Most people will have heard of root canal treatment but few know what it is! Often when people hear the words ‘root canal treatment’ they instantly freeze with fear as they associate it with unnecessary pain and expense. But root canal treatment (endodontics) is a vital treatment which can save your tooth and save you from a lot of toothache in the future! Our emphasis at Smile Essential dental practice in Leicester is to save teeth and to help you to keep your teeth for life.

Why would I need a root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment (also called Endodontics) is needed when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected through tooth decay or damaged by an injury to your mouth. This infection may spread through the root canal system, which could eventually lead to an abscess, causing a great deal of discomfort.

What doe’s root canal treatment involve?

Treatment involves the removal of the pulp tissues from the centre of your tooth and refilling it with a special material. Special tools and equipment are required to do this. Treatment is usually completed over 2-3 appointments.

Can I have the tooth removed instead of having root canal treatment?

The loss of even one tooth can have a detrimental effect on your mouth and can lead to your other teeth drifting into the gap, which can cause problems with your bite.

Does root canal treatment hurt?

Root canal treatment procedures are relatively comfortable and often painless as the tooth is anaesthetised during treatment. After treatment, the tooth may be sensitive or tender for a few days due to inflammation of the surrounding tissues. Taking over-the-counter painkillers can relieve this discomfort.

How long is the treatment to have root canal work done?

The treatment is usually carried over 2-3 appointments and can take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

How much does root canal treatment cost?

Our root canal treatment at our Leicester clinic costs from £315. There are other cost considerations you will need to account for such as X-rays, a filling and the future cost of a crown.

Your dentist will provide you with an estimate of costs and a breakdown of the treatment and payments required.

Does root canal treatment always work?

The success rates for root canal treatment is in the region of 80%- 95%. The success depends on firstly being able to access the canals and secondly on the ability to disinfect the entire length of the root canals. In some cases, this is not possible due to the extent of the infection, technical difficulties and complications. Provided the tooth is subsequently restored, it should last for many years.

What will my tooth look like after the root canal treatment?

Sometimes a root-filled tooth may darken, particularly if it died as a result of an injury such as a knock to the tooth. At Smile essential we usually place a tooth coloured to seal the tooth and shape it so it looks like the natural anatomy of a tooth.

How long will my tooth last after having root canal treatment?

Root-filled teeth are more likely to break than healthy unrestored teeth, so your dentist may suggest placing a crown onto the tooth to protect it once the root canal work has completely settled down – usually 6-12 months.

Around 9 out of 10 root-treated teeth survive for 8 to 10 years. Having a crown fitted to the tooth after root canal treatment is important for improving tooth survival rates.

Find out more about the root canal treatment we offer at our Leicester dental practice…

Schools out and the kids are ruling the roost! As parents, we know how sometimes you just need to keep our little darlings quiet for just a moment. We reach for a sugary treat be it a lolly, a biscuit or chocolate bar. It’s easy to slip into bad habits over the summer. But here are our top 3 ways to keep ahead and keep the kid’s teeth decay-free this summer.

1) Don’t forget to brush!
During the school holidays, your regular routines can slip and things you would usually do are easily forgotten. But please don’t let toothbrushing slip. Brushing your teeth last thing before bed and at one other time during the day with fluoride toothpaste is one of the best ways to prevent dental problems for your children.

2) Don’t snack all day!
Give your kids food at the right time so they have all the three essential meals and fall to snacks and in-between meals less often. Hunger can often be a reason for falling to sugary treats so a good way to combat it and help them avoid sugar is to give them full balanced meals at meal-times.

Also, avoid frequent sipping on juice or pop. This can be disastrous when it comes to their teeth. It doesn’t allow the ph of the mouth to stabilise meaning their little teeth are under constant attack. Encourage sipping of water through the day and if the juice is a must then limit to mealtimes.

3) Don’t reward them with sweets!
This is an easy trap for many to fall into. Sweet treats used to be just that – treats! Treats would maybe be a weekly thing. It has now turned into a daily ritual. Consider treats that you or relatives could replace for the sugary ones.

The warmer months and laid back days can mean frequent sipping on juice or pop. This is a disaster when it comes to their teeth. It doesn’t allow the ph of the mouth to stabilise putting the teeth under constant attack. Encourage sipping of water through the day and if the juice is a must then limit to mealtimes only.

Sadly Leicester children have the worst teeth in the UK according to an NHS survey. Twelve-year-old children in Leicester have the highest rate of tooth decay in England. The latest figures found 45.3% of 12-year-old children in the city have experienced tooth decay, compared to an England average of 17.5% in 2008/09.

If your child needs a dental health check-up then please take a look at our children’s services here

The BDA scheme is designed to recognise high standards of care, excellent teamwork and commitment to providing a positive patient experience and the gold standard represent 15 years of adhering to the high standards set out by the British Dental Association.

We are one of the first dental practices in Leicester to achieve Gold Membership of the British Dental Association Good Practice Scheme. President of the BDA Dr Barry McGonigle said: “Gold Membership is a symbol of a decade of commitment, hard work and dedication; all practices honoured with the award should be very proud.”

What does membership to the Good Practice Scheme mean for our Leicester patients?

It means that we are totally committed to supporting patients towards achieving and maintaining good oral health. Achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients depends upon the skills and professionalism of the whole dental team.

Good Practice Scheme membership means that:

1. We will work with you to provide care that meets your needs and wishes. We will explain what we are proposing to do and tell you about any significant risks. We will explain options and cost so that you can make an informed choice about your care and we keep all information about you confidential

2. We look after your general health and safety whilst you are receiving dental care by undertaking risk assessments and managing any potential hazards at our premises. Infection control and cleanliness is also essential for safety and we follow current guidelines on preventing cross infection

3. All our staff are given training in practice procedures, staff members responsibilities are clear and staff take part in continuing professional education to keep their skills and knowledge up to date

4. Our practice working methods are reviewed regularly and we ask patients for their views on our service in order to identify any opportunities for improvement.

Take a look at all of the high standards we set at our Leicester dental clinic…

Do I have to see a dentist before seeing a hygienist? There was a change in legislation several years ago which means that patients can now see a dental hygienist without a referral or recommendation from their dentist.

Dental hygiene is a key element of good oral health and improved access to dental hygienists should help to improve standards of oral health and reduce the risk of hygiene-related diseases, such as decay and gum disease.

By seeing our dental hygienist and therapist in Leicester and following their treatment and advice you will:

• Minimise your risk of tooth loss
• Reduce the risk of developing gum disease
• Reduce the risk of developing tooth decay and need for fillings
• Minty fresh breath and sparkly clean teeth
• Better overall health and wellbeing

It is also good news for nervous patients who may delay visiting a dentist due to dental phobia as they may feel more comfortable seeing a hygienist than a dentist. Regular hygiene sessions can help to reduce the need for more complex treatment.

Even if you have strong, healthy teeth, seeing your hygienist will help to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Hygienists are able to provide a much more intensive clean than brushing at home; hygiene sessions remove all the plaque and bacteria from the mouth, leaving your teeth glossy and smooth and your mouth clean and fresh.

Find out more about our hygiene services…

Most of us know that taking care of our teeth is now more important than ever. We want to ensure our teeth not only look great, but our breath is fresh and our mouth healthy. With this said it is easy to fall into bad habits that’s why we thought we would share some tips from our Leicester dentists to keep you on track with that winning smile.

• Brush your teeth last thing at night and don’t have anything else to eat or drink after that. You should also brush your teeth at least one other time during the day. You should always use a fluoride toothpaste when brushing your teeth.

• Clean between the teeth. This can be done by either flossing or using interdental brushes. You’ll be surprised at just how much food and plaque you will find squashed in between those gnashers!

• Quit smoking. Our Leicester dentists advise that it will help to reduce tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, and in more severe cases mouth cancer.

• Change your toothbrush every two to three months or sooner if it becomes worn. Toothbrushes aren’t as effective when they are worn they also harbour bacteria. If you stock up on spare toothbrushes then it’s easier to keep on top of swapping.

• Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

• Chew sugar-free gum after eating or drinking, especially sugary foods. This helps to protect your teeth and gums in between meals.

• Wait an hour after eating/drinking before brushing. The saliva is more acidic after eating/drinking which makes the enamel softer. Brushing could cause unnecessary abrasion.

• Avoid snacking and try to only have sugary foods and drinks at mealtimes. Constant snacking increases the time your mouth is acidic and teeth under attack. Try to just stick with water between meals.

Need to arrange a dental appointment at our Leicester clinic? Get in touch here…

Brushing and flossing are a lot more important than you may think! You’re probably aware of the effects of not brushing and flossing to brush on your teeth but what about the effect it has on your body?

The mouth is the gateway to your body and if you have a healthy mouth then you are more likely to have a healthier body. Your mouth is has millions of bacteria and most of them are harmless. Usually, the body’s natural defences and good oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing, help to keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper dental care, bacteria can reach high levels that might lead to tooth decay and gum disease and even diabetes.

Many people are surprised to discover the link between dental health and diabetes. Research has been ongoing for many years now and shows that there is an increased prevalence of gum disease among those diagnosed with diabetes.

Inflammation from diabetes impairs the body’s ability to utilise insulin. By improving your oral hygiene and treating gum disease you can help to bring diabetes under better control.

Having diabetes can increase your risk of dental problems? Managing your blood glucose levels is a crucial factor in deterring any likely problems. If your blood glucose levels are poorly controlled you are more at risk of developing serious gum disease, more so than non-diabetics.

What’s more, is that serious gum disease may be a factor in causing your blood sugar to rise and make your glucose levels even harder to control.

Other oral problems associated with diabetes include thrush, an infection caused by a fungus that grows in the mouth, and dry mouth which can cause soreness, ulcers, infections and cavities.

You might be wondering how you can prevent dental problems associated with diabetes… First and foremost, control your blood glucose level. Then, take good care of your teeth and gums, along with regular dental checkups every six months. To control thrush, a fungal infection, maintain good diabetic control, avoid smoking and, if you wear them, remove and clean dentures daily. Good blood glucose control can also help prevent or relieve dry mouth caused by diabetes.

Sometimes people don’t realise that they need to tell their dentist that they have diabetes. However, having the most up to date information on your medical health enables us to offer you the very best care and advice possible. To be able to advise you accurately it’s crucial our Leicester dentists have a full medical history to stop any problems from arising.

Diabetes Prevention Week 1-7 of April 2019. Check your risk of Type 2 diabetes…