Abbots Oak Dental Practice

16/10/2026

⚰️🦷 Spooky Fun Fact! 🦷⚰️

Think your trip to the dentist is scary? Dentistry in the 18th century had a much darker side… 👻

Before modern dentures, real human teeth were sometimes used to create false teeth. With natural teeth in demand, body snatchers and grave robbers could obtain teeth from the dead and sell them for use in dentures. 😱

🪦 Teeth could be taken from recently buried bodies
🦷 Human teeth were prized for their natural appearance
💰 They could end up in dentures made for people wealthy enough to afford them

And it gets even grimmer — human teeth collected from dead soldiers after battles were also famously sold for dentures, eventually becoming associated with the term “Waterloo teeth.” 😬

Thankfully, modern dentistry has come a very, VERY long way since then!

🎃 This Halloween, we think we’ll stick to keeping our own teeth healthy — no grave robbing required! 😂🦷

15/10/2026

🎉💚 **We're Turning 25 in 2027!** 💚🎉

Next year marks a very special milestone for Abbots Oak Dental Practice as we celebrate **25 years of caring for our patients and their smiles!** 🦷✨

As we look ahead to our anniversary year, **we want to hear from YOU!**

We'd love to know what you'd like to see from the practice in 2027, whether that's new ideas, events, services or ways we can make your experience even better!

We've created a short survey to give you the opportunity to share your thoughts and suggestions. 💚

📝 **Have your say by completing our survey below!**

🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3782XPQ

Your feedback will help us shape an exciting year ahead as we celebrate this wonderful milestone together!

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here's to 25 years of smiles and many more to come! 🥳💚

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

15/10/2026

🦠🦷 **Did You Know?** 🌍✨

Your mouth is home to BILLIONS of bacteria! 🤯

That's potentially as many tiny residents as there are people living on planet Earth! 🌎

That's right… you've practically got an entire world living inside your mouth, and they're not even paying rent! 😂🏠

But before you panic, not all bacteria are bad!

💚 Many bacteria are harmless or even beneficial.

🦷 Some help maintain a healthy balance in your mouth.

🪥 Others can contribute to plaque, tooth decay and gum disease if they're not kept under control.

✨ That's why maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is so important!

Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth and attending regular dental examinations all help keep your little bacterial community in check.

**Because the only thing we want taking over your mouth is a beautiful smile!** 😁💚

💬 Did you know your mouth was home to so many bacteria, or has this fact left you speechless? 😂👇

13/10/2026

💚⭐ **Testimonial Tuesday!** ⭐💚

“No one likes the dentist, let's be honest...” 🦷😂

We know visiting the dentist isn't everyone's favourite activity, but receiving feedback like this makes our day!

At Abbots Oak Dental Practice, we understand that dental appointments can sometimes feel a little daunting. That's why our entire team works hard to create a warm, welcoming and relaxed environment where every patient feels comfortable and cared for. 🌿

From the friendly faces greeting you at reception to our wonderful dentists and dental nurses, we believe it's the little things that make a big difference. 🤍

A huge thank you to our lovely patient for taking the time to leave such thoughtful feedback. It really does mean the world to us!

And as for that final comment...

**“P.S. I'm team Tom 🙃”**

We promise we won't let that one go to his head! 😂💚

💬 **Are you Team Tom, Team Suzie, or just Team Abbots Oak?** We'd love to know! 👇

12/10/2026

🌿🦷 Meet the Team — Tom Gooding 🦷🌿

Next up in our Meet the Team series is one of our dentists, Tom! 💚

Tom qualified from the University of Leeds in 2015 before heading to London, where he spent the following years developing his skills and completing multiple postgraduate courses covering various aspects of dentistry.

Now part of the Abbots Oak family, Tom brings his experience together with a friendly, relaxed approach to dentistry, helping our patients feel comfortable and confident when they visit us. 🦷✨

When Tom swaps his dental scrubs for some well-earned time off, he enjoys playing sports, listening to music and travelling to new places whenever he gets the chance. 🏃‍♂️🎵✈️

🎓 BChD University of Leeds 2015
🦷 GDC No: 258831

We’re very lucky to have Tom as part of Team Abbots Oak — although we’re still waiting to find out whether his sporting skills are as good as his dentistry! 😂

Make sure you say hello to Tom next time you see him in practice. 👋💚

10/10/2026

💚 World Mental Health Day | 10 October 💚

Today is a reminder that looking after our mental health is every bit as important as looking after our physical health.

Life can feel overwhelming sometimes, and it’s easy to forget to give ourselves the same patience and kindness we would offer someone else. Whether it’s taking a break, going for a walk, talking to someone you trust or simply giving yourself permission to slow down, small acts of self-care matter. 🌿

At Abbots Oak Dental Practice, we also understand that visiting the dentist can feel particularly difficult for people who experience dental anxiety or feel nervous about treatment. Please talk to us if you’re worried — our team is here to listen, take things at your pace and help make your visit feel as comfortable as possible. 🦷💚

And beyond the dental chair, if you’re struggling with your mental health, remember that reaching out for support is always okay.

Let’s talk. Let’s listen. Let’s look after each other. 🤍

09/10/2026

🧛‍♀️🦷 Spooky Fun Fact! 🦷🧛‍♂️

Have you ever wondered where those legendary vampire fangs might have come from? 🩸

While the vampires we know from films and books are fictional, unusually prominent canine teeth are very real. Some people naturally have larger or more noticeable canines, while factors such as the position of the teeth or gum recession can also make them appear longer or sharper. 🦷

Centuries ago, people didn’t have our modern understanding of the human body. Changes that occurred after death could sometimes make the teeth appear more prominent — and in communities already frightened of the undead, this could fuel some seriously spooky beliefs. ⚰️🌙

In parts of Europe, archaeologists have even uncovered unusual burials associated with fears that the dead might return. 👻

Thankfully, today we know there’s usually a much less supernatural explanation behind a fang-like smile! 😂

🎃 So this Halloween, if you spot a pair of suspiciously long canines… it’s probably dentistry, not Dracula! 🧛‍♂️

08/10/2026

🌿🦷 Meet the Team — Suzie Mutimer 🦷🌿

We’re kicking off our Meet the Team series with the lady behind Abbots Oak Dental Practice — our owner and Principal Dentist, Suzie! 💚

Suzie qualified from Newcastle University in 1995, but her dental career began a little differently to most. Before Abbots Oak, she worked as an Army dentist, serving in Hong Kong, Germany and Bosnia. 🎖️🌍

She later returned to her home town and established Abbots Oak Dental Practice in 2002 — and more than two decades later, she’s still at the heart of the practice. 🦷

Suzie is passionate about providing friendly, personal dental care and has built a team that shares the same approach — making patients feel welcome, comfortable and genuinely cared for.

When she manages to escape dentistry, you’ll usually find her spending time with her three children and her ever-growing collection of pets! 😂🐾

💚 BDS Newcastle University 1995
🦷 GDC No: 70582

We think there’s no better person to start our Meet the Team series with!

Say hello to Suzie next time you’re in. 👋

07/10/2026

🥕🍎 Snack smarter for a healthier smile! 🦷💚

What we snack on throughout the day can make a difference to our dental health — and tooth-friendly definitely doesn’t have to mean boring!

Some simple options to try include apple slices with peanut butter, natural yoghurt with berries, cheese, crunchy veggie sticks with hummus, unsalted nuts and plain popcorn. 🌿

Choosing snacks that are lower in added sugar can help reduce the number of acid attacks our teeth are exposed to throughout the day. And foods such as cheese, nuts and natural yoghurt can provide useful nutrients for healthy teeth and gums.

💡 Our top tip: it’s not only how much sugar you have, but how often your teeth are exposed to it. Try to keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes rather than grazing on them throughout the day.

Which of these would you choose? 👇
🍎 Apple & peanut butter
🫐 Yoghurt & berries
🧀 Cheese
🥕 Veggies & hummus
🥜 Nuts
🍿 Popcorn

Let us know your favourite in the comments! 💚

05/10/2026

🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀

This month, we’re adding a little pink to our usual Abbots Oak green to help raise awareness and show our support for everyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer. 💗

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder to be breast aware, know what is normal for you and attend screening when invited. If you notice a change that isn’t normal for you, contact your GP.

It’s also a time to recognise the incredible strength of those currently undergoing treatment, celebrate survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and support the families, friends and healthcare professionals beside them. 🌸

To all the warriors, survivors and loved ones affected by breast cancer:

You are seen. You are supported. You are not alone. 💗

With love from everyone at Abbots Oak Dental Practice 🌿🎀