Tooth Whitening

What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury.
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Why is root canal treatment needed?
If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth. This may eventually lead to an abscess. If root canal treatment (RCT) is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.
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Is there anything that can help me with my fear of the dentist?
Yes. Some people are so frightened of the dentist that they will not go for dental treatment. They can overcome their fears with relaxation or sedation. Dentists today are sympathetic about these feelings, and you can ask your dentist about these ways to help.

What is sedation? (more…)

What is preventive dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is the modern way of reducing the amount of dental treatment necessary to maintain a healthy mouth.

It helps you to keep your teeth. The two major causes of tooth loss are decay and gum disease. The better we prevent or deal with these two problems, the more chance people have of keeping their teeth for life. (more…)

What are sealants?
Sealants are a safe and painless way or protecting your children’s teeth from decay. A sealant is a protective plastic coating, which is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.

Which teeth should be sealed? (more…)

How do I pay for my dental treatment under the National Health Service?
Many people are concerned about the cost of their dental treatment and how they will pay for it. There are several different ways of paying for dental treatment today.

NHS charges are set by the government and are standard for all NHS patients. The charges are assessed each year and usually change every April. Some people do not have to pay, including those receiving benefit, children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

How do I pay for my dental treatment privately? (more…)

Will there be anything else to pay?
Some plans charge separately for any treatment that involves laboratory costs. For example: you may have to pay the laboratory fee for a crown, or you may have to pay for the entire crown. This should be explained when you join the plan to avoid confusion.

What treatment am I entitled to? (more…)

What is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth, to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they work. It can also help to look after the long-term health of the teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all the teeth.

Why should I have orthodontic treatment? (more…)

What do I need to clean my teeth properly?
There are many different oral care products available today. Your dentist or hygienist will be able to recommend the best toothbrush and toothpaste for you to use, as well as the best way to clean between your teeth. It is important to always use a good toothbrush, a toothpaste which is suitable for your needs and, in most cases, something to clean between your teeth.

Which is the best toothbrush to use?
It is usually recommended that adults should choose (more…)

When will I get all my teeth?
Your first set of baby teeth would have appeared through your gums when you were about six months old. You should have had twenty teeth by the time you were about two years old. These teeth begin to fall out when you are about six years old to make way for your adult (permanent) teeth. All your adult teeth should be in your mouth by the time you are about thirteen. You should have twenty-eight adult teeth. When you are between eighteen and twenty-five you may also start to get four more back teeth, at the top and bottom. These are called your ‘wisdom teeth’ as people used to think that you got them when you had knowledge and became wise. This makes the total number of teeth you will have in your mouth thirty-two. It is important to look after your adult teeth, as you will not get any more. As soon as your teeth appear in your mouth they are at risk from tooth decay if you do not look after them properly.
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I have been scared of the dentist for a long while – what is it like nowadays?
Dental techniques have improved so much over the last few years, that modern dental treatment can now be completely painless. Despite this, most people still feel a little nervous at the thought of going to the dentist. If you have not been to see a dentist for some time, you will probably find that things have improved a lot since your last visit. The general attitude is likely to be more relaxed, the dental techniques and safety procedures will be much better, and the equipment will be more up to date.
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