Yes, we do accept referrals…

February 14th, 2024

A patient came to see me the other day.

And it’s fair to say it’s been a while since he went to the dentist.

Not because he’s scared or nervous, but – like so many of us – life had just got in the way.

He’d been busy with work, he’d started a young family, and of course, the whole pandemic threw a curveball in there too.

What made him finally come in?

Unfortunately, it was a severely broken tooth.

And as much as I’d like to say that we fixed it, the sad truth is that we couldn’t – it’s gone too far to save, and it now needs to be removed; he’ll also need a few other treatments to get his mouth back up to where he wants it to be.

Now, importantly, there’s no judgment or criticism from us – we totally understand the multitude of reasons why you might fall out of the habit of coming to the dentist, and we aren’t going to stand here and shake our heads.

However, this little story does highlight the danger of waiting till something goes really wrong before seeking help.

The reality is that these issues would have been preventable, with regular dental visits, and the overall cost far, far lower.

This patient isn’t alone – over the years we’ve seen countless patients whose issues could have been stopped at source with regular dental and hygienist checkups.

There’s a saying that goes, “Listen to your body when it whispers, so you won’t have to hear it scream”, and it’s definitely applicable to dentistry.

If you know someone that has a little niggle, or a slightly sensitive tooth, do them a favour and give them a nudge: you may help them avoid needing to go through extensive and expensive treatment.

Ketan


Smile of the Month – February

January 31st, 2024

It’s a brand new month, and to kick February off we’ve got an absolutely fantastic Smile of the Month to share with you. Our lovely patient Nerina first visited Dr Ronit Patel as an emergency new patient. She had a wobbly bridge on her upper front teeth, which was visible when she smiled, which made […]

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Marching on

January 31st, 2024

Time is marching on – I can’t quite believe we’re nearly in February. It does feel like an awful lot has happened already this year though – it’s been a busy 2024 so far at Brightside, so I thought I’d share a few of the things we’ve been getting up to.First up, we must congratulate […]

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The complete guide to choosing the right toothpaste

January 25th, 2024

It’s become a bit of a minefield in choosing the best toothpaste for your needs as there are so many different types in the shops. There are four types that you’re likely to come across: cavity fighters, gum guardians, sensitivity soothers, and smile brighteners. We’ll uncover what makes them tick and how they can help […]

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Should you use an electric toothbrush?

January 17th, 2024

Oral hygiene is an essential aspect of maintaining good health. While many people may understand the importance of brushing and flossing, the type of tools you use can significantly impact your overall dental health. The Importance of Brushing: Brushing your teeth is a fundamental step in maintaining oral health. It serves several crucial purposes: Plaque Removal: Plaque, […]

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A long, long time ago

December 14th, 2023

12 years ago, we were settling in for the festive season having celebrated Kate and William’s wedding, seen New Zealand finally win the Rugby World Cup, and witnessed the birth of the game Minecraft. Feels like an awfully long time ago, doesn’t it? 12 years is a long stretch by anyone’s standards, and that’s why Caroline, our […]

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Yes, we do accept referrals!

December 7th, 2023

I was speaking to one of our long-term patients the other day – she’s been coming to see us for years. But I was somewhat shocked by the direction the conversation took. Turns out she wasn’t aware that we accept new patients, so her partner – who had wanted to become a patient at our […]

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Celebrations at Brightside

November 25th, 2023

The festive season is just around the corner, but we’re starting the celebrations early today at Brightside, with plenty to feel joyful about. First up, we need to congratulate Minal – our Brightside Team Member of the Quarter. Minal only joined us in May, and has quickly become a popular and important part of our […]

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Not just standing up, squatting too!

November 16th, 2023

Cancer.  Sadly in 2023, it’s something that has touched all of our lives in some way, whether that’s personally, or through friends and family. And at Brightside, a particular cancer we play close attention to is mouth cancer, which we check for signs of during every single dental assessment we do. November is Mouth Cancer […]

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Brightside Dental Smile of the Month November 2022

November 8th, 2022

Conor visited Brightside Dental as he was unhappy with the appearance of his front left discoloured tooth. Following a consultation with Dr Ronit Patel and a discussion of all the available treatment options, Conor chose to have a root canal treatment followed by internal and external bleaching of the discoloured tooth. The root canal treatment […]

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