What sort of feelings do you get when you think of the dentist? Fear, satisfaction, boredom? Personally, I used to think of it as just one of those things that needed doing, like getting your hair cut or having your eyes tested. I’d go for my checkup every six months, they’d count my teeth, tell me I need to floss more and I’d be on my way. I never really had that dentist dread so many people spoke about or avoided going at all cost, I was always fine. However, that all changed after a trip to the dentist that made me burst into tears.

You see, I’d always gone to my local dentist in a village in North Wales. Friendly people with that relaxed countryside vibe, where the receptionist would walk with elderly people up the road to the bus stop home and everyone loved a good natter in the waiting area. I’d had a brace for two years and apart from one filling at the back from too many sweets as a kid, I never had any problems. I felt safe. Even after moving to Liverpool for university, I’d take the hour and a half long journey back to my mum’s just to get my checkups.

Then a few years a go, I thought it was about time I found a dentist up north. It was crazy to go all that way back on the train, book the day off work all for a quick scale and polish. So I found a local dentist and booked myself in. From the moment I sat in that chair, I hated it. I’d barely had time to get comfortable when the dentist accused me of drinking too many fizzy drinks and that I needed to cut out sugar in my tea, both of which I don’t do. I explained my teeth have always had thin enamel and I very rarely have sweet things. I had water sprayed all down the front of my chest with no apology or cleanup and was told I needed five new fillings and removal of the one I already had as there was an underlying infection. After being told to book another appointment, I nodded my head with a lump in my throat and proceeded to run outside where I promptly burst into tears. Maybe there were problems with my teeth, she’s the professional after all but the way the whole thing was conducted made me catch the fear!

Soon after, I travelled back to Wales to get a second opinion and after X-rays and a thorough check of my teeth, I was told everything was absolutely fine. It’s been over five years since then and I have not had any pain or discomfort with my teeth. I may have escaped the fillings but ever since then I haven’t been able to shake the dread I feel every time that six month appointment comes around and now I get it. I understand why people tense up at the thought of the dentist or haven’t visited in years, it’s scary! It’s personal, having someone root around your mouth and trust that they are going to do what’s best for you and make you feel at ease. Whether it’s a simple check, root canal or something more, you want to feel comfortable. So when the opportunity to try out an airflow treatment at The Dental Cafe presented itself, I jumped at the chance.

The Dental Cafe

The Dental cafe in Garston, is the first of its kind in the North West. A dentistry boutique, The Dental Cafe is tailored to fit around a busy schedule unlike a more traditional dental practice. The sister site of Garston Dental Practice, The Dental Cafe is headed by principal dentist Dr Clare Robinson and an experienced team, fully qualified in delivering a range of treatments that use some of the world’s most advanced techniques.

Regardless of whether you believe your teeth and gums are healthy, check-ups are important. A dentist will check for so much more than just cavities, there are a whole variety of factors that they examine. This is why The Dental Cafe is the perfect. With their main ethos centred on problem prevention, The Dental Cafe offer several treatments designed to keep your teeth in tip top condition but with a fun twist.

Short: Scale & Polish £38

Tall: Airflow £45

Grande: Scale & Polish and Airflow £60

Venti: Boutique Whitening £199

Mini: For Little Teeth £38

My Dental Cafe Experience

I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t expecting the level of thoroughness my appointment involved. Sitting in the chair, Caroline began by checking my jaw movements were healthy and proceeded to have a good look round my mouth. After calling out numbers 1-3 whilst assessing my gums, she started the scale & polish to remove all the plaque in-between my teeth and followed up with the airflow treatment. The airflow treatment is designed to remove stains that have built up from various foods and drinks (thanks coffee addiction!). Described as a jet wash for your mouth, the airflow treatment is gentle enough to be used on natural, veneered and false teeth but can still remove even the toughest of stains.

My favourite thing about the airflow treatment at The Dental Cafe is the flavour. You can pick from a variety of flavours (mint, orange, cherry, tutti frutti, berry and blackcurrant) that make the whole experience that little bit more entertaining. I chose cherry and I loved it! In fact, I would have tried to drink it, if it weren’t for the gizmo sucking it away to make sure I wasn’t completely drenched! Obviously, it isn’t completely splash free and I would say if you’ve done a full face of makeup, I’d take a few bits and bobs for a touchup afterwards but Caroline was very in control and made sure it didn’t look like I was entering a wet t-shirt contest. A couple of my teeth bled during the treatments but this is perfectly common considering the depth of clean I required and not something to worry about if it happens.

After a quick mouth rinse, I was then talked through any issues with my teeth and what I need to do between checkups. When it comes to gum health, the space between your teeth and gums is important, with 1-3mm is considered normal. I have one 3 at the back of my mouth where Caroline explained my molar doesn’t have enough room to come through properly and because of that I have a bit of gum that flaps over. As a result, I need to pay extra attention when cleaning this part, to prevent buildup of debris which could potentially lead to an abscess or tooth decay. As well as a serious recommendation to start flossing (I promise I’ll start this time), I felt I’d come away with not only clean teeth but more specific knowledge on how to care for my teeth. I now know which areas to keep an eye on and most importantly, I feel much more confident about trips to the dentist. Yes it wasn’t all sunshines and rainbows, the dentist never is but The Dental Cafe put me at ease and I’ve already booked myself in for another airflow before Christmas. I think I’ll try tutti fruity this time!

Don’t dread the dentist, visit The Dental Cafe,

*I was invited to try complimentary treatments at The Dental Cafe but was not required to write a post for my blog. However, I found it so informative I wanted to write this piece to share my experience.

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