You may assume you should have a dental check-up every six months, but some people may not need to go so often and others may need more frequent checks. Your dentist will suggest when you should have your next check-up based on how good your oral health is. The time between check-ups can vary from three months to two years, depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are and your risk of future problems.

Why do I need a dental check-up?

A check-up allows your dentist to see if you have any dental problems and helps you keep your mouth healthy. Leaving problems untreated could make them more difficult to treat in the future, so it's best to deal with problems early, or, if possible, prevent them altogether.

What happens during a dental check-up?

At each check-up, your dentist should:

• Examine your teeth, gums and mouth.
• Ask about your general health and any problems you’ve had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit.
• Ask about, and give you advice on, your diet, smoking and alcohol use, and teeth-cleaning habits.
• Discuss a date for your next visit.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is used to support one or more false teeth. It is a titanium screw that can replace the root of a tooth when it fails. Just like a tooth root, it is placed into the jawbone.

Are implants safe and how long will they last?

Implants are a safe, well-established treatment. It's probably true to say that implants, much like natural teeth, will last for as long as you care for them.
How well you look after your implants - and whether you go for your regular maintenance appointments - will have the biggest impact on how long they will last.
If you don't look after your implants they will develop a coating similar to what you get on neglected natural teeth. Left untreated, this can lead to gum infection, bleeding, soreness and general discomfort. You could get all these problems with natural teeth.
If your implants are well looked after, and if the bone they are fitted to is strong and healthy, you can expect them to last for many years. However, just as with other surgical implants (such as a hip replacement) there is no lifetime guarantee.

What is Periodontology?

Periodontology is the study of the specialised system of hard and soft tissues that supports your teeth and maintains their position in the jaw. This apparatus, known as the periodontium, has some very important functions: it securely attaches the teeth to the jaws; it acts as a shock absorber during biting and chewing and therefore helps to prevent damage to the teeth from excessive forces; and it maintains the teeth in a stable position within the jaws so that that they work together efficiently and comfortably during chewing.

Why is periodontology important?

In many ways, the mouth can be seen as a mirror of the general condition of your body. In particular, our periodontal status can often tell us more than simply what is happening locally in our gums. Although periodontitis is always triggered by plaque accumulation on the teeth, diseases affecting the rest of the body, known as systemic diseases, can weaken the supporting structures of the teeth.
Also, some serious disorders are known to show themselves in the mouth before they are evident in any other part of the body. Therefore, it is sometimes the case that a trained periodontist is the first person to detect the signs of a general disease, such as diabetes or blood disorders, when examining a patient’s mouth. Because of this association with general health and overlap with other medical disciplines, periodontology can rightly be regarded as a ‘holistic’ form of dentistry.

What does tooth whitening do?

Tooth whitening can be a highly effective, yet very simple way, of lightening the colour of teeth without removing any of the tooth surface. It cannot make a colour change, but lightens the existing colour.

What does the procedure involve?

The dentist applies a chemical barrier to the gums, which will protect them during the whitening process. The whitening solution is then applied to the teeth and the chemical is then activated using heat, or heat and light combined. Once the whitening process is finished the barrier will be easily removed in one piece.

If the tooth has been root treated, the canal, which previously contained the nerve, may be reopened and the whitening product is put in.

What is a Dental Airflow?

Airflow Polishing or Dental Airflow is a hygiene treatment that effectively removes stains on the front and back of teeth.
The procedure works by using a fine jet of compressed air, water and fine powder particles to remove staining caused by coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and some mouthwashes.

Why is Dental Airflow beneficial to me?

There are lots of reasons why air polishing treatment might be beneficial to you:

• You fancy a brighter smile but don’t want to undertake teeth whitening treatment. Although it air polishing cannot alter the base colour of your teeth, it is fantastic at removing stains and restoring your sparkle!
• You might have a heavy build-up of plaque which is removed more quickly and easily by air polishing than by your scale and polish alone
• Air polishing can be more comfortable for those with sensitive teeth than a scale and polish as there is no heat generated by the procedure, and no contact with the teeth themselves
• It can be safely used on implants, bridges, veneers and crowns
• The powders come in a variety of flavours such as mint and cherry and is much more pleasant and less gritty than the heavy paste used in traditional polishing

If you want a quick fix for a special occasion or that important job interview, air polishing might be for you!

What does tooth whitening do?

Endodontics is a field of dentistry concerned with the biology and pathology of the dental pulp and root tissues of the tooth. It focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and injuries of these tissues. Root canal are a commonly performed Endodontic procedure.

What is a mouthguard?

A mouthguard is a specially made, rubber-like cover which fits exactly over your teeth and gums, cushioning them and protecting them from damage.

When would I need a mouthguard?

It is important to wear a professionally made mouthguard whenever you play sport that involves physical contact or moving objects. This includes: cricket, hockey and football - which can cause broken and damaged teeth; and American football, boxing and rugby - which can all cause broken or dislocated jaws. A mouthguard will help protect against these happening.

Where can I get one made?

Your dental team will be happy to make you a custom-made mouthguard, which will fit your mouth exactly and protect your teeth and gums properly. Custom-made mouthguards can prevent damage to the jaw, neck and even the brain - helping to prevent the concussion and damage caused by a heavy blow.

Most people are now aware that smoking is bad for our health. It can cause many different medical problems and, in some cases, fatal diseases. However, many people don’t realise the damage that smoking does to their mouth, gums and teeth.

Smoking can also lead to gum disease. Patients who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. The gums are affected because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums fail to heal. Smoking causes people to have more dental plaque and for gum disease to progress more rapidly than in non-smokers. Gum disease still remains the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.