FAQ

Your best option is to call us straight away so that a dentist can exam you. It sounds like you may have an abscess and it may be necessary to prescribe antibiotics. A dental abscess can be very painful, and although painkillers may control the pain, they cannot treat or cure a dental abscess.

The quickest way to make an appointment is to telephone us directly during our opening times. We will do are very best to see you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours. If we have an empty slot or had a cancellation we will be happy to see you sooner.

When we are closed there are out of hour's arrangements available for our patients. See Emergency appointments. Details are also available on our answer phone when we are closed.

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, there is a record number of patients requiring urgent dental care and we are working to full capacity. Therefore, unfortunately we are not currently accepting new NHS patients for routine dental care but we may be able to see you on a private basis.

Unlike GP surgeries, there is no registration as such for dental practices.

Yes, you can still see your usual dentist. Please keep your contact details at the practice up to date letting us know of any changes to your address and telephone numbers as soon as possible.

Yes, all UK residents are entitled to be treated under the NHS. If you work and are not in receipt of any benefits, you will be required to pay the NHS fees as set out by the government.

You can have all treatment on the NHS that your dentist feels is clinically necessary to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy.

Some treatments that are cosmetic, such as teeth whitening are not covered by the NHS.

If you're offered any private treatment during your NHS appointment your dentist will provide details of private treatment and charges – usually on the same form as your NHS treatment plan, so that you are fully informed of your treatment and the costs associated.

To put it simply, root canal treatment is used to save teeth which would otherwise need to be removed. Treatment is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury.

Yes, new dentures often rub the gums a bit at first, meaning that they may need to be adjusted by the dentist. Please call us to arrange a suitable time for you to come in for your adjustment.

Depending on the cause of the sensitivity, your dentist may decide to apply a special varnish onto the affected teeth or put bonding around the neck of the tooth, to cover exposed dentine. Please contact us to make an appointment to see the dentist.

Now that you have made the first steps to contact us let us reassure you that we are used to treating nervous patients .Your first appointment will simply be a check up, a chance to get to know your dentist and discuss your treatment options. We don't mind if you would like to bring along a friend to ease this process. It's probably a good idea to arrange an appointment at the start of your day so that you have less time to worry about it. Should you need any further advice please contact us either by telephone or send us an email.

Degree of lightness will vary from patient to patient. Some patients may need to repeat the procedure periodically to top up the effect.

• Teeth whitening improves the appearance of your teeth without removing any of the natural tooth surface.
• It is a better option than a crown or veneer if you want to lighten the colour of healthy teeth

Whitening cannot change the colour of natural teeth it can only lighten the existing shade. Whitening only works on natural teeth. It will not affect the colour of existing porcelain crown, veneers, bridges or denture teeth. It will not change the colour or shade of existing tooth coloured fillings: these may need to be replaced to ensure good shade matching.

Some patients may experience sensitivity from hot and cold drinks after treatment. If you are considering Teeth Whitening, please ask your dentist for further information about risks, benefits and suitability.

It is likely that there will be some discomfort and swelling both on the inside and outside of your mouth after extraction/surgery. This is usually worse for the first three days but it can take up to two weeks before all the soreness disappears.

You may need to control the pain with tablets. If these have not been prescribed, you can use pain killers you would normally use if you had a headache. Follow the dosage recommended on the packet. If antibiotics have been prescribed, please ensure you finish the course.

When you have any teeth removed you are left with a hole (tooth socket) in your jawbone. At first a blood clot forms, before healing over completely.

If bleeding occurs when you go home, apply pressure on the tooth socket with a clean, damp rolled piece of cotton/linen handkerchief. Try this for the first 10 to 20 minutes. If bleeding does not stop, please telephone the surgery. If the surgery is closed call the emergency dentist telephone number Emergency Appointment Keep biting on the handkerchief until you have spoken to or seen the dentist.

Try not to eat or drink if possible until after the numbness has worn off. It is advisable to eat on the opposite side of your mouth to the extraction site. For the first 12 hours (after the numbness has worn off) avoid hot drinks (which can break down the clot). Take only warm liquids or soft foods.

It is advisable not to smoke or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Smoking can prevent healing and cause bleeding to start.

When you have had a tooth out you must look after the area to speed healing and to reduce the risk of infection. It is important to keep the extraction site as clean as possible for the first few weeks after surgery. It might be difficult to clean your teeth around the sites of the extraction because it is sore.

The day after your extraction you can start using a warm salt water bath to help reduce the risk of infection. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, hold a mouthful in your mouth for about 30 seconds so that the solution floods to the extraction site, then spit it out and continue in the same way until you have used the entire cup. You can do this after every meal or two to three times a day. Keep using the salt water until the extraction socket has healed. Do not use mouthwash as this may harm newly growing cells.

It is uncommon to get an infection, particularly if good oral hygiene is maintained after surgery. If you are worried about infection, the signs would be a raised temperature, a nasty taste in the mouth, increased pain and severe swelling around the extraction site. If you experience any of these, it is important to contact us as soon as possible.