Good dentistry starts with understanding. These simple guides explain the most common dental problems and treatments in everyday language, so you can feel confident and informed at every appointment.
Tap any topic below to read more. If anything is unclear, just ask your dentist on your next visit.
Two minutes, morning and night, with fluoride toothpaste. Spit, don't rinse.
Floss or use interdental brushes once a day to reach where a brush can't.
Limit sugary food and drink to mealtimes to give teeth time to recover.
Routine check-ups catch small problems before they become big ones.
A quick visual overview of the care available at the practice.
Tooth decay happens when bacteria in the mouth turn sugar into acid, which slowly dissolves the hard outer surface of the tooth.
Caught early, a small filling restores the tooth. Larger decay may need a more substantial filling, an inlay or a crown. The earlier it's found, the simpler the fix — which is why regular check-ups matter.
Teeth can gradually wear down through grinding, acidic food and drink, or simply over time. Left unchecked, this can make teeth sensitive or change how they look.
Caught early, tooth wear can be managed and the tooth protected — from a night guard for grinding to restorations that rebuild worn surfaces. The sooner it's spotted, the more of your natural tooth we can preserve.
Tooth-coloured composite fillings restore decayed or damaged teeth while blending naturally with your smile.
A hard-wearing, long-lasting filling material that has been used safely in dentistry for many decades, often chosen for back teeth.
A crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its shape, strength and appearance.
The tooth is gently shaped, an impression is taken, and your crown is made to match your other teeth. A temporary crown protects the tooth while the final one is made.
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a replacement tooth to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that replaces the root of a missing tooth. Once healed, it holds a natural-looking crown firmly in place.
The implant is placed during a straightforward procedure and then left to bond with the bone over a few months. Once settled, your custom crown is attached — restoring both the look and the function of the tooth.
When the soft tissue inside a tooth becomes infected, root canal treatment removes the infection and saves the natural tooth rather than removing it.
Modern root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and is no more uncomfortable than a filling. It relieves pain and lets you keep your own tooth, which is almost always better than losing it.
A made-to-measure repair, somewhere between a filling and a crown. It restores a larger area of a tooth while keeping as much natural tooth as possible.
Dental implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth, or a whole arch. Here are the main options. Your dentist will advise which is right for you after an assessment.
A single titanium implant replaces one missing tooth, topped with a natural-looking crown. It stands on its own without affecting the teeth either side.
A small number of implants hold a denture firmly in place. It clips securely on, so it won't slip or click, yet can still be removed for easy cleaning.
A secure, natural-looking way to replace one or more missing teeth, anchored to implants for greater stability while helping protect your remaining natural teeth.
For patients missing most or all of their teeth, a full-mouth implant reconstruction rebuilds the entire upper and lower arches with a fixed, natural-looking set of teeth. The two most common approaches are All-on-4 and All-on-6, described below.
A complete fixed set of teeth supported by just four implants per arch.
A popular, efficient way to replace a full upper or lower arch, often in fewer appointments and frequently avoiding the need for bone grafting.
Like All-on-4, but using six implants per arch for extra support and stability.
Often recommended where more strength is needed or the jawbone allows for it, spreading the load across more implants for a strong, long-term result.
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. They can replace a few teeth (partial) or a full set (complete), restoring your ability to eat, speak and smile comfortably.
A little daily care keeps dentures fresh, comfortable and long-lasting.
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque along the gum line. In its early stage (gingivitis) it's easily reversed, but if ignored it can affect the bone that holds teeth in place.
Caught early, gum disease is very treatable. Good daily cleaning plus professional cleaning at the practice keeps your gums healthy and your teeth secure.
A professional clean (sometimes called a scale and polish) removes hardened plaque and tartar that everyday brushing can't shift.
Orthodontic treatment gently moves teeth into a straighter, healthier position. Straighter teeth are easier to clean and can improve both your bite and your confidence. There are two main approaches.
Small brackets are fixed to each tooth and joined by a thin wire that is gently adjusted over time. Because they stay on throughout treatment, fixed braces are very effective, including for more complex cases.
A series of clear, custom-made plastic aligners that fit snugly over your teeth and move them little by little. You swap to the next aligner every couple of weeks. They are nearly invisible and can be taken out to eat and clean.
It depends on what needs correcting, your lifestyle and your preferences.
The best way to know is a consultation — we'll assess your teeth and talk you through the realistic options, timescales and costs.
After treatment, teeth naturally try to drift back. A retainer holds them in their new position.
A safe, gentle way to lighten the natural colour of your teeth, carried out under the supervision of a dental professional.
A little care in the first day or two helps the area heal smoothly after a tooth is removed.
If you have heavy bleeding, swelling or pain that gets worse rather than better, contact the practice.
Healthy habits start young. Looking after baby teeth sets children up for strong adult teeth and happy dental visits.
X-rays let us see between and inside teeth, and below the gum line, to spot problems that aren't visible during a normal examination.
Dental X-rays use a very low dose of radiation and are taken only when needed to help your care. They're a routine, well-established part of keeping your teeth healthy.