FAQs
How do I book and appointment?
Why do I need to come to the dentist if I am not in any pain?
How do you make sure all your equipment is properly clean and safe?
How do I pay for Denplan?
What do I do if I have a dental emergency and need urgent help?
How does smoking affect my mouth?
What are the signs of mouth cancer?
Are dental X-rays dangerous?
My teeth are very sensitive. What can I do to help?
How do I book an appointment?
You can arrange a convenient appointment by telephone (01785 594574) or email (info@2020dental.co.uk). A reminder will be sent to you by your chosen method before your appointment. If you need to cancel or change an appointment please give as much notice as possible but with no less than 24 hours please.
Do not attend the practice without an appointment.
Why do I need to come to the dentist if I am not in any pain?
Pain is a definitely a common symptom of certain acute dental conditions like abscesses. Acute pain often leads people to seek urgent dental treatment. It is preferable to avoid such acute pain and more drastic interventions by preventing decay and gum disease or by treating it at an early stage.
Examination appointments enable us to check your teeth and gums very carefully for decay and other oral disease. We also check for conditions such as mouth cancers. If your teeth and gums are completely healthy we can offer advice on how you can maintain good oral health. Where we identify the need for professional intervention we will discuss this with you and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
How do you make sure all your equipment is properly clean and safe?
We adhere to all the latest Government and professional regulations, advice and guidelines regarding equipment, cross infection and decontamination. This includes all relevant Covid-19 guidance and regulations. All our equipment is fully serviced within a planned maintenance programme. Our staff receive regular training to make sure we all are completely up to date and compliant.
We take your safety and our safety very seriously!
How do I pay for Denplan?
Denplan is a dental health maintenance scheme. The cost is based on your previous dental treatment which will be assessed at your initial appointment. You will be given a banding of A-E, the cost of which can be found here. Once you are registered and allocated a payment banding payments are made through direct debit on the first of the month.
What do I do if I have a dental emergency and need urgent help?
If you have a dental emergency you just need to telephone the practice on 01785 XXXXXX (or 07545880204 outside working hours). If we are unable to answer straight away you will hear a message advising you of our process to return your call. We will do everything we can to help you as soon as practically possible. The earlier in the day that you ring, the more likely you are to be seen the same day.
How does smoking affect my mouth?
The nicotine and tar in smoke will stain your teeth and will both cause and accelerate gum disease leading to bad breath, tooth loss and increased risk of developing mouth, throat and lung cancers.
Smoking reduces the blood and oxygen supply to the gums. This means that a smoker’s gums may not bleed even if there is gum disease present, thus disguising gum problems.
If you are thinking about stopping smoking please go to http://smokefree.nhs.uk/ where you should find lots of information support and advice to help you. Mouthwashes may help mask a smoker’s bad breath and may have some effect on the progress of gum disease but patients need to visit us regularly so we can check your mouth for the very earliest signs of mouth cancer.
What are the signs of mouth cancer?
Mouth cancer can appear in different forms and can affect all parts of the mouth, tongue and lips. It can appear as a painless mouth ulcer that does not heal normally. If you ever have a mouth ulcer which does not heal after 3 weeks please come to investigate the cause.
A thorough inspection will be undertaken for any evidence of mouth cancer at every check-up as parts of the mouth can be seen that you cannot. Mouth cancer is most common in patients over 40 who smoke and drink alcohol. Mouth cancer kills over 1,700 people in the UK every year. Many of these deaths could be prevented by early detection.
Are dental X-rays dangerous?
The amount of radiation received from a dental X-ray is extremely small. We use the latest digital radiography technology which reduces the radiation exposure as far as possible.
We take your safety and ours very seriously.
X-rays are used to take radiographs which give more information about your teeth, bone and soft tissues. They show decay in-between the teeth or under old fillings so it can be treated early . X-rays can also show us the position of unerupted adult teeth in children and the position of wisdom teeth. Routine radiographs are taken approximately every 2 years as part of your regular check-up or, if we are treating specific teeth, where these are clinically indicated.
My teeth are very sensitive. What can I do to help?
Sensitivity in teeth is usually triggered by hot or cold food, touch, or sweet foods. The pain can be severe but only lasting for a few seconds. If you get pain that lasts longer than this and is triggered with hot things more than cold, you may have toothache not sensitivity.
Sensitivity can be caused by exposure of dentine caused by brushing too hard, eating acidic foods and fizzy drinks. The solution is to limit your tooth exposure to acid attack, brushing less hard and by using toothpaste specially designed for sensitive teeth. Use the toothpaste as an ointment, rubbed into the sensitive areas can help reduce the symptoms. If sensitivity persists you should make an appointment.