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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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