Smile Makeovers Orthodontics Composite Tooth Bonding

 Denture Cleaning

Dentures need deliberate daily cleaning to reduce staining, odour, inflammation and fungal infection and to help preserve oral tissues and remaining teeth.

Common questions

How often should dentures be cleaned?

Thoroughly at least twice daily and after meals when needed.

How should they be cleaned?

Brush, soak briefly if advised, then brush again.

Can I use normal toothpaste?

Many clinicians prefer soap or appropriate denture products rather than abrasive toothpastes.

Why clean the fitting surface?

Because plaque and debris collect there too.

When to contact us

  • Dentures smelling, staining or causing sore tissues

S3 Dental advice: Book a denture review if your dentures are sore, loose or difficult to clean.

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 Crowns

A crown covers and protects a weakened or heavily restored tooth, helping restore strength, shape and appearance.

Common questions

Why would I need one?

To protect a weakened tooth or improve shape and appearance.

What are they made from?

Materials vary and may include porcelain, ceramic, metal-based or other modern options.

How many visits?

Often at least two visits unless same-day systems are used.

Will it look natural?

In many cases, yes, particularly with appropriate material selection.

When to contact us

  • Broken tooth

  • Large old filling

  • Discoloured tooth

  • Post-root-canal tooth needing protection

S3 Dental advice: Arrange a consultation if a tooth is weak, cracked or heavily filled.

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 Dental Erosion

Dental erosion is loss of enamel caused by acid attack. Frequent acidic drinks, reflux or recurrent vomiting can contribute to progressive wear and sensitivity.

Common questions

What causes it?

Repeated acid exposure softens enamel and can lead to irreversible wear.

Can brushing immediately after acid make it worse?

Yes, softened enamel is more vulnerable straight after acid exposure.

Is it the same as decay?

No, erosion is chemical wear rather than bacterial decay.

Can it be treated?

Yes, through prevention, monitoring and where needed restorative protection.

When to contact us

  • Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet

  • Teeth looking thinner, yellower or hollowed

  • History of acidic diet or reflux

S3 Dental advice: Book a review if teeth feel increasingly sensitive or look worn.

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 Implant Cleaning

Dental implants require the same level of daily attention as natural teeth, often with careful brushing plus interdental cleaning around implant surfaces and components.

Common questions

How often should I clean an implant?

Twice daily, just like natural teeth.

Do I need special tools?

Often standard brushes plus interdental aids are used, adjusted to the implant design.

Why is maintenance important?

Because plaque can still inflame tissues around implants.

Do removable implant dentures need extra care?

Yes, bars, studs and fitting surfaces need deliberate cleaning.

When to contact us

  • Questions after implant placement or implant maintenance review

S3 Dental advice: Book an implant maintenance review if you are unsure how to clean around an implant.

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 Post Crowns

Post crowns may be used on root-treated teeth where extra internal support is needed because much of the natural crown is missing.

Common questions

What is the post for?

It helps retain the core and crown when little coronal tooth structure remains.

Is it always needed after root canal?

No, only when the remaining tooth needs extra support.

Are there alternatives?

Sometimes a core build-up alone is enough, depending on the tooth.

Why protect root-treated teeth?

Because they may be more brittle and structurally compromised.

When to contact us

  • Root-filled tooth with significant loss of structure

S3 Dental advice: Book a restorative review if you have a root-filled tooth breaking down.

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 Interdental Brushing

Interdental brushes clean areas a toothbrush cannot reach and help reduce plaque, food trapping, bad breath and gum inflammation between teeth.

Common questions

Why is brushing alone not enough?

Toothbrush bristles do not fully clean many spaces between teeth.

Do I need one size?

Often more than one size is needed in different areas.

Is it instead of brushing?

No, it is an addition to brushing.

Can it help bad breath?

Yes, by reducing trapped plaque and debris.

When to contact us

  • Bleeding between teeth

  • Food trapping

  • Bad breath

  • Open spaces between teeth

S3 Dental advice: Ask the team to size your interdental brushes correctly.

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 Flossing

Floss or tape can clean between tighter contacts where interdental brushes are not ideal, helping remove plaque and food from beneath the gum line.

Common questions

Why floss?

Because a toothbrush cannot reach between tight teeth.

Will it make gums bleed?

Inflamed gums may bleed initially; with proper technique this often improves.

Is technique important?

Yes, poor technique can be ineffective or uncomfortable.

Should I floss before or after brushing?

Consistency matters most; your clinician can advise your routine.

When to contact us

  • Tight contact points between teeth

  • Early gum inflammation

S3 Dental advice: Book a hygiene visit if you want a personalised interdental routine.

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 Mouthguards

Custom-made mouthguards protect teeth, gums and supporting structures during contact sports more effectively than generic shop-bought options.

Common questions

Who needs one?

Anyone playing contact or projectile sports should consider one.

Why custom-made?

Because fit and protection are significantly better.

Can it protect more than teeth?

It can also help reduce injury to surrounding structures.

Are home kits equal?

No, fit and protection are usually inferior.

When to contact us

  • Sports participation

  • History of dental trauma

S3 Dental advice: Book for a custom mouthguard before sports season starts.

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 Fear of the Dentist

Dental anxiety is common, and modern practices can reduce fear through communication, pacing, control signals and gentle stepwise care.

Common questions

Is dental treatment still painful?

Modern techniques and local anaesthetic mean most routine dentistry can be carried out very comfortably.

What if I have not attended for years?

You can still start with a consultation and a calm plan.

Can I tell the team I’m nervous?

Yes, and you should — it helps the team tailor the visit.

Can appointments be paced?

Often yes, with breaks and staged treatment when appropriate.

When to contact us

  • Avoidance of care

  • Panic about pain or loss of control

  • Past traumatic experiences

S3 Dental advice: Book a low-pressure consultation if anxiety has stopped you attending.

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 Cold Sores

Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus and usually present as painful blisters around the lips that crust over as they heal.

Common questions

What causes them?

A herpes simplex virus infection.

What triggers flare-ups?

Illness, sunlight and other triggers may provoke recurrence.

Are they contagious?

Yes, especially while blisters are present.

Can I attend treatment?

Appointments may need to be adjusted depending on treatment type and lesion position.

When to contact us

  • Tingling or burning on the lip

  • Blisters around the lip margin

  • Recurrent episodes

S3 Dental advice: Call before your appointment if you have an active cold sore.

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 Jaw Problems and Headaches

Bite and jaw joint problems can contribute to jaw pain, clicking, clenching, headaches and muscle tension in the face, head and neck.

Common questions

What is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the skull.

Can my bite affect headaches?

In some patients, yes, alongside muscle tension or clenching.

What are common signs?

Clicking, jaw pain, headaches, muscle fatigue and tooth wear.

Is stress involved?

Often clenching habits and stress contribute.

When to contact us

  • Jaw clicking

  • Headaches especially in the morning

  • Grinding or clenching

  • Pain opening or chewing

S3 Dental advice: Book an assessment if jaw pain, tooth grinding or headaches keep recurring.

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 Pit and Fissure Sealants

Sealants are protective coatings placed on the grooves of back teeth to reduce the risk of decay, especially in children and teenagers.

Common questions

What are they?

A protective plastic coating placed on the biting surfaces of back teeth.

Does it hurt?

No, the process is usually painless.

Who benefits?

Children with newly erupted molars and deeper fissures often benefit.

How long do they last?

They can last years but should be reviewed regularly.

When to contact us

  • Deep fissures on molars

  • High decay risk in children

S3 Dental advice: Ask whether your child’s back teeth would benefit from sealants.

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 Pregnancy Dental Care

Pregnancy can change gum response and dietary patterns, so preventive dental care and professional advice remain important throughout pregnancy.

Common questions

Is routine dental care safe in pregnancy?

Routine assessment and preventive care are generally safe and important.

Can pregnancy damage teeth?

Pregnancy itself does not remove calcium from teeth, but diet and vomiting can affect oral health.

Do gums change?

Hormonal changes can make gums more reactive and prone to bleeding.

Should check-ups continue?

Yes.

When to contact us

  • Bleeding gums during pregnancy

  • Questions about safety of treatment

  • Morning sickness affecting teeth

S3 Dental advice: Tell us if you are pregnant so we can tailor advice and timing appropriately.

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 Apicectomy

An apicectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the infected tip of a root and seals the root end when conventional root canal treatment alone is insufficient.

Common questions

Why is it done?

To remove infection from the end of the root.

Does it hurt?

It is normally carried out under local anaesthetic.

How much root is removed?

Only a small amount at the tip.

Will the tooth look different?

Usually no.

When to contact us

  • Persistent infection at the root end despite prior root treatment

S3 Dental advice: Book a specialist review if a previously root-treated tooth keeps flaring up.

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 Enamel Stripping

Enamel stripping involves carefully reducing tiny amounts of enamel width to create space in mild orthodontic crowding without removing healthy teeth entirely.

Common questions

When is it used?

Typically in mild crowding cases where small space gains are helpful.

Does it hurt?

It is usually painless.

How many teeth are treated?

This depends on the orthodontic plan.

Will I still need retainers?

Yes, retention is still important after alignment.

When to contact us

  • Mild crowding in orthodontic planning

S3 Dental advice: Ask during your orthodontic consultation whether minimal enamel reduction is relevant.

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 Periapical Abscess

A periapical abscess is an infection around the root end of a tooth, commonly associated with death of the pulp and requiring prompt dental assessment.

Common questions

What is it?

An infection around the apex of a tooth root.

What causes it?

Usually infection after the pulp dies.

How is it treated?

Often with root canal treatment or sometimes extraction depending on the tooth.

Can it come back?

Recurrence is possible if infection persists.

When to contact us

  • Swelling or tenderness near a tooth

  • Tooth pain

  • History of deep decay or trauma

S3 Dental advice: Contact the practice urgently if you think you have a dental abscess.

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 Power Brushing

Electric toothbrushes can improve plaque removal and are especially useful for patients who struggle with manual brushing technique or dexterity.

Common questions

Are electric brushes better?

Many studies show good electric brushes can outperform manual brushing for plaque removal.

Are they suitable for children?

They can be, with the right brush head and supervision.

Who benefits most?

Patients with limited movement, inconsistent technique or periodontal needs often benefit.

Do I still need interdental cleaning?

Yes.

When to contact us

  • Poor plaque control

  • Dexterity difficulties

  • Interest in upgrading home care

S3 Dental advice: Ask us which electric brush style best suits your needs.

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 Gum Disease

Gum disease is inflammation or infection of the tissues that support the teeth. It starts with plaque and can progress from gingivitis to periodontitis if left untreated.

Common questions

What causes it?

Plaque bacteria around the gum line irritate the tissues and trigger inflammation.

Is bleeding normal?

No. Bleeding while brushing is a warning sign that needs assessment.

Can it be reversed?

Early gingivitis can often be reversed with professional guidance and improved home care.

Can I lose teeth?

Yes, untreated periodontitis can destroy supporting bone and lead to tooth loss.

When to contact us

  • Bleeding gums

  • Swollen or tender gums

  • Bad breath

  • Loose teeth in advanced cases

S3 Dental advice: Arrange a hygiene or periodontal assessment if your gums bleed or feel sore.

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 Oral Care Products

Choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste and interdental products can significantly improve plaque control and comfort.

Common questions

Which toothbrush is best?

Usually a small- to medium-headed soft to medium bristle brush works well.

Are electric brushes useful?

Yes, especially for many adults and for patients who struggle with manual cleaning.

Do children need different products?

Yes, products should be age-appropriate.

Is toothpaste choice important?

Yes, particularly fluoride level and sensitivity or gum-care needs.

When to contact us

  • Confusion about what products to buy

S3 Dental advice: Ask our clinicians to build you a simple home-care product list.

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 Veneers for Diastema

Veneers can help close gaps between front teeth in selected cases, though orthodontic or other options may also be appropriate depending on the cause of spacing.

Common questions

What is a diastema?

A gap between teeth, often between the front teeth.

Do all gaps need veneers?

No, treatment depends on the cause, size of gap and smile goals.

What else might help?

Orthodontics, composite bonding or other treatments may be options.

Why assess the cause first?

Because bone shape, soft tissues, habits and bite all matter.

When to contact us

  • Gap between front teeth

  • Cosmetic concern about smile spacing

S3 Dental advice: Book a smile consultation to compare bonding, veneers and orthodontic options.

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 Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is used when the pulp of a tooth becomes infected through decay or injury. The treatment removes infection, disinfects the canals and seals the tooth to reduce the risk of reinfection.

Common questions

What is it?

A procedure to remove infected pulp tissue, clean the root canal system and seal the tooth.

Does it hurt?

Modern treatment is normally carried out with local anaesthetic and should feel similar to having a filling.

How many visits?

Often two or more visits depending on the anatomy of the tooth and severity of infection.

What happens if I leave it?

The infection can spread and the tooth may ultimately need extraction.

When to contact us

  • Pain on biting

  • Sensitivity to hot or cold

  • Swelling or gum tenderness

  • History of deep decay, trauma or abscess

S3 Dental advice: Book an assessment if you have persistent toothache, swelling or sensitivity.

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 Bad Breath

Most persistent bad breath originates within the mouth and is commonly linked to plaque build-up, gum disease, debris retention and inadequate tongue or interdental cleaning.

Common questions

Where does it usually come from?

In most cases it comes from the mouth rather than the stomach.

Can gum disease cause it?

Yes, bad breath can be an early sign of gum disease.

Will mouthwash alone solve it?

Not usually; the underlying cause still needs to be addressed.

Can a dentist help?

Yes, by checking for gum disease, decay, plaque traps and ineffective cleaning.

When to contact us

  • Persistent unpleasant breath

  • Bad taste in the mouth

  • Bleeding gums

  • Food trapping

S3 Dental advice: Book a review if bad breath persists despite routine cleaning.

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 Dental Extractions

Extraction aftercare is focused on protecting the blood clot, minimising bleeding and allowing the socket to heal predictably.

Common questions

What should I do after an extraction?

Rest, keep your head elevated and protect the area.

Should I rinse straight away?

No, avoid rinsing for the first 24 hours.

What should I avoid?

Alcohol, smoking, hot food while numb and chewing directly on the site.

When should I call?

If bleeding is persistent, pain is worsening or swelling becomes significant.

When to contact us

  • Bleeding immediately after treatment

  • Expected soreness

  • Occasional swelling

S3 Dental advice: Contact us if bleeding does not settle or pain worsens after the first day.

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 Avulsed Tooth

A completely knocked-out tooth can sometimes be saved if it is handled correctly and replanted or stored properly without delay.

Common questions

Can it be saved?

Sometimes, especially if action is taken quickly.

How should I hold it?

By the crown only, not the root.

How should I store it?

Preferably back in the socket if safe, otherwise in milk while travelling immediately to the dentist.

How urgent is it?

This is a same-day dental emergency.

When to contact us

  • Tooth completely out of the mouth

  • Bleeding from socket

  • Trauma to lips or gums

S3 Dental advice: Call S3 Dental immediately after a dental trauma event.

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 Oral Cancer Screening

Regular dental examinations include soft tissue checks that can help identify suspicious changes early. Early detection improves the chance of successful treatment.

Common questions

Why does screening matter?

Because the mouth is easy to examine and early changes may be noticed at routine check-ups.

What should patients look out for?

Persistent ulcers, red or white patches, lumps, swelling or unexplained pain.

Who is at higher risk?

Risk rises with certain lifestyle and medical factors; dentists will discuss individual concerns.

Should patients wait and see?

Persistent changes should be assessed promptly.

When to contact us

  • Ulcers lasting more than 2 weeks

  • Red or white patches

  • Lumps, swellings or unexplained changes

S3 Dental advice: Book an examination if you notice a sore, patch or lump that persists.

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 Children’s Teeth

Early dental visits help children normalise the dental environment and support prevention through supervised brushing, fluoride use and good diet habits.

Common questions

When should a child first attend?

As early as possible so dental visits become normal and preventive advice can start early.

How long should brushing be supervised?

Children generally need supervision until at least around age 7.

Should fluoride toothpaste be used?

Usually yes, using the correct amount and strength for the child’s age and risk.

How often should children attend?

Intervals vary by need, but regular preventive reviews are important.

When to contact us

  • Parental concern about brushing, sugar intake or eruption patterns

S3 Dental advice: Book a child-friendly preventive visit if you want support with brushing or diet.

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 Fluoride

Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and makes teeth more resistant to decay. It may come from toothpaste, water and other prescribed sources.

Common questions

What does fluoride do?

It strengthens enamel and lowers the risk of decay.

Is toothpaste enough?

Often yes, though some higher-risk patients may need additional fluoride support.

Is all toothpaste the same?

No, fluoride concentration varies by age and clinical need.

Should children use low-strength toothpaste?

This depends on age and risk level; tailored advice is best.

When to contact us

  • High decay risk or questions about children’s toothpaste

S3 Dental advice: Ask the team which fluoride products are best for you or your child.

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 Missing Upper Lateral Incisors

Congenitally missing upper lateral incisors can be managed with orthodontic space closure or space opening with later restorative replacement, depending on the bite and smile design.

Common questions

Is it common?

It is a recognised developmental issue.

What are the treatment options?

Often either orthodontic space closure or holding/opening space for restorative replacement.

Who plans this?

Usually a combination of orthodontic and restorative input.

Does crowding change the plan?

Yes, overall bite and spacing strongly affect the decision.

When to contact us

  • Missing upper lateral incisors or developmental spacing

S3 Dental advice: Book a consultation if you or your child have missing front teeth and want a long-term plan.

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 Dry Socket

Dry socket is a painful healing complication after extraction when the blood clot disintegrates or is lost before the socket is protected by new tissue.

Common questions

What is it?

A painful but usually non-serious condition caused by loss of the blood clot from an extraction site.

Is it common?

It occurs in a minority of extractions.

Do antibiotics fix it?

Usually not; treatment is mainly local pain relief and socket care.

Can smoking or rinsing contribute?

Yes, both may disturb the clot and increase risk.

When to contact us

  • Increasing pain 2 to 5 days after extraction

  • Bad taste or smell from the area

  • Pain radiating to ear or jaw

S3 Dental advice: Call S3 Dental urgently if post-extraction pain is worsening rather than settling.

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 Teeth Whitening

Professional whitening lightens the existing tooth colour without drilling the teeth. Suitability depends on oral health, existing restorations and the cause of staining.

Common questions

How does it work?

Whitening gel lightens the existing shade of the teeth.

Does it damage enamel?

When provided appropriately under professional supervision, whitening is a conservative cosmetic treatment.

How long does it take?

Times vary by system, though some in-surgery options take around an hour and home systems work over a longer period.

Will crowns or fillings whiten too?

No, restorations generally do not change colour like natural teeth.

When to contact us

  • Cosmetic concern about staining or tooth shade

S3 Dental advice: Book a consultation to see which whitening system suits your smile goals.

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