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. 

Deciding which dentist to go to when your mouth is in trouble is a big decision, especially because there are so many practices in the UK. Some might offer you outstanding service, and others could leave you with bad memories from a traumatic experience caused by substandard treatments.

At 800 years old, Stevenage has stood the test of time and continues to thrive today with its old world charm. While a visit might take you back in time to another century, the town offers all the modern conveniences to its residents, including schools, stores, restaurants, and our reputable dental clinic, Smilecraft Dental Clinic, a practice which continues to put the smile back on the faces of the locals and many others in the surrounding area. 

We value your needs and do everything possible to restore your mouth to good health with our range of treatments and our friendly and professional service that is second to none at the dentist in Stevenage.

 Who are we?

We are a family dental clinic. From grandparents having problems with their dentures to sorting out the milk teeth of your little ones, we do not discriminate – we take care of everyone both young and old.

As we like to tell our patients ‘prevention is better than cure’, which is why we stress the importance of investing in a good toothbrush, paste and cleaning your teeth for the recommended amount of time. This should be twice a day every day for 2 to 3 minutes per session. To this day, many people do not see the importance of flossing, but it is a vital part of your cleaning regimen that minimises your risks of tooth decay and several mouth diseases.

People often moan to us because they do not see the point of regular check-ups every six months.The state of your mouth can change rapidly, and being able to detect and diagnose potentially harmful issues early on can spell the difference between correcting a problem easily and painlessly, or spending more time in the dentist’s chair with a more serious infection.

Problems we see everyday

From gum disease and tooth decay to missing teeth and misaligned pearly whites, our years of collective experience means we have seen the lot.

Many are afraid to see us because they do not like to be judged and put off going to see the dentist in Stevenage time and time again, resulting in the state of their teeth worsening. Remember that we have witnessed teeth and gums in various states of decay, and your issue is not unique.

Coming to see us early on could:

• Cure and reverse the effects of gingivitis, a common and easily treatable disease that often shows up in adults. Get rid of those unsightly red gums that cause you so much embarrassment, for good.
• Preserve your teeth. Remove cavities from your pearly whites, before the infection spreads throughout your tooth.
• Save your life. For the most part, decreased oral health is not fatal, but the early signs of serious body diseases are often detected in your mouth. We do screenings for oral cancers, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.
• Transform your dull, yellow and ageing teeth to a sparkling and brilliant smile on par with a toothpaste advertisement.

Are you looking for a dentist in Stevenage? Come and have a chat with us.

There is a huge emphasis on facial appearance with the influx of social media platforms available, like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Everyone wants to flaunt a desirable smile and perfect teeth to their internet friends and followers.

Even if you do not have much of an online presence, we are sure that the way your teeth look impacts your confidence. Maybe you hate smiling for photographs because of your less than perfect pearly whites?

Our cosmetic dentist in Stevenage will help you to achieve near-perfection with a range of treatments, namely tooth whitening, Six Months Smiles and porcelain veneers for unforeseen accidents.

Let us help you change your world by enhancing your natural beauty at the Smilecraft Dental Clinic.

The fastest way to a dazzling smile

Do you feel that your smile has lost its former sparkle? Get it back with teeth whitening! Teeth whitening is not only one of the safest treatments on the market, but is also the quickest way to transform your look for the better.

Lighten your teeth in one of two ways, with a DIY kit at home or with us in back-to-back whitening sessions. If this is your first time, we recommend you come to us for optimal results.

With us, you can choose from these options:

With the possibility of lightening your teeth by up to 16 shades, Enlighten Whitening is taking the world by storm. Achieve optimal whiteness for a lifetime! For the best possible results, Enlighten Whitening requires an in-surgery and at-home component. After your whitening session with the dentist in Stevenage, we will provide you with mouth trays and gels to keep your teeth in their perfect pearly state.

If you want white teeth that look natural, the Zoom whitening procedure might be more suitable for you. In a couple of sessions in the dentist’s chair, we will lighten your teeth by between four and six shades, depending on your preference. You are also required to use bleaching trays and whitening gels for six days after the treatments.

If you prefer the comfort of your home to our clinic, come to us so that we can custom make teeth whitening trays for you. Treatment time varies from patient to patient, according to the state of your teeth and the degree of whiteness you wish to achieve. Four to six weeks is the average time, so if you want immediate results, you might want to consider treatments in the clinic instead.

It can take only six months to boast straighter teeth

The duration of treatment time for conventional braces is off-putting for many, especially for those who do not have time on their side.

Consider our Six Months Smiles programme if you have an upcoming wedding and want to enhance your smile for your special day. This programme straightens your front teeth, the ones that are the most visible when you smile.

Please note that there are restrictions to Six Months Smiles, especially if you face more complicated issues. For example, if you have a bite issue, moving your front incisors might only make it worse, and require you to consider more intensive straightening methods in the future at the dentist in Stevenage.

Fix your chipped tooth

Have you chipped a tooth while taking a bite out of an apple? Porcelain veneers will cover up unsightly cracks and chips in your tooth that cause you shame.

Walk out of our offices with a repaired tooth on the same day the accident occurred.

Cosmetic treatments might not improve your oral health, but will increase your confidence and feelings of self-worth.

You might have had a painful and mentally scarring ordeal at the dentist as a child, which has left you with a bad taste in your mouth about all branches of dentistry and dental practitioners. But to paint all dentists in Stevenage with the same brush and to refuse treatment when you most need it, is detrimental to your oral health.

At Smilecraft Dental Care, we make your experience with us as pleasant as we can, tending to your issue with efficiency, compassion and care. Building relationships is important to us, entrust us with your teeth today and look forward to a healthy mouth in the future.

Let us help you, but look after yourself first

Every day, patients come to us with preventable issues caused by months, years or a lifetime of neglect. Some of the time, these problems are easily treatable, while other times the damage is severe enough for them to undergo costly and uncomfortable surgeries that require an extended recovery period.

We are firm believers in the old saying that “prevention is the best cure”. Save yourself money, time and unnecessary pain by adhering to a regimented cleaning routine, involving two to three minutes brushing and daily flossing, curbing bad lifestyle habits that contribute to tooth decay and sticking to a healthy diet with a moderate sugar intake.

Learn to brush your teeth better

While most people brush their teeth, the techniques they use are inadequate. An up-down motion fails to clean the whole surface of a tooth and leaves behind harmful bacteria. Position your toothbrush, topped with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, on the gum line at a 45-degree angle and brush in a circular motion. Most people forget to brush the roof of the mouth, as well as the tongue – which is where bacteria lie dormant, as they breed and multiply.

Cut sugar from your diet and other harmful food

Tea and coffee in their natural form are healthy, but adding sugar and milk makes them less so.  Sugar itself is not bad for your teeth, but the bacteria in your mouth use the particles that make up sugar to create acid that erodes the enamel on your teeth, and toxins that aggravate your gums.

Avoid sugary, fizzy sodas to prevent acid attacks, and if you do consume them occasionally, drink them in one sitting rather than over a prolonged period.

What we do

Your routine checkup at the dentist in Stevenage will include the following:

• An oral examination of your teeth, mouth and gums. Soft enamel of your teeth indicates a cavity, while swollen and inflamed gums point to gingivitis.
• Several x-rays are taken if necessary, to reveal suspected cavities and highlight your supporting bone height and density to establish the severity of a gum issue or periodontal disease.
• Existing cavities are filled, plaque is scrapped from your teeth and gums, and marks on your teeth are removed with abrasives.
• We will ask you about your current cleaning routine and eating habits, and advise ways in which they can be improved. 

You might not like going to the dentist, but it is a necessary part of life. Make the experience easier in the caring and professional hands of your dentist in Stevenage.

Few people are entirely happy with their teeth, but many spend months or years deliberating about whether or not they should do anything about it. Feeling nervous about getting treatment, worrying about the potential cost and believing that there is not a lot that can be done often stops people from visiting their dentist.  At Smilecraft in Stevenage, we understand these concerns all too well and we’re here to put you at ease.

Regardless of the issue that is making you feel less confident about your smile, we can help. There are solutions for every possible area of concern that you can think of: including misshapen or misaligned teeth, teeth that appear very yellow or stained, and missing teeth to name just a few. Here, we explore the most common issues with the smile, and explore what can be done to fix them.

Misshapen teeth

The teeth can become misshapen for a variety of reasons. Trauma to the tooth or teeth can cause chips that make them less aesthetically appealing than they should be. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is also a common condition that can cause the teeth to become worn down and misshapen.

Fortunately, as your dentist in Stevenage we can offer a range of options to correct the issue. Firstly, if bruxism is the cause, you may be recommended to wear a mouthguard during sleep to prevent further damage. When it comes to fixing the teeth, you could opt for veneers or dental implants. The treatment that we recommend will be tailored to you as an individual, so it’s best to make an appointment to chat about the options available.

Misaligned teeth

Do you have teeth that are protruding or overcrowded? Orthodontic treatment could be the answer. Here, at Smilecraft, there is even the option of the 6 month smile. Depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, you could have the straight teeth you’ve always wanted in a matter of months. This is an especially appealing treatment for adult patients who may feel a little apprehensive about getting their teeth straightened later in life.

Stained or discoloured teeth

Many people find that their teeth become more yellow over time, and staining is very common too. This is a particular issue with people who have a history of smoking and consuming things like coffee and red wine on a regular basis. The tooth whitening industry is growing by the day, and there is now a huge choice of products available. However, the only proven, effective and safe way to whiten the teeth and remove stains is by getting treatment from the dentist in Stevenage.

Missing teeth

Don’t feel you have to put up with the discomfort and inconvenience of missing teeth – talk to us to find out how we can improve your smile with dental implants. They can transform your appearance and make you look and feel younger.

Whatever the issue, we can help to improve the health of your teeth and gums – and your smile.

Knowing that you have fresh breath can instantly make you feel more confident and ready to take on whatever lies ahead, but what if you’re worried that you don’t smell as fresh as you should? Fortunately, there is a lot that can be done if you’re in any doubt about having bad breath; and we at Smilecraft in Stevenage are here to help you with that.

Preventative dentistry

Preventative dentistry is all about looking after the teeth and gums before any issues occur. As your dentist in Stevenage, we can make regular checks to ensure that both are clean and free of any build up of plaque. If plaque has started to form on your teeth, we can usually remove it very quickly and easily. By doing this, we can make your teeth and gums much cleaner. The result of this will be that your breath is fresher, and it’s easier to maintain that freshness.

Establishing a routine

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to dental hygiene, we are happy to advise on all the things you can do to help keep your breath nice and fresh. We can give you information and practical help on the best brushing and flossing techniques, and how to use interdental brushes for the best possible effect. We can also recommend the best tools and products to use, depending on your age and the health of your teeth and gums.

It’s really important to establish a twice daily routine of brushing and flossing the teeth; and we are here to help make that as easy and straightforward as possible for you.

Are your teeth straight?

It’s a little known fact that teeth that are misaligned are also more likely to be unhealthy. This is because teeth that are crooked or overcrowded are often more difficult to keep clean and sometimes feature areas that the toothbrush, floss or an interdental brush isn’t able to reach. If this is the case for you, we may recommend that you consider some form of orthodontic treatment in order to help you get the fresh breath you’re looking for.

No longer the sole preserve of teenagers and young people, orthodontic treatment is now a popular option for many adult patients. As well as the fact that this kind of treatment can make your teeth look better, it can also help you to achieve better oral health and fresher breath. Who knew?!

If you have any concerns about establishing and maintaining fresh breath, we can help you. We can assess your teeth and gums to ascertain any potential causes of bad breath and recommend any treatments we think would be of benefit. We can also give you tailored advice on how best to keep your teeth and gums clean. Regular professional cleans from your dentist in Stevenage will make it much easier to keep breath smelling fresh in between appointments – so it’s well worth talking to us about these.