Looking for tooth whitening in Bristol? Summer is finally just around the corner, and while many people will be worrying about slimming down to look good on the beach, it is worth remembering that a bright, beautiful smile can hide a multitude of sins.

Multiple surveys have shown that the smile is the feature that most attracts the opposite sex, so why not make that top of your to-do list when it comes to getting beach ready? Here at Bristol dentist clinic CK Dental, we offer a number of treatments that can help, from basic check-ups and hygiene appointments, to cosmetic dentistry. Perhaps the quickest fix for a sparkling smile is teeth whitening.

How does teeth whitening work?

Here at CK Dental, we use a home whitening kit that works over a period of about two weeks – perfect as a last-minute treatment before heading off to exotic climes. At your first appointment, Bristol dentist Mr Krause will take an imprint of your teeth, which will be used to create your customised whitening tray. You will then be given this tray to take home with you, along with some whitening solution, and will use this overnight for two weeks.

What sort of result can I expect?

Results from tooth whitening treatment are usually predictable, and Dr Krause will be able to tell you at your initial appointment what sort of whitening you can expect to achieve. Additionally, if at the end of the fortnight you wish for an even brighter smile, it can be topped up to maximum whiteness over just a couple of nights, and at minimal cost.

Is it safe?

Yes, tooth whitening is extremely safe and effective – this particular treatment has been in use for over 10 years and millions of people have had their teeth whitened, with complications being extremely rare.

If you think you’d like to concentrate on getting your smile ready for summer – meaning you can slow down on those ab crunches! – give the team at CK Dental a call to book in your initial consultation.

Tips to look after your children to have healthy teeth.

A recent report in the national press has shown that over a quarter of children in the UK have some level of tooth decay, with ‘poverty’ and ‘sugar’ cited as the most likely causes. Here at Bristol dentist practice CK Dental, we were shocked to hear that so many children’s teeth are given this unhealthy start, so we wanted to offer a few tips to help you keep your children’s teeth healthy, without breaking the bank.

Cut back on sugary drinks

We know this is easier said than done, but if you can try to keep sugary drinks to a minimum it can make a big difference – when a child drinks a glass of juice or squash, they are literally bathing their teeth in sugar.

If your child refuses to drink water on its own, try diluting fruit juice with water to reduce the amount of sugar they are getting per drink.

Only offer sweet foods as pudding

If you eat sugary foods immediately after a meal, the damage done to your teeth is kept to a minimum, as your mouth is already producing saliva to help wash the sugar away. If you can encourage your child to drink a glass of water immediately after pudding, this will help too.

Brush thoroughly twice a day

Children can be resistant to brushing their teeth, so try to make it fun, rather than a battleground – there are some toothbrushing apps that can be downloaded onto smartphones or tablets to help with this.

Most chemists or supermarkets sell novelty children’s toothbrushes, in the shape of animals or with pictures on of children’s favourite characters, which can be used to make the whole process more appealing. Make sure you are using a fluoride toothpaste and just use a pea-sized amount (or less if you are using a toothpaste that is not specifically designed for children).

If you would like to have your children’s teeth checked over, please give our Bristol dentist clinic a ring to make an appointment.

Dental phobia treatment options in the uk are limited. The newspapers have been full of stories over the past week about Angie Barlow, the mother who superglued her own teeth in place because she was so terrified of going to the dentist.

Angie’s fear stemmed from her mother’s throat cancer, which was picked up on by a dentist at a routine dental check, but dental phobia is a very real problem which can have many causes, or indeed no cause at all – the definition of a phobia is ‘an irrational fear’.

The result of Angie’s DIY dental treatment was that 90% of the bone in her jaw was lost and, when she did finally visit the dentist, they had to remove most of her remaining teeth and insert titanium pins to attach implants to her skull – a prospect that even the most dentist-friendly of us would find less than appealing.

What can be done about dental phobia?

Here at CK Dental, Bristol dentist Cornelius Krause is passionate about helping patients to overcome dental phobia. This can be achieved in many ways, the most important of which is to acknowledge the fear and try to make patients feel as comfortable as possible – by talking through the phobia and offering reassurance.

Conscious sedation

Another, practical way in which we can offer reassurance to dental-phobic patients is to offer conscious sedation when dental work needs to be undertaken. This is a form of sedation where patients are in a semi-conscious state throughout treatment.

Unlike with a general anaesthetic, recovery is quick and you can return home shortly after treatment, but it allows you to relax fully for the duration of the procedure. Patients often have only a very faint memory of the procedure itself, which makes for minimal anxiety in the future.

Relax – you’re in safe hands

If you suffer from dental phobia, and are worried that your dental problems may be getting out of hand as a result, give the team at our Bristol dentist clinic a ring today to find out how we can help.

Smile makeover treatment in Bristol for improved confidence is a treatment at CK Dental. According to a recent article in the Daily Mail, one in four Brits refuse to smile in photographs because they are ashamed of their teeth, and 42% of people surveyed said their teeth were the first thing they would change about their appearance.

We Britons have always had a bad reputation when it comes to our teeth, but that really needn’t be the case any longer. Here at Bristol dentist clinic CK Dental, we have seen hundreds of patients go from shame to pride about the state of their teeth.

And while teeth whitening, crowns and dental implants all have their place when it comes to bringing your smile back, there’s one treatment that is head and shoulders above the rest:

Invisalign invisible braces

The main culprit for causing embarrassment about your teeth is a crooked smile. And while braces have long been around to help resolve this problem, if you weren’t lucky enough to have them as a child, there is something unappealing about the idea of having a mouthful of metal as an adult.

Invisalign presents the perfect solution to this problem: an invisible braces system that realigns your teeth without anyone needing to know you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.

How does it work?

When a patient decides to go ahead with Invisalign treatment at our Bristol dentist clinic, the first thing we do is make an appointment for you to have a thorough consultation with our dentist. This will involve a full orthodontic assessment and – assuming that the dentist feels Invisalign is the appropriate treatment for you and that you are still happy to go ahead – a mould of your teeth will be taken so that your personal brace system can be made.

How long does treatment last?

Just like with traditional braces, treatment can last anywhere from six months to a couple of years, although sometimes Invisalign can work faster than traditional brace systems. You will be presented with a series of aligners, which need to be worn in sequence, each for around 2-3 weeks. This helps to gradually and subtly reposition your teeth.

If you would like to know more about Invisalign and find out how it can help you regain the confidence to smile in photos, please contact us to book a consultation.

Fantastic programme on BBC 1 last night called The Truth About Your Teeth. It took a look at how the latest scientific breakthroughs can change/help how we look after our teeth.

Teeth Whitening BristolThere were a couple of points that were particularly interesting. The journalists looked at over-the-counter teeth whitening products which have become incredibly popular in recent years. As dentists, we have been aware that these products – despite their promises – are not supported by clinical evidence or research. The programme researchers carried out tests and found that no products actually whitened your teeth.

This was a powerful message as DIY teeth whitening kits are big business in the UK and many consumers think this is the cheap and effective option but, as the programme proved, if you want pearly whites then you need to see a dentist. At our Bristol dental clinic we offer Enlighten, the only product on the market that guarantees a new shade of whiteness.

They also discussed the importance of dental hygiene. They reviewed a number of products on the market, but the outcome was that the best way to protect your teeth is to simply brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste.

Part two next week and we’ll definitely be tuning in.