FAQ
I have a swollen mouth and face and I am in a lot of pain. I am taking painkillers but they aren't helping
Your best option is to call us straight away so that a dentist can exam you. It sounds like you may have an abscess and it may be necessary to prescribe antibiotics. A dental abscess can be very painful, and although painkillers may control the pain, they cannot treat or cure a dental abscess.
I've broken a tooth and I need an emergency appointment
The quickest way to make an appointment is to telephone us directly during our opening times. We will do are very best to see you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours. If we have an empty slot or had a cancellation we will be happy to see you sooner.
When we are closed there are out of hour's arrangements available for our patients. See Emergency appointments. Details are also available on our answer phone when we are closed.
Can I register with your practice as a new NHS patient?
Since the pandemic there has been a record number of patients requiring urgent dental care. We may be unable to accept new NHS patients routinely when we are working to full capacity. Therefore it is advisable to check our profile on www.nhs.uk for changes or contact us for latest availability.
I'm moving away to another area but I want to keep seeing my usual dentist, is this possible?
Yes, you can still see your usual dentist. Please keep your contact details at the practice up to date letting us know of any changes to your address and telephone numbers as soon as possible.
I work full time, can I still be treated under the NHS?
Yes, all UK residents are entitled to be treated under the NHS. If you work and are not in receipt of any benefits, you will be required to pay the NHS fees as set out by the government.
Am I entitled to free NHS dental treatment? Click here
Is my treatment covered by the NHS?
You can have all treatment on the NHS that your dentist feels is clinically necessary to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy.
Some treatments that are cosmetic, such as teeth whitening are not covered by the NHS.
If you're offered any private treatment during your NHS appointment your dentist will provide details of private treatment and charges – usually on the same form as your NHS treatment plan, so that you are fully informed of your treatment and the costs associated.
What is Root Canal Treatment and why do I need it?
To put it simply, root canal treatment is used to save teeth which would otherwise need to be removed. Treatment is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury.
I had a denture fitted a few days ago but it is rubbing, is this normal?
Yes, new dentures often rub the gums a bit at first, meaning that they may need to be adjusted by the dentist. Please call us to arrange a suitable time for you to come in for your adjustment.
My teeth are really sensitive, what can you do to help?
Depending on the cause of the sensitivity, your dentist may decide to apply a special varnish onto the affected teeth or put bonding around the neck of the tooth, to cover exposed dentine. Please contact us to make an appointment to see the dentist.
I'm a nervous patient and haven't seen a dentist in years.
Now that you have made the first steps to contact us let us reassure you that we are used to treating nervous patients .Your first appointment will simply be a check up, a chance to get to know your dentist and discuss your treatment options. We don't mind if you would like to bring along a friend to ease this process. It's probably a good idea to arrange an appointment at the start of your day so that you have less time to worry about it. Should you need any further advice please contact us either by telephone or send us an email.
How long does it last?
Degree of lightness will vary from patient to patient. Some patients may need to repeat the procedure periodically to top up the effect.
What are the benefits?
- Teeth whitening improves the appearance of your teeth without removing any of the natural tooth surface.
- It is a better option than a crown or veneer if you want to lighten the colour of healthy teeth
When whitening might not work?
Whitening cannot change the colour of natural teeth it can only lighten the existing shade. Whitening only works on natural teeth. It will not affect the colour of existing porcelain crown, veneers, bridges or denture teeth. It will not change the colour or shade of existing tooth coloured fillings: these may need to be replaced to ensure good shade matching.
Is there anything else I should know?
Some patients may experience sensitivity from hot and cold drinks after treatment. If you are considering Teeth Whitening, please ask your dentist for further information about risks, benefits and suitability.
Will I be in pain?
It is likely that there will be some discomfort and swelling both on the inside and outside of your mouth after extraction/surgery. This is usually worse for the first three days but it can take up to two weeks before all the soreness disappears.
You may need to control the pain with tablets. If these have not been prescribed, you can use pain killers you would normally use if you had a headache. Follow the dosage recommended on the packet. If antibiotics have been prescribed, please ensure you finish the course.
What about bleeding?
When you have any teeth removed you are left with a hole (tooth socket) in your jawbone. At first a blood clot forms, before healing over completely.
If bleeding occurs when you go home, apply pressure on the tooth socket with a clean, damp rolled piece of cotton/linen handkerchief. Try this for the first 10 to 20 minutes. If bleeding does not stop, please telephone the surgery. If the surgery is closed call the emergency dentist telephone number Emergency Appointment Keep biting on the handkerchief until you have spoken to or seen the dentist.
Can I eat or drink after treatment?
Try not to eat or drink if possible until after the numbness has worn off. It is advisable to eat on the opposite side of your mouth to the extraction site. For the first 12 hours (after the numbness has worn off) avoid hot drinks (which can break down the clot). Take only warm liquids or soft foods.
Can I smoke or drink alcohol?
It is advisable not to smoke or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Smoking can prevent healing and cause bleeding to start.
What do I need to do at home?
When you have had a tooth out you must look after the area to speed healing and to reduce the risk of infection. It is important to keep the extraction site as clean as possible for the first few weeks after surgery. It might be difficult to clean your teeth around the sites of the extraction because it is sore.
The day after your extraction you can start using a warm salt water bath to help reduce the risk of infection. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, hold a mouthful in your mouth for about 30 seconds so that the solution floods to the extraction site, then spit it out and continue in the same way until you have used the entire cup. You can do this after every meal or two to three times a day. Keep using the salt water until the extraction socket has healed. Do not use mouthwash as this may harm newly growing cells.
Will I have any problems?
It is uncommon to get an infection, particularly if good oral hygiene is maintained after surgery. If you are worried about infection, the signs would be a raised temperature, a nasty taste in the mouth, increased pain and severe swelling around the extraction site. If you experience any of these, it is important to contact us as soon as possible.
What is a brace?
A brace is a mechanical device which is either fixed (attached to your teeth) or removable. The brace is used to move your teeth for better alignment to create a smile that will hopefully last for life.
Why do I have an appointment with an Orthodontist?
You may either have an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Problem (appearance, the altered position of your teeth) and/or a Functional Problem (how you chew or bite).
What are the benefits of Orthodontics?
- To improve the appearance of the teeth, smile and face
- To improve the health of the teeth and gums
- To improve function (making it easier to eat or chew)
When should I receive Orthodontic treatment?
As soon as there is a problem, because the sooner the treatment is started, the easier and the quicker it is to achieve the best results. As you are growing, the easier and quicker it will be to move teeth and jaws to the right positions!!
Wasting the opportunity to be treated during growth is a shame. Early age is the ideal stage for a consultation!
Receiving treatment at an early age:
- Avoids more serious problems in the future
- Changes and corrects the quantity and direction of growth
- Avoids the need for extractions which are sometimes necessary in order to create space before we can straighten your teeth
What should I do before my consultation with the Orthodontist?
- Please ask your own dentist if any x-Ray was taken within 2 years before the appointment date with your Orthodontist. If so, please try to bring this x-ray (or copy) with you to your consultation.
- You and your parent/guardian will fill in a Medical Questionnaire which will give the Orthodontist an idea about your general health
What will happen on the day of my consultation with the Orthodontist?
This consultationwill last approximately 40 minutes and consists of getting to know you and your problem and of ensuring you are an ideal candidate for treatment.
The Orthodontist, will:
- Ask you some Questions about oral habits (such as biting nails, sucking thumb)
- Carry out an Assessment of your face, teeth, soft tissues, jaws, oral functions, x-ray (if needed)
- Give you an Explanation of what the problem is, the level of severity, possible causes, possible treatment need, possible treatment options and possible treatment achievements
- Be more than happy to Answer to any of your questions.
After a careful assessment, the Orthodontist will let you know if your malocclusion scores for NHS treatment (IOTN, which means Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) meaning whether you qualify for Free NHS Orthodontic treatment and what your options are if you do not qualify.
What if I do not qualify for NHS Orthodontic treatment?
You have two options:
- You choose not to have any Orthodontic Treatment
- You can choose to have Private Orthodontic Treatment
What should I expect when I start Orthodontic treatment?
If the Orthodontist thinks you can start treatment soon and you agree with the treatment plan proposed, the following procedures (possibly on the same visit) are:
- You or your parent/guardian will be asked to read and sign the Consent Form
- You will have Photographstaken of your face and teeth, using a digital camera. It is very important to have photos before, during and after the treatment in order that we can show you the changes in your teeth at the end of the treatment.
- We will then take Impressions of your upper and lower teeth. This involves having a paste which tastes minty and sets like rubber placed around your teeth for about 1 minute. The tray will then be removed from your mouth and used to make a copy of your teeth.
- The Orthodontist will refer you to take an X-Ray for more accurate diagnosis.
- Lastly, you will receive Instructions about oral hygiene, diet, posture, bad habits and about the brace you will have fitted. You can take these instructions home where you can read all about your new braces before they are fitted.
What will happen on subsequent visits?
- If your case is straightforward you will have your brace fitted on the 2nd appointment but if your case is more complex we may need to carry out more studies/measurements on the 2nd visit.
- After you have your brace fitted, adjustments will need to be carried out on your brace to ensure continued progress. Adjustments normally only take 10mins.
What happens if I lose or beak my braces?
Let us know as soon as possible so that we can arrange an appointment for you to see your Orthodontist. NHS Charges will apply for lost or broken braces.