General Dentistry Gainsborough - Trusted Care by the Trent

Most people benefit from checkups every 6 months to maintain optimal oral health. However, your individual needs may vary - those with gum disease or high cavity risk may need appointments every 3-4 months, while patients with excellent oral health might stretch to 9-12 months. We'll recommend the right frequency based on your specific situation and dental history.

Absolutely! Many Gainsborough families choose St Mary's Dental because of our reputation for exceptional care, unhurried appointments, and genuinely caring service. The 55-mile journey via the A156 and A631 takes about an hour, and patients tell us the quality of care makes it worthwhile. We also offer flexible appointment times to accommodate your travel.

Dental checkups should never be painful. You may feel slight pressure during the examination and cleaning, but we use gentle techniques and can apply numbing gel if you have particularly sensitive areas. Please let us know immediately if you experience any discomfort during your visit.

If we identify any issues, we'll clearly explain what we've found, show you using intraoral cameras where helpful, and discuss all your treatment options. We never pressure you into treatment and always provide a detailed treatment plan with transparent costs before proceeding with any work.

Even with excellent home care and diligent brushing, dental plaque can harden into tartar (calculus) within 24-48 hours. Once hardened, tartar can only be removed with professional dental instruments. Professional cleaning also reaches areas you might miss and helps prevent gum disease, cavities, and persistent bad breath.

We are a predominantly private practice and are not currently accepting new adult NHS patients. We hold a small NHS contract for children only — parents wishing to enquire about children's NHS availability should call us on 01780 755005. Dental emergencies are seen privately (from £75) so we can always provide same-day pain relief. Routine adult checkups start from £55.

Absolutely! We welcome patients of all ages and have extensive experience treating children. We recommend children have their first dental visit by age one or when their first tooth appears. Early visits help children become comfortable with the dentist and establish lifelong healthy habits.

Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time, floss or use interdental brushes daily, limit sugary foods and drinks, stay hydrated, and avoid smoking. We'll provide personalised advice during your appointment based on your specific needs and any problem areas we identify.