Answers to the questions we hear most often. Choose a topic to see its questions.
We are not currently accepting new NHS patients. We are welcoming new patients through our practice plan, an affordable way to get regular private dental care from £16 a month. Call us on 01454 313 913 or email reception@houndsroaddental.co.uk to join.
Our practice plan covers your routine care for a fixed monthly fee, with three levels to choose from:
| Plan | Monthly fee | Examinations a year | Hygiene visits a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan A | £16 | 2 | 1 |
| Plan B (most popular) | £23 | 2 | 2 |
| Plan C | £35 | 2 | 4 |
Every plan includes priority appointments and 10% off most private treatment. The discount doesn't apply to cosmetic treatment, Invisalign or dental implants.
The plan costs about the same as paying for your check-ups and hygiene visits individually, but spreads the cost into manageable monthly payments. On top of that, members get priority appointments and 10% off most private treatment, so if you need a filling, crown or root canal treatment, the plan works out better value.
Call us on 01454 313 913 or email reception@houndsroaddental.co.uk. We'll book a new patient examination (£75, including any X-rays needed), take your medical history and talk you through joining the practice plan or paying as you go.
NHS dentistry provides the care needed to keep your mouth healthy, at set national charges. Private care gives you more choice of materials and treatments, longer appointments and options such as white fillings on back teeth, cosmetic treatment and implants. Our practice plan is a way of making private care affordable.
Yes, existing NHS patients continue to be seen as normal. If you are unsure of your status, call reception on 01454 313 913.
Yes. You can pay as you go: a routine examination is £60, a new patient examination £75 and a hygienist visit £75. All our fees are listed on our prices page.
Yes. We have finance options available and we're happy to discuss them at your appointment. This can help spread the cost of treatment such as implants, Invisalign or composite veneers.
Our average wait for a new patient appointment is currently 2 weeks. We keep emergency appointments free every day, so if you are in pain, call us and we'll do our best to see you the same day.
Severe toothache, swelling of the face or gums, a knocked-out adult tooth, bleeding that won't stop after an extraction, or a broken tooth causing pain all need urgent care. Swelling that affects your breathing, swallowing or vision, or spreads to your eye or neck, is a medical emergency: call 999 or go to A&E.
Call us on 01454 313 913 as early in the day as you can and we'll aim to see you the same day. In the meantime, take over-the-counter painkillers as directed on the packet, avoid very hot, cold or sugary food, and don't put aspirin directly on the gum.
Yes, we offer same-day emergency appointments. Call 01454 313 913 as soon as we open for the best chance of a same-day slot. An emergency appointment costs from £80, which covers the consultation; any treatment is charged in addition and we'll agree the cost with you first.
Pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it's dirty, rinse briefly in milk or cold water, then gently push it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth. If you can't, keep it in milk or inside your cheek and see a dentist within the hour. Baby teeth should not be put back.
Usually it's not an emergency unless you're in pain, but book in within a few days. Keep the crown safe and bring it with you, as it can often be re-cemented. A temporary filling kit from a pharmacy can protect the tooth meanwhile.
Call NHS 111 for urgent dental care when we are closed. For heavy bleeding, facial injury or swelling affecting breathing, go to A&E.
Only for serious injury, heavy uncontrolled bleeding, or swelling that affects breathing, swallowing or vision. A&E cannot usually treat toothache, so contact us or NHS 111 for anything else.
It depends on your oral health. Some people need a check-up every 3 months, others can safely go up to 2 years. Your dentist will recommend an interval for you, in line with NICE guidance, and review it at each visit.
Most patients benefit from a hygienist visit every 6 months. If you have gum disease, we may recommend every 3 to 4 months. Hygienist visits are included in our practice plan.
Bleeding gums are usually an early sign of gum disease (gingivitis), caused by plaque at the gumline. Keep brushing gently but thoroughly, clean between your teeth daily, and book a check-up. Caught early, gingivitis is reversible.
Most bad breath comes from bacteria on the tongue and between the teeth, or from gum disease. Brushing twice a day, cleaning between teeth and brushing your tongue usually helps. If it persists, see us, as it can be a sign of gum disease or another health problem.
Sensitivity is often caused by worn enamel, receding gums or brushing too hard. It can also be a sign of decay or a cracked tooth. Try a sensitive toothpaste for a few weeks, and see us if it doesn't improve or is getting worse.
Both work well if used properly. Research shows electric toothbrushes with a rotating head tend to remove more plaque and reduce gum disease more than manual brushes. Brush for 2 minutes, twice a day.
No. Spit out the toothpaste but don't rinse with water or mouthwash afterwards. Leaving the fluoride on your teeth gives better protection against decay. If you use mouthwash, use it at a different time of day.
Adults should use a fluoride toothpaste with 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride (check the label). Your dentist may prescribe a higher-strength toothpaste if you're at higher risk of decay.
Yes. Dental X-rays use a very low dose of radiation, comparable to a few days of natural background radiation, and we only take them when they help diagnose or plan treatment. Our equipment is regularly checked and our team is trained in radiation safety.
Untreated gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss in adults. It has also been linked to wider health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. Regular check-ups and hygiene visits help catch it early, when it is easiest to treat.
Bring your child as soon as their first teeth appear, and by their first birthday. Early visits help them get used to the dentist and let us spot any problems early.
Yes. Children of plan members are seen free. Call us on 01454 313 913 to book.
Start as soon as the first tooth appears, twice a day, including last thing at night. Under 3s need a smear of fluoride toothpaste (at least 1,000 ppm). From 3 to 6, use a pea-sized amount with 1,000 to 1,500 ppm. Supervise brushing until about age 7, and encourage them to spit, not rinse.
Most children start losing baby teeth around age 6, beginning with the lower front teeth. The last baby teeth usually go by about age 12. Timing varies a lot, so don't worry if your child is a little early or late.
Fluoride varnish is painted on the teeth to strengthen enamel and help prevent decay. It takes a minute and doesn't hurt. We recommend it at least twice a year for children from age 3.
A thin protective coating painted into the grooves of the back teeth, where decay often starts. They are usually placed on adult molars soon after they come through, from around age 6.
Keep it positive and low-key: avoid words like "hurt" or "needle", and bring them along to your own check-ups so it becomes familiar. Our team takes things at your child's pace and will explain everything in a way they understand.
Yes, and you're not alone. Tell us when you book and we'll allow extra time. We'll explain each step before we do it, agree a stop signal with you, and never rush you. Many nervous patients start with a simple chat before any treatment.
No, it shouldn't. We numb the area with local anaesthetic first, so you'll feel pressure and vibration but not pain. We can use numbing gel before the injection to make it more comfortable.
Modern root canal treatment feels much like having a filling, as the tooth is fully numbed. It's usually the infection beforehand that causes pain, and treatment relieves it. The tooth may feel tender for a few days afterwards.
Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed nerve tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and seals the canals, and saves the tooth from extraction. It usually takes one or two appointments, and back teeth often need a crown afterwards to protect them.
Where a tooth can be saved, keeping it is usually the better long-term option. Removing a tooth can lead to neighbouring teeth moving, and replacing it with an implant or bridge costs more. Your dentist will explain the options for your tooth.
Yes. We accept complex root canal treatment, including curved or narrow canals and back teeth that are difficult to treat, and root canal retreatment where a previously treated tooth has become painful or infected again. We use modern techniques to give your tooth the best chance of being saved. You can refer yourself, or your dentist can refer you to us.
Signs that a root-treated tooth needs attention include pain when biting, swelling, a gum boil or a persistent bad taste. A root canal can often be redone (retreatment): the old filling material is removed, the canals are cleaned again and resealed. We'll assess the tooth with an X-ray and explain whether retreatment is likely to succeed.
Yes. If you've been told you need a tooth taken out, a root canal, or a large course of treatment, we're happy to give an independent second opinion. We'll examine you, explain your options clearly, including whether a tooth can be saved, and give you a written plan with costs so you can decide with confidence. Call us on 01454 313 913 to book.
A filling repairs a small or medium area of decay or damage. A crown is a cap that covers the whole tooth, used when a tooth is heavily filled, cracked or root-treated and needs more strength than a filling can give.
With good care, crowns and bridges often last 10 to 15 years or more. Brushing well, cleaning underneath bridges, and regular check-ups help them last as long as possible.
Yes. White (composite) fillings are matched to the colour of your teeth and are available for front and back teeth. Private composite fillings start from £150.
An implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once healed, it supports a crown, bridge or denture that looks and works like a natural tooth. Implants at the practice are placed by Mr Douglas Hammond, a consultant maxillofacial surgeon. To find out if implants are right for you, register with us or book an implant consultation on 01454 313 913.
With good care and regular maintenance, implants can last many years, often decades. The crown on top may need replacing over time. Smoking and gum disease increase the risk of problems.
Most healthy adults with enough jawbone are suitable. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and some medicines can affect healing. We'll assess you with an examination and a scan at an implant consultation.
A single dental implant starts from £2,650. Your exact cost depends on whether you need bone grafting and what the implant supports. You'll get a written treatment plan and estimate after your consultation, before any treatment starts.
Implants don't affect neighbouring teeth and feel most like natural teeth, but cost the most and need surgery. Bridges are fixed and quicker but need the teeth either side prepared. Dentures are removable and the most affordable. We'll go through the pros and cons for your situation.
Most people adjust within a few weeks. Speaking and eating may feel strange at first: start with soft food cut into small pieces. Come back to see us if anything rubs or feels sore, as small adjustments make a big difference.
Bite on gauze for 20 to 30 minutes, then rest. For the first 24 hours avoid rinsing, hot drinks, smoking, alcohol and strenuous exercise. From the next day, rinse gently with warm salty water after meals. Call us if pain gets worse after 2 to 3 days, as this can be a sign of dry socket.
Not usually. Wisdom teeth are only removed if they cause problems such as repeated infection, decay or damage to the neighbouring tooth. Your dentist will check them at your routine examination. If a wisdom tooth does need to come out and it's a difficult extraction, it can be done here at the practice by our consultant maxillofacial surgeon, Mr Douglas Hammond.
Yes. Surgical extractions, including impacted wisdom teeth and broken or difficult teeth, are carried out at the practice by Mr Douglas Hammond, a consultant maxillofacial surgeon. This means many patients can be treated locally in Chipping Sodbury rather than waiting for a hospital appointment. You can register with us as a patient or book a consultation by calling 01454 313 913.
Yes, when it's prescribed and supervised by a dentist. We check your teeth and gums first, then provide custom trays and a regulated whitening gel. Some people get temporary sensitivity, which settles after treatment.
Professional whitening, used as directed, does not damage enamel. Problems tend to come from unregulated products or overuse, which can cause gum burns and sensitivity.
Results can last several years. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking will make teeth darken again faster. Occasional top-ups with your trays keep your smile bright.
No. Whitening is a cosmetic treatment, so it is only available privately. Our professional take-home whitening, with custom-made trays, costs £380.
In the UK, teeth whitening is a dental treatment and should only be carried out by a dentist or a registered dental professional on a dentist's prescription. Whitening by beauticians or salons is illegal, and many online kits are either ineffective or unsafe.
No. Whitening only works on natural teeth. If you have visible fillings or crowns, we may suggest whitening first and then matching any new work to your new shade.
Whitening isn't carried out on under-18s except to treat a dental condition, and isn't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. We'll check your suitability first.
Composite veneers are thin layers of tooth-coloured resin, shaped by hand directly onto your teeth. They can improve the shape, colour and length of teeth, close small gaps and cover chips, usually in one or two appointments.
Composite veneers are built up directly on the tooth, usually need little or no drilling, cost less and can be repaired. Porcelain veneers are made in a lab, are more stain-resistant and tend to last longer, but usually need more tooth preparation and cost more.
Composite bonding and veneers at Hounds Road start from £250 per tooth. The total depends on how many teeth are treated and whether you have whitening or Invisalign first. You'll get a written plan and quote at your consultation.
Composite veneers typically last around 5 to 7 years, sometimes longer, with good care. They will need polishing and occasional repairs over time, which is usually quick and simple.
In most cases little or no tooth needs to be removed, so your natural teeth are largely preserved. This means the treatment can often be adjusted or reversed later.
Composite can pick up some staining over time, especially from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. Regular hygienist visits and polishing keep them looking their best.
Yes. Small chips can usually be repaired in one visit without replacing the whole veneer. Avoid biting very hard things like ice, pens or fingernails.
Brush twice a day with a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and keep up regular check-ups and hygienist visits. If you grind your teeth, we may recommend a night guard.
Often, yes. Composite won't change colour with whitening, so we usually whiten first and then match the veneers to your new shade.
They suit people with chipped, worn, slightly crooked or uneven teeth, or small gaps. Your teeth and gums need to be healthy first. If teeth are very crooked, straightening them with Invisalign first often gives a better result with less tooth preparation.
No. Veneers for cosmetic reasons are only available privately.
No. "Turkey teeth" usually refers to full crowns, where teeth are heavily cut down to fit them. Composite veneers are a far more conservative treatment that keeps most of your natural tooth. We'll always discuss the least invasive option that meets your goals.
Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of clear, removable aligners made for your teeth. Each set moves your teeth a small amount, and you change to the next set every week or two. A digital scan shows you a preview of the planned result before you start.
Invisalign at Hounds Road starts from £3,000. Every case is different, so after a consultation appointment we'll give you a written quote based on your individual needs, before you start.
Minor cases can take around 3 to 6 months. More complex cases typically take 12 to 18 months. We'll give you an estimated timescale at your consultation.
You may feel pressure or mild soreness for a day or two when you start each new set of aligners. This is a sign they're working and usually settles quickly.
20 to 22 hours a day. Take them out only to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth. Wearing them less slows your progress.
Take your aligners out to eat and to drink anything except plain water. Brush your teeth before putting them back in, to avoid trapping food and sugar against your teeth.
Invisalign is nearly invisible and removable, which makes eating and cleaning easier. Fixed braces work all the time without relying on you to wear them, and may suit some complex cases better. We'll recommend the best option for your teeth.
With dentist-led treatment, your teeth and gums are examined and X-rayed first, and your progress is checked in person throughout. At-home aligner companies may never examine you in person, so problems like gum disease, decay or bite issues can be missed.
No. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, adults of any age can have Invisalign.
Invisalign can treat many cases of crowding, gaps, overbite, underbite and crossbite. Some complex cases may need fixed braces or a referral to a specialist orthodontist. We'll tell you honestly at your consultation.
No. Invisalign is only available privately. NHS orthodontics is generally for under-18s with a significant clinical need, and uses fixed braces.
Yes. Teeth naturally try to move back, so you'll need to wear retainers long-term to keep your result, usually every night. We'll explain your retainer plan before you start.
Yes. Many patients straighten first, then whiten, then use composite bonding to perfect the shape of their teeth. Straightening first often means less tooth preparation is needed.
Yes. Check-ups, cleaning and most routine treatment are safe during pregnancy, and the second trimester is often the most comfortable time. Let us know you're pregnant so we can plan your care. We postpone non-urgent X-rays and cosmetic treatment such as whitening until after the baby is born.
Hormone changes make gums more prone to inflammation, known as pregnancy gingivitis. Keep brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth, and see the hygienist if it doesn't settle.
NHS dental treatment is free during pregnancy and for 12 months after your baby is born, with a valid maternity exemption certificate. We are not currently accepting new NHS patients, so this applies at Hounds Road only if you are an existing NHS patient. Our practice plan is available to everyone.
Yes, always. Some medicines affect dental treatment, especially blood thinners, medicines for osteoporosis (such as bisphosphonates) and some cancer treatments. Please bring an up-to-date list to every appointment.
Yes. Gum disease is more common and harder to control in people with diabetes, and treating it can help blood sugar control. It has also been linked to heart disease. Keeping your gums healthy is part of looking after your general health.
Hounds Road Dental Practice is at 8 Hounds Road, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6EE, a short walk from the High Street. We see patients from Chipping Sodbury, Yate, Old Sodbury and the surrounding area.
Parking is available on the High Street, a short walk from the practice.
Yes. The practice has step-free access, wheelchair access and a disabled toilet. We also have an induction loop and can arrange a signing service. Please tell us when you book if you need any help, and we'll make arrangements.
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9am to 5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 9am to 5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 8pm |
| Thursday | 9am to 5:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 3:30pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | Closed |
Outside these hours, call NHS 111 for urgent dental advice.
Please bring a list of any medicines you take, details of any medical conditions, and your previous dentist's details if you have them. Arrive 10 minutes early to complete your medical history form.
Please give us at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel, so we can offer the time to someone else. If, within a two-year period, you miss two appointments without notice, or miss one and cancel two with less than 24 hours' notice, we may be unable to continue offering you appointments.
Our reception team is always happy to help. Give us a call or send us a message.
