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Posts Tagged ‘City Dental Dentist’

What counts as a dental emergency and when should I call my dentist?

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, in any place. If you find yourself needing urgent help, don’t hesitate to reach out. At the moment, when practices are running reduced services and patients are worried about the Covid-19 crisis, people may be more reluctant to seek help. The message from dentists is that emergency help is available. 

What counts as a dental emergency?

There are many different types of dental ailments and some require swifter or more intensive action than others. Minor problems, such as toothache, a small chip in the tooth and tooth sensitivity, need treating, but there’s no need to seek emergency assistance. Call your local dental practice and arrange an appointment to see your dentist at a time that is convenient to you. Severe issues, such as broken teeth, intense pain, which is affecting day to day life or getting worse, severe swelling and excessive bleeding caused by facial injuries, require urgent treatment. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your dentist as soon as possible. It’s also crucial to seek advice from your dentist or your GP if you are worried about symptoms associated with oral cancer, such as abnormal lumps or swelling and mouth sores and ulcers that take a long time (more than 2 weeks) to heal. 

If you’ve been injured or involved in a traumatic accident, which is causing facial swelling that is impacting your vision or your ability to breathe, you are bleeding heavily after an incident, or you experience loss of consciousness or vomiting, call 999. 

What happens when you see an emergency dentist?

Dental professionals understand that accidents happen, and practices have emergency appointments available to ensure that teams can treat patients promptly. If you need urgent help, all you have to do is contact your dental practice and provide some information about your symptoms. If you need assistance during practice hours, you will be given an appointment at the earliest possible opportunity. If you need help outside of standard working hours, you can call NHS 111 or contact your practice and listen to instructions on the answering service. Some practices offer out of hours care. In extreme circumstances, for example, when an individual sustains severe facial injuries, it may be necessary to visit Accident and Emergency. 

When you go for your emergency dental appointment, your dentist will ask you some questions about your symptoms and then examine your mouth to determine the underlying cause and possible treatment options. You may need an X-ray. The priority is to prevent the situation from getting worse and to alleviate pain. Your dentist may prescribe painkillers or antibiotics, depending on the diagnosis. After your appointment, it may be necessary to book another treatment session. If you broke a tooth, for example, you may have a temporary crown fitted and your dentist will advise you to visit again to place a permanent crown on the tooth. 

Summary

Dental emergencies can affect anyone, and they often happen when you least expect them. Times are strange at the moment, but dentists are keen to ensure that patients understand that they can access emergency care. If you have pain that is getting worse, you’ve been in an accident, or your mouth is swollen and the inflammation isn’t easing with medication, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist. 

Are There Cheaper Alternatives To Veneers?

Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

1050560_blogVeneers are often associated with the rich and famous and although prices are more competitive than ever before, there may be some cheaper solutions worth considering if you are eager to improve the look of your smile.

About veneers

Veneers are light tooth-shaped shells, which are usually made from porcelain; they are placed on your natural teeth to hide a wide range of cosmetic flaws, from uneven and worn down teeth to chips and staining. There are various different types of veneers available and you can customise your new look by selecting different shades and shapes. Veneer treatment usually involves 2 or 3 sessions around 2-4 weeks apart.

What are the alternatives?

The alternative options tend to depend on why you are thinking about veneers and what kinds of aesthetic issues you wish to address. If you have discoloured teeth, for example, tooth whitening is a more affordable option than veneers. There are different types of whitening treatment available, including home whitening systems and in-chair treatments and the cost is usually around £100-£600. Treatment is usually completed in around 2 weeks, the results are visible straightaway and they should last for several years. Whitening treatment is a safe, simple and painless way of giving your smile that added sparkle.

If you have chipped, worn or misshapen teeth, which look unsightly, you may wish to think about cosmetic bonding, also known as composite bonding. This procedure takes just one hour and it’s painless, so you won’t need to worry about injections or that horrible numb feeling in your mouth. Bonding can be used to reshape and repair the teeth and also to reduce the size of spaces between the teeth as a cheaper alternative to orthodontic braces. Your dentist will use dental composite, which is also used to fill cavities, to carry out minor repairs and adjustments; at room temperature, the composite is soft and this means that it can be shaped easily. When your dentist is happy with the placement of the composite, they will then harden it using a curing light; this only takes a minute and all you have to do is wear some protective goggles and relax. The average cost is around £60-£120.

You Don’t Have To Put Up With Bruxism Any Longer In Leeds

Saturday, July 19th, 2014

1787127_blogIf you wake up with headaches, you often experience stiffness and pain in your jaw or your teeth feel sensitive, you may suffer from bruxism. Bruxism is the medical name for teeth grinding, a very common subconscious action, which usually happens during sleep.

Grinding or clenching the teeth can contribute to shoulder, neck and head aches, but it can also cause tooth wear. When the teeth grind together, this can wear down the surfaces and damage the enamel, which increases the risk of sensitivity.

What causes teeth grinding?

Many cases of bruxism are linked to anxiety and stress, but grinding the teeth can also occur as a result of orthodontic issues, which affect the alignment of the teeth, and problems, such as loose fillings.

When you have a consultation with a City Dental dentist, they will chat with you and examine your mouth to try and determine the cause; once this has been established, they can discuss possible treatments with you and offer advice to help you stop grinding your teeth.

Treatment for bruxism

In cases where tooth grinding is linked to anxiety or stress, we can offer advice about coping with stress and recommend stress management techniques, such as exercise, breathing exercises and massage therapy.

In severe cases, we recommend wearing a bite guard, which is similar to a gum shield; it helps to protect the teeth by preventing contact between the upper and lower teeth. Our bite guards are custom-made for maximum comfort and they shouldn’t interrupt your sleep in any way.