At your check-up, Genevieve, Damian or Anish will:

• Carry out a full examination of your mouth, teeth and gums
• This includes an oral cancer screening
• They will ask about your general health and any problems you have had with your teeth, mouth or gums since your last visit
• Ask about and give advice on your diet, smoking and drinking
• Ask about your teeth cleaning habits and give you advice on the most appropriate ways to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy
• Explain any risks, as well as dental costs, of all treatment you may need
• Discuss with you when your next visit should be

Many of us have got used to going to the dentist every six months but you might need to go more often or less often than this depending on how healthy your mouth and teeth are. Your dentist should talk to you about when you should have your next appointment.

If you have any problems with your teeth between check-ups, please contact us to make an earlier appointment

At Crown Street Dental Group, if you’re in pain or have sustained a dental injury, we always aim to provide you with an emergency dental appointment usually within 24 hours. We will arrange to see you on the same day wherever possible.

We have a late evening one day a week and also offer Saturday appointments.

If you require assistance out of surgery hours, please call 01277 221014 where instructions are given on our answerphone.

You can also call NHS 111 to find an out-of-hours dental service near you

Please do not contact your GP, as they will not be able to offer emergency or out-of-hours dental care.

If you are in pain while waiting to see a dentist, NHS 111 will offer self-care advice.

Emergency treatment options for an injury:

If a tooth is loosened or knocked out, your dentist will check to see if the tooth can be re-fixed or re-implanted.

An X-ray may be taken to check the severity of your injury and determine whether there are any pieces of broken tooth left in your gum.

For a chipped tooth, the severity and location of the chip will determine what treatment your dentist recommend. Treatment could range from building the tooth up with a filling, to more extensive treatment such as root canal, a crown or both.

Emergency treatment options for a toothache:

It is essential to see a dentist as soon as possible if you are in pain from toothache, or if you suffer a dental injury.

In case of extreme pain or an injury that requires immediate attention, contact Crown Street Dental Group to book an appointment and for any initial advice. If your condition requires treatment, your dentist will discuss your options with you.

What is root canal?

The root canal is the area inside the center of the tooth that houses the nerve and blood supply. This becomes a larger space towards the top of the tooth known as the ‘pulp’, some teeth have only one root canal whilst larger teeth towards the back of the mouth can have up to four.

When would I need root canal treatment?

Root canal (or endodontic) treatment is needed when the pulp becomes affected by decay or trauma. In these situations, it can become infected leading to inflammation and pain. In more severe cases the tooth can become ‘non-vital’, which means that it loses its blood supply altogether. Once the pulp becomes infected, the bacteria can spread through the root canal system and lead to the development of an abscess.

What does the treatment involve?

Root canal treatment aims to remove infection and debris from the infected tooth. It is a skilled and time-consuming procedure that usually requires two or more visits. This treatment is complex because the dentist is working inside the tooth to very small tolerances. Root canal treatment consists of the following stages:

• Removing the remains of the infected pulp and, if an abscess is present, allowing it to drain
• Cleaning and shaping of the root canals ready for filling
• Putting in a temporary filling
• Checking the tooth at a later visit, to ensure that the infection is cleared and if so, filling the canal/s permanently
• Restoring the rest of the tooth

Do root treatments always work?

Root canal treatments are usually successful in 80-90% of cases and the infection is eradicated. If infection recurs, the treatment can be repeated in 10-20% of cases it would be necessary to lose a tooth.

Are root canal treatments comfortable?

As with all modern dental techniques, local anesthetics make root canal treatments comfortable. Your experience of having this kind of treatment should be little different to that of having a normal filling, sometimes the treated tooth can be tender to pressure, such as biting for a day or two after the treatment. This usually subsides quite quickly.

Will Root canal treatment change the colour of my tooth?

A tooth that has had root treatment can darken in colour over time. This used to happen more frequently than it does today since modern techniques have improved the process. If there is any discoloration, there are several treatments that can be undertaken to give the tooth a more natural appearance. For example, it is possible to lighten root treated teeth, or alternatively your dentist may suggest that the tooth should be crowed or veneered.

Will my tooth be weakened by the tre

Oral surgery refers to any medical procedure performed on the mouth with specific regard to the teeth, jaw, and/or gums. Depending on the type of procedure being performed, it may be done by your general dentist here at Crown Street Dental Group (a tooth extraction, for example), or by an oral surgeon, we have Dr Jag Dhanda who is a Maxillofacial/Head and Neck Surgeon in house, or we sometimes refer out to a hospital or clinic setting.

Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialists in oral issues, which involve the mouth, and maxillofacial issues, those which involve the jaw and face. The qualification requirements for such a specialist include a dual qualification in dentistry and medicine, as an Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeon must be able to treat conditions which require knowledge and expertise in each field. These conditions include but are not limited to diseases of the salivary glands, cancers of the head and neck, issues affecting the oral mucosa including infections and ulcers. Some Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeons choose to concentrate on one of these areas in order to become a sub-specialist in the broader field. You may be seen by an Oral Surgeon or an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon depending on the nature of your referral, and what hospital you are attending.

Oral surgery performed in a dental practice is quite common and requires only a local anaesthetic. Many people don’t realise that simply having a tooth extracted is a form of oral surgery. There is no need to let the term frighten you or make you feel apprehensive.

A dentist will normally refer patients to an oral surgeon for issues such as treatment of wisdom teeth, complex extractions, correction of congenital growth defects or if you have a complicated medical history. An oral surgeon is trained and skilled in the following procedures and many others.

Types of treatment

• Removal of impacted and/or diseased teeth
• Placement of dental implants
• Correcting facial trauma to the jaw/mouth area
• Evaluation and treatment of pathologic conditions such as cysts/tumors of the mouth or face, severe oral infections, etc.
• Diagnosing and treating facial pain caused by temporomandibular joint issues or other types of joint problems
• Performing cosmetic or reconstructive surgery involving facial bone, the jaw, or the soft tissue of the face which may result from the removal of tumors or cysts, or from facial trauma

• Performing Orthognathic (Corrective Jaw) surgery to improve issues with breathing, chewing, or talking
• Undertaking procedures with general anaesthesia in combination with a trained anaesthetist
• Prescribing the necessary medications following a procedure including pain management medications, antibiotics, etc.

There are other services an oral surgeon may perform, and your dentist will be able to advise, inform, and refer you should any procedure be deemed necessary.

Knowing the difference between habitual snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Snoring is the result of tissues in the throat relaxing enough that they partially block the airway and vibrate, creating a sound. Depending on an individual’s anatomy and other lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and body weight, the sound of the vibration can be louder or softer.

Snoring is more common in people with a large tongue, long soft palate, large uvula, or large tonsils. Snoring is also more prevalent in people with a receding chin because there is less space in the back of the throat for the soft tissues and tongue.

If you are a habitual snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep patterns of those close to you, but you also impair your own sleep quality.

• As much as 30 percent of people aged thirty and above are snorers. The proportion rises to 40 percent when it comes to middle aged people.
• Two thirds of partnered adults say that their partner snores.
• There is an approximate ratio of 2:1 sufferers of snoring amongst men to women. However, this gap catches up after women reach menopause.
• 6% of children snore habitually.
• Approximately one half of all patients who have essential hypertension are also afflicted with obstructive sleep apnoea. In addition, approximately one half of all patients who have sleep apnoea have essential hypertension.

Loud frequent snoring is one of the indicators of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is a chronic condition characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. When people with OSA fall asleep, they can stop breathing for a few seconds to a minute or more. Both conditions can be caused or made worse by obesity, large tongue and tonsils, aging and head and neck shape.

If you or your partner is a frequent loud snorer, stops breathing, gasps or chokes during sleep, experiences excessive restlessness at night or feels sleepy during the day, you may want to bring it up with your doctor to see whether a sleep study is necessary. Taking this first step to get tested prior to beginning any treatment prevents inaccurate self-diagnosis, inadequate treatment, and/or premature dismissal of the problem. Your GP will be able to refer you to a sleep specialist.

Snoring and how we can help:

You might be pleased to know that dentistry may have a solution for you. A selection of Mouth guards/appliances are available to help reduce or stop snoring all together. These will address your snoring problems by preventing the lower jaw from dropping back during sleep, thereby preventing the closure of your airways, which will stop you from snoring.

These appliances are made from scans taken of your teeth which are sent to our dental lab who specialise in these appliances, they will be custom made to ensure they fit you comfortably. The material used to make these is a hard wearing plastic, the mouth appliance is worn at night and works by holding the bottom jaw in a slightly forward position. This position opens up your airway significantly allowing you to breathe better and as a result sleep better too.

More and more people are seeking advice from their dentist rather than their GP when it comes to snoring. There is now greater awareness of the medical side effects of a disturbed sleep; with the advancement in Dental appliances, which means there is a need for more information on how your dentist can help.

There are many benefits to not snoring, here are few:

• Waking up refreshed
• Lower incidence of Headaches due to lack of sleep.
• Lower incidence of dry mouth and sore throat during the night
• Less tiredness during the day
• General fatigue due to a lack of natural uninterrupted sleep
• Lower risk of obstructive Sleep Apnoea
• Less incidence of being moody, irritable or depressed
• Lower incidence of forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
• Lower incidence of feeling run down

If you would like to find out more information on how we can help please contact us to book an appointment with Dr Genevieve Edwards to discuss your options.

Imagine this: you wake up one morning, head hurting, jaw aching. You begin to wonder what you could have done while in your sleep to cause this pain. Or, you may simply shake it off as a one off headache or pain. However, you wake up the next morning, again in pain. You may need to consult your dentist because you could be suffering from bruxism. Even though you probably have never heard of bruxism, it is a condition that affects many people.

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism is the unintentional grinding of teeth or clenching of the jaw. Bruxism is usually classed on whether it is performed while asleep or awake. Sleep related bruxism is characterized by grinding of the teeth with rhythmic contractions of the jaw muscles. Conversely, awake bruxism involves clenching of the teeth and jaw instead of teeth grinding, sleep related bruxism is usually considered to be worse than awake bruxism, because the sleeping person is not aware of his/her behavior and thus cannot control the intensity and duration.

What Causes Bruxism?

The causes of bruxism are separated into two main categories: primary bruxism, which occurs without having any medical or psychiatric condition causing it, and secondary bruxism, which does have an underlying condition causing it. There are a wide range of known causes or triggers for bruxism. Sleep arousal is one of the primary triggers for bruxism. Many engage in bruxism when they experience periods of arousal, or being partially awoken from their sleep. As a result, bruxism is often associated with sleep disorders such as snoring, breathing pauses during sleep or Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Psychoactive substances are also major cause of bruxism. The use of a number of drugs, such as alcohol, caffeine, or medications for depression and anxiety can lead to issues falling and staying asleep. As a result, bruxism is higher for those who take these substances, especially before going to sleep. Stress, anxiety, and other mental disorders can also lead to bruxism. Persons suffering from high levels of stress, anxiety, or other related mental disorders are particularly likely to also suffer from bruxism. This may also be related to the fact that these disorders are responsible for also disturbing restful sleep.

Symptoms of Bruxism

There are several symptoms of bruxism, which also happen to be the effects of this habit. Common symptoms include:

Jaw pain

Headaches

Abnormal tooth wear

Gum recession

Tooth loss

Temporomandibular pain

How can I eliminate bruxism?

There are many different ways to address the treatment of bruxism. Some of the more popular methods include:

The use of dental guards or occlusion splints are often used by bruxism sufferers. These are devices used to minimize the damage caused on the teeth and surrounding facial areas by bruxism. These splints are usually made of plastic, and are fitted into the mouth to protect the teeth from wear and tear, as well as to reduce the movements of the jaw and to reduce any noise made during the bruxism activity.

Behavioral modification is sometimes promoted as a way to reduce bruxism. These behavioral modification techniques include (but are not limited to) psychoanalysis, hypnosis, relaxation, meditation and autosuggestion. However, there is limited research to show that this approach is effective.

MADSs (Mandibular Advancement Devices) – These devices, which were initially used to reduce snoring and sleep apnea, have proven useful in limiting or eliminating bruxism. These devices work by holding the lower jaw and tongue forward, thus allowing for more space to breathe, meaning that you are less likely to be awoken by snoring or sleep apnea.

Biofeedback – The use of biofeedback machines has also proven effective in limiting bruxism. This device works by detecting jaw or facial muscle movements which occur during bruxism and then sending some sort of message or signal to reduce the behavior. This signal may be in the form of a mild electric shock when the bruxism behavior begins, or releasing a non-harmful but bad tasting substance during bruxism.

Botox- The use of botulinum toxin, otherwise known as Botox, has also been found to decrease bruxism behavior. A diluted shot of Botox can weaken the facial muscles just enough to reduce the effects of grinding and clenching, while still allowing for the proper use of the facial muscles.

While bruxism can have a negative effect on your teeth and facial area, it is possible to limit or reduce bruxism behaviors. A number of treatment options are available, from biofeedback methods to meditation to the use of dental splints. Whatever option is chosen; it is important to consult with a dental professional to discuss the right treatment. Whatever the case, you can bring bruxism to a grinding halt!

We understand how important it is for your child to be relaxed and comfortable at dental visits. We endeavour to make your child’s experience with us a fun one, whilst teaching them how   to care for their teeth.

What age do children start going to the dentist?

It’s advised for your child to visit the dentist when their first tooth emerges or when they reach the age of 2. You can start brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste when their first milk tooth emerges.

How often should children visit the dentist?

It’s recommended for your child to visit the dentist every 6 months. Regular check-ups can help to prevent dental decay and oral disease.

YOUR CHILD’S FIRST VISIT

At your child’s initial appointment, we will check their teeth, tongue and gums before educating them about how to look after their teeth. We aim to catch signs of tooth decay and gum disease in their earliest stages.

CHILDREN AGED 0-2

We will help you with the following:

• Taking care of your child’s teeth
• Deciding on healthy food choices
• Cleaning babies’ teeth
• Choosing the correct fluoride supplements

CHILDREN AGED 3-5

It’s important to teach children at this age about the risk factors of tooth decay brought on by sugary foods and drinks.

CHILDREN AGED 6-10

At this stage, your child will start to lose their milk teeth and their adult teeth will begin to grow through. New adult teeth are vulnerable and will need to be checked for early signs of tooth decay. We will advise your child about how to brush their teeth, and give them healthy diet advice. We will also assess their teeth for fissure sealing in order to prevent cavities.

CHILDREN AGED 11-15

Between these ages, your child may need to wear braces. At Crown Street Dental Group we appreciate that teenagers need continued oral health education, as they are at a high risk of gum disease and dental decay. Hormone changes can cause inflammation of the gums, so your teen may benefit from visits with our hygienist.

CHILDREN AGED 16-18

At this stage of your teenager’s life, we will continue to educate them in all areas of oral health. We will also discuss with them the effects smoking and alcohol have on their teeth and gums.

At Crown Street Dental Group, we aim to help your child grow up with a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.