The Most Common Dental Questions Answered by a Manchester Dentist

The Most Common Dental Questions Answered by a Manchester Dentist

Have you ever found yourself putting off making an appointment with your Manchester dentist because of a fear of the unknown? If so, you’re most certainly not on your own. Believe it or not, over a third of people have a fear of dental treatment, with 1 in 10 of us experiencing severe anxiety.

Often, the fear is far worse than what actually happens in the chair, and isn’t always related to worries about pain. Things like cost, available options and what’s involved in each type of treatment can all cause uncertainty.

We don’t want doubt to result in anyone not getting the dental care that they need, which is why we created this blog that covers the most common dental questions we get asked at our Altrincham and Cheadle clinics.

Common Dental Question #1 – “How often should I visit the dentist?”

This is one of those common dental questions that most people already think they know the answer to. “It’s every six months”, right? Yes, for many, that is about correct, but it’s not the same for everyone. Countless patients who see us regularly rarely ever need any work done.

On the other hand, some only ever make an appointment when something starts hurting. Every six months is the standard in the UK, but the reality is that it depends on your teeth and gums. Here’s what the spectrum looks like.

There’s no fixed rule about how often you should have a dental check-up, but you shouldn’t leave it longer than 12 months, regardless. That said, if your teeth and gums are well looked after, once or twice a year should suffice.

Common Question #2 – “Will My Dental Treatment Be Painful?”

This is probably one of the most common dental questions we hear, for obvious reasons. The worry typically comes from past experiences or things they have heard, rather than what modern dentistry is actually like today.

Techniques, equipment and anaesthetics have all improved significantly, meaning most procedures are far more comfortable than ever. Here’s why.

• Local anaesthetic is very effective and is used to numb the area before any dental treatment begins
• Most procedures are carried out gently and at your pace, with regular check-ins to see if you’re doing ok
• You will usually feel pressure on the area being worked on by your dentist, rather than pain
• If you do feel anything, you can let your dentist know (usually by raising your hand), and they’ll stop immediately

For most people, the anticipation is far worse than the reality. Also, if you’ve been putting off treatment because you’re a nervous patient, sedation can be used, as our blog on the subject explains.

Common Question #3 – “Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush?”

Bleeding gums are something dentists hear about from patients all the time, but it’s not something that you should immediately panic about. Most often, it’s just inflammation that can be rectified. It usually happens because of plaque sitting on the gumline that aggravates the surrounding tissue.

Next, you come along with your toothbrush and disturb this tissue, resulting in bleeding. Sure, it could be the beginnings of gum disease, but if you catch it early, a hygienist appointment to get rid of the plaque should sort things out.

Common Question #4 – “Does having bad breath mean I have bad teeth?”

The next of our common dental questions is one that most people can relate to – the issue of bad breath. It’s natural to assume that bad breath = bad teeth, but in many cases, it’s just about having uncontrolled mouth bacteria. That’s why it can affect people with perfectly healthy teeth.

Here’s what to know.

• Most bad breath is caused by bacteria and build-up, not damage to your teeth.Plaque, food debris and bacteria, particularly on the tongue and between the teeth, break down and release unpleasant smells. For the most part, that’s what causes the odour.
  
  
• In some cases, it can point to gum health issues or habits that need attention. Ongoing bad breath can be linked to inflamed or bleeding gums, which may be an early sign of gum disease, but it can just as easily be because of a dry mouth or your diet.

The important thing is not to ignore it. While bad breath is usually easy to manage, it can sometimes point to something that needs attention. For a deeper look at the causes and how to deal with bad breath, you can read more here.

Common Question #5 – “Can I Whiten My Teeth Safely?”

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments available, but some people get worried about how safe it really is. With so many options out there, it can get tricky to separate the safe from the unsafe.

Whitening, whether used as part of a smile makeover or otherwise, is proven to work, but it’s regulated for good reason. The chemicals used can be harmful, particularly when applied by an untrained hand, and doing it yourself risks you getting sensitivity issues, gum damage and more.

Your dentist will usually start with an assessment to find out whether home trays or in-chair treatment is best. For more on what’s involved in whitening appointments, our guide covers what to know.

Common Question #6 – “How Can I Tell If I Have A Cavity?”

The last of our common dental questions is another that we hear almost every week. Cavities develop silently, meaning that in the beginning, you’re not likely to notice anything going on at all. Routine checkups are your first port of call if you want to pick things like this up early.

As they worsen, though, your body does start to give you signals. The challenge is knowing which ones actually mean something, so here are some of the more common signs to look out for:

• You notice sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods that was not there before
• You get a dull ache or occasional pain in a specific tooth
• There is a sharp pain when you bite down or chew
• You can see a dark spot, staining or a small hole in the tooth
• Food keeps getting stuck in the same place
• You run your tongue over a tooth, and it feels rough or different

Some cavities develop between teeth or below the surface, which means they can only be properly diagnosed by a dentist using tools like X-rays. You can read more about the signs and what to look out for in our blog.

The Ringway Dental Team Has Got Your Back!

If any of these questions sound familiar, it probably means you should be seeing a dentist soon, even if the issue feels minor. Most problems start small and are much easier to deal with early on – well before they end up turning to something painful and likely expensive.

At Ringway Dental in Cheadle and Altrincham, we answer queries like this all the time, with our patients usually leaving informed and reassured. We see providing help like this as part of the service, so you should always ask.

So, if you’ve been putting something off or just want a clearer idea of where things stand, get in touch or book online today, because we’ve very much got your back.

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