Why do I need to visit the dentists?

Many people think that if their teeth aren’t hurting, then there’s no need to visit the dentist. But this isn’t the case – regular check-ups allow us to identify potential problems as soon as they occur. This leads to prompt treatment, which will help to prevent possible pain in the future and keep costs to a minimum.

Why do I need to use floss? It makes my gums bleed?

Brushing alone only removes part of the plaque build-up and can’t reach between your teeth, which is where floss comes in. Bleeding indicates that the gum is already irritated and inflamed. By using floss you’re removing the plaque that causes the irritation, so keep at it! With regular daily use you should notice that the bleeding stops, indicating that your gums are healing. Healthy gums don’t bleed, and will support your own teeth in your mouth well into old age.

I’m nervous of the dentist, but I’ve got terrible tooth ache – can you help?

We realise that for many people, a visit to the dentist can be extremely distressing, so we’ve done everything we can to minimise stress. Our professional staff will be happy to spend time with you in the lounge (or in a private area) to talk through your treatment and the procedures involved. We offer a range of sedation techniques and even play music or DVDs during treatment. You can also take a break at any time.

What is oral cancer?

Oral or mouth cancer is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, lips and throat, but because the symptoms are often ignored, they have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma. The mortality rate is just over 50%, despite treatment, with about 1,700 deaths per year in the UK. At the Park Dental Clinic we screen you for signs of oral cancer during your routine dental check-ups.

I’d love to lighten the colour of my teeth. Will whitening damage my teeth?

No, whitening won’t damage your teeth. Some people do experience slight sensitivity but this is usually easy to control, reversible and goes about 48 hours after you're finished using the bleaching gels. Call us if you would like to discuss different options available to lighten your teeth.

I’ve always hated my wonky teeth: now my children are having braces, and I’d love to have my teeth done too. Is this possible?

Yes. Adult orthodontics are becoming very popular, although treatment may take a little longer. We offer a wide range of treatments, including Invisalign – invisible braces, which are loved by our adult patients, as only they and their dentist, need ever know they’re wearing braces!

I hat the gap between my front teeth, can I get rid of it?

Depending on the nature and size of the gap, you might want to consider orthodontics, crowns or veneers. Call us to arrange a consultation.

I hate my dentures – I’m worried they might fall out and they make me feel old. Can I have implants?

Implants are permanent false teeth, which are fixed directly to your jaw bone, which certainly makes an appealing alternative to dentures. But they’re not suitable for everyone; deciding factors will include how good your own oral hygiene is and the quality of your jaw bone.

A dark line around my front crowns – it wasn’t there when it was first fitted. What’s caused it and how do I get rid of it?

You probably have “bonded” crowns and the dark line is the metal substructure of the crown, onto which the porcelain layer is bonded. When it was fitted this join between the crown and your tooth was probably hidden underneath the edge of your gum, but over time your gum has shrunk back a little, exposing the join.

You could replace the crown with an all-porcelain version – then, even if the gum does shrink back again there’s no metal beneath to show as a dark line. Furthermore, all-porcelain crowns tend to look more natural as they reflect the light in a similar way to normal tooth enamel. However, in some cases the bite against the lower teeth can be so tight that they may be unsuitable. If you come for a consultation, we will be able to advise you about your particular situation.

My wisdom tooth’s coming through and it’s extremely sore. Is there anything I can do?

I’m afraid that wisdom teeth do hurt as they push through the gum. But often, as they are coming through, germs and food particles can find their way under the gum flap, making it even more inflamed and infected.

It’s natural to try and avoid disturbing the area because of the pain, but that’s the worst thing you can do as the food will remain trapped and could lead to an infection. In fact, you need to brush more thoroughly – even if it’s sore and bleeding. You can also try chlorhexidine mouthwash and gel from the chemist (brand name corsodyl) but if it doesn’t ease up over 48 hours, see your dentist.

I’m getting terrible headaches – a friend suggested that this might be caused by my teeth. Is this possible?

Absolutely – head, neck and jaw aches can be caused by grinding or clenching your teeth. Click here for more information.