Common Dental Questions
Clear answers for oral health
Browse answers to common questions about oral health, treatments, costs, aftercare and patient experience at Attelia London. This page is designed to make dental topics easier to understand in a clear, balanced way. All information is general guidance, and suitability always depends on an individual clinical assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Topics
Browse a selection of the questions patients ask most often about oral health, treatments, costs and aftercare.
There is no single schedule that suits everyone. Twice a year is common, but some patients benefit from more frequent hygiene visits because of gum disease risk, staining, implants, crowding or heavy plaque build-up. The right interval should be based on clinical assessment.
There is no single schedule that suits everyone. Some patients benefit from more frequent reviews, while others may need them less often. Your dentist should recommend a recall interval based on factors such as decay risk, gum health, medical history, previous treatment and how stable your oral health is over time.
Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth, reducing frequent sugar intake and attending regular dental reviews are the main steps. Your own risk level may be higher or lower depending on factors such as dry mouth, previous decay and diet.
No. Professional cleaning and home care do different jobs and work most effectively together. Hygiene visits help remove hardened deposits and support gum health, while daily brushing and interdental cleaning are still essential for controlling plaque between appointments.
Yes, stress can influence oral health in several ways. It may contribute to jaw clenching, poor sleep, dry mouth, comfort eating, smoking or reduced attention to oral hygiene. It does not affect everyone in the same way, so the right response depends on the pattern found during assessment.
Yes. Early tooth decay, gum disease, tooth wear and some soft tissue changes may progress without pain or visible warning signs. That is one reason preventive appointments matter: they allow issues to be identified and managed before they become larger, more invasive or more costly to treat.
Oral health and general health are closely linked. Ongoing gum inflammation has been widely studied in relation to wider systemic health, and oral symptoms can also reflect medical conditions or medication effects. Dental advice should always sit alongside, not replace, wider medical care where relevant.
A knocked-out adult tooth needs urgent attention because timing matters. Handle it carefully by the crown rather than the root, keep it moist as advised by a clinician, and seek immediate dental help. The outcome depends on factors such as contamination, storage and how quickly treatment begins.
If a filling or crown comes loose or falls out, the tooth may become vulnerable to sensitivity, further fracture or food trapping. It should be reviewed as soon as reasonably possible so the tooth can be assessed and protected, even if the pain is mild or absent.
Some light bleeding or oozing can happen after certain procedures, but persistent or heavy bleeding should be checked. Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions and contact the practice if bleeding does not settle as expected or if you are concerned about the amount.
Yes. Swelling can suggest infection and should be assessed promptly, especially if it is increasing or affecting comfort, eating or sleep. If swelling is linked with difficulty swallowing, breathing or opening the mouth, it should be treated as more serious and not delayed.
Not reliably. A phone or message exchange can help triage urgency, but it cannot replace a clinical assessment. Safe advice depends on what is found during examination, and remote messaging should not be used to make firm diagnoses or treatment promises.
Bleeding gums are often a sign of inflammation rather than a sign that brushing should stop. Plaque around the gum line is a common cause, but hormones, medications, medical conditions and technique can also play a role. If bleeding continues, a professional gum assessment is important.
Periodontitis is a more advanced form of gum disease that affects the supporting tissues and bone around the teeth. It may lead to gum recession, pocketing, mobility and, in severe cases, tooth loss. Treatment depends on the stage and pattern of disease found during periodontal assessment.
