Frequently Asked Questions

We are always pleased to welcome new patients. Please pop in to speak to our reception team, or telephone the practice on 01366 386666, in order to arrange an initial examination.

What can I expect at my initial examination?

First visits are very important for both dentist and patient. At an initial examination, we will discuss previous dental and medical history, any concerns you may have, as well as conducting a thorough examination of your oral health.

The initial examination will include:

• Taking a medical and dental history
• Thoroughly checking the health of your teeth and gums
• Taking any necessary x-rays
• Checking the function of your jaw joint
• Oral cancer screening
• Discussing your oral hygiene routine and diet, where necessary
• Discussing proposed treatment (if any) and agreeing a treatment or maintenance plan with you
• Providing a written estimate of the anticipated cost of any planned treatment
• Providing information leaflets and consent forms, where appropriate

How do I get to the practice and where can I park?

The practice is located at 5 Priory Road, Downham Market. For sat-nav users our postcode is PE38 9JU. There is a free, long stay public car park directly opposite the practice (next to Discover Downham Heritage) with a pedestrian crossing close by. There are also parking bays just after the surgery, on the right-hand side of the road, where you can park for up to 1 hour. Downham Market Train Station is a five-minute walk away, as is the bus station, which is situated by the side of Morrisons. Our two closest bus stops are in Priory Road (near Tesco’s) and Trafalgar Road.

You can find a map of our location on our Contact Us page.

Please telephone reception on 01366 386666 for directions if you are unsure, and we will be happy to help.

Good value is important in dentistry and we don’t want finance to be a barrier to your dental treatment. We will provide a written estimate of the anticipated cost of any planned treatment and ensure that you fully understand when payments are due. We operate a “pay-as-you-go” system which means that payment for your treatment will be due on each visit. Treatment involving a laboratory fee will need to be paid for in advance of completion. Where clinically possible, the dentist may be able to spread your treatments to suit your finances.

Spread the cost over 12 months with 0% finance

We can also offer Tabeo Finance on all treatment plans over £1000, to spread the costs of your treatment over a 12 month period with a 0% interest-free loan. This allows you to access a much wider range of treatments to help you achieve your perfect results. The application process is quick and easy, and a response is usually given straight away.

Please visit www.priory-dental.co.uk/finance for terms and conditions.

Dental Payment Plans

Once dentally fit, there may be the option of joining Denplan Care, our comprehensive dental payment plan.

Denplan Care is a dental payment plan where you pay a fixed monthly amount to cover the cost of your routine care. Having Denplan Care means you won’t receive any unexpected dental bills. Denplan Care covers all the routine care you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy, including examinations, x-rays, hygiene treatment, fillings, root canal treatments, crowns, bridges, dentures, onlays and inlays (specialist treatment, laboratory fees, prescriptions, cosmetics and referrals are excluded).

In order to join Denplan Care you will need to be classed as ‘dentally fit’. The dentist will assess your dental health and agree a programme of dental treatment with you (where necessary). Once the agreed treatment has been completed, you will be classed as ‘dentally fit’ and have up to 30 days from your completion date in which to join Denplan.

• Limit between-meal snacking and cut down on sweets
• Brush at least twice a day (or after meals where possible) and floss daily
• Avoid a hard toothbrush. Instead, use a soft or medium manual or electric brush and change the brush or head every 8-12 weeks
• Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes to help remineralise and protect the tooth structure
• Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and consider professional cleaning twice a year.
• Don’t ignore tooth or gum problems. The quicker problems are checked out, the better and less costly they will be. Remember, a visit to the dentist isn’t expensive, but treating dental problems are!

Tooth decay also known as cavities or caries occur when teeth are exposed to sugary and/or starchy foods or drinks over a while. Bacteria found in plaque – a sticky film that constantly settles on the teeth – interacts with the sugars to produce acid. These acids will attack tooth enamel causing teeth to weaken and decay to form.

The symptoms of a cavity will depend upon how large it is and where it is in the mouth. While some people won’t develop any symptoms, others may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Intermittent pain or toothache
• Heightened tooth sensitivity particularly when eating or drinking something hot or cold
• Pain when you bite or chew
• Discolouration of the tooth– although this can be a sign of tooth decay, it may also be a sign of tooth staining.

If you have any of these symptoms, contact your dentist for assistance.

As already stated above, tooth sensitivity can be brought about by tooth cavities but it can also be a sign of teeth grinding. Otherwise known as Bruxism, this is a common problem that often affects people during sleep. As a result, the first a ‘bruxer’ knows of their problem is when they begin to experience tooth sensitivity or they visit their local dentist for a check-up.

Flossing cleans the small nooks and crannies between teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Food particles or debris can become caught up in these small spaces causing a build-up of plaque. When plaque is not removed it becomes hard. And by definition – difficult to remove. Over time, bacteria contained within plaque can attack the teeth and gums causing tooth decay and gum disease. Daily flossing removes many of the particles so that plaque can’t build up. The result is a far healthier mouth.

In a word, yes. However, products like whitening toothpaste tend to only remove light surface staining. For best results, consider professional teeth whitening supervised or carried out by your dentist. Chair-side teeth whitening, for example, can deliver quick results in just one visit – although the degree of whiteness achieved will vary from person to person. Alternatively, for an instant smile transformation, you may want to consider porcelain veneers. This cosmetic dental treatment is designed to cover problem teeth using thin shells of hard-wearing and lifelike dental porcelain.

Dental emergencies can occur at any time and whether it is a broken tooth or dental abscess that is causing you pain, prompt treatment and advice can make all the difference to sorting out the problem.  Dental emergencies can be extremely stressful and cause a lot of pain. If you have a dental problem, please call us as soon as you can. We aim to see, or give advice to, all registered patients with genuine dental emergencies on the same working day – please call us as early as possible to ensure your best chances of getting same day help.

If you can’t get to us straight away, please read our advice on ‘First Aid Tips for Teeth’.

Out of Hours

If you are a Denplan patient, and you have added the ‘Denplan Dental Emergency and Injury Cover’ as part of your policy, you will be covered for dental injuries and severe dental emergencies both in the UK and abroad. You can contact Denplan’s 24-Hour Worldwide Dental Emergency Helpline on 0800 844 999 (if calling from abroad, please telephone +441962 844 999) and they’ll put you in touch with a dentist who can help.

Denplan Dental Emergency and Injury Cover is provided by Simplyhealth Access. Please refer to your Denplan policy document for full terms and conditions or visit www.denplan.co.uk/patients/dental-emergencies

Out of hours help is also available from The 247 Dentist – the UK’s fastest-growing network of out-of-hours emergency dental clinics, offering 24 hour private dental care from experienced dentists and nurses. Visit their website at www.the247dentist.com to arrange an appointment at one of their various UK clinics, or via a remote video consultation, at a time that suits you.

You can also try the NHS Urgent Care Service by calling 111 or get help from 111 online.

Further information on dental emergencies is also available at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-to-find-an-nhs-dentist-in-an-emergency/

Sepsis Awareness

A dental infection can occur when bacteria invades the pulp of a tooth, surrounding tissues or gums. If left untreated, dental infections can spread beyond the mouth and into the bloodstream, leading to sepsis.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection leads to widespread inflammation. Instead of fighting the infection, the immune system overreacts and starts to attack its own tissues and organs.

Sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Sepsis can lead to severe sepsis and septic shock, which is characterised by dangerously low blood pressure, tissue damage, organ failure, and even death.

Signs and symptoms of sepsis in adults include; high fever, shivering, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, confusion, pale or mottled skin.

What we will do

Patients who have had a bacterial infection will be offered treatment, which may include antibiotics or drainage of the tooth or gum.

On rare occasions, when a severe infection which is not responding to antibiotics or drainage, we may refer patients to hospital for further treatment.

If Sepsis is suspected it will be treated as a medical emergency, and we will call 999.  If you are in the surgery, we will monitor you and provide emergency oxygen if necessary.

All staff are trained on a regular basis to look out for signs of sepsis, and to report any concerns.

If you would like to know more about Sepsis, please go to the NHS website or The UK Sepsis Trust

Broken teeth and lost fillings

If your tooth has chipped, a piece has broken off or you’ve lost a filling, it can create a sharp edge that digs into the tongue, lips or cheek. If it’s causing you pain, you should:

• Avoid sugary foods and fizzy drinks, which can aggravate toothache
• Continue to brush your teeth, as thoroughly as you can, with a fluoride toothpaste
• If the tooth is sensitive, you can rub fluoride toothpaste directly onto the affected tooth. Don’t rinse your mouth with water afterwards or you’ll wash away the benefits of the toothpaste
• Take over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, to ease pain (please see below for Pain Relief for Toothache)
• If you need to, you can buy temporary filling material from your local pharmacy, supermarket or online retailer, and repair the tooth yourself using the instructions directed on the packet. DenTek and Dentanurse are good examples.

If your tooth is broken, but you aren’t experiencing any pain, you don’t necessarily need to fill it yourself. Just make sure to take extra care of the tooth, including thorough flossing and cleaning, until you’re able to contact us for an appointment.

Dental Pain

Toothaches should not be ignored – if there is an infection, it can become severe if left untreated so always contact your dentist as soon as possible. Use dental floss to dislodge any food or debris that may be impacted. Clean the area thoroughly by rinsing your mouth with lukewarm (body temperature) salt water – do not use very hot or very cold water as this may inflame the gums. Avoid lying flat as this can raise the blood pressure and increases pain. If your face is swollen, apply a cold compress – you can make a cold compress by wrapping a tea towel around an ice pack.

Pain Relief for Toothache
The best over-the-counter painkillers for toothache are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short. These include Ibuprofen, Diclofenac and Naproxen. DO NOT take Ibuprofen if you have asthma. Paracetamol or Aspirin are also good for dental pain, however, dental pain often comes from inflammation and pressure on various nerves and tissues, so, for this reason, NSAIDs can be better for dental pain because they are both pain relievers and good anti-inflammatories. Do not place Aspirin on the sore tooth or surrounding gums as it can burn your mouth and harm your teeth. Always seek help from a dentist as soon as possible.
Before taking any pain medications, always read the label for contraindications, side-effects and maximum doses, to make sure it is suitable for you to take. If you are unsure, always consult your dentist, doctor or pharmacist first.

What to do if you have bleeding following an extraction

The first thing to remember is that it is normal to have some bleeding for the first day or so following an extraction. Many people are concerned about the amount of bleeding, however this is usually due to the fact that a small amount of blood is mixed with a larger amount of saliva, which looks more dramatic than it is. If you do notice bleeding, spit the blood out rather than rinsing your mouth. You will need to apply pressure to the socket – roll up a clean cotton handkerchief (do not use paper tissues), place it directly over the extraction site and bite firmly down on it for 30 minutes, whilst sitting upright. You can replace the pad if necessary. If the bleeding has not decreased after two hours, please contact your dentist or hospital for further advice. Following any extraction, it is important not to do anything strenuous and to avoid smoking and alcohol for the rest of the day. You may also find it useful to use extra pillows at night so that you sleep in a more elevated position.

What to do if you lose a tooth in an accident

If a healthy tooth is knocked out, there’s a chance it may be saved if you act quickly. Handle the tooth by the crown, not by the root, to avoid additional trauma to the tooth. If there’s debris on the tooth, gently rinse with cold water. Do not brush or scrub the tooth or handle it unnecessarily. Do not try to sterilize the tooth with soap, alcohol or mouthwash. If possible, try to reinsert (re-implant) the tooth into the tooth socket. Stabilize the tooth by biting down gently on a towel or handkerchief and get to a dentist or hospital as soon as possible. IMPORTANT – if a baby tooth (milk tooth) is knocked out, it MUST NOT be pushed back in. If you are unable to re-implant the tooth into the tooth socket then do not let the tooth dry out – if possible, keep the tooth in your mouth (between the cheek and gum) or put it in a cup of milk and get to a dentist or hospital as soon as possible. You can take painkillers but do not put aspirin or clove oil on the wound.

What to do if you lose a Crown or Bridge

If your permanent crown or bridge comes off, do not lose it or throw it away as we may be able to recement it for you. Keep the crown or bridge in something safe and contact us for an appointment. Your dentist will evaluate why it came out and also if there is any additional tooth damage or decay in your tooth before replacing it. Losing a crown or bridge can be quite inconvenient, especially if it affects one of your front teeth. The exposed tooth (or teeth) may also be very sensitive. As a temporary solution, and only if you feel it is safe to do so, you may find it useful to recement the crown or bridge yourself, until such time you can get to a dentist. Many pharmacists sell temporary crown cement, or you may also try a little bit of ordinary toothpaste or denture fixative. Seat the crown or bridge on your tooth (or teeth) as a test before cementing – using very light pressure, close your teeth together to make sure the crown/bridge is seated properly. The crown/bridge should not interfere with your bite in any way. If your bite feels very different or the crown/bridge does not have a secure fit, do not recement it. Never attempt to recement crowns or bridges with superglue. Your gums and soft tissues may react to the glue causing you pain, ulceration and swelling. The use of superglue can also make recementing the crown or bridge much more difficult, if not impossible, and you may then need a new one as a result.

Broken Dentures

Never attempt to mend broken dentures with superglue. Your gums and soft tissues may react to the glue causing you pain, ulceration and swelling. The use of superglue will also make repairing the denture correctly much more difficult, if not impossible, and you may then need a new denture as a result. If your denture breaks, please contact us so we can arrange to have it repaired correctly.

We include oral cancer screening at every routine examination, so it’s important to visit your dentist regularly. The earlier oral cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances of recovery.

As well as regular visits to the dentist, regular self-examinations are a simple, potentially life-saving process. Spend a few moments in front of the mirror looking in your mouth. Check your tongue, gums, lining of your cheeks, lips, under your tongue and the roof of your mouth. The most common warning signs of oral cancer are: –

• an ulcer or sore in your mouth or on your lip which does not heal within 3 weeks
• persistent discomfort or pain in your mouth that doesn’t go away
• red or white patches in your mouth
• a lump on your lip, tongue or in your neck

You can download and save the ‘Do-it-yourself’ mouth cancer check by clicking here  >> Download Mouth Cancer Check

Other symptoms can include:

• unexplained bleeding in your mouth
• numbness in your mouth
• loose teeth
• problems chewing or swallowing, difficulty moving your jaw or a feeling that something is caught in your
• throat
• changes to your voice – it may sound husky or quieter or you may slur your words
• weight loss because of problems swallowing

These symptoms aren’t always caused by oral cancer but if you have any of them, or are concerned about anything unusual in your mouth, please contact your GP or dentist without delay and make sure they know your worries.

What causes oral cancers?

Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, chewing tobacco, poor diet and HPV (human papilloma virus) are all significant risk factors for developing oral cancer – those who both smoke and drink to excess are up to 30 times more likely to develop the disease. Prevention is key and lifestyle choices can reduce significant threats of mouth cancer.

For more information on mouth cancer please visit: www.mouthcancer.org