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I’ve broken a tooth – what do I do?

Cracked_tooth_lateral_periodontal_abscessBreaking a tooth can be a traumatic experience, particularly as it usually happens as a result of a fall or a blow to the mouth. Once the initial shock has subsided, however, the cosmetic impact of a broken tooth can also be a lot to deal with.

So, what can you do if you’ve broken a tooth? The team here at CK Dental practice in Clifton, Bristol, have come up with some tips to help you deal with the problem as quickly and effectively as possible.

First things first: call the dentist

A broken tooth is a dental emergency, so you need to call your dentist straightaway. S/he will then be able to assess the damage and let you know the best options available to mend your broken tooth as quickly as possible.

Here at CK Dental, Bristol dentist Cornelius Krause says there are three main types of broken tooth from a knock to the mouth:

A chipped tooth

A chip in the tooth’s enamel or the surface of the tooth is unlikely to be a major problem. It can be an annoyance, however, so depending on the severity of the chip your dentist may use filling material to even it out, or just polish the area smooth. For a more permanent cosmetic option, dental veneers might be a good choice.

A broken cusp

The cusps are the pointed, chewing surfaces of the teeth. If these are broken, it will impact on the practical use of your teeth, so some dental work will definitely be required. It may be possible to repair the damage using filler material, but often a dental veneer or crown will be needed.

A serious break

A serious break in a tooth is one which causes the nerve to be exposed. This will cause some pain, and there will often be blood involved. If you have a serious break in your tooth, you may need root canal treatment on the exposed nerve, as well as a crown on the tooth to allow you to chew food normally.

If you have broken a tooth recently and have not seen a dentist about it, please contact us to find out how we can help.

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Why have dental treatment under general anaesthetic?

girl-1208307_960_720The vast majority of people undergo routine dental treatment without the need for sedation of any kind, but here at CK Dental practice in Bristol, we are aware that for some people going to the dentist is not just a routine event.

We have all heard of the concept of being afraid of the dentist, but for people with dental phobia that fear is very real, and that’s why we decided to offer dental treatment under sedation here at our Bristol dentist clinic.

For some patients, however, they have other anxiety-related conditions which mean they have built up a tolerance to the drugs used for conscious sedation. For others, the fear of the dentist is so deep-rooted that any level of consciousness during the procedure is too much to cope with.

For those patients, general anaesthesia is a fantastic option, allowing them to undergo any necessary dental work without the trauma of seeing it happening.

Don’t you have to be in a hospital to have a general anaesthetic?

Yes, and that is why CK Dental is so well placed to offer this service. Our dental practice is located within the Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield in Clifton, which means our dental phobic patients can undergo dentistry under general anaesthesia, without having to enter an unfamiliar environment.

Do you do anything else to put dentalphobic patients at ease?

The whole team at CK Dental is trained and experienced in dealing with patients who are more than usually nervous about visiting the dentist.

This means that we are able to recognise when a patient is feeling anxious and work to remedy the situation. We do this by creating a very calm, warm and welcoming environment, by explaining all procedures in full before any dental work is undertaken and by helping you to talk through your fears.

If you are nervous or anxious about visiting the dentist, why not give the CK Dental team a call to find out how we can help you to get your teeth back on track.

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Get your teeth picture perfect for National Smile Month 2016

smileLeading dental health charity, The Oral Health Foundation has announced the return of National Smile Month for 2016 – this year, the event will take place from 16th May to 16th June.

National Smile Month aims to raise awareness of the key messages surrounding good oral health – frequent tooth brushing, the avoidance of sugary foods, and regular trips to the dentist. Here at CK Dental practice in Bristol, we are delighted to support this important campaign. Here is our summary of why these three key messages are so important.

Brush your teeth twice a day

According to the information on the Oral Health Foundations’s website, the message is that you should brush your teeth last thing at night and on at least one other occasion during the day.

The last tooth brush of the day is the most important, as it allows you to rid your teeth and gums of any residual plaque-causing food residue from the day. However, it is worth remembering that the longer this residue stays on your teeth, the harder it will be to remove, so if you can brush your teeth after every meal you will be saving yourself a lot of trouble in the long run.

Here at our Bristol dental practice, we recommend – as a minimum – that patients brush their teeth after breakfast and before bed. If you can floss on at least one of these occasions, that will also help to save you a lot of dental health issues in the long run.

Avoid sugary foods and drinks

We all know by now the damage that sugar can do to our teeth. While regular brushing can help alleviate some of the problems caused by sugary foods, the ideal is to avoid those foods all together.

Try to substitute healthier snacks for sweets, biscuits and cakes, and – where possible – choose water over fruit juices, squash or fizzy drinks. If you really can’t avoid consuming some sugar, try to ensure that you do so at the same time as, or shortly after, eating a meal, and drink plenty of water to help wash the sugar off your teeth.

Pay regular visits to the dentist

Dentists are wonderful people. They don’t just help to keep your teeth clean and healthy, they can also help you to avoid more serious problems, such as gum disease and even mouth cancer.

If you can, see your dentist every six months, as this will ensure early diagnosis of anything untoward, as well as keeping your general oral health in check.

If you are looking for a dentist in Bristol, why not give us a call today to organise a check-up.

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Put some sparkle in your smile for summer

teeth whiteningIt’s official, British summertime has started – although it might not feel like it – and we’re all preparing for the warmer weather. For many of us, that means hitting the beauty salon to get waxed, exfoliated and fake-tanned, ready to bare some skin this summer. But have you thought about your teeth?

Strike a contrast

If you’re someone who loves to get a bit of colour in your skin for summer, then you might want to think about the colour of your teeth, too.

Hopefully you’ve realised by now that UV rays are harmful to your skin and are tanning the only safe way – from a bottle – but have you considered that the whiteness of your teeth can make a big difference to the effectiveness of your tan?

A brighter white

Here at CK Dental practice in Bristol, our teeth whitening system offers you brighter, whiter teeth in just two weeks, which can really complement a bronzed complexion.

Even if you prefer a more natural, pale and interesting look, however, whiter teeth can help you to look and feel fresher, healthier and ready for summer.

The teeth whitening procedure

When you come for your Bristol teeth whitening consultation here at CK Dental, our head dentist Mr Cornelius Krause will assess your suitability for the procedure; teeth whitening is ideal for teeth that are stained, but otherwise strong and healthy. If you have broken or damaged teeth, it may be that another treatment, such as porcelain veneers, is more suitable for you.

If you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, an impression of your mouth will be made and used to create your own personal whitening tray, which will be filled with the lightening solution. You will then take this home with you to use daily for two weeks, by which time your teeth should have achieved maximum whiteness.

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