Bristol Flyers are All Smiles with CK Dental

The family-run dental practice that expanded their practice into Clifton last year has been supporting the local basketball team for eight years. And keeping the players smiling brightly seems to be doing wonders. The team is currently second in the BBL Championship standings.

The team at CK Dental ensures regular dental check-ups of players, providing them with the most up-to-date treatments. Principal dentist Cornelius Krause, who runs the clinic alongside his wife at 1 West Mall, as well as operating at the Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, explains: “We are huge fans of the Flyers, so we’re delighted to support them. We really wanted to do something to support our local community. I enjoy seeing my favourite players happy and performing at their best.”

Cornelius’s wife and Practice Manager, Sheryl added, “We feel the CK Dental brand is a good fit with the healthy and energetic basketball players. It’s also great fun for our team and we really enjoy attending their games and cheering them on. It’s a great conversation starter with patients in the clinic too!”

Coach Kapoulas stresses the importance of oral health

As well as attending routine check-ups, the Flyers have also received more complex dental procedures during their visits, including having custom mouthguards fitted for added teeth protection.

Bristol Flyers BBL Head Coach Andreas Kapoulas looks after the team’s overall health, including their oral health. We asked Andreas about working with CK Dental...

Why is the relationship between the Bristol Flyers and CK Dental so important?

AK: We are delighted about the continuing support that our players get from CK Dental. We take their dental support as seriously as other physical therapies. It is also great that we have links with the local community and a family-focused business.

We’d love more young people to get involved in basketball as a great and fun way to stay fit and healthy, and we want them to be safe when starting out in the sport. If a player wearing a mouthguard encourages the fans to do the same, then that’s a good result!”

Are tooth injuries common in basketball?

Dental injuries in basketball are common, so prevention and management of this is key! In fact, oral injury is one of the top five injuries in basketball games. This can happen when elbows hit the face accidentally or from heads colliding. More often than not, these injuries result in tooth damage.

How does tooth injury affect the players?

If not treated correctly, clashes that result in tooth damage can shatter a player’s confidence. That’s why it is important that the players get treatment quickly and professionally.

What about their general dental health?

General oral health can affect the team’s athletic performance. That is why all the players receive a comprehensive dental examination, at least twice yearly including pre-season.

Player and captain of the team, Mike Miller talks about his Root Canal Treatment

Mike Miller, currently in his second full season with the Bristol Flyers in Guard position, has attended the Clifton dental practice on a few occasions. As well as getting a personalised preventive plan, he has received more complex dental treatment in the form of a root canal treatment.

Luckily for Mike, the dentists at CK Dental have performed thousands of root canal treatments (also called endodontics), so were happy to offer this treatment on the Flyer’s star Guard player. In Mike’s case, the cause of the tooth infection was a previous injury that had led to inflammation around the tooth. The Bristol team had to act quickly to save the tooth…

We asked Mike about his experience. Tell us about your recent treatment at CK Dental?

MM: I was suffering with a tooth infection and it was affecting my health and my basketball performance. I had a check-up with Cornelius at CK Dental. He explained what was happening with my tooth and suggested root canal treatment to help save it, rather than removing the tooth. I was lucky that he caught it early.

I had to attend the clinic a couple of times. Firstly, to have the infection removed and the root cleaned up. I had a temporary filling for a while but I returned to have a permanent filling done.

How did they do?

I rate CK Dental 10/10! Cornelius is exceptionally professional, so I was fully confident in his hands. The clinic is also exceptionally clean and hygienic so this was reassuring. They gave me lots of advice on looking after my teeth and gums.

Were you a nervous patient? How did they help you to relax?

I always feel calm and relaxed right from when I walk in the door at CK Dental. The receptionists are always friendly and the whole place feels warm and inviting –not cold and clinical. I was nervous about the root canal treatment and how painful it would be but I felt at ease after my chat with Cornelius as he fully explained the procedure. I was given a local anaesthetic so I didn’t feel a thing. It was just like having a filling.

Have you changed your oral hygiene habits?

I’ve learnt a lot about better oral hygiene and I’ve taken on board advice they’ve given me about brushing and flossing regularly and properly, especially after the tooth infection that led to my root canal treatment.

How does your dental treatment affect your game?

I take all aspects of my health seriously as it all affects my performance. If the tooth infection had become worse, it may have led to other health problems so it was important to get it sorted quickly. I always take on board expert health advice and try to look after myself better.

What other dental treatments have you received at CK Dental?

They fitted a custom mouthguard that I wear in all of my games now to protect my teeth. It’s actually so comfortable I forget that I’m wearing it. The next step is a professional tooth whitening treatment!

A word on root canal treatments from the expert Endodontics special interest Dentist at CK Dental Dr Chris Hugh said: “There is a common misconception that root canal treatments hurt. I chat with my patients about root canal treatment prior to the appointment, taking time to explain the treatment. This reassures them.

“It is also nice to help patients maintain their teeth and return them to good health. In providing good quality root canal treatment this can help my patients to avoid having teeth removed.”