Questions and answers, facts and information

Why do my gums bleed?

Bleeding gums is usually the first sign of gum disease and is related to oral hygiene with the build-up of plaque bacteria irritating the gums. It is usually reversible if it is caught in time, your clinician may recommend you see a Hygiene Therapist who can help treat and reverse bleeding gums.

What do I do if I knock out my tooth?

For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums or in milk. Then, get to your Dentist right away.

What if I crack my tooth?

For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Should you feel a swelling starting, put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. See your Dentist as soon as possible.

How do I treat a toothache?

For toothaches in adults and children, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between your teeth. Do not put aspirin on your aching tooth or gums; it may burn the gum or cheek. If the pain persists, contact your Dentist.

What should I look for when choosing a dentist?

You may want to visit more than one Dentist before making your decision. Dental care is a very personalised service that requires a good relationship between the Dentist and the patient. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if this is the right Dentist for you.

What are the early signs and symptoms of mouth cancer?

Cancer can occur in any part of the mouth, on the tongue, lips and in the throat. Sadly, mouth cancer has a very high mortality rate. This is due to late detection. The positive news is that a “precancer” will sometimes form a long time before cancer develops, and if detected early, it can be treated rapidly with an excellent chance of prevention or cure. Some of the early symptoms of mouth cancer include: (This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a list of some of the more common symptoms.)

– An ulcer or a sore throat that has persisted longer than three weeks

– A white or red patch on the soft tissue, gums, tongue or lining in the mouth

– A chronic sore throat or hoarse voice that persists for longer than six weeks

– Difficulty in swallowing or a constant feeling that something is caught in the throat

– A neck swelling that persists longer than three weeks

– Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth

How can I reduce the risks of mouth cancer?

Smoking is a major cause of mouth and throat cancer and gum and bone disorders in the mouth. At New Street Dental Care recognise that quitting smoking is a difficult challenge for most people, encouraging our patients to quit and improve their confidence and their health and will reduce their risk of mouth cancer. Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink will also reduce the risk of mouth cancer, as will attending your Clinician regularly for your check-ups and cancer screenings.

How can I whiten my teeth?

Generally, the whitening ingredients in toothpaste is quite mild and sometimes has no effect. In the dental surgery, we use slightly stronger products that have a better result. One of the most effective ways is to get bleaching trays made for you by the Dentist and at home you place a special whitening gel into the trays which you wear overnight or for a few hours during the day.

I am interested in having my teeth straightened, where do I start?

Call 01264301301 to book your consultation with James Mackenzie or Yathesa Sreecumaar our Invisalign Providers. We also offer video consultations, so If you have considered Invisalign please call us or email us at info@newstreetdentalcare.co.uk to arrange this.

Will you be impatient with me if I am nervous?

We will never judge you so the fact that you are nervous we know there is no shame in this natural feeling and never be ashamed about your teeth with us, we understand your real fears has possibly kept you away from seeking help sooner. If you find calling us is just too big a step, why not consider emailing us and this is often an easier step than speaking to us, so please email us with your concerns: info@newstreetdentalcare.co.uk

I have jaw pain and grind or clench my teeth, what do I do?

Have you been diagnosed with a TMJ disorder and want to know what it is and how to manage the pain or discomfort associated with it? Learn more about TMJ and what you can do if you are one of the millions of people who have TMJ problems by seeing your Dentist.

What changes have you implemented due to Covid-19, Coronavirus Pandemic?

A few things have changed for your future dental appointments and we will happily explain them to you prior to your visit. We are delighted and proud to announce that we have installed Air Purification System in the form of Radic8 Virus killer, so please feel assured that all dental staff will, in addition, be using personal protective equipment (PPE) in line with current recommendations and evidence for our clinical procedures; this is to keep you and us safe.

We will also be following an updated attendance policy in line with legislation and guidance to maintain social distancing and in cases where this would be impossible. You may notice the additional technology above your head in your dental chair with the name “Viruskiller” on it! It does exactly that and purifies the room continuously to help stop the spread of viruses as well as removing chemicals in the air and helping eradicate triggers for hay fever! The patented, core technology reduces airborne and droplet virus exposure and has been tested against Coronavirus DF2, Adenovirus, Influenza Virus and Poliovirus with a 99.99999% kill rate. We also have a unit in the reception area too, just look for the blue light!