Most of us find the visiting the dentist a fairly normal affair. We go in, sit down, talk to the team about how we’re doing and then go home again. It sounds easy enough, but for some people this can still be quite a nerve-racking experience that can put them off a potentially vital check-up.

 So here are a few tips from our team on how to keep calm when you visit your dentist in Stevenage.

Talk to us

Starting off our list strongly we have perhaps one of the most important things you can do to keep calm when visiting your dentist in Stevenage and that’s to just talk to us. Opening up a line of dialogue with our team can let them know to stop when things are getting a little too much for you or you just need a  break for a while.

If you’re still nervous when it comes to speaking to strangers then try just arranging some sort of hand signal to let us know when to stop. It doesn’t have to be anything too complicated, just putting your hand up is enough to let us know.

At Smilecraft Dental Care our friendly team are always willing to help new patients feel at home when they stop by for an appointment.

Bring in a bear

 Now of course we don’t mean an actual bear, that would be a little too dangerous in a dental practice, but a stuffed version won’t do any harm and can often relax a nervous patient.

Bringing in a teddy bear from home is a good way to relax, as it gives you that familiar texture and smell of a place where you feel safe, and in an unfamiliar environment, like the practice of a dentist in Stevenage, it can be an island of calm in a sea of anxiety.

Listen to some music

Hearing the drills and goings on of a practice can trigger a lot of nervous patients, so that’s why we recommend blocking out the noise with some of your favourite tracks. Having something that you love to listen to is a great way to distract yourself from any ongoing treatments.

Although, if you do plan on jamming on a few tracks we suggest that you keep it to something calming like classical or jazz. Anything electronic or heavy metal based will just get your heart rate racing again with their fast tempos.

Use meditative breathing

Relaxing breathing techniques are another great way to beat the anxiety. As your body flushes with adrenalin, a few slow breaths in and out can flood your system with oxygen, which allows your body to break this chemical cocktail down faster and lets you feel calmer quicker.

These are just a few things you can try to keep yourself calm when you visit our practice. If you start to feel your nerves get the better of you then don’t hesitate to let our team know and they will do their best to put you at ease.

Smilecraft Dental Care is a private dentist situated in Old Town Stevenage, in the greater Stevenage area. We understand that our patients expect quality dental care and we strive to provide this. But don’t just take our word for it, why not review some of our patient testimonials on our website. It is not often you come across a dental practice who will exceed your expectations, in not only providing professional dental excellence and oral hygiene, but who also strive to deliver a high level of patient care.

Why choose us?

Here at Smilecraft Dental Care, we believe that preventative dentistry should be at the forefront of great oral health and our team encourage this and are dedicated in providing this care. Maintaining good oral hygiene and establishing a routine which supports this is essential to the maintenance of healthy gums and teeth. A healthy mouth starts with good dental hygiene. We routinely screen for mouth cancer and at your first appointment we will provide a comprehensive oral examination, including x-rays where necessary. During this time, we will evaluate your oral hygiene and discuss if any treatment is needed. We will then tailor a treatment plan that’s just right for you. We take our patients’ health extremely seriously; that is why we adhere to a strict decontamination procedure, using single use instruments where possible.

 At Smilecraft Dental, initial appointments are booked for an hour, in order to get to know you, evaluate your current oral hygiene and allow us an opportunity to discuss your treatment options and discuss what you would like to achieve with us. Establishing relationships with our patients will not only help us get to know you but will make you feel more comfortable during your visit with us. Our team are experienced in welcoming you and making you feel relaxed and comfortable. We have been established for over 25 years and we pride ourselves in being an approachable family orientated practice, with many of our patients being third generation. We also enjoy many referrals of friends and family from our patients. Our team is led by Bradley Abrahams, who is a well respected and experienced dentist, who is passionate about dentistry. We also offer dental implants, which along with bridges and crowns, are a great solution for missing damaged and broken teeth. If it’s cosmetic treatments you are looking for, our teeth whitening procedures and veneers will surely give you something to smile about. We have a variety of easy payment options available to you and still provide NHS treatment for our younger patients. We are easy to find, just a 15 minute walk from the train station, and also offer emergency appointments when necessary. Why don’t you stop by and see why our patients are always smiling?

General dentistry is the practice of restoring the oral health of a patient to the best it can be, using a variety of different treatments. If you are looking for a dentist in Stevenage for some general dentistry options, then do not hesitate to contact us for further information. It is our aim at Smilecraft to give you the best smile that you can possibly have, which in many cases, is a healthy one. If you have any concerns about your dental health, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Fillings & Root Canal Therapy

Often cavities can be the main issue facing your general dentistry health, and it can be what causes the most damage. This is why it is important to have regular check-ups with us, and to make sure that your teeth are well maintained and performing as well as they possibly can.

Fillings are necessary when the cavity has formed enough of a hole to be painful, and part of the tooth needs to be removed and filled in. These are available as white fillings too, so it will be hard to notice via the naked eye.

Root canal therapy is necessary when the cavity has not been dealt with, and instead needs more drastic treatment. This is when the cavity has breached the pulp chamber, and infected the pulp, which is the core of the tooth. Once this has become infected, your oral health is in danger, and you will need immediate treatment.

Emergency Dental Care

If you urgently need a dentist in Stevenage, then it is important to note that we have an emergency dentistry department set up to receive your calls. Emergency dentistry can be anything from a sudden onset of pain, to a broken or knocked out tooth. We understand how traumatic a lost tooth can be, which is why we will approach each case with the same amount of compassion and efficiency.

Dental Implants

Restorative dentistry is also an aspect of dentistry that our practice will cover. If you are looking for a dentist in Stevenage for some dental implants, then this is a treatment that we offer. This is an extremely advanced treatment and as such is not offered by all practices, however, we are proud to offer the treatment, and all the guidance regarding it.

The Wand

If you are worried about pain during your dental treatment, then it is crucial that you take note of our unique Wand Painless injection. Using extremely advanced technology, the Wand administers anaesthetic in a way that is virtually impossible to feel, so you do not have to worry about needles or injections when you visit us. Part of Smilecraft’s ethos is to make your visit to us as comfortable as it can be, and this specific treatment is a marker of this, and how we go the extra mile to achieve it.

Cosmetic dentistry is the process of improving one’s smile using a variety of different treatments. If you are looking for a dentist in Stevenage that can administer cosmetic dentistry treatments, then Smilecraft is the right practice for you.

Cosmetic dentistry is anything that is done to improve the look of your teeth and is becoming more advanced and professional every year. Improving your smile is a fantastic benefit to your wellbeing, as many studies show that if you look your best, then you feel your best. Many studies have also shown that a smile is the first thing that people notice about you, so if you are in an environment where you are meeting a lot of people, it can be important to you.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your smile. Over time, teeth can naturally turn shades of yellow and brown. A poor dental hygiene regime, and substances such as coffee, can affect the colour of your teeth; often a perfectly maintained set of teeth can naturally darken in colour. Therefore, to revert this, teeth whitening is the solution, and is widely available in many dental practices. If you are looking for a dentist in Stevenage who can advise you on your teeth whitening treatment, then Smilecraft will be able to help.

White Fillings

Often people can be averse to fillings due to their noticeability. In some cases, if the fillings are large, they can be seen through the translucent enamel, which can give the teeth a grey appearance. White fillings are the answer to this and can provide fillings that are almost impossible to see. This can contribute to a healthy looking and natural smile, while keeping your oral health as the priority.

Inlays, Onlays & Crowns

Sometimes if part of the tooth is damaged or destroyed, then it will need to be replaced. This is where inlays and onlays come in, and can be used to replace significant sections of a tooth, without replacing it entirely. This can be ideal for worn-down or broken teeth that just need a slight adjustment or repairing.

Crowns are ideal for replacing the entire tooth for when the root is still healthy, but the organic crown of the tooth is lost. This can be due to decay, or even damage to the tooth, and provides a quick and effective replacement.

Veneers

For a smooth and aesthetic finish to your teeth, veneers are a fantastic option. Veneers are made from porcelain and are attached to existing teeth via an extremely strong adhesive. Porcelain is also extremely durable, so the teeth are not only given a completely new look, but they are also protected. This can be ideal for someone who is not only looking for a fresh new look for their front teeth, but also looking to protect their existing teeth, which may be already damaged or cracked, or even discoloured. If you are interested in veneers, or any of the listed cosmetic options, and need a dentist in Stevenage, then please contact Smilecraft for more information.

Thousands of people suffer from dental anxiety or phobia throughout their lives. Sometimes it can be caused by having a negative experience in the past which has now left you feeling terrified of visiting your dental practice, whilst some people have been anxious about going to the dentist for their entire lives. Either way, having a phobia about attending dental appointments can affect people in many ways.

Here at Smilecraft we are aware of just how awful suffering from dental anxiety can be. Your dentist in Stevenage will do whatever they can to make you feel relaxed and at ease from the moment you enter the practice. We want you to feel confident when you visit us and when you leave our practice we do not want you to be shaking in fear, we want you to feel glad that you made the decision to visit us.

What constitutes a phobia?

Every person suffering from dental phobia or anxiety is different. Some people will feel unable to even speak about dentistry without feeling panicky, let alone think about attending an appointment. At our practice we try to stress the importance of having regular check-ups, as avoiding your dentist in Stevenage can result in the condition of your teeth deteriorating over time, and you may need more excessive treatments later in life.

Having a phobia can mean anything, from feeling a little anxious about visiting your dental practitioner to having a panic attack in the waiting room. Some people can feel sick or have irrational thoughts about what is going to happen at their appointment, and in some cases, they will be unable to have procedures performed without powerful anaesthetics.     

Why avoiding your dental practice is a bad idea

At Smilecraft, we try and stress to all our patients how important it is to attend regular check-ups and have the treatment they need as soon as they need it. Your dentist in Stevenage will be able to tell you how not keeping your teeth in a good condition could result in tooth decay, gum disease and many more problems that will result in you either losing teeth or having to have more extensive dental work carried out in the future.

What you can do to overcome your fears

There are several things that you can do to ease your anxiety. At Smilecraft we always welcome you and allow you to bring a relative or companion with you, so you feel a little more comfortable in your surroundings. We also offer services for patients that really do not like visiting the practice such as our e-consultations. This is where you can upload a picture of your smile and/or teeth and explain to us what you want to have changed or checked. Your dentist in Stevenage will be able to provide you with basic information about the treatments that you may need, but it will remain up to you to book an appointment when you feel ready.

It is best to book an appointment at our practice and speak to one of our many dental professionals, as they will provide you with all the information you need and help you get back on track when it comes to achieving the smile that you want.  

Have you recently visited the dentist for a check-up? If not, you might be at risk of tooth decay. This is where your tooth is weakened, and you may experience pain or discomfort. Your dentist in Stevenage can solve these problems for you by using white fillings. Alternatively, you could be feeling self-conscious about the metal tinge that people can see when you smile if you have metal fillings already, and think it is about time to replace these with white ones.

At Smilecraft we understand that having a great smile leaves you feeling great too. So, whatever the reasons you have for wanting to get white fillings, we will do everything we can to ensure that when you leave our practice, you will be proud to smile and not embarrassed by your mouth.  

What are white fillings?

Your dentist in Stevenage will normally use a filling to repair a tooth, either because it has a cavity or because the damage has been done through incessant teeth grinding. Sometimes you may just have a broken tooth and need a filling to fix it. Metal fillings have been around for a very long time now but as technology has advanced, so has dentistry and its methods.

White fillings will last you an incredibly long period of time and are made from a hard substance that will replicate the original tooth you had. Chewing and eating in public are no longer chores for our patients, as they can bite down on food with confidence, knowing that they will not experience pain or discomfort anymore. Our patients will also be amazed by the fact that these fillings do not stand out as the metal ones did, so you can open your mouth, smile and laugh, all without worrying that people will notice how many fillings you have had. The fillings blend in well and will allow you to experience a whole new level of satisfaction that you have not experienced before.

It is still important to care for your teeth

Your dentist in Stevenage can provide you all the dental treatment you desire, but we still try and encourage all our patients to take care of their teeth as much as possible. Having strong and healthy teeth is important as it reduces the likelihood of needing extensive dental procedures later in life which can be both expensive and intimidating. If you have white fillings in Stevenage you need to make sure that you are brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day, preferably using mouthwash and flossing as well. This will ensure that your fillings last for as long as possible.

It is quite common for young adults to require fillings, as this can be a time when people have let their teeth brushing routine slip. However, adults, the elderly and children can also need fillings, as they are not an age-related treatment. If you have been visiting our dental practice regularly since you were a child and taking good care of your teeth, you are less likely to require fillings. Ask one of our dental professionals if you are unsure of how to care for your fillings, or if you have any questions about maintaining a strong and healthy mouth. They will be glad to help you smile brightly again.    

Toothache and chronic dental issues can hit at any time, sometimes so all-consuming that you can barely function, let alone drive to the dentist.

While you do need to see the dentist in Stevenage eventually, we know that, in the moment, this is sometimes not always possible.

So how do you self-medicate tooth tenderness? Read below and learn to administer home remedies and concoctions that could help you or a family member through extreme discomfort. And when you can, book an appointment with us, Smilecraft Dental, so we can get to the source of your aches and pains.

Home remedies you can try at home

• Salt and hot water

One of the simplest and most basic methods used to relieve pain is to mix salt and hot water and rinse it repeatedly. Gargling this solution helps to remove fluids that irritate the gums while helping to manage your pain enough for you to book an appointment with your local dentist in Stevenage.

• Ice or compress

Pressing something cold on the inside or outside of your mouth is also an effective pain-reliever for aching teeth. Frozen peas also work if you do not have anything else in your freezer.

By constricting the blood vessels and slowing the flow of blood to the area affected, the cold sensation works to numb the pain and prevent or reduce swelling.

• Alcohol

Soak cotton wool in alcohol – whisky, scotch, vodka or brandy will do – and hold it to the area of your mouth, causing you problems.

• Peppermint tea

Peppermint tea contains numbing properties that soothe feelings of sensitivity while the ingredient that gives the drink its minty flavour, menthol, is an antibacterial and drives away harmful germs. You can either rinse your mouth with the tea or sip it slowly until the pain disappears.

If you do not have tea, peppermint oil is also an effective remedy for pain. Place a few drops of the oil on a cotton swab and hold it to your sore mouth or tooth.

– Painkiller

Try over the counter medication, such as ibuprofen if the above remedies prove ineffective.  Swelling is usually the cause of most tooth pain, and ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory that reduces swelling and inflammation.

Make an appointment with us

We cannot stress enough that home remedies are not an alternative to professional dental treatment, but should be seen as methods of temporary pain management.

Immense pain coupled with anxiety, is enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed. Our dental team understand the stress of these emergencies and will slot you in to see the dentist in Stevenage where they can. On top of fast and efficient service, we provide a compassionate bedside manner to help you relax through this ordeal.

What constitutes a dental emergency?

Having a dislodged filling is understandably alarming, but if it occurs late at night when few dental clinics are open, the chances are that you can wait until the next day to repair it.

Prolonged tooth pain lasting 48 hours or more could be a symptom of an abscess or even gum disease and should be urgently treated.

Know how to treat yourself and others in a dental emergency, but be sure to come and see us for a repair and prevent the problem from recurring.

Finding a dentist is easy; all you have to do is open up a phone directory or look online, and you will come across many in your area. Finding a dentist in Stevenage who is right for you proves more difficult.

If you are in the market for a new dentist, allow us to introduce ourselves. We are a group of qualified and experienced dentists based in the town of Stevenage. We pride ourselves on our world-class services accompanied by a smile and pleasant demeanour.

Not in our area? No problem! Refine your search for the most appropriate dentist for you and your family by taking stock of desirable qualities that any good dentist should possess while learning how to spot red flags, as outlined in the below.

A good dentist is compassionate, understanding and a good listener

In the past, dentists were perceived as butchers; there to inflict pain without remorse or empathy. This, of course, is untrue in modern times as you will find that most medical professionals are highly compassionate.

An exceptional dentist in Stevenage does not merely focus on the problem at hand but on you as a person.

You might suffer from dental anxiety or have a fear of needles, feeling comfortable enough to open up these issues will make your experiences at the dentist less of an ordeal.

Another dentist might regard your fears with impatience, while a compassionate one helps you to overcome it by showing that the terror you feel has no grounding in reality.

Informs and educates you

Many issues we see every day are preventable. Some people do not know how to take care of their teeth properly or merely do not care about their oral health and hygiene.

An essential duty of a dentist in Stevenage is to inform patients about how they can improve upon their teeth-cleaning habits while at the same time, gently prompting them to take better of their teeth by telling them about the very real and serious consequence of neglect.

Tries to minimise your pain and make you feel comfortable

Specific treatments are synonymous with pain, which a dentist is very much aware of and will try to ease your discomfort with anaesthesia and numbing gels. Short breaks will also help to make any unpleasantness bearable.

Will not introduce unnecessary treatment

A dentist who is trying only to maximise his or her gains may recommend treatments that are not required to fix your dental issues, these are few and far between.

An oral health provider after your best interests tries to help you save money by using a traditional or conservative approach to help treat uncomplicated issues.    

At the same time, despite dental care being more accessible than before, many people cannot afford to pay for appointments in full. You know you are in good hands if your dental clinic offers a variety of payment plans from which to choose.

Choosing someone to take proper care of your teeth is no mean feat – make sure that you are in the right hands.