooth has been sensitive to cold, a filling feels rough, or your gum has been tender around a wisdom tooth, it’s worth getting it looked at before you head offshore.
Minor niggles can sometimes flare into something more painful, and it’s harder to get dental help on an island or out at sea. A check‑up and, where needed, an x‑ray can tell you whether something needs attention now or can wait.
Seasickness on a ferry or whale‑watching cruise
Rough water can bring on seasickness, and vomiting coats the teeth in stomach acid. It’s tempting to brush straight away, but acid-softened enamel is more easily worn, so rinse with water, chew sugar-free gum if you have some, and wait at least 30 minutes, ideally an hour, before brushing.
Anyone who is regularly unwell at sea, or who has reflux, may notice teeth becoming more sensitive over time. Raise it with your dentist at your next visit, as there are simple ways to help protect the enamel.
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Chips and breaks around the harbour
Wet jetties, boat decks and ramps make slips easy, and a fall can chip or crack a front tooth. If that happens, find any broken piece and keep it in milk or water, rinse your mouth gently and use a cold pack on the outside of your lip to ease swelling.
Then phone us; our chipped or broken tooth page has more on what to do. Small chips can often be repaired with tooth-coloured filling material, while a larger break may need a crown or, if the nerve is exposed, root canal treatment. Your dentist will explain the options once they’ve examined it.
School holidays for Hillarys students
Hillarys Primary School and St Mark’s Anglican Community School, a kindergarten‑to‑Year 12 school on St Mark’s Drive, are both in the suburb, and the local state secondary school for Hillarys is Duncraig Senior High.
We stay open through the school holidays, which is a good time to book children’s check‑ups, fissure sealants or a new sports mouthguard without missing class. For students in Years 11 and 12, the long summer break also suits a wisdom tooth review with an OPG x‑ray. Booking towards the end of term gives you more choice of holiday times.
A smaller practice to the south
We’re a small, family-owned practice, so you’re likely to see familiar faces from one visit to the next. Your dentist will explain what they find and walk you through the options in plain language, without rushing. If several of you are coming from Hillarys, we can try to stack appointments together so the family only makes the drive down the coast once.
Booking from Hillarys
Pick a time on our website, or speak to us on 08 9447 1514. Anyone with a chipped tooth or pain should call instead of using the online form, so we can talk you through what to do in the meantime.
Services Hillarys patients may find useful
Common questions about visiting from Hillarys
Is North Beach easy to reach from Hillarys on a Saturday morning?
Yes. From the harbour side, West Coast Drive runs south along the coast all the way, and from the Whitford City side, Marmion Avenue and North Beach Road are straightforward. Our Saturday session runs until 1pm, so an appointment can fit around a harbour breakfast or a swim.
Can I catch a bus from Hillarys Boat Harbour to your surgery?
Yes, the 423 stops at the harbour and continues down the coast to North Beach. Frequency changes through the day, so check the timetable before you set out.
We’re heading to Rottnest soon. Should we get a check‑up first?
If anyone has a tooth that’s been sensitive, a lost or rough filling, or a tender gum, it’s sensible to have it checked before you go. If everything is fine, you can head off knowing that, and if not, there’s time to deal with it.
My child chipped a tooth slipping on a boat ramp. What should we do on the way to you?
Keep any broken piece in milk or water, rinse your child’s mouth gently and hold a cold pack against the lip. Then call us so we can see them. If the tooth has been knocked out completely, follow our knocked‑out tooth advice and phone straight away.
Can my St Mark’s student come in during the school holidays?
Yes. We’re open through the school holidays, so a check‑up or mouthguard fitting doesn’t have to clash with classes. Reserving a time before term ends gives you more options.