Did You Know?
Bizarre Dental Facts
- In the old days before dentures were invented, dentists would implant the teeth from a dead person directly into a patient’s mouth!
- The Electric Chair was invented by a dentist.
- An average person spends a total of 38.5 days brushing their teeth over a lifetime.
- The Greek physician Hippocrates (400BC) suggested a paste made from 3 mice and the head of a hare to cure toothache.
- Cows do not have upper front teeth, and their lower ones never stop growing!
- Over 40-50% of children will be affected by tooth decay before the age of 5.
- One third of the population squeeze the toothpaste from the middle.
Emergency Treatment
If you have pain or urgent treatment needs, phone the surgery and we will try to book you in as soon as possible. If the surgery is closed when you call and you are suffering from severe pain, hang up and dial 111 for the NHS emergency out of hour’s service. Calls to this number are free. If you need to contact the emergency services, you will be assessed as to urgency and will be advised of appropriate options. This could be advice on self-medication, attendance to the A&E or treatment at a Dental Access Centre, GDP, Bristol Dental Hospital or an out of hours treatment centre in Bath or Bristol.
Special Offer
We are still offering tooth whitening at the special price of £150 per upper or lower arch – a saving of £40.00! Even further savings could be made if you have both done together at the special offer price of £280 – a massive discount of £100!!!
If you wish to take advantage of this offer, or would like more information, you can contact us by phone, email or through our website. We will assess that you are suitable for tooth whitening and give you some idea of the results you could expect.
Custom-Made Mouthguards / Gumshields
What is a custom-made mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a specially made, rubber-like cover which fits exactly over your teeth and gums, cushioning them and protecting them from damage.
When would I need a custom-made mouthguard?
It is important to wear a professionally made mouthguard whenever you play sport that involves physical contact or moving objects. This includes: cricket, hockey and football – which can cause broken and damaged teeth; and American football, boxing and rugby – which can all cause broken or dislocated jaws. A mouthguard will help protect against these happening.
Where can I get one made?
Your dental team will be happy to make you a custom-made mouthguard, which will fit your mouth exactly and protect your teeth and gums properly. Custom-made mouthguards can prevent damage to the jaw, neck and even the brain – helping to prevent the concussion and damage caused by a heavy blow. You will have a mould taken and then choose your design. They can be made in all colours, patterns or designs.
How much will it cost?
Costs can vary from dentist to dentist. Our mouthguards start from £24, depending on chosen design. When you consider the cost of expensive dental work and the risk of losing teeth, it is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
How long do custom-made mouthguards last?
Depending on your age, your mouthguard may need replacing fairly regularly. If you are still growing, new teeth will come through and move into position. So the mouthguard may become too tight or loose, and will need to be remade to fit the new shape of your mouth.
Adults may not need to have their mouthguards replaced quite so often. But they are like any other form of sports equipment and will suffer from wear and tear. It is recommended that you take your mouthguard along to the dentist when you go for your check-up, so it can be checked.
What do I do if I knock a tooth out?
Firstly, if you can find the tooth and it is clean, put it back into the socket yourself. If you can’t put it back, put it straight into a cup of milk or keep it in your mouth. The sooner the tooth is replaced, the better the chances of success.
- Don’t panic
- Don’t panic
- Do go to a dentist or hospital as soon as possible
- Do take painkillers if you need to, but don’t take any medication containing aspirin as this can cause the bleeding to get worse
- Don’t hold the tooth by the root, as teeth are surrounded by fragile ligaments which need to be kept intact if the tooth is to be put back in
- Don’t clean the tooth with disinfectant or water, or let it dry out
- Don’t put aspirin or clove oil on the wound.
If you have not managed to do it yourself, the dentist will put the tooth back. They may use a dental splint to fasten the tooth against the teeth on either side. In most cases this is successful, and once the splint is removed the tooth is stable. However, you will almost certainly need more treatment in the future.