General FAQs

Where quality and care is our main priority –

To complement the general and cosmetic dentistry services offered at Bancroft Dentistry, we have prepared this list of answers to the most commonly asked questions about dentistry and dental health.

Will it hurt?

We use the latest techniques and highly effective anaesthetic’s to make treatment as comfortable as possible. We also use sedation in the practice to help calm the nerves of patients, although we advise the careful and selective use of these procedures.

How much does it cost?

We provide the highest level of care possible and, due to the time involved and quality of products that we use, this of course comes at a price. If the procedures are performed to the highest standards then the long term result is less treatment and lower costs. We look to the longer term.

How many appointments will it take?

Each treatment is individual to the patient so we can only truly answer this question when we have completed our treatment plan. With complex procedures we advise that it may take a number of visits but also to build in some flexibility where required. It is clearly in everybody’s interest to get the treatment completed as efficiently as possible but without compromising the quality.

How Often Should I Brush My Teeth?

According to the British Dental Association, you should brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth helps to remove plaque which causes tooth decay and can lead to gum disease.

Always use a soft bristled toothbrush with toothpaste that contains fluoride. Make sure that the toothbrush fits inside of your mouth so that you can easily reach all areas. When brushing, use a gentle circular movement, brushing all sides of the teeth. Always brush your tongue to remove any bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

How Often Should I Floss My Teeth?

You should floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing in between your teeth removes food debris and plaque from in between the teeth that a toothbrush can't reach. Plaque causes tooth decay and can lead to gum disease. Another great reason to floss is that recent studies have shown that flossing helps to prevent a heart attack or stroke.

When flossing, be sure to gently insert the floss in between the teeth, without snapping, which could damage the gum tissue. Gently move the floss up and down into the spaces between the gum and teeth. Floss the sides of all of your teeth, even if there isn't a tooth next to another one. There are a number of dental products available that are designed to make flossing easier, such as disposable dental flosspiks.

What are the stages of gum disease? How is gum disease treated?

Gum disease has several stages. The initial stage is called gingivitis and is an infection of the gingival (gum tissue). In this stage, gums become red, swollen, and prone to bleeding. The underlying bone is unaffected. In later stages, however, gum disease can lead to bone loss and the loosening or even loss of teeth.

Gum disease treatment varies according to the stage of the disease. At its mildest stages, gingivitis can be treated by clearing plaque and tartar deposits from the gum pockets. Severe gum disease, on the other hand, might require treatment that includes bone and gum grafts.

How does fluoride help prevent tooth decay?

Fluoride helps reverse and prevent tooth decay in three ways:

Acids can demineralise a tooth - that is, create a weak spot that develops into a cavity. Fluoride helps promote the opposite process, called remineralization, which can reverse the very early stages of tooth decay.
Helping teeth become more resistant to Tooth Decay, Fluoride actually strengthens teeth, giving them natural protection against future tooth decay.
Inhibiting oral bacteria’s ability to create tooth attacking acids, Fluoride disrupts the bacteria’s ability to metabolise sugars, the process that leads to the attack of tooth enamel.

What causes sensitive teeth?

Sensitive teeth can be caused by a range of factors. The porous part of the tooth, called dentine, is the region that registers pain, and dentine can become exposed due to: