Face 
Dentistry 
Baby fever has well and truly hit the South West! Many of our lovely patients are pregnant and concerned about gum health during pregnancy, it can be difficult knowing what you can and cannot do during this time – here are some answers to your frequently asked questions about pregnancy and your smile!
I’m worried about my gum health during pregnancy, they’re sore and bleeding more than usual:
It is very common for the gums to become inflamed, with over 40% of women experiencing gingivitis during their pregnancy. Due to changes in hormones the gums are more reactive to any plaque left on the teeth. Continue brushing well with an electric toothbrush, introduce interdental cleaning such as floss, as well as maintaining your usual hygienist appointments. You’ll find that the cleaner the teeth are the less bleeding you’ll experience. Occasionally a red swelling will appear on the gum after the 1st trimester, this is called a pregnancy epulis and will generally resolve after delivery. If you have any concerns at all, please see one of our dentists or hygienists for advice.
Is there any dental treatment I cannot have when pregnant?
Routine dental treatment and healthy mouth reviews are safe during pregnancy. Ideally we want to ensure we detect any disease before it progresses as certain conditions, such as untreated gum disease, can impact birth weight. Although we tend to avoid removing teeth during the 1st and 3rd trimesters these can be carried out in emergencies. Local anaesthetic, straightening teeth and fillings are all perfectly safe. We don’t place amalgam fillings at Evolve so all white fillings are safe to place when pregnant. The only 2 things that cannot be carried out when pregnant or breastfeeding is tooth whitening and sedation.
When is the best time to book in to see the dentist or hygienist?
Usually the first 6 months after giving birth are a bit of a blur for the whole family. Between nappy changes, naps and feeding the last thing you want to do is come to the dentist. Our recommendation is to arrange an appointment for you and dad before the baby is born for your routine checks. This will help ensure good routines and allow us to provide prevention to help keep the family healthy.
I’m struggling with morning sickness and find it difficult to brush in the morning. Any tips?
As long as you brush your teeth in the evening and any other time during the day you will be protecting your teeth. If you find that late morning/early afternoon feels more comfortable then brushing at this time may be best for the time being. Try a smaller head toothbrush (such as a children’s electric brush) as this reduces gagging in most cases. It is important that after any type of sickness you rinse your mouth out with water to remove the excess acid and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth – this will help minimise erosion.
Are x-rays safe during pregnancy?
Dental x-rays are perfectly safe during pregnancy as the beam is not in the direction of the foetus and the dose is very low. However, if expectant mums are concerned about having x-rays during pregnancy we have lead vests available and can delay your routine x-rays until after the birth. Certain dental emergencies may however need x-rays for effective diagnosis and treatment.
I’ve heard that you can lose teeth when pregnant as the baby takes calcium from your bones and teeth.
Luckily this is just an old wives tale and it’s possible to come out of pregnancy with all your teeth intact! A lot of pregnant women experience serious sugar cravings, that alongside difficulty brushing due to morning sickness is often the reason for decay or cavities developing. Ideally, avoid sugary snacks, maintaining your routine appointments and brushing will help you keep all your gorgeous smiles!
Read our CQC report
Can you spot the odd object? 🔍
This summer, we’re proud to be taking part in the RNLI Portishead Lifeboat Station Spot the Odd Object trail! 🚤❤️
From 25 July to 29 August, explore Portishead, visit participating businesses and see if you can spot the mystery object hidden in each window - including ours here at Evolve Dentistry!
Not only is it a great way to enjoy a family day out, but every £5 entry helps support the incredible volunteers at RNLI Portishead Lifeboat Station, who work tirelessly to help keep people safe at sea.
📍 Visit our practice and see if you can find our hidden object.
👀 Don’t forget to complete your entry form for your chance to win one of the fantastic cash prizes!
If you take part, we’d love to see your photos - tag Evolve Dentistry and let us know when you’ve found our mystery object!
Good luck… and happy spotting! 🔎💙
#Portishead #RNLI #SpotTheOddObject #SupportLocal #FamilyFun #EvolveDentistry #PortisheadEvents #SummerHolidays
Will composite bonding damage my teeth?
It’s a common concern, especially for patients who want to improve their smile while protecting their natural teeth.
The good news is that composite bonding is often one of the most conservative cosmetic dental treatments available. In many cases, little or no preparation of the tooth is required, meaning your natural tooth structure can be preserved.
Composite bonding can be used to improve the appearance of:
✔ Chipped teeth
✔ Small gaps between teeth
✔ Uneven tooth shapes
✔ Worn edges
✔ Minor imperfections
Because the treatment is minimally invasive, many patients choose composite bonding when they want to enhance their smile without significant changes to their natural teeth.
Every smile is unique, so we’ll always discuss your options and explain exactly what’s involved before any treatment begins.
📍 Evolve Dentistry, Portishead
#Northsomerset #multiawardwinning #patientsatisfaction #patientsfirst #compositebonding #smilemakeovers #cosmeticdentistry #newpatients #naturalteeth #healthysmiles #healthysmile #acceptingnewpatients #nailsea #portishead #clevedon #portisheadmarina #dentist #smiledesign #bonding #confidentsmile #cosmeticsmile
Reading comments like this reminds us why we do what we do.
Helping people feel comfortable and cared for is just as important as providing great dentistry.
Thank you for your kind words.
You could be grinding your teeth every night… without even knowing it. 😴
Many people assume they’d know if they were clenching or grinding their teeth.
In reality, most don’t.
As Richard explains, while we’re asleep our brains continue processing the events and stresses of the day. For some people, that stress is released through clenching or grinding their teeth - but because the part of the brain that would normally recognise it is effectively switched off during sleep, we often have no idea it’s happening.
Over time, tooth grinding can contribute to:
• Worn or chipped teeth
• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Morning headaches
• Sensitive teeth
• Disrupted sleep
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, it’s worth mentioning them at your next appointment. We can look for the signs of tooth grinding and discuss ways to help protect your teeth before more damage occurs.
Have you ever been told you grind your teeth, or has someone heard you doing it while you sleep?
#ToothGrinding #Bruxism #HealthySmile #DentalHealth #Portishead #EvolveDentistry
✨ Looking for a role where people matter?
We’re searching for a new Front of House Team Member to join our award-winning team at Evolve Dentistry.
This isn’t just about answering the phone or booking appointments.
It’s about creating the kind of welcome that makes people feel relaxed from the moment they walk through our doors. It’s remembering the little things, taking pride in every interaction and helping deliver an experience that patients genuinely talk about.
If you’re warm, organised, love looking after people and enjoy being part of a supportive team, we’d love to hear from you.
Experience in dentistry isn’t essential. We’re looking for the right person with the right attitude - someone who genuinely enjoys making a difference to someone’s day.
If that sounds like you, or someone you know, we’d love to hear from you - hello@evolve-dentistry.co.uk
📍 Portishead
💙 Award-winning team culture
☕ Every patient welcomed like a guest
Please share this post with anyone who might be the perfect fit.
🚦 Travelling to Evolve? Please allow a little extra time.
If you’re visiting us over the next few weeks, please be aware that there are temporary traffic lights on the Portbury Hundred until 10th August, which are causing delays, particularly at busier times of the day.
We’d hate for your journey to add any unnecessary stress, so if you have an appointment with us, we’d recommend allowing a little extra travel time.
If you think you may be delayed, please give our reception team a call and we’ll do everything we can to help.
Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to welcoming you to the practice. 💙
“Great patient focus and excellent staff and facilities.”
Those few words mean a great deal to us.
Because creating an exceptional experience isn’t just about modern facilities - it’s about making every person who walks through our doors feel welcomed, listened to and genuinely cared for.
Every interaction matters, from your first phone call to the moment you leave the practice.
Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback in our recent patient survey. Your kind words remind us why we do what we do, and inspire us to keep making every experience the best that it can be. 💙
#EvolveDentistry #PatientExperience #PatientFeedback #Portishead #Compassion #ExceptionalCare
