Check Ups
If you feel no pain and have a pretty healthy-looking smile, it can be tempting to skip a few dental appointments – but here at Elmet Dental Care we’re making it our mission to change that attitude! A regular check-up with your family dentist is the key to keeping that healthy smile for decades to come. We will not only be able to spot any underlying problems that you might not be aware of, but will also advise and gently remind you about the little things, such as regular brushing and flossing, that make a big difference to your overall health and mitigate against costly future procedures.
Fillings
White fillings offer a tooth-coloured alternative to traditional metal amalgam fillings. Made from a putty-like composite material that can be moulded and bonded to your natural tooth, white fillings not only look natural, but require less drilling than metal fillings. For this reason, we offer white fillings as an alternatve to amalgam at Elmet Dental Care.
No – most fillings are carried out under a local anaesthetic. If you are at all nervous about having anaesthetic, you’re not alone, and Elmet Dental Care has a number of methods in place to help with dental anxiety, so do speak to your dentist about it before treatment commences.
We prepare the tooth for the filling by removing any decay and placing a blue gel on the tooth. After rinsing this away, we place special glue on the tooth to bond the white filling in place. We use a blue light to make the filling harden – then it’s ready for polishing.
White fillings can last up to 10 years if you follow a good oral hygiene routine.
Children’s Dentistry
At Elmet Dental Care, we understand how tricky it can be to get your kids to brush their teeth properly – let alone find the time for dental check-ups. But with tooth decay on the rise among children in the UK, it’s more important than ever that we get your family on the right path to a lifetime of healthy smiles. We will do our best to arrange appointment times that fit in around family life. And when you do bring your children in to see us, our friendly team will make sure the experience is fun!
Fluoride Varnish and Fissure Sealants
Excellent for keeping tooth decay at bay, providing that little bit more protection when you can’t always be sure if your child is brushing properly. Fluoride varnish is simply a gel that we brush on to your child’s teeth twice a year, while fissure sealant is used when those adult molars come through: a putty-like material, it’s smoothed onto the surface of the back ‘chewing’ teeth to stop food and bacteria getting stuck in places the toothbrush can’t reach.
Oral Health Education
is a major focus here at Elmet Dental Care, because the preventive approach is by far the cheapest and most effective way to avoid tooth decay, gum disease and all the related health problems associated with poor oral hygiene – from low self-esteem to increased risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. For children, this means finding creative ways to show them how to brush effectively, recommending the best products to use for their age, demonstrating how to tackle hidden plaque, and helping the whole family understand how to make the right food and drink choices.
Children should visit the dentist as soon as their first milk teeth appear, or by the age of one regardless. This helps them to become familiar with the dentist and reduces the chances of fear developing in later childhood.
Children should be encouraged to brush their teeth at least every morning and evening for two minutes. You should ensure your child spits out excess toothpaste but does not rinse with too much water, as this washes away the beneficial fluoride in the toothpaste.
Some children are very reluctant to brush their teeth, while others love doing it! It’s important to make tooth brushing part of your child’s daily routine from a very early age – ideally, when your baby starts teething. Use singing or even an app to hold their attention while they brush, and supervise your kids until at least the age of 7.
A balanced diet – equal parts carbohydrate/fruit and veg and smaller portions of protein and dairy – is best for your teeth. Keep it as fresh as possible and high in fibre, and get sugar smart with the foods you buy in the supermarket. Sugar is used in a surprising number of foods, from soups and stir-in sauces to ready meals and baked beans, so always check the label. The Change4Life app enables you to use your phone to scan supermarket products for a quick visual breakdown of their sugar content.
Regular Check Ups
Give your dentist the chance to spot any minor or underlying problems that, if left untreated, would become much more serious. Seeing your children regularly also means we can find fun ways to inspire them to look after their teeth at home, and make their visit to the dentist something they look forward to every time.
Visit Often and Save Money
Your smile is a defining feature of your personality – so maintaining it has to be a savvy investment. With regular dental check-ups at Elmet Dental Care, you’ll be ensuring long-term self-confidence – and taking an active role in preventing problems that could cost thousands further down the line. For this reason, we normally recommend visiting our Sherburn in Elmet practice twice a year for dental check-ups.
Check Up Check List
A general check-up with your Sherburn in Elmet dentist will usually include the following:
- Professional examination of your mouth, teeth and gums
- Enquiries about you, your general health and any specific dental problems you may have experienced recently
- Enquiries about your lifestyle and advice on diet, alcohol and smoking
- Advice on good cleaning practices and ways to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy
- Diagnosis of any problems and explaining a treatment plan
- A clear explanation of any treatment you may require, the costs involved and any risk it may incur
- A mouth cancer screening, to check for early signs or pre-cancerous changes in the mouth and throat
- Advice on your next course of action and booking a return appointment
Emergency Appointments
Call our emergency line: 01977 682573
Talk to one of our friendly team immediately and we will make sure that you’re seen by one of our dentists as soon as possible. We will examine you to discover the source of the pain and talk you through your options.
Our experienced team are dedicated to treating nervous patients and will use gentle techniques to help relieve your pain.