Hygiene
Your teeth are supported by a complex structure of gums, ligaments and bone. They are like the foundations of a building and are as important as the teeth themselves.
It’s our job to clean your gums, teeth and the tooth surfaces that you can’t see.
We can advise on problems such as gum disease, bleeding gums, mouth infections and mouth bacteria.
We believe good dental health is about far more than a “scale and polish” so we may recommend one appointment or a series of appointments – depending on what we see and what you tell us.
There are lots of reasons why an appointment could help:
Drink fruit juice or fizzy drinks? Have trouble reaching the back? Food gets trapped? – We can spot the problem and suggest solutions.
Thinking about teeth whitening? – All whitening products contain a bleaching agent and it can do harm if we apply it to unhealthy gums.
You might have been seeing your dentist regularly but still seem to be suffering with gum problems. If you think you are doing everything right, it would help to have a Full Mouth detailed charting with X-ray.
It shows areas to focus on, where brushing may be missing and the impact of illness or lifestyle. So you can improve problems such as bleeding gums, mouth infections and gum disease.
Bad Breath
We know that fears about bad breath, bleeding gums and gum disease can really affect your confidence.
Bad breath and bleeding gums are the first signs of gum disease. When plaque isn’t removed from your teeth it hardens and turns into tartar, which in turn causes gum disease.
It is estimated that half the adult population has some degree of gum disease and most people experience it at least once. So if you are self-conscious about getting “up close and personal” you are not alone.
It’s the job of the dentists to clean your gums, teeth and the tooth surfaces and reduce the mouth bacteria that you can’t see. They also offer advice and will show you the correct way to maintain your oral hygiene when you are at home, so that you can make sure your mouth stays as fresh and healthy as possible.
If it’s right for you, we will also be happy to discuss how teeth whitening and other treatments such as crowns and braces could help make your smile even brighter.
So, for dedicated advice and that special wash and brush up – give us a call and see what we can do.
Crowns & Bridges
However much care we take of our teeth, life takes its toll. Fillings come first in our tool kit for repair but sometimes a filling is not enough.
Damaged teeth, broken teeth and missing teeth can be repaired using ceramic crowns. If you have one or more broken teeth, damaged teeth or a gap in your teeth, you don’t have to live with it.
A ceramic crown is one of the best ways of saving and strengthening broken teeth. Crowns recreate the tooth’s original shape by fitting over the affected tooth.
The type of crown you need will depend on which tooth needs replacing; damaged teeth at the back need to be stronger, damaged teeth at the front need to match the colour and texture of your natural teeth. We can recommend exactly the right type of crown for the job.
If you have one or more missing teeth, we can use a bridge. A bridge replaces the missing teeth with artificial ones, without the need for uncomfortable dentures. The artificial teeth are anchored to the natural teeth on each side of the gap in the teeth – creating a bridge.
At TLC we will arrive at the best outcome for you by looking at your whole smile, making sure your teeth work together properly and that they look right for your skin tone and face shape.
If bridges or ceramic crowns aren’t the answer for you, there are alternatives to consider, such as dental implants or partial dentures. Call us now for an appointment and we would be happy to explain your options in further detail.
Root Canal
At TLC Dr Kevin have years of experience treating difficult root canal treatment cases, with new technology we are able to treat root canal problems with much less discomfort and better success.
Root canal is not a surgical procedure at all and not every root canal infections presents with pain as a symptom. Some teeth have chronic infection so an X-Ray is always required for further assessment before the bacteria spreads further to the jaw bone.
All teeth have root canals embedded in the tooth which contains blood vessels and nerves that supply the tooth. When the tissue in the root canal gets infected you will experience what we usually call a toothache.
Sometimes it can also present as a swelling on the gums. It can be caused by large decay, trauma to the tooth, severe gum disease.
After the root canal treatment is completed, we can then begin the final restoration of the tooth which is to a crown.
There are some situations we may advise extraction of the tooth instead of root canal treatment due to poor prognosis. In these cases tooth replacement with an implant may be a better option.
At TLC Dental Centre we will be there with you every step of the way to give the support and advice you require.
Fillings
At TLC we repair damaged teeth using three types of dental filling.
The most common of these are silver amalgam fillings. They are hard wearing and last a long time but, because they are silver, it’s obvious that you have a filling.
If you prefer a closer match to your natural tooth there are white composite fillings. These are less tough than amalgam fillings but no one will know you have one as the white filling will blend with your original teeth!
Finally, ceramic fillings are both incredibly strong and can be matched to an exact tooth colour. Although ceramic fillings cost a little more to produce than other fillings their durability means they offer better value over their longer lifetime.
If you are unsure which filling would be best for your individual circumstances, amalgam, white composite fillings or ceramic, we would be happy to talk you through the different options available.
Our dentists are happy to explain the options and suggest the best one for your circumstances.
Children Dentistry
We all want our children to have healthy gums and teeth without fillings.
In addition to brushing teeth twice a day, regular visits to your Family dentist are an important part of keeping your children’s teeth healthy.
We always do our best to encourage and educate children about their teeth when they visit TLC Dental Centre and we make sure your children are put at ease and have fun when they visit us.
Sometimes despite how well we look after our children’s teeth they will occasionally need fillings. At TLC we offer white fillings and that blend in easily with your child’s natural teeth. They won’t even know they have them.
As well as encouraging children we also help parents with advice on how to help look after youngsters’ dental health – to delay and hopefully eradicate the need for fillings for their teeth.
We start seeing kids as young as 1-2 years old. Starting dental care early is the best way to prevent oral health problems. Getting your child acquainted with the dental clinic early helps ease anxiety and fear too.
If you would like to know more about how you can keep your children’s teeth healthy give our reception team a call and start building good dental habits for your children that will last a lifetime.
Gum Infection
At TLC Dental Centre we are always worried about gum infection as it is usually a silent chronic disease. Without routine X-rays and a sharp eye, some gum infections are left untreated for years.
Unfortunately by the time the pain appears the problem has already involved the bone supporting the teeth. The tooth itself may be loose and if the situation is severe the tooth will require removal.
Gum infection is mainly caused by bacteria trapped in the crevice between the gum and the tooth, sometimes it can be due to injury or foreign objects.
Gum infection is also a common occurrence at the wisdom teeth area due to the fact that they are always not fully upright.
If you notice any swollen gums, bad breath or receding gums, we can help.