Early next month, we are excited to announce that Lucy will be joining our growing family dental practice. It is likely that Lucy will be the first friendly face that you see when you come into our relaxing reception area at 1 West Mall, as she will be our new dental receptionist!

Previously, Lucy worked with Cornelius and Sheryl at the Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital. A self-proclaimed natural organiser and people-person, Lucy has spent her life working in customer-facing roles and is looking forward to this new chapter. “I am looking forward to going above and beyond to deliver an excellent customer experience,” she says.

At CK Dental, we believe in helping people that have a fear of the dentist. And with bags of experience, Lucy will certainly help put any nervous patients at ease when they step into our calm and relaxed reception area.

“I know the importance of putting patients first and providing them with the best customer service possible.”

“I enjoy interacting with people and helping to make them feel content about visiting the dentist instead of feeling nervous,” she adds.

Bristol-born, Lucy has now settled in Clevedon and has a passion for the outdoors and being active. When not looking after her young granddaughter, she enjoys local rambles with friends and recently took up tennis again.

You can find out more about Lucy, as well as the rest of the CK Dental team on our Team page (here).

Book an appointment with our friendly team by calling 0117 472 1600 or email enquiries@ckdental.co.uk .

Your teeth may be the hardest substance in the human body, but that doesn’t make them invincible. If you fall, or suffer an impact to the jaw, it can knock out a tooth, requiring immediate treatment.

Following Falls Prevention Week, a national awareness campaign that occurs each September, we look at what you can do if you accidentally knock out a tooth.

What to do if you knock out a tooth

Having a tooth knocked out can be a traumatic experience. However, there is a chance the tooth can be saved if you know how to handle it.

If you find the tooth, pick it up by the crown and not the root. If it is dirty, run it under the cold tap for a maximum of 10 seconds. Do not attempt to place it back in the hole if it is a milk tooth. Otherwise, put it in as soon as possible and seek urgent dental help immediately. If it won’t go in easily, place it in milk, or saliva until you can get to the dentist.

If your child has had a tooth knocked out, don’t try to place it back in. Keep the tooth clean, don’t touch the root and store it in milk until you can get to a dentist.

How is a knocked-out tooth treated?

If you have the tooth, your dentist will be able to help you secure it back in place. Splinting is typically used to keep the tooth attached to the teeth at either side. The splint will be left on for a couple of weeks before being removed.

If you couldn’t find the tooth or it is unable to be saved, a dental implant can be used to replace it. They provide a long-lasting solution, helping to hide unsightly gaps, and give you the confidence to smile.

Dental implants are created from titanium, and they are implanted into the jaw. A temporary restoration will be provided for a period of two to four months until the tooth has healed. Over that time, the bone will begin to grow around the implant, keeping it firmly in place.

Preventing a knocked-out tooth

Although it isn’t always possible to prevent an injury, there are some ways to prevent a tooth being knocked out. Mouthguards are especially effective for athletes participating in contact sports.

The Bristol Flyers Basketball team, sponsored by CK Dental, have custom-made mouthguards to protect the teeth during play. Mouthguards are affordable, effective, and can prevent an emergency trip to the dentist. Custom-made to fit each patient’s mouth, they can also be worn overnight to prevent teeth grinding.

If you have knocked out your tooth, getting to the dentist quickly is the key to saving it. To learn more about mouthguards or dental implants, book a consultation with our friendly dental team now.

Our new Associate Dentist, Nick joins us at our brand new Clifton Village practice with fifteen years of general dentistry experience under his belt, working at a very busy Practice in Stroud. But his journey into dentistry may not have followed the traditional route. It actually began with a degree in Biological Sciences and then into research in oral and dental sciences at the Bristol Dental School.

To our delight though, Nick decided it was the right time to move on and he now joins our ever-growing team at our new modern clinic in Clifton Village. He brings with him years of general dentistry experience, a practical approach and a strong passion for preventative care.

Nick’s dental experience

One of the benefits to our team, after being based at one dental practice over such a long period of time? “Over the years, you learn what techniques and treatments work for individual patients and what doesn’t,” he said.

Nick really enjoys building relationships with his patients. Over the years, he has seen the long-term effects of his handiwork. Additionally, as an experienced dentist, he quickly builds trust and rapport with his patients. For this reason, he can quickly put anyone that is nervous at ease.

Describing himself as a very practical person, Nick really enjoys the physical work involved in a patient’s dental transformation.

“Transforming a rotten tooth into one that is totally fixed! It just becomes like second nature,” he said.

Prevention is key!

Nick undertakes all aspects of general dentistry and places a strong emphasis on educating his patients to prevent future dental problems arising.

He sees Periodontal (gum) disease as something that should be treated better in general practice. Therefore, he spends more time than most other dentists on prevention.

“90% of dental problems are self-inflicted and can be prevented,” he said.

“By talking to the patient and finding out more about their daily eating and oral hygiene habits, I quickly find out the real cause of the problem.”

Nick believes that people are taking better care of their teeth and are keeping more of their teeth into old age. However, he sees the British public lagging behind other countries in their dental care. Why?

“Regular examinations and hygiene visits are absolutely key.

“A lot of people do not get the advice and time needed in their dental visits to achieve good oral health. And this can only be done really well at a private practice.”

So Why CK Dental?

One of the key things that Nick enjoys with private dental care is the quality of dentistry it is able to provide. From the availability of better materials and equipment to the time the dentist can spend on each patient. And that is certainly the case at the new practice in Clifton. An independent practice run by a dentist he knows is also a main draw for Nick. And having previously worked alongside Principal Dentist, Cornelius – he is confident about the standards of patient care this practice can deliver and provide.

You can find out more about Nick, as well as the rest of the CK Dental team on our Team page.

If you would like to book an appointment at our Clifton dental practice, please call us on 0117 472 1600.

We’re delighted to welcome a new member to our team at CK Dental. Associate Dentist Dr Sonia Manikam qualified at the University of Bristol in 2017. She then embarked on a four-year Masters of Clinical Dentistry in Fixed & Removable Prosthodontics at the prestigious King’s College London.

As well as general practice, Sonia enjoys and has a special interest in minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry and short-term orthodontics, creating beautiful smiles using a conservative approach. She has a relaxed friendly style to put you at your ease however complex the procedure may be.

Outside of dentistry, Sonia enjoys going for long walks in the countryside and playing the piano. Call us on 0117 905 9866 to arrange a consultation with Sonia.