Hi there!

Thank you so much for stopping by at our practice blog today.

My name is Martina and I am one of the dentists at the practice.

I am super excited to be posting something that is especially important today- gum disease!

So a quick question- how are your gums doing?

Just before you answer that question let us look at some facts about gum disease:

• Did you know that gum disease despite being widespread can be prevented and treated if detected early enough?
• Did you also know that gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is caused by bacteria that collects around the gum as plaque?

The plaque needs to be removed by brushing and cleaning the teeth twice a day.

If the teeth are not cleaned properly the gums start coming away from the tooth forming pockets that allow the plaque to go down the gum line.

Over time the bone support around the teeth is destroyed, the gums shrink and eventually the teeth become wobbly and fall out.

So back to my previous question, how are your gums doing?

There are some particularly useful ways to tell how your gums are doing:

1) Do they bleed?

2) Are they red or swollen?

3) Do you sometimes notice a bad breath?

4) Are there spaces beginning to appear between your teeth?

5) Are your teeth becoming loose or moving position in the mouth?

6) Are your gums receding?

7) Are you starting to get sensitivity to hot and cold things?

The above may be pointers or red flags that may indicate gum disease.

If you are noticing any of these then you need to call and make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

We will be more than happy to discuss, examine you and offer some advice on management.

In my next blog I will be talking about who can get gum disease.

Thanks again for stopping by!

Sincerely,

Martina

Please click on the link below for information on the importance of oral hygiene and maintaining healthy gums.

This link provides information on how gum health can reduce Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes risk.

INFOGRAPHY-Perio_Cardio_01

Everyone wants to have a celebrity smile and whitening your teeth is a great way to achieve this.

Tooth whitening should always be carried out by a trained dental professional, here at Highfield Dental all our dentists are happy to advise you and carry out tooth whitening to help you achieve that sparkling smile safely and effectively.

If you are concerned about tooth whitening sensitivity our dentists will happily advise you on how to manage this when you have your initial consultation.

 

So, If you’re not happy with the colour of your teeth or you have a special occasion and you want to wow your friends and family then why not contact our friendly reception team, on 01689 823786 to discuss and book a consultation to achieve that dream smile.

Dear Patient,

We trust you and your family are all well and thank you for your patience and understanding through this difficult time.

 

We are excited and pleased that we can now see our patients once again.

Our highest PRIORITY is the safety of our patients and our staff, and to ensure this, there have been some operational changes that we are implementing.

We appreciate your patience as we may need to…..

• Cancel appointments at short notice (if there are issues with unpredictable circumstances e.g. PPE supply, staffing, government advice etc.)

 

• •  

• Delay certain treatment procedures

 

• •  

• Rebook appointments if you or the dentist is running late.

 

• •  

• Operate on a reduced scale to comply with rules on maintaining social distancing within the surgery.

 

 

• Operate a rota system with the dentists as a result you may not always see your regular dentist.

 

 

Thank you for your cooperation

Dear Patients,

In the current climate I feel that it is only right to reassure our patients what procedures we already have in place and what further measures we have put in place to protect you and our staff from the virus.

We have increased the cleaning of our high traffic areas such as door handles, floors, light switches etc.

We have hand soap and anti bacterial hand gel available in our treatment rooms and bathroom and we encourage everyone to use these before and after your treatment.

As was the case before this outbreak, our dentists and staff follow the infection control protocols which are of the highest standards.

We are also discouraging hand shaking between each other.

I know some may be concerned about visiting our practice but I am following the guidelines provided by the Public Health Department at the moment and we are remaining open and are taking the relevant precautions.

If you are feeling unwell with a cough and/or temperature then we are very happy to move your appointment to a later date or until you are over the virus. This does still need to be done 24hour before your appointment so that it can give us a chance to fill the appointment with someone who is on the waiting list or in need of an appointment.

We wish all of you the best during these tough times and we shall be here providing quality dental treatment to you, our valued patients.

Yours faithfully,

Salil Patel

Principal Dentist

 

Please click below to see what our patients think of the services we provide …..

2018PtQuestResults

Be nice to your dentist

Especially this one

No need to build up the nerves

‘Cause be makes going to the dentist fun!

 

He is a nice chap!

There is no reason to be worried!

So don’t get yourself all flustered

Or bother to get all horrid and flurried!

 

He is friendly,

He does not annoy:

he always tells the truth

That always results in joy!

 

Don’t be rude,

Your dentist is your friend,

And if he says you need braces,

(remember teens, it’s not the end!)

(Written by an 11 years old patient for Dr R Coskunsu)

 

After tooth extraction you are advised to rest and not exercise for atleast 48 hours.

Avoid eating and drinking until anaesthetic wears off (avoid chewing in the area).

Avoid alcohol and do not smoke.

Keep your head higher for the 1^st night with an extra pillow.

Do not wash your mouth for 24hours as this can breakdown the blood clot.

You can brush your teeth as normal but take extra care around the extraction site.

If you notice the site bleeding do not rinse.

Apply pressure to the socket by biting down on a knotted handkerchief placed over the socket for 15 minutes.

Rinse with warm salt water after 24 hours, twice a day for 1 week

You can take your normal painkiller that you would take for a headache but do not take Aspirin as this may cause further bleeding.

Asthmatics – should avoid ibuprofen based pain relief