I am afraid of going to the dentist ... What can I do?
Come and see our gentle and relaxed team to talk through your concerns. We also offer sedation to reduce anxiety during treatment.
Bamford Dental Practice
The Precinct, Norden Road
Rochdale
Greater Manchester
OL11 5PT
(For Sat Nav use OL11 5QY)
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Endodontic (root canal treatment) is required when the nerve inside a tooth dies. This can happen following trauma to a tooth or from tooth decay. This can sometimes happen following crown or bridgework.
A dead/dying nerve inside a tooth can lead to sensitivity with hot and cold and pain which can at times be severe. This can also lead to infection within the tooth which can spread to the supporting bone (dental abscess).
Root canal treatment involves removal of the nerve inside the tooth and cleaning and shaping of the root canal to allow the space inside the tooth to be blocked up (root canal filling or obturation) This procedure prevents further infection within the tooth.
Often root canal treatment is simple, particularly with front teeth where the root canal shapes can be simple. With multi rooted teeth the procedure can be more complex and referral to a specialist may be advised. The use of a microscope to magnify the root canals can increase the chance of success with root treatment.
Lee Valentine is a general dental practitioner with a special interest in root canal therapy. He uses an operating microscope during root canal treatment. Patients are often referred to him for advice and treatment from other Dentists.
Once root canal therapy is complete, the tooth will require restoration with, for example, a filling, an inlay or a crown. This should be carried out soon after root treatment to strengthen the tooth and help seal out bacteria.
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Come and see our gentle and relaxed team to talk through your concerns. We also offer sedation to reduce anxiety during treatment.
Sugar in food and drink is converted into acid by bacteria which live on the teeth. Reducing the frequency of sugary foods and drinks reduces the number of “acid attacks” and therefore regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste can help to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce decay.
Current evidence shows that an electric toothbrush can perform better than a manual toothbrush if used correctly. Electric brushes with a rotating ossolating head (for example, Oral B Professional) have been shown to give the best results. Don’t forget your inter-dental cleaning aids, such as TePe brushes and floss!
We recommend toothpaste with a fluoride content of 1,350 – 1,500 parts per million (ppm). In certain circumstances your Dentist may prescribe a toothpaste with a higher fluoride content (patients with extensive decay or patients with a dry mouth, please ask your Dentist for more details).
We usually recommend a check-up every 6 months. Patients susceptible to dental decay or gum disease may need to be seen more frequently.
Gum disease is caused by the body’s immune reaction to the build-up of dental plaque. If left untreated this can lead to the development of pockets between teeth and gums which can harbour bacteria. This can lead to bone loss which causes gum recession and undermines the support for teeth.
Most dental x-rays require a tiny dose of radiation. Did you know, a long-haul flight from London to New York can expose you to 30 more times radiation than a small x-ray inside your mouth.
Yes, if a patient suffering from gum disease is treated correctly and if the patient follows the guidance of dental care professionals they can be ‘free’ of this problem but will need lifelong maintenance and monitoring to make sure the patient does not relapse and if they do, we can guide them and help them to control the disease and return to a maintenance phase.
When their first baby teeth arrive, usually around 6 months of age. However, it is wise to get advice from your Dentist to prevent tooth decay even before the baby teeth erupt.