A dental check up allows your dentist to check on the health of your mouth. They will look at the teeth, gums and mouth for signs of disease, carry out an oral cancer screening and see if there have been any changes since your last check up. They will ask about and advise on diet, smoking and alcohol use and teeth cleaning habits. Leaving problems untreated can make them more difficult to treat. Tooth decay and gum disease are preventable and it is best to prevent problems occurring or deal with them early. The dentist will advise you when to book your next exam. This may vary depending upon the assessment the dentist makes of the risk of a dental problem developing.

Composite fillings are metal free, natural looking and match the shade of your tooth. The material bonds to your tooth so there is minimum tooth preparation. At the end of your appointment the fillings will be fully set and polished. The filling materials we use are BPA free.

DENTAL X-RAY EQUIPMENT
Dentists may use different types of x-ray equipment- from simple devices used to take an image of the structure of a single tooth to panoramic or a specialist type of CT scanner used to take more detailed images of the mouth or jaw. The equipment is used to diagnose conditions that may not be apparent from a visual examination.

RADIATION DOSE
All types of equipment send an x-ray beam through the mouth to create an image on a piece of film or digital media. Whilst much of the x-ray beam goes onto the film or plate, some of the energy is absorbed by the body. This is the radiation ‘dose’ that we would receive from the examination. The dose can be expressed in a number of different ways, but perhaps the most common is the Sievert (Sv). Because diagnostic x-ray examinations uses relatively small doses (particularly so in dentistry), these doses are usually stated as milliSievert (mSv) one thousandth of a Sievert.

DOSE AND RISK
We receive a small radiation dose all the time from a range of natural sources- including the sun and stars; the things we eat and drink; common building materials; and the earth and rocks. The back ground radiation dose is on average about 2.7mSv per year in the UK, but varies considerably from place to place, being over 7mSv per year in Cornwall, for example.

By comparison, 1 in 2 people born in the UK after 1960 will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. (Source: Cancer Research UK).

LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS
Nevertheless, the use of x-rays in dental practices is subject to strict sets of regulations and professional standards in the interest of both patient and staff safety. Amongst many other things they cover:

• Ensuring x-rays are only preformed when necessary- they need to be fully justified.
• Installation maintenance and testing of x-ray equipment to ensure it continues to function correctly.
• Appointing an external expert (the practice’s Radiation Protection Adviser/medical Physics Expert) to advise on patient and staff safety and to check that the equipment produces consistent quality images whilst keeping radiation doses to an acceptable level.

DENTAL X-RAYS AND PREGNANCY
The dental x-ray beam is small, highly directional and of course never directed towards the abdomen. The radiation dose the patient receives is not transmitted by the circulation. The consequence of all this it is entirely safe to have a dental x-ray during pregnancy, so there is no need for the dentist to ask the pregnancy status of someone having a dental x-ray. This information was produced on the 15/03/18 by Kim Parry (radiation protection supervisor at Ruthin Dental Practice) in conjunction with the practice’s Radiation Protection Advisor (Graham Hart). The contents of this sheet will be reviewed on request by the practice and at least once every three years by the Radiation Protection Advisor.

1. Find the tooth.
2. Hold the tooth by the crown
3. Lick the tooth clean if it’s dirty, or rinse it in water
4. Put it back into position (adult teeth only), never try to insert a baby tooth
5. Bite on a handkerchief to hold the tooth in place
6. Go to see your dentist as an emergency

If you can’t put the tooth back, put it in milk and see a dentist straight away. The sooner a knocked-out tooth is re-implanted the more likely it is to be successful. Do not try and re-implant a baby tooth as it could damage the permanent tooth underneath. See a dentist.

More Information

A dental therapist works along side the dentist to carry out routine dental treatment such as fillings under the prescription of a dentist. They are unable to diagnose dental treatment but patients can directly access the therapist or hygienist for routine hygiene visits.

Regular professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. We also give you advice on how to look after your teeth and gums at home including demonstrations of the best techniques and dietary advice. This involves helping with any techniques you are struggling with and highlighting areas you may be unaware you are missing. Each visit is tailored to suit the individual personally and identifies problems such as gum disease, toothbrush abrasion, acid erosion etc.

Most toothpastes are equally effective in maintaining your dental health.
Some toothpastes are designed to tackle certain problems such as
sensitivity, whitening, tartar control. We recommend toothpaste that
contains fluoride, check the back of the box.

• New born to 3yr 1000ppm – a smear on the tooth brush
• 3 to 6yrs – adult toothpaste but a small pea size amount, encourage the child to spit out
• Adult 1450-1500 ppm – a pea sized amount

Choose a toothpaste that you will enjoy using twice a day which addresses your particular needs.

Remember to spit not rinse!

Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on your teeth. It contains bacteria which causes gum inflammation. If left this build up will harden and form tartar. This may lead to gum disease and eventual tooth loss. Leaving plaque on your teeth can also lead to tooth decay and bad breath.

Studies prove that electric brushes remove 11% more plaque than a manual brush and significantly reduce gum disease. Braun Oral B electric brushes are proven to improve brushing and we regularly see this in patients that start using them compared to a manual toothbrush. The head size is smaller, and it rotates and oscillates. It (the brush) does the brushing action for you making plaque removal easier and more effective. The correct technique is important – ask your hygienist to demonstrate how to use one correctly.

SureSmile® Clear Aligners can effectively treat bite problems, including:

• Crowding
• Gaps between teeth
• Underbite – when all the upper teeth sit behind the lower jaw
• Overbite – when the upper front teeth cover part of the lower front teeth
• Crossbite – when one or more upper teeth fit inside of the lower teeth

Treatment time will vary based on your unique smile and goals, but generally lasts anywhere from 6 to 18 months.

Great news – you don’t need to give up your favorite foods while you’re in treatment! However, you do need to remove your aligners when eating and drinking all liquids except for cool water to retain their fit and prevent discoloration. Simply remove your aligners to eat and drink all the foods and beverages you typically enjoy, then brush your teeth before putting your SureSmile® Clear Aligners back in place.

The total cost of your new smile will depend on the custom treatment plan we create for you. Our staff can discuss your options with you, including potential payment plans and insurance coverage.