General Dentistry In Liverpool and Chelsea

Whether it’s your regular check-up or a more urgent dental issue, we offer personalised general dental care in calm, modern clinics designed with your comfort in mind.

  • Preventative care, check-ups and everyday dentistry
  • Trusted by patients across Liverpool and Chelsea, London
  • Honest advice and tailored treatment plans
At Dental Excellence, our approach to general dentistry is simple - provide care that’s proactive, precise and built around your needs. From your first appointment to long-term treatment, our team is here to support your dental health with confidence.

Explore our core general dentistry services below.
Dental hygiene

Protect your teeth and gums with regular hygiene appointments in our Liverpool and Chelsea clinics. Our friendly hygienists help prevent gum disease and maintain fresh breath and a healthy smile – especially important if you’ve had veneers, orthodontic treatment or composite bonding.

Fillings

We use natural-coloured composite materials to restore damaged teeth with strength and subtlety. Whether it’s repairing a cavity or replacing an old metal filling, our dentists deliver long-lasting results with a gentle touch.

Root canal

Root canal treatment saves infected teeth and prevents further damage – and our specialist endodontist provides care with precision and reassurance. Sedation is also available if needed to support anxious patients.

Teeth whitening

A safe and effective way to lift stains and brighten your smile. We offer dentist-supervised whitening as part of smile makeover plans or as a standalone treatment, with results tailored to your goals and natural tooth shade.

FAQs

Your general dentistry questions answered by Dental Excellence

Do I really need to floss?

Flossing is very important when looking after your teeth as it's able to reach gaps that your toothbrush can't. Due to the small areas between your teeth being hard to reach with a toothbrush, food, plaque and bacteria build up very easily. Left uncleaned, this bacteria and plaque can cause rot on your teeth and infect the gums. By using floss, you're able to get in between the teeth and remove this build-up of plaque and bacteria. It's important to know that flossing should be done alongside brushing, not instead of brushing. Often, flossing is something which people think they can neglect but it's very important. It is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss alongside this once a day. Flossing before you go to bed greatly reduces the risk of suffering dental issues as a result of plaque build-up. After receiving dental treatment from us, whether it's a veneers treatment or implants, it's extremely important to look after your teeth post-treatment, which means flossing everyday when brushing your teeth.

Does a rinse or mouthwash help?

Mouthwash is another option for those who want to keep their teeth clean and their gums healthy. Much like flossing, mouthwash shouldn't be used instead of brushing but if used in tandem with brushing, it can be very helpful. Mouthwashes that contain fluoride will coat the teeth, once swilled around the inside of the mouth, discouraging plaque from building up and providing extra support to the gums. Our teeth and gums need the help of additional chemicals to stay as healthy as possible, which is why we use toothpaste when we brush our teeth. Mouthwash is an extension of that, containing chemicals that can kill bacteria and coat our teeth in antimicrobial agents. Mouthwash is also used as a great fix for bad breath and is able to kill the bacteria which is causing it. Rather than using sugary chewing gum to battle the odour, mouthwash is a great, quick solution to removing the odour whilst giving your teeth a little protective boost. Mouthwash is also an effective combatant against receding gums, gingivitis and dry mouth.

What are early signs of dental trouble?

Signs of dental trouble can arise in children at the ages of around 6 to 7 when the adult teeth are just starting to come through. Once the baby teeth have left the mouth and the adult teeth are coming through, any issues with the teeth will become visible. Sometimes, even before any external factors have influenced the teeth, they can be crooked or misaligned. This is often due to hereditary factors and simply cannot be prevented before the adult teeth are in place. What is comforting, however, is that once the adult teeth are fully through, there is a range of treatments available to correct them.

Other signs of dental trouble can stem from habits adopted at a young age. For example, if you sucked your thumb regularly when young, this could cause a malocclusion, where the teeth point in an unnatural direction. Similar to buck teeth, if constant pressure is applied to teeth, this can cause them to grow unnaturally and lead to an overbite. Issues such as ulcers, sores and sensitive gums could also indicate problems with your dental hygiene and, if not resolved early, may cause much more serious issues in the future.

A common sign of dental issues is a toothache, which is a clear indication that something is wrong with your teeth. There can be a number of reasons why your teeth may be aching. Issues with the root of the tooth can cause severe pain, often due to poor hygiene. Other reasons could be that the teeth are too crowded and the pressure of them pushing up against one another causes the nerves in the gum to become trapped. Teeth that are still growing and yet to break through the gum, such as wisdom teeth, can also grow in an unnatural direction and, because this happens beneath the gum, it can be difficult to identify early on. It is not uncommon for wisdom teeth to grow at an angle, towards the other teeth, causing added pressure and toothache as a result.

Why do I need dental exams?

Dental exams are recommended as a key part of dental healthcare. They are a preventative technique, designed to identify any potential issues before they increase in severity and to help you maintain good oral hygiene. Without regular and effective dental exams by a qualified dentist, there could be an issue with your teeth that you have not noticed and cannot see yourself. Often, there are dental issues that are not visible and do not cause significant pain, but that does not mean they are not a problem. By having a dentist examine your mouth, they will be able to identify issues that you may not have noticed.

The exam is not just about checking your dental hygiene. Your dentist will also discuss your current eating and drinking habits, along with your dental care routine. They will be able to give you tips on which dental care tools to use, the best ways to use them, and techniques that allow you to keep your teeth as clean as possible. Depending on the state of your teeth, they may take x-rays and carry out a more in-depth exploration of your dental health to ensure you do not suffer from more serious issues in the future.

It is also important that these check-ups are regular, as the longer you go between dental exams, the more likely an issue could arise without you knowing. The more often you see your dentist, the better their understanding of your oral health will be, and the more effective their advice and treatment will become.

Are dental x-rays safe and needed?

Dental x-rays are entirely safe, just as any other x-ray would be on the body. The levels of radiation are deemed fully safe for the human body and will not cause any long-lasting health implications. The major advantage of using dental x-rays is that they allow the dentist to see beneath the skin and gums, where they otherwise would not be able to. This enables the dentist to identify issues that may have gone unnoticed. Getting an accurate look at the jawbone and how the teeth appear beneath the surface of the gums gives your dentist a clear idea of which corrective procedures may be needed, should any issues arise.

The two types of x-rays that are commonly used are intraoral, which is an x-ray of the inside of the mouth, and extraoral, which is an x-ray of the outside of the mouth. Intraoral x-rays are the most common type and are capable of identifying hidden dental structures, malignant or benign masses, bone loss and cavities. Tooth decay and other underlying diseases can be missed during a standard dental exam and may require more extensive measures to be identified. The time spent exposed to radiation in order to achieve these results is extremely short, and your dentist will ensure that enough time has passed before you undergo another, should it be required.

Do teeth need fluoride?

Without enough fluoride, teeth can easily decay, as fluoride contributes to the correct mineral levels needed to protect them. Fluoride coats the tooth and protects against acid from plaque bacteria and sugars that build up in the mouth. If teeth do not have the correct mineral levels, they are far more susceptible to decay. The minerals that build a strong enamel layer around the tooth are fluoride, calcium and phosphate. Without them, the enamel layer will not be strong enough to protect the tooth and can be broken down in a process called demineralisation.

Fluoride is incredibly important for dental hygiene and can even reverse early decay. Without it, acids in your day-to-day foods, even fruit, would attack your teeth and cause decay, as they would have no defence. With fluoride rinses and mouthwash, your teeth are effectively coated and the production of acid in your mouth is slowed, reducing the attack on your teeth.

It is crucial to have the correct levels of fluoride between the ages of 6 to 16, as this is the most important stage of growth for adult teeth. However, it is also essential for adults to maintain the right levels. Tooth decay is not age-dependent and can affect people at any age if they do not take active steps to prevent it.

How do fillings work?

Fillings are used to replace cavities left after the removal of tooth decay. Once an area of a tooth has decayed, it cannot be repaired, and to prevent the decay from spreading it must be removed. To do this, a drill is used to take away the decayed area, which leaves an open cavity. If this cavity is not filled, it becomes a hotspot for bacteria and plaque build-up, which would likely lead to further decay. By filling the gap, the structural integrity of the tooth is restored and bacteria are prevented from collecting in the cavity.

Traditionally, fillings located on the chewing surfaces of the teeth can be restored using a silver-coloured amalgam material, which is mixed prior to being inserted. This material is the strongest and most durable option for fillings, and it is also the least expensive. Another option is to use a tooth-coloured composite material, which makes it appear as though there is no filling at all. This option is highly popular and one of the services we offer at Dental Excellence. Using composite materials, the tooth can be restored while also improving its appearance.

Decay, discolouration and other issues can also be hidden using a composite veneer that coats the entire tooth. Composite materials can be colour-matched to replicate the natural shade of your tooth and provide a much more natural appearance. The procedure for applying composite bonding is quick and straightforward, and does not require intensive drilling. We are able to offer this as part of our Same-Day Smile treatment due to its simple application.

What do sealants do?

Sealants are applied to the tooth to create a protective layer that seals in important minerals and keeps out harmful substances. The main aim of sealants is to prevent tooth decay, and they are often applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to improve longevity. They protect the teeth from harmful bacteria and food particles, preventing cavities from forming. If you already have cavities, this will not solve the issue, but it can work as a preventative measure before they develop.

Sealants should not be used as a substitute for brushing or flossing. As with most dental treatments, they work best in combination with other dental care techniques. By flossing and having a sealant applied, you greatly reduce the risk of developing cavities, as sealants can lower the chance of tooth decay by around 80%. It is important that they are applied correctly, otherwise your enamel may be harmed and your teeth left exposed. If done properly, sealants can last up to five years and form a strong barrier between the tooth and harmful substances.

Commonly applied to the molars, sealants are effective at protecting the grooves of the teeth, which are key areas for bacteria and plaque build-up. The application process is very quick, as the coating only takes a few minutes to dry. Sealants are also strong enough to withstand regular chewing, meaning they will not usually need to be re-applied for many years.

What's the best way to whiten my teeth?

There are some methods that people regularly try at home, such as baking soda and various toothpastes, but these often prove ineffective and provide minimal results compared with the treatments we offer. At Dental Excellence, we take teeth whitening seriously and provide options such as composite and porcelain veneers, which can make your teeth appear glowing white in a single day.

Composite veneers are straightforward to apply and involve placing a layer of tooth-coloured composite material over the whole tooth to make it appear whiter. This is similar to composite bonding, but a composite veneer covers the entire tooth, whereas bonding involves applying small amounts of composite material only to imperfections such as chips or gaps between the teeth.

Porcelain veneers are a great long-term solution for whitening your teeth and can last up to 15 years without the need for constant re-application. This type of veneer can completely restore a tooth and make a full set of teeth appear straighter. The treatment works by removing a thin layer of natural tooth enamel to make space for the porcelain veneer, while maintaining the overall shape. Porcelain veneers achieve a natural appearance with a shinier, whiter finish that can completely revitalise your smile.

How can I fix my teeth and smile?

There are plenty of options for fixing your teeth and your smile, which we offer as part of our Same Day Smile treatments. Crooked or misaligned teeth are a common problem and can develop over time as a result of wear and tear. With our advanced skills and technology, we are able to apply veneers and whitening treatments in a single day with outstanding results. Our composite bonding treatments can restore chipped or damaged teeth by filling in any gaps. This allows us to essentially rebuild the tooth and create a more natural look, which, when applied to a full set, can make misaligned teeth appear perfectly straight. Veneers can be an even better solution, as they cover the entire tooth, completely hiding discolouration and making the teeth appear much whiter.

If you have crooked teeth or misalignments that you would like to correct but do not want composite or veneer treatment, we also offer Invisalign. This treatment uses a series of custom-made clear aligners that gently and gradually move your teeth into the desired position. Each aligner is worn for about one to two weeks before switching to the next in the series, allowing for precise and controlled movement over time. Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional braces, offering the same effective results while remaining virtually invisible. You can straighten your teeth discreetly and comfortably, all while maintaining a natural look throughout your treatment.

If you have suffered from tooth loss and have gaps in your smile as a result, these can also be repaired and restored. We offer dental implants, which involve inserting a titanium root into your jawbone, to which an artificial tooth is fixed. This prevents the gum from becoming infected through exposure and leaves you with a brand-new smile.

Are sweets and ice cream really bad for my teeth?

Sweets are often one of the worst choices of food for your teeth due to their high sugar content. These sugars break down and spread across your teeth as you chew, attacking the enamel. Prolonged exposure to these sugars, or eating sweets regularly, will damage your teeth and lead to cavities forming. A common misconception is that you should brush your teeth straight after eating sweets, but in fact this will only spread the sugar around your mouth and potentially cause more harm. To remove as much sugar as possible, you should wait around an hour after eating before brushing your teeth.

Ice cream poses the same risks due to its high sugar content, and you should use the same technique of waiting an hour before brushing. The temperature of ice cream will not usually harm your teeth if eaten in small amounts, but eating large amounts at once can expose them to very cold temperatures. More commonly with whole ice cubes, this intense cold can cause teeth to fracture or create microscopic cracks. If this happens regularly, it could lead to more severe dental problems over time if not corrected.

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