tooth extraction under general anaestheticPatients understandably want to avoid having a tooth extracted and dentists, too, will do everything possible to save a biological tooth, but sometimes a tooth extraction is the best option and, in many cases, is unavoidable. Removing a significantly damaged or decaying tooth will be required to save the surrounding teeth and ensure optimal dental health.

  1. Severe damage or decay: Whether it’s the result of injury or trauma to the tooth or because of severe decay and infection in the gums, a tooth may need to be removed to prevent further damage. At CK Dental we always adopt a conservative approach and it may be possible to restore the natural tooth, utilising a crown or a filling. If these options are not suitable, then removal of the damaged tooth will take place and a dental implant used to replace the missing molar.
  2. Smile alignment: Some patients will have a very crowded jawline and the teeth fail to align properly. Orthodontics is the dental practice of correcting tooth alignment, typically with braces, but sometimes teeth need to be removed to allow the remaining teeth to become properly aligned. Often, more than one tooth will need to be removed – one from both sides of the mouth – to maintain symmetry and balance of the bite. In this instance, dental extraction will take place first and then we can begin the process of aligning the teeth.
  3. Abnormal development: Sometimes teeth fail to erupt through the gums or become impacted and this is most often seen with the wisdom teeth.

For most patients, tooth extraction can be performed in a dental clinic without any need for anything more than local anaesthetic injections to numb the area. However, for severely impacted teeth or for patients that are suffering from extreme dental anxiety, then a general anaesthetic can be the best option and many dental surgeries are not able to offer this option. At CK Dental in central Bristol, we can carry out dental procedures under general anaesthetic, safely and effectively, in a hospital environment.

Current NHS waiting list times for teeth extractions are growing and, in some areas, patients can be waiting for 22 weeks and up to a year, often suffering discomfort and pain in the meantime. At CK Dental, we can usually see a patient in clinic within a week and, from there, arrange an appointment for a tooth extraction under general anaesthetic within two to four weeks.

brushing children's teethAny parents out there will know that getting children to brush their teeth can sometimes be challenging. Parents are encouraged to brush their children’s teeth from the minute the tiny milk teeth arrive, and anyone who has tried to inset a toothbrush into an unwilling baby’s mouth while it is clamped firmly shut will agree that juggling with jelly is probably easier.

The importance of establishing good dental health routines is crucial, though, as new research shows. A recent study from the University of Cardiff has found that one in seven toddlers has tooth decay. The researchers analysed 1,400 parents and 25% failed to start brushing their children’s teeth from a young age. The author of the study, Maria Morgan, said: “People don’t realise that you should start that early. We are having some children at five, six or seven who are having five, six, seven, eight, nine teeth removed in one go.”

Although we understand it’s not easy to start this routine, as babies grow into toddlers and then into small children, things should improve. If you’re still finding resistance, here are some helpful hints and tips to help your children establish a good oral routine from an early age.

Make it a shared activity

Brushing your teeth at the same time your child is brushing their teeth is a great idea. Children love to mimic their parents, so if they can watch you doing it, they are more likely to want to have a go themselves. A lot of young children also like looking at themselves in the mirror, so why not sit with them in front of a mirror while they’re brushing too.

It doesn’t have to be serious

Dance around, hum while you’re brushing, have a race to see who can brush the fastest for 20 seconds… anything you can do to make the tooth brushing fun and entertaining will certainly appeal more to your little ones than standing over them in the bathroom nagging them to clean their teeth.

A little treat every now and again can help

Although we wouldn’t recommend bribing children to brush their teeth, setting up a rewards-based plan for slightly older children could work nicely. If they get a full week’s worth of tooth brushing points then maybe this could be rewarded with a weekend treat to celebrate how well they have done.

Here at CK Dental practice in Bristol we want all parents to be aware that children’s dental hygiene is no different from adults, they should be brushing their teeth at least twice per day for around two minutes per go. If you can get a routine established with your children nice and early this should help ensure that tooth brushing is something they regard as a normal and necessary part of their daily routine.