Why are my gums bleeding? Expand Gums bleed when they are irritated and inflamed which is not considered normal. This is due to plaque (a soft film of bacteria) being left on the teeth which causes inflammation called gingivitis and if not addressed can develop into gum disease. Over time, if not cleaned off through daily brushing and interdental cleaning, the plaque can turn into a hard deposit called tartar or calculus which will require professional scaling by your dentist or hygienist to remove it. It is important even if your gums bleed they are still brushed to keep the mouth clean otherwise the bacteria build up in the mouth will make gum inflammation worse. After a few days of thorough cleaning, your gums should stop bleeding. If this does not happen you will need to ask the advice of your dental team as you may need professional cleaning. A good oral care regime should be able to prevent your gums from bleeding if done correctly. We would always suggest that you have regular examinations at your dentist. This can help diagnose and treat anything unusual in your mouth so you get the correct care and advice. You may have to use a softer brush whilst the gums are inflamed until they become healthier. It is also important to clean in between teeth daily using interdental brushes or floss. Smoking can cover up a gum problem as it restricts the blood flow to the mouth. If you have recently given up smoking this could allow the gums to get a better circulation and therefore start to bleed. More information: Gum disease Caring for my teeth Smoking and my oral health Dental Helpline
What should I do if I knock my tooth out? Expand If the tooth is clean and if you can, try to put the tooth back in. Hold the tooth by the crown and place it firmly back into the socket. Bite on a clean handkerchief for 15-20 minutes. If you cannot get the tooth back in, it has more chance of survival if you can keep the tooth in your cheek until you can get to an emergency dentist. If this is not possible, keep the tooth in some milk. The tooth needs to be replaced ideally within 30 minutes, so seek dental attention promptly. More information: Knocked out teeth Dental Helpline
I have sensitive teeth. What can I do? Expand You can try using a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth. Rub a little toothpaste into the sensitive area when going to bed as it helps protect the surface. Try to avoid strongly acidic foods and drinks and wait at least an hour after eating before brushing as this could cause even more sensitivity. Grinding your teeth can also increase sensitivity and a mouth guard maybe necessary. If the pain continues, speak to your dental team and they may be able to offer further care to reduce your symptoms. A number of things can cause sensitivity and your dental team will be able to identify these and advise the correct care. More information: Sensitive teeth Approved products Dental Helpline
Why does my mouth feel dry? Expand Dry mouth can be a symptom of many different problems and can happen as you get older. Quite often it is a side effect of medication - especially heart, blood pressure and depression tablets. If you have a dry mouth, this can be very uncomfortable and it can make eating certain foods very difficult. Many prescription medicines can cause a dry mouth, if you are taking any regular medication from your doctor, it may be worth discussing these symptoms with him to see if there is an alternative that does not have the same side effects. If you think that you are suffering with a dry mouth, you should discuss this with your dental team. They may recommend one of the many products that are available over-the-counter to help to alleviate this problem. More information: Dry mouth Medical conditions and oral health Dental Helpline
Why am I in pain after a tooth extraction? Expand Generally any discomfort after an extraction does not last for long and can easily be controlled by the painkillers you would normally take for a headache. If it lasts any longer than 24 hours you should go back to your dental team for advice. Sometimes pain may occur 3-4 days after the extraction when a blood clot has not formed properly in the extraction socket and the bone becomes infected. You will need to go back to your dentist, who will dress the socket for you. More information: What to do after a tooth extraction Dental Helpline
My face is swollen, what should I do? Expand If you have facial swelling, this could indicate that you have an infection. You will need to see a dentist as you may need some antibiotics to relieve the symptoms of this infection. If you are in the UK and do not have a regular dentist, you can find the details of the nearest emergency dentist by contacting the NHS 111 service. More information: NHS 111 Dental Helpline
How do I find a dentist? Expand If you are in the UK, you can either telephone the NHS Find a Dentist service 0300 311 2233 or go to www.nhs.uk and under services a post code search can reveal the nearest dentist that is taking on new patients. More information: NHS Find a Dentist Dental Helpline
What will happen at my first visit to a dentist? Expand At your initial visit, your new dentist will take all of your personal details, such as your address and date of birth. They will also take a full medical history to make sure that they are fully aware of any illnesses or medication that you may be taking and they can then treat you safely. The dentist will then carry out a full check-up and chart all of your teeth and previous treatment, they will also assess the condition of your gums and your general oral hygiene. They may also take diagnostic x-rays. If you need to have any dental treatment, your dentist will discuss this with you. They may give you a treatment plan and tell you what the cost is going to be. You can make any further appointments as necessary. More information: Visiting the dental hygienist Dental x-rays Dental Helpline
What are the NHS dental charges? Expand In the UK, dentistry is one of the few National Health Service (NHS) services where you have to pay a contribution towards the cost of your care. This means that there are now three standard charges for the NHS for dental treatment. This will help to make the NHS system easier and more accessible for patients.There is one charge for a course of treatment under the NHS, the cost will vary depending on what dental treatment you require. Currently these charges are: Band Treatment England Wales One Examination, diagnosis, x-rays, scale & polish. When you need to see a dentist immediately, usually for extreme pain, swelling or excessive bleeding. £23.80 £14.70 Two All treatments in band one plus additional procedures such as fillings, root canal treatment, relining of dentures and extractions. £65.20 £47.00 Three All treatments in bands one and two plus more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures or bridges. £282.80 £203.00 Please note that this information has been taken from the Department of Health and the information is provided as a guideline only. Your dentist will assess your individual needs to see if you fit the criteria for the above treatments. Scotland and Northern Ireland are still operating under the old NHS system with no plans to change at present; some of the charges are laid out below as a guide line only as prices will vary. The maximum charge for a single course of NHS treatment in Scotland and Northern Ireland is £384; some treatments will require prior approval before a dentist can commence work on you. More information: Dental Helpline
How do I make a complaint about my dental care? Expand If you are unhappy with your dental treatment, the first thing to do is always approach your dental practice with your concerns. This can either be done by telephone or letter. Explain your concerns and what you would like the ideal solution to be. In most cases you will be able to solve the problem together with your dentist. If you are still not happy, you might need to seek a second opinion from another dentist for which they may make a charge. There are advice numbers for complaints in the UK: telephone 03000 683 000 or for private complaints call 0208 253 0800. In severe cases where you feel the dentist has been negligent the General Dental Council, the dentist's regulatory body may accept a complaint. They can be contacted through www.gdc-uk.org or by calling 0207 167 6000. More information: Dental Helpline General Dental Council
I am thinking about getting treatment overseas. Is this a good idea? Expand Before embarking on a trip abroad for dental treatment there are a number of factors to consider. It is important to do your research and familiarise yourself with the process in the country you are looking at having the treatment, as well as speaking about it with your dentist here first. The things you need to think about are: Complications Many people who are going abroad are wanting more advanced (higher cost) procedures which are more likely to result in complications. No matter how skilled the clinician, there is always a risk of treatment failure. If complications do arise once you are home, it will not always be easy to return to the clinic which provided the treatment, especially if there is an infection. Your insurance may not cover the travel costs involved in returning to the clinic, especially if you wish to return with a partner or friend. Fine-tuning Procedures such as crowns, bridges, veneers and implants are not easily carried out rapidly. Expertise and time are essential to achieving a good outcome. For instance, to achieve a perfect bite, the patient can require repeat visits and a series of adjustments. This may not be possible if the dentist is abroad. Language barriers It is always important that your clinician can communicate with you and explain the treatment provided and recommendations for post-surgical care. This is always more difficult when English is not the first language of your practitioner. He or she needs to know exactly what you want and you need to know exactly what you are getting. Problems and complaints often arise from communication issues. Varying standards and approaches Different countries have a different concept of aesthetic beauty. For example, in the USA very white and even teeth are thought attractive, whereas in the UK we prefer a more natural smile. There are also varying clinical standards and while in the UK, dentists are more likely to save a tooth, in some countries, dentists may be more ready to extract. Not all countries have the same high standards of cross-infection control, and in developing countries there can be a higher incidence of infectious diseases. Calculate costs Many of those considering travelling abroad believe that private dentistry in the UK is not affordable. However, sometimes this is based on an assumption. It is advisable to talk to a number of dental practices, check prices and ascertain if they have a payment plan in place. This can help spread treatment costs, making treatment both affordable and accessible. More information: Dental Helpline Paying for dental treatment General Dental Council: Guide to dental treatment abroad