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How to choose your dentist

how do I choose a dentist in BristolIf you’re not registered with a dentist then you risk neglecting your teeth and storing up big problems for future of your mouth, teeth and gums.

We book our cars in for regular MOTs, and the same principle applies for our teeth – they need to be regularly checked to ensure they are healthy, clean and strong.

Most oral problems can be fixed easier and more effectively if caught earlier. So don’t delay – if you haven’t joined a dental practice, start looking at your options now.

So how do I know how to pick a good dentist?

These simple steps will give you an opportunity to learn more about the dental practices that are available in your area and how to make an informed choice.

Do your research

Use the internet to your advantage and read around what is available locally, how long the practice has been established and what services they offer. There are often reviews available online too, which will show you whether others would recommend the practice and how they rate their experience.

Listen to what others say

Speak to existing patients as this will give you a flavour for how others view the services and care offered. It’s also worth checking that the practice is properly regulated. Here at CK Dental Practice in Bristol we are proud to meet all Care Quality Commission (CQC) national standards.

The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England. The CQC monitors, inspects and regulates dental practices and other health care providers, so their stamp of approval will give the reassurances that the practice is operating to a suitable standard.

Understand the ethos of the practice

Most dental surgeries have a website that will give you an indication of the ‘personality’ of the practice.

CK Dental Practice in Bristol believes in patient-led care. We do not believe in treatments for the sake of treatments, we take pride in our approach of listening carefully to each and every patient and designing the best care plan for your individual needs.

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Dental treatment during pregnancy

dental treatment during pregnancyIf you have discovered that you are expecting a child then there are many changes to your body that take effect over the course of your pregnancy and in the weeks and months following the birth.

Understanding these changes is a key factor in terms of managing them, and not many women are aware that during pregnancy their teeth undergo changes too.

What happens to teeth during pregnancy?

In a nutshell, as part of the complex hormonal changes your body is experiencing, women may find that….

  • Their gums start to bleed
  • They experience a greater build up of plaque than usual
  • They may suffer with more sensitive gums or ‘gingivitus’ (red, swollen, tender gums)

Generally speaking, most of the changes are manageable as part of a slightly modified dental routine (for example brushing more gently if your gums are bleeding, visiting the dentist more regularly if you suspect you have a build up of plaque that brushing isn’t tackling effectively), however if you have any concerns you should arrange to see your dentist to get an expert opinion.

Many mums-to-be don’t realise that they are also entitled to some help with dentistry while pregnant.

Dental care for pregnant women

It is important that you have regular dental check-ups throughout your pregnancy, to ensure that none of these changes to your dental health get out of hand and to help you get the most from your dental hygiene routine. Your dentist should be able to offer tips on effective tooth brushing as well as which products are best to use during pregnancy.

Here at CK Dental Practice in Bristol we look forward to helping expectant mothers care for their teeth during and after pregnancy. We are also here to offer help for infant dental care too, once your little ones have arrived and you are looking for advice for how best to care for their teeth and gums.

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Dental emergency – what to do when trouble strikes

dental emergency BristolIf we suspect we have broken a bone, have been in an accident or are feeling very unwell, everyone knows that it’s either a trip to A&E or a telephone call to 111. A medical professional will assess the
problem and you’ll be able to get the required treatment quickly.

But what do you do if you suffer a dental emergency? What about if it is out of hours? Do you know how to deal with it and who to contact?

If you lose a filling or a crown, crack or lose a tooth or are suffering from any other form of dental issue – especially over the weekend or in the evening – it can be worrying. A resolution is often required
quickly, as the sooner you act, the sooner it can be fixed and any pain can be treated.

Act fast to mitigate the problem

Although you can call 111 to obtain advice on how to self-treat pain caused by dental issues, NHS Choices, the online medical guidance site, recommends that the first place you should contact is your own dentist.

Here at CK Dental Practice in Bristol we offer emergency dental treatments to help fix your problem and to give you the peace of mind you require.

A trip to A&E may still be required depending on the nature of the problem and what has caused it. If you have been in an accident and are experiencing severe pain (that you are not able to control with over-the-counter painkillers), are losing a lot of blood or have suffered more serious facial trauma, then a visit to the hospital may still be required too.

CK Dental Practice – here to help you

So, remember that if you have a dental emergency then don’t hesitate to get in touch with CK Dental to get the advice and help you require.

We offer emergency dental help, so call us on 0117 906 4872 or email on info@ckdental.co.uk.

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Best approach for treating and avoiding gum disease

gum disease, causes and treatmentGum disease isn’t pleasant and it can result in some rather unfortunate side effects too. If you have ever suffered from gum disease, or “gingivitis” (the medical name for this) then you’ll know that it can cause bleeding gums, red or inflamed gums, receding gums and also bad breath.

Help starts at home

With many illnesses and ailments, they say that ‘prevention is better than cure’ and that is definitely the case for gum disease. If you have a good dental hygiene routine then you will reduce the chance of getting gum disease by restricting the opportunity for bacteria to grow.

A good routine typically involves brushing your teeth at least twice a day (first thing in the morning and last thing at night – for ideally two minutes or more, each time).

Some people will also brush their teeth after lunch, so if you’re prone to oral hygiene issues then this might be something to consider too.

Flossing is also a good idea to ensure that food does not become trapped between the teeth, and if you’re a smoker, consider cutting back or (ideally) quitting, as this can also have a negative effect on your oral hygiene.

Consult the specialists

If you have noticed any of the symptoms of gum disease, and suspect that you may be suffering from it then the first thing to do is contact your dentist to obtain an expert assessment. Here at CK Dental Practice in Bristol, our dentists can assess your condition, talk to you about what may have caused the problem and recommend the most effective solution(s).

Although the symptoms may look and feel alarming, try not to feel too worried. Gum disease is common and can generally be very easily treated.

Other treatments are available

Good oral hygiene can fix many issues relating to gum disease, but sometimes you will require some more specialist treatment to alleviate the problem. For expert help in keeping teeth and gums at their cleanest, your dentist can perform a ‘scale and polish’, which removes plaque and tartar from your teeth.

If your gum disease is more serious, dentists can also consider ‘periodontal surgery’, which restores and regenerates the gums and in some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to help fix a bacterial problem.

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Is your child ready for an electric toothbrush?

Is your child ready for an electric toothbrush?They used to be perceived as luxury items, but time and technology has reduced the price of electric toothbrushes.

Nowadays, an estimated 40% of all toothbrushes sold are of the electric variety – be they rechargeable or battery-powered – and a lot of them are aimed at kids. But are they the right choice for your child?

Here at CK Dental in Bristol, we get a lot of enquiries from concerned parents on the subject, so here are our thoughts on the subject…

Electric v manual

First things first: yes, in a like-for-like comparison, electric toothbrushes beat the traditional version hands-down. Multiple studies have confirmed that, when used properly, electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than their manual counterparts.

All the original fears about electric toothbrushes – that they contribute more to gum recession, tooth abrasion and gingivitis – have been dispelled.

Are electric toothbrushes safe for kids?

In almost every case, yes. The Oral Health Foundation approved them for one simple reason – that they make a regular chore more fun for children. As long as they meet the basic requirements of an adequate child’s toothbrush – small head, soft nylon bristles, and a handle suitable for the age of the child – there’s nothing to worry about.

However, there are provisos. Firstly, just because the brush is up to the job, it doesn’t necessarily mean the brusher is too.

Dentists recommend that you supervise your child’s brushing regime until the age of 7, but some parents assume that the electric toothbrush will do the job. Obviously, it won’t, if it’s not being used on every tooth for an adequate amount of time.

Secondly, there is a chance that an electric toothbrush will aggravate loose baby teeth. Most children will start to lose theirs between five and seven, but it can happen earlier – and when that happens, it’s wise to switch to a manual one for a while.

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The best – and worst – Christmas treats for teeth

Bristol dentist explains which Christmas treats are best for your teethWe’re not far from the opening of the first window of the advent calendar now, so it’s as good a time as any to talk about what you’ll be putting into your mouth a bit more than usual at this time of year.

We all let our diets fall by the wayside over Christmas – whether we want them to or not – but here at CK Dental in Bristol we’re also aware of which particular treats are less kind to our teeth than others…

Nuts

They always seem to make a revival every Christmas, and the good news is that they’re probably the best (or the least harmful) Christmas treat available as they’re loaded with calcium, which is essential for strengthening bones.

Coincidentally enough, the ones with the most calcium are almonds and brazil nuts – which are always abundant on the Christmas buffet spread.

Chocolates

We all know about the effect chocolate has on teeth, but when you compare chocolates to other treats on offer, they come out reasonably OK. That’s because they usually dissolve quickly in the mouth.

Obviously, brushing away the residue sooner rather than later would be helpful.

Hard candies

Yes, you’re theoretically eating less of them compared to chocolate, but due to their nature they take longer to break down and stay in the mouth much longer. There’s also the risk of damaging dental work and chipping your teeth.

Toffees and caramels

The real baddies of the selection tin are the chewy toffees and caramels. Caramels have a habit of lodging in the teeth, causing decay. Toffees are even worse, and can cause a filling to dislodge at a time when the dental clinics are closed.

Pound coins

It’s nice to find one in a Christmas pudding. Not so nice to find it after you’ve bit into it (and yes, it happens)

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Sensitive toothpastes – a users guide

sensitive toothpastesThere’s a bewildering selection of toothpastes on offer nowadays, and the waters have been muddied somewhat by the rise of ‘sensitive’ toothpastes. Not necessarily by their claims to take the edge off pain, though: here at CK Dental in Bristol, we find them to be very effective.

However, not everyone knows if they actually need them or not.

Why do people suffer from sensitive teeth?

Tooth sensitivity is a very real symptom, especially when it comes to cold food and drink. The most common cause for this is gum recession, which exposes part of the root of the tooth. There are many reasons for gum recession: simple gum disease, aging, and – in certain instances – overbrushing. Or a combination of all three.

What ingredients are in sensitive toothpastes?

Almost all of the sensitive toothpastes on the market can be split into two categories.

The cheaper brands contain two strains of potassium – potassium nitrate and potassium citrate. These work by seeping into the nerve of teeth and preventing it from transmitting pain signals to the brain. The downside to these toothpastes is that they take a while to get to work, so expect to have to used them on a twice-daily basis for two weeks before they start to work.

The more expensive brands, on the other hand, contain ingredients such as strontium, argintine and calcium sodium phosphosilicate. These are a lot faster in taking the edge off, as they block the dentine tubules – the pores located
in the roots of teeth. There are other active ingredients, but they haven’t been clinically proven as yet.

And more often than you’d expect, they don’t contain fluoride, which is absolutely essential in fighting tooth decay.

Our advice: if you’re suffering from tooth sensitivity, come and talk to the team here at our Bristol dental practice as soon as possible, especially if the problem has recently flared up for the first time. We’ll be able to check the condition of your gums, see what’s causing the pain, and advise accordingly.

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Is fear of the dentist genetic?

is fear of the dentist genetic?We may be far removed from the experiences of yesteryear, but there’s still a lingering terror amongst certain people of the dentists.

Here at CK Dental practice in Bristol, we were alarmed to read this recent news story, which claims that up to thirty patients per day are ducking out of vital appointments at the Birmingham Dental Hospital, mainly due to odontophobia.

Seeing as the majority of patients have been referred there because they require work that is too complex for the average dental clinic, this is a huge problem – both for the people involved (as they’ll be struck off the waiting list and left to sort the problem out themselves) and the NHS (which isn’t in a position to throw money away).

DNA = Did Not Attend

While there are many reasons why people are not attending, from not being able to book a time convenient to their lifestyles to simply forgetting, it’s clear that some of the biggest myths about the pain of dental care are yet to be completely expelled.

But does fear of dentists run deeper than we first thought? According to a recent study conducted by West Virginia University, maybe it does.

The study – conducted by two members of the University’s Department of Psychology – concluded that some of the genes we inherit that harbour a fear of pain can also influence and prey upon dental fears. We’ve always believed that odontophobia was caused by learned behaviour in childhood – now it appears it may run even deeper than that.

What can you do to fight the fear?

Our advice, as always, is to be honest with yourself first and foremost. Being afraid of drills and needles is a natural response – but resisting steps to relieve and prevent years of future dental discomfort goes against all our natural inclinations to protect ourselves.

And if you’re worried about passing your fear onto your children, this guide we prepared earlier can help.

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Don’t let your kids’ milk teeth go sour

children's dentist in BristolWe see a lot of parents with very young children here at CK Dental in Bristol, and that’s a very good thing – it’s never too early to get your children into good dental habits.

But one thing we’re concerned about is how certain parents see milk teeth as a trial run, with little consequence as to what happens to them. And this recent news story bears our concerns out.

Why are milk teeth so important?

Deciduous teeth – the official term for milk teeth – form as early as the embryo stage, usually appear at the six-month stage, and are pretty much fully-formed by the time your child is two and a half.

It’s not usually until your child is six before the permanent teeth are ready to make an appearance, and it could be as late at the twelve-year period before milk teeth are completely replaced. So it’s vital
that while they’re there, they are treated with the same care and respect as our adult teeth.

In many cases, the general attitude towards milk teeth is that they’re disposable: they’re only here for a while, so why bother with them? Because the care of them is vital for the future of your child’s dental health, and if things go wrong early, it can magnify problems for adult teeth.

Space is not the place

The main problem with premature milk teeth loss is a condition known as ‘space loss’. When one tooth goes before its time, the adult tooth that’s getting ready to replace it will not get the space it needs when its time comes, leading to braces in the teenage years.

What’s more, severely decayed milk teeth can cause abscesses that cause pain in the short term and damage to the adult teeth before they even appear.

Want to get your kids into good dental habits? Here’s a good place to start.

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Think before you drink: the truth about teeth-staining

teeth whitening in BristolHere at CK Dental in Bristol, we get asked many questions by our clients on the subject of teeth whitening – in particular, what food and drink they should be avoiding to keep their teeth as gleaming as possible. So it’s time we had a look at what foods and drinks are the prime offenders – and some that actually help keep your teeth at their best…

The main culprits

Along with black coffee, red wine is the biggest contributor to teeth-staining, but white wine can be just as bad. The red version contains chromogens, which are the source of the all those tooth-discolouring pigments, but it also contains a lot of tannins, which dry out the mouth and cause a sticky mess on the teeth.

And just like red, white wine and rose contain erosive acid, which opens up the door for other foods to stain the teeth.

Hate teeth-staining? Hard cheese

However, there are plenty of foods that can help fend off staining, and they’re not all bland. Strawberries are packed with malic acid, which acts as a natural astringent. Seeds and nuts when chewed act as a natural exfoliant. Apples produce tons of saliva, which wash away bacteria. And harder cheeses boost tooth enamel as well as providing a shot of calcium.

Water is your best friend

…not only for its hydrating benefits, but because it really is the kindest drink for your teeth, for obvious reasons. Even if you refuse to give up black coffee, red wine and all the other food and drinks that can cause staining, a lot of their damage can be washed away with a slug of water immediately afterwards.

Get into the habit of having a glass of water handy when you eat or drink, if only for mouth-rinsing purposes.

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