Health and Fitness

Invisalign is a modern and favoured method of teeth straightening used by millions of patients across the world to address the misalignment issues that are affecting the appearance and the health of their teeth. In comparison to other orthodontic systems and procedures the treatment time is shorter and Invisalign in Parramatta can correct the misalignment issues of your teeth within 6 to 12 months. It is better suited for patients who suffer from mild or moderate misalignment issues of the teeth so if you have more complicated orthodontic needs then perhaps fixed braces are a more suitable option for you. Invisalign can also be used in combination with other orthodontic treatments. You may begin orthodontic treatment with fixed braces and once your teeth have started moving then you may switch to Invisalign to complete the process.

Why choose Invisalign?

Invisalign is a great way of improving the appearance of your teeth and promoting better dental health. If your teeth are crooked or wonky then despite regular brushing and flossing it is still likely that bacteria and food particles remain in those hard-to-reach areas that your brush cannot reach. If your teeth are neatly aligned then there is less room for plaque or bacteria to build up and this helps promote better dental health and wellbeing. By addressing crooked and wonky teeth Invisalign helps transform the appearance of your smile. A neatly aligned smile is attractive and welcoming and it will help boost your self-confidence and bring positivity to all aspects of your life.

Am I too old for Invisalign?

Invisalign is suitable for nearly everyone. It is a gentle yet efficient orthodontic treatment and it can be used in teenagers, adults and the elderly. To undergo successful teeth straightening with Invisalign it is important that you have healthy teeth and gums to begin with. Your dentist will carry out a thorough examination of your mouth to make sure that it is appropriate to move your teeth. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy you are never too old to find out about teeth straightening at the dentist. If it is decided that Invisalign is not suitable for you then your dentist will consider other orthodontic options to help you achieve the smile that you are looking for.

What are the advantages of Invisalign?

There are many different advantages of Invisalign which is why it is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments across the world. In the last 20 years it has helped correct more than 13 million smiles and it still continues to help thousands of patients in dental practices across Australia. One of the main reasons for its popularity is that it uses clear thermoplastic aligners to straighten teeth. This means that the aligners are almost invisible and you can move your teeth at your discretion without anyone even knowing that you are undergoing dental treatment unless you wish to tell them. To learn more about the advantages of Invisalign, speak to your dentist and find out what Invisalign can do for you.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

 

When it comes to having misaligned teeth, the assumption can often be that you will need to have fixed metal braces. While this may be necessary for those with more complex alignment issues, it is not true for everybody. There are many different discreet treatment options available as the world of dentistry evolves and technology advances. One such treatment is Invisalign and a dentist Richmond may recommend this if you have an alignment issue such as a crossbite, over or underbite, gapped or crowded teeth.

I’ve never heard of Invisalign. What is it?

Invisalign is a treatment that consists of transparent plastic aligners. They are worn over the teeth and being clear plastic, only the teeth should be visible to other people. This means that you can have your aligners on at any time of the day or night, and you will be able to continue with your life as normal. The aligners push the teeth into the correct position and this can take between 6 to 18 months on average. You will need to change your aligners every couple of weeks and your dentist will provide you with the aligners you will need for 6 weeks, before you have your dental check-up and get more of them then. The aligners are made bespoke for your mouth, so they should be ultra comfortable to wear. Dentists will use an iTero digital scan to map the measurements of your mouth and these will be sent to the Invisalign laboratories, so that your aligners can be made to measure. They can also show you an animation of how your teeth will appear at the end of the treatment, before you even get started!

Will I need to wear the aligners all the time?

The great thing about Invisalign is that you can remove the aligners for 2 hours each day. This enables you to take them out at mealtimes, so you won’t have to worry about altering your diet or have to clean the aligners after eating. You will also be able to brush your teeth easily as you won’t have your aligners in your mouth to get in your way. There should also be time left to take them out for other reasons that you can choose. Whether you just fancy a little break to read a book or you want to go and do some sport without your aligners in, the choice is completely yours.

Do I need to realign my teeth?

Aside from an improved appearance, it is far more beneficial to have aligned teeth than not. Firstly, once your teeth are aligned, it will enable you to clean them properly and there won’t be any difficult areas to get to and for bacteria to hide! With misaligned teeth, you may have developed chewing issues or speech difficulties. You may also have developed some jaw pain. By realigning your smile, these problems could also be remedied, which is certainly beneficial alongside having an attractive smile!

Teen and adult ranges

Invisalign also offers a range specifically for teenagers, called Invisalign Teen. This is suitable as long as they have all of their adult teeth. Similarly, adults could be eligible for the adult range. A dentist offering Invisalign would need to examine you to determine the appropriate treatment. If you are offered Invisalign, you can look forward to a hassle-free treatment that is comfortable, convenient, and easy for you to do!

 

While most people will do everything they can to avoid the development of a serious oral health issue, there is no guarantee that brushing the teeth alone will be good enough to avoid the need to visit a dental practice. It is true that brushing the teeth twice a day will help people to steer away from the risk of developing the need for serious dental treatment, however, this is not the only action people should take when it comes to looking after their oral hygiene needs.

One of the most important acts that people can carry out when it comes to looking after their oral health is visiting a dentist in Tunbridge Wells for their regular oral hygiene checks, as doing so may help to spot the warning signs of a developing oral health issue.

The sad fact is that there are a growing number of adults living in the United Kingdom who are not registered with a dental practice, this then makes it harder for them to access any dental treatment or care they may need. Unfortunately this often causes any oral issues that they have left to worsen and may lead to a lowering of their overall oral hygiene standards. Later on this will also increase the chances that someone will have to undergo invasive dental treatment such as tooth fillings, root canals, or extractions.

Patients need not be nervous

One of the reasons that many people avoid visiting the dentist for any treatment they may require is the fact they do not like the thought of having dental procedures and this can make them feel very nervous. Many people conjure up an image of a person putting a drill and other metal implements into their mouth when they think of having dental treatment, a thought that many find unpleasant at the very least and this may stop them from going for the treatment they need.

Potential patients need to understand that if they leave a serious oral health issue untreated then it will only worsen over time, this can cause further complications to develop and may mean that they will need treatment that may have not been required when the issue first became apparent. Often time is the greatest risk factor when it comes to dealing with an oral health issue, patients need to be aware of the need for early intervention if they are to receive a successful resolution, without complications, to any oral health problem they are experiencing.

There is no need for any patient to feel unduly nervous when visiting a dental practice, as they need to see these places in a different light. Instead of creating a negative idea of dental practices, patients should see these places as havens of care that help to ease discomfort in many different ways, whether concerning dental pain or embarrassment due to the aesthetics of a smile.

Patients also need to understand that no one at a dental practice will force them to do anything against their will, each patient is in complete control of their treatment and all final treatment decisions are in the patient’s hands.

Find a dentist if you do not have one

There is no need for anyone to avoid going to the dentist due to nerves, as these are places that only wish to offer care and treatment to all patients who are in need of help and understanding.

 

 

We’re living in the Instagram age, so feeling self-conscious about our appearances is becoming more prevalent than ever – teeth and smiles have long held a high place on the beauty charts and finding methods to achieve that stunning smile has become more popular. Veneers in London, whitening, clear braces and bonding are all cosmetic dentistry options that are easily accessible and fast becoming standard within the beauty industry as means to improve our smiles. But how do you know whether you should be changing your looks? Is it the right thing for you?

Questions To Ask Yourself

When thinking about any cosmetic procedure, whether dental or otherwise, there are a series of questions worth asking in order to protect yourself against impulsive or rash choices that could leave you with financial or further image issues.

Why Do You Want To Do This?

This might sound like a really obvious question, but it’s important to ask why; people commonly think they don’t like something and that they need to change it without actually questioning why they don’t like it in the first place. Through social media and film, we are surrounded and bombarded with images of what we “should” look like, and because of this, we can start questioning something about appearance without any real cause. An example of this would be someone with an overlapping front tooth. Society tells us we should have straight teeth because that is what’s desired by the media; however, do you really dislike your overlap? Or is this an opinion that’s been given to you by “them”? Check-in with the why.

What Are Your Desired Outcomes?

Before you head into any cosmetic procedure, you need to clock in with your desires. How many times have you been to the hairdresser asking for a certain cut only to find the desired cut doesn’t suit you? The same can be said for teeth. What looks right for one person won’t always look right for you, so you need to manage your expectations before you go ahead with something such as veneers. Of course, there can be phenomenal results, but if you don’t have a clear look/exception, you could be left feeling disappointed.

Why Are You Doing This Now?

Not to use the hair analogy again, BUT…you know when you go through a breakup, and the first thing you do is cut your hair off? Well, sometimes when we’re going through a hard time, we reach for change to numb or divert from how we’re truly feeling. When you’re opting for a cosmetic procedure, take a moment to stop and realise why you want to do this now. For example, if you’ve just had a bereavement, a job loss or a divorce, you could be self-medicating your emotions by changing your physical appearance. The phrase “I’ll be happy when…” comes to mind. It’s better to give yourself time to check whether this is something you really want than to rush into anything; your dentist will still be there six weeks from now.

If you’ve recently decided that you want to make a real change to the look of your smile and you’ve done some research, you might well have come across Incognito. Incognito Weybridge is a great orthodontic system for those wanting to straighten their smile in as subtle a way as possible.

What is Incognito?

Incognito is a fixed wired brace system that works through the same principles as traditional braces with one major difference: rather than being attached on the outer (visible) side of the teeth, they’re attached on the inner surface of the teeth.

This makes them just about the most invisible braces on the market. Just like traditional braces they are made from metal and attached through a bracket system that is glued to the teeth using dental adhesive.

Why choose this system?

There are a whole range of reasons this system is becoming more and more popular. Here’s just a few of them.

Basically invisible

If you want a system that’s going to be totally unnoticeable to those you work with or family and friends then Incognito could be just what you’re looking for. As already noted they sit on the back of the teeth which means they’re out of sight to those around you. An added bonus is that none of the adhesive is put on the front teeth.

The results are life changing

For those looking for a beautifully straight smile Incognito is capable of delivering just that. It’s not uncommon for those suffering with overcrowded, misaligned or gapped teeth to spend large portions of their life feeling self-conscious about their smiles. Undergoing treatment to correct any of these issues leaves patients with a new lease of life, full of confidence and excited to start a life with the smile they’ve always wanted.

Fixed brace system

Sometimes people find that having a fixed brace is better than a removable one. Removable braces can be fantastic, but for those who struggle with the temptation to remove them more often than they should, they actually start to hinder the treatment progress and most braces that are less visible are removable except for lingual braces.

Fixed lingual braces are also capable of addressing really complex orthodontic issues that some other types of invisible braces can’t.

Speedy results

With the nature of them being fixed and using wires, lingual braces are capable of achieving really fast outcomes with people getting the results they want in as little as six to twelve months.

Great for professionals

For people working in customer facing roles the idea of visible braces can be a little jarring, but these invisible braces mean you can carry on with day-to-day life without any changes.

Summary

To summarise, if you’re looking for a high functioning, basically invisible form of teeth straightening then look no further than Incognito. Of course this comes with a cost, but most practices are now offering payment plans and even interest free finance options which make orthodontics accessible to everyone. If you want to find out more, speak to your dentist today.

Dental anxiety affects thousands of people across the UK. We’ve grown up surrounded by negative connotations of the dentist, so it’s no wonder so many of us end up wanting to avoid the dentist chair at all costs. So with that in mind, what can you begin doing to help tackle the problem with your dentist Liverpool? Let’s take a closer look.

Explaining Dental Anxiety

Before we dive further in, it’s important we take a second to acknowledge that there are different layers to dental worries, there’s anxiety which we will be delving further into today and phobias which we won’t be. By definition, a phobia is something that causes an acute physical and emotional reaction in a person and, as such, can’t be managed through simple stress relieving techniques but needs support from qualified practitioners within the appropriate fields. For this reason, this article won’t be focusing on these at all in this blog but would recommend those who believe to be suffering from dental phobia to seek medical help through their dentist Liverpool or GP.

Where Does Dental Anxiety Come From?

With so many people struggling with dental anxiety, it’s interesting to understand where it comes from so we can cut off the birth of these troubles at the source. In most cases, it comes down to two main contenders. Firstly, the media feeds up poor images and negative storylines of the dentist, and second, we’re often fed the negative views and opinions of the dentist from older family members. What’s super important to acknowledge with both of these is that dentistry is an ever-evolving industry and the standards of care and practice are far higher now than they were even ten years ago, let alone when grandparents are young. Take a second to ask yourself, have you ever REALLY had a bad dentist experience? Or have you been told about them?

What You Can Do

There are a few techniques you can take up in order to help combat your dental anxiety. For the most part, they are pretty simple but can make a big difference to your mindset towards the dentist.

Breathe

One key source of self-soothing that we often forget and neglect to tap into as humans is our breath. Taking ten steady breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth engages the body in relaxation. If you’re feeling anxious, take a moment to breathe and steady yourself before making your next move.

Get comfortable

You don’t need to go to the dentist for the first time when you first book an appointment, go ahead of time and get used to the surroundings, a familiar place is easier to relax in and a relaxed body is easy to work with both for yourself and the dentist, making it an all-round better experience for all.

Take A Loved One

Isn’t it funny that as soon as we become “grown-ups” we stop asking for support when we need it from others? If you were going to a stressful doctor’s appointment, you might seek help, but for the dentist, you might not. Break the rules and take your loved one; support will help you through.

Prevention is better than cure, or so the old adage goes, and this definitely applies to dentistry. There are a handful of genetic predispositions, but most dental issues can be avoided relatively easily and inexpensively. In the worst-case scenario, early treatment is less invasive and more effective than late treatment. This article looks at some of the pillars of preventive dental care and how they work in action.

Treatment of decay

The core of any dentist West Bridgford is prevention against decay. In the days of mediaeval dentistry, the treatment of decay, or the darkening of part of a tooth was resolved by quite drastic means, alleviating the discomfort and aiming to prevent the decay from spreading. This was done by seeking out the tooth worm, which has now been identified as a nerve that had clearly burrowed its way into the tooth and damaged it. Once the tooth worm was extracted or destroyed, the discomfort was relieved.

It is now known that this level of decay requires removal by drilling and that the remaining healthy tooth has to be filled. This minor restoration stops the encroachment of established bacterial colonies, which can dissolve the enamel and dentine alike and expose the underlying nerve, which results in the aching or throbbing sensation of a toothache.

Maintaining fresh breath

Maintaining fresh breath is one of the symptoms outside of discomfort that will bring people into the surgery. Your breath can be a very useful indicator of a high bacterial load in the mouth which increases the risks of other conditions as well as cavities and gingivitis.

In general, a lapse in oral hygiene is at the centre of bad breath. There is variability in the quantity and quality of daily maintenance, which alters from person to person. This is related to genetic makeup, differing the susceptibility to oral disease but also the species of bacteria in our mouths. One patient may be completely fine with the standard twice daily brushing and flossing, and another may require far more intensive daily care like the use of a Waterpik, flossing, mouthwash and tongue scraping to stay on top of their mouth odour.

Gum disease

Gum disease is characterised by the recession of gum tissue; this is a relatively late-stage condition, and its prelude, gingivitis, is very common. Only after years of persistent gingivitis is gum disease likely. For most patients, gingivitis flies under the radar and only comes to their attention after attending dental checkups for an emergency procedure. For those who regularly attend 6-month check-ups, this is usually noticed and addressed before it can cause significant issues.

As gum moves away from the teeth, the cementum is exposed; this is the yellow-like dentin material that makes up the roots of each tooth. Cementum is far more porous than enamel and can often be sensitive to hot and cold stimulation. Cementum is also far softer and more vulnerable to cavities and acid erosion. The root of the tooth requires contact with the gum to provide it with nutrients and cell-to-cell communication, but as the gum recedes, the tooth becomes significantly looser in the socket and will eventually be lost in severe cases.

 

Are you looking to update your smile? Do you feel embarrassed about the current state of your teeth? If you answered yes to either of these questions, consider Invisalign in Plymouth.

These clear aligners offer a great way to straighten misaligned or crooked teeth and can help make your smile goals an achievable reality.

Invisalign offers patients a simple and efficient way to revamp their smile

If you’re currently considering different teeth straightening dental solutions on the market today, Invisalign is a great contender. Not only does it help to correct misaligned teeth, but it also offers a range of additional benefits.

Enjoy a boost in your self-esteem levels thanks to Invisalign

For those patients who feel embarrassed or self-conscious about having a gap in their smile or are experiencing overlapping or overcrowding, Invisalign clear aligners can assist. They offer a great way to correct a variety of dental issues for people, including patients that suffer from an underbite or overbite and other common problems. Invisalign helps patients to smile with confidence and feel secure about the appearance of their teeth. This leads to a boost in self-esteem which positively affects aspects of a patient’s overall wellbeing be it in their personal life or career.

Patients that experience overlapping in their teeth often find that they struggle to brush their teeth thoroughly. This in turn can lead to a build of plaque occurring over time or even tartar. Patients then put themselves at a higher risk of encountering an infection in their gums and this could lead to a range of symptoms. By straightening your teeth with clear aligner trays, it will help to create more space between each tooth making it easier to brush and maintain a hygiene routine.

Enjoy dining out with friends and family without any menu restrictions

For those patients who may find it hard to bite and chew certain foods due to crooked or misaligned teeth, Invisalign may serve as an ideal solution. Thanks to the clear aligners patients can enjoy a straighter smile with an improved, stronger bite force allowing them to bite and chew with ease. If you find that you shy away from socialising with friends or family members when dining out due to certain restrictions with food items, this is a great way to create the freedom to eat without any limitations.

Up to 20 hours a day of wear

Unlike traditional braces which are fixed onto the patient’s teeth, Invisalign aligner trays can be removed periodically by the patients themselves. This creates more freedom to eat and drink and they are also able to have access to brush their natural teeth each day. It is recommended that patients wear Invisalign aligners for around 20 hours a day in order for the teeth straightening treatment to work successfully.

Invisalign aligners are customised for each patient individually

Did you know that one of the leading advantages of choosing to wear these clear aligners is that each treatment plan differs and is dependent on the patient. Some treatment plans may require less time than others and patients can look forward to enjoying tailor-made results following their treatment plan.

 

Good oral health is very important. It helps to maintain self-confidence and allows people to age well and enjoy a good quality of life. Taking care of the teeth and gums is also a vital component of protecting the health of the whole body. There are several ways that this can be done, including regular appointments with the dentist in St John’s Wood, maintaining a consistent routine at home and making positive lifestyle choices.

Maintaining self-confidence

Having healthy teeth and gums means enjoying a smile that induces pride and self-confidence. If a person feels good about their smile, they usually feel more attractive in general. This can help them to enjoy more positive interactions socially and to be more successful at work.

Ageing well

Someone who has good oral health is more likely to age with confidence. Today, there is somewhat of an obsession with preserving youth and ageing is often seen as something negative. Keeping the teeth and gums in good condition means that the smile can weather the ageing process. In addition, the person with good oral health is at a much lower risk of tooth loss, something that can accelerate the appearance of ageing and erode a person’s sense of attractiveness.

Good quality of life

Suffering from dental discomfort, sensitive teeth and tooth loss can all have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. If they are in pain or discomfort, they may find they have difficulty sleeping which can result in less robust mental and physical health. Sensitive teeth and tooth loss can mean that a person needs to avoid certain foods or drinks and then feel restricted in what they can enjoy. Healthy teeth and gums can reduce the chances of all these issues occurring.

Protecting general health

People who experience good oral health are more likely to be healthy throughout the whole body. They are less likely to suffer from arthritis, dementia, heart and lung disease and many other conditions.

Dental check-ups

Seeing the dentist for regular check-ups is a vital part of ensuring that oral health is maintained. The dentist checks for a range of issues, including the earliest stages of cavities, inflammation, gum disease and even oral cancer. This is an opportunity for resolving any issues when they are in their infancy, which means fewer treatments and less appointments are required in the long term.

Maintain a routine at home

Brushing twice a day for two minutes each time helps to remove bits of food and the beginnings of plaque and keep the breath smelling fresh. Flossing or using interdental brushes once a day ensures cleaning in between the teeth, targeting the areas that cannot be reached solely with brushing.

Making positive lifestyle choices

Stopping smoking, if that is an issue, is important for taking care of the teeth and gums. Smokers often suffer from bad breath, gum disease and tooth loss. Keeping alcohol consumption at low levels reduces the risk of oral cancer, and helps to safeguard tooth enamel. Think about diet as this also has an impact on dental health.

 

Your main aim when considering Invisalign Hertfordshire may be to benefit your dental appearance with a dazzling smile, but you will be delighted to know that the gift of orthodontic treatment is one that keeps on giving.

Patients are often told by their dentists to look after their oral hygiene. Much is said publicly about brushing teeth at least twice a day and flossing. Are dental professionals making a fuss about nothing? What is the real concern about poor oral hygiene and how can teeth straightening treatments help?

What happens when oral hygiene is not managed properly?

It is quite the norm to associate poor oral hygiene with dental problems such as cavities and tooth decay, but this is only the beginning of the problems you can experience when oral hygiene is not properly managed.

When the number of bad bacteria in the mouth is left to multiply, the risk of dental diseases like periodontitis and mouth infections increases. It is these bad bacteria that are the villains not only in dental problems, but also in creating havoc in other parts of the body as well.

The Oral Health Foundation supports the claim that poor oral health can cause or complicate medical conditions. Systemic medical conditions from cancer and pneumonia to heart disease and mental disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s have all been linked to poor oral health issues.

One research study conducted by a team at Queen’s University Belfast linked poor oral hygiene to an increased likelihood of developing liver cancer. The study concluded that people suffering from dental problems such as painful gums, loose teeth and mouth ulcers are at greater risk – 75 per cent more likely – to have hepatocellular carcinoma, a predominant form of liver cancer.

How teeth straightening treatments improve overall health

First and foremost, teeth straightening treatment plans help improve the level of cleanliness in the mouth. Teeth that were once misaligned or overcrowded are now easier to brush and floss. Teeth that have been straightened remove the challenges of awkward areas in the mouth that are difficult to brush and floss.

Orthodontic problems like crooked and overcrowded teeth put a heavy burden on certain areas of dentition during the masticatory function, which puts these teeth at risk of damage due to excessive wear and tear.

Wearing braces to correct an incorrect bite can improve your ability to bite and chew properly without discomfort. Improved biting and chewing capabilities benefit digestion which means better nutrient absorption. In this way, straightening teeth can help strengthen the physical body through nutrition.

Improved levels of confidence are another common spin-off of orthodontic treatment. This works in two ways. Firstly, an attractive smile is an easy way to raise confidence. Another is through clearer speech. Crooked and overcrowded teeth can affect the way you speak which has a negative impact on confidence and makes you less likely to want to engage with others.

There are very good reasons why teeth straightening treatments are said to have a positive effect on the quality of life. They are relied on for alleviating pain and discomfort, enhancing dental function and protecting oral health, as well as the health of the body and mind.