X-rays

If we are to help you it is absolutely essential to know exactly what is going on beneath the gum line and inside the teeth, where we cannot see. As a health precaution we advocate that the x-rays taken are kept to the minimal amount clinically possible and prescribed on an individual basis.

We carefully follow the current national guidelines for dental radiography and use modern, low radiation dose dental x-ray machines. The health and safety of our patients is paramount.

Your gums are designed to keep the blood in and the bacteria out. If your gums bleed then the bacteria can get into your body and disease will surely develop. The latest research shows that plaque (which builds up on the surface of your teeth) and bacteria are the cause of gum disease, when your immune level is low.

Your HYGIENIST is trained to monitor the condition of your gums and together we will teach you how to keep your own gums bacteria free. There is no place for bleeding gums. This is a warning signal – do not overlook it.

At your regular visits we will carefully examine your mouth and associated structures for any signs of early cancer. The mouth can also show signs of many other important general illnesses long before symptoms start. This can give us a good early warning system so that any necessary medical treatment can be commenced whilst the prognosis for most human illnesses is at its best.

You may not realise that the way that your teeth meet is linked to the balance of the rest of your body and vice versa. Your posture can affect your jaws and their correct working. The jaws work by the action of muscles and any dysfunction may result in pains around the head and teeth. These may affect your head (as headaches), your neck (stiff neck), your back (back pain). You may also get a ringing noise in your ears. All these can have an origin in imbalance of your teeth.

When any teeth are missing this places more strain on the remaining teeth and the supporting structures of these teeth – teeth tend to drift and tilt when they are lacking the mutual support of the neighbouring teeth. Imagine a car with 4 wheels – if one is missing or flat then the whole system is thrown out of balance.

To properly develop into a healthy adult it is essential for children to have a healthy mouth. To prevent tooth decay and gum disease it is necessary to have regular dental visits. Where it affects the dentition we can advise the young patients on dietary problems.

We are currently providing hygienist workshops in the school holidays. This is a fun way for our children to learn for themselves how to keep healthy teeth and gums. Please ask at the reception for further details.

Our aim is to help you prevent dental disease and maintain good appearance.

Mouth cleanliness is the greatest single factor in prevention of dental disease. We will teach you how to control any active disease, and this will be coupled with a thorough diagnosis and a planned corrective programme to avoid future disease. We are all individuals and we know that habits of long standing take a long time to change in some people (e.g. smoking). However if we can stimulate your attitude to change, then it is worthwhile.