Health and Fitness

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.

 

If you’re currently looking to improve your quality of life and would like to find an efficacious dental solution for loose or missing teeth, consider dental implants Richmond.

They offer a great way to restore your smile, boost self-esteem and improve digestion amongst other benefits.

Dental implants can help to improve your ability to bite and chew

Do you have difficulty when trying to bite or chew certain food? Are there specific items on the menu that you are usually restricted from ordering due to missing or loose teeth? Thanks to dental implants, patients can look forward to having an improved bite force and are able to enjoy a range of food items without limitations. An additional benefit is that patients also experience improved digestion levels as a result, as they are able to easily bite and process food with less difficulty than before.

Choose dental implant surgery and enjoy a range of benefits

Patients from across the globe have been enjoying the benefits of having dental implant surgery and you may be an ideal candidate to share in their joy. A simple assessment is conducted by your local dentist to determine whether you qualify as a suitable candidate for the procedure. Once this step of the process is complete you are able to schedule the implant surgery.

For those patients who may be concerned about what is involved in the fitting procedure, don’t be, as this treatment has been clinically proven to be very beneficial. It is performed under local anaesthetic by a qualified dental practitioner.

The recovery process is short, and you will experience minimal downtime as a result so you can return to your daily routine soon after the surgery. If you feel that you may be experiencing mild symptoms of pain, or any discomfort, reach out to your local dentist. They will be able to recommend a few over-the-counter painkillers to assist with treating any symptoms.

Restore your smile and confidence levels with dental implants

If you suffer from low self-esteem as a result of the appearance of your smile, it may be time to consider dental implant surgery as your dental solution of choice. Not only will it help to restore your smile and replace any missing teeth, but it can have a positive effect on your confidence. Patients have been known to experience a boost in self-confidence levels following their dental implant surgery.

Enjoy improvements to your sense of speech and pronunciation

For those patients who experience difficulty when pronouncing certain words or phrases it may be a result of missing or loose teeth. Your teeth play an important role in your ability to communicate clearly and fluently. Your tongue works closely with your teeth in order to pronounce certain words and sounds and having a missing tooth may negatively impact this ability. Patients have found that, thanks to dental implants which serve as an artificial replacement for missing teeth, their sense of speech has improved greatly. This added benefit positively affects your self-confidence levels and may empower patients to become more vocal in the workplace or even at home. Patients who have previously shied away from social interaction feel empowered to be able to have a conversation with renewed confidence.

 

Losing a single tooth or several teeth is an experience that no one ever wishes to go through, as it is a painful and messy occurrence that will always leave a lasting impression on a person’s mouth. It can cause them to suffer all sorts of implications regarding everyday functions which should come naturally, such as eating and speaking.

Some who have lost teeth may decide that they want to avoid meals that are made up of tougher foods, as they may start to struggle to consume them. Others who no longer have teeth at the front of the mouth may try to avoid smiling as they may not wish to expose the area of the loss, wanting to avoid any feelings of embarrassment.

Most people are aware that there are dental devices available these days that aim to help someone replace missing teeth, bridges and dentures are examples of such devices. While these restorations can provide a patient with an easy and accessible solution to their tooth loss they do come with their own challenges that some patients may wish to steer away from, due to the fact these replacement teeth are not fixed into position.

Many patients who have lost teeth want to find a more permanent way they can restore their missing teeth, as they may wish to recreate the natural feel of the teeth that they once had. Dental implants Herefordshire can provide a patient with replacement teeth that are fixed in place and act in a natural way, that are strong enough to last them an entire lifetime when cared for correctly by the patient who receives them.

Hard-wearing

One of the main advantages of dental implants is that they are very hard-wearing due to the materials that are used in their creation, making them more than strong enough to deal with the rigours and hazards of use in daily life. Of course, the patient will need to care for their replacement teeth correctly every day with brushing and flossing regularly, júst in the same ways used when caring for a person’s natural teeth.

This is a versatile tooth loss treatment meaning that it can be used to replace a single lost tooth or multiple lost teeth, it can also be used as a way to stabilise dentures in cases of severe or total tooth loss. This allows the treatment to be an option that can be made available to a large number of patients with a wide variety of needs.

The treatment process

The treatment can be broken down into two parts that are used to add new teeth to the patient’s mouth; it may be useful to look at how a single tooth is replaced.

First, a titanium screw is inserted into the patient’s jawbone, this creates a strong base for the patient’s new tooth to be fitted to. The replacement tooth is created from a ceramic crown that is shaped and coloured to match any natural teeth that may be surrounding the area the new tooth is being inserted into.

Change is possible

There is no need for any patient to live with lost teeth as modern dentistry can provide patients with new teeth by making use of dental implants.

 

When you think of going to the dentist, you may imagine getting a scale and polish and rinsing with the pink water. What you might not be thinking of is popping in to get a more youthful appearance. And yet a trip to a dentist Soho could change all that. Some dental practices are now offering facial aesthetics treatments. It may sound like a strange place to go to get your facial aesthetics treatments – what’s wrong with the beauty salon around the corner? But the fact is, this is an industry that isn’t yet regulated in the UK and so visiting your dentist is arguably a savvy move. Why? Because dentists are experts in facial anatomy. They are used to carrying out delicate procedures and their dental practices have to meet the highest health and safety standards. As such, there should be minimal risk of infection and you have a highly trained professional delivering your treatment for you.

What type of treatment can I get?

Some of the popular facial aesthetics treatments that are being offered are anti-wrinkle treatments. These use an injectable solution that contains botulinum toxin type A. Your dentist will inject the areas of concern and the botulinum toxin type A blocks the nerve impulses, which allows the face to relax and the skin to appear smoother and more youthful. They also offer dermal fillers, where you have hyaluronic acid gels that are injected into the fine lines and wrinkles, and this plumps them up and makes them look smoother. Your body naturally produces hyaluronic acid and this is the substance that gives your skin its natural elasticity. As we age, however, our natural production of this starts to deplete and so the dermal fillers replicate the body’s production of this and give you a boost of youthfulness! Dermal fillers can also be used for facial contouring, as well as contouring the neck and hands. They can also be used as lip fillers to give you a perky pout!

How long does the treatment take?

The great thing about facial aesthetics treatments such as these is that they won’t take long to administer. Your treatment should only take several minutes, which will allow you to pop in to see your dentist during a lunch break, for example. No downtime will be required after the treatment and you won’t even require any local anaesthetic for anti-wrinkle treatments. With anti-wrinkle injections, you should see the best results within 4 to 7 days of having your treatment. With dermal fillers, you will need to have local anaesthetic, either mixed into the injection, or applied prior to having the fillers. However, it is not major surgery and you won’t need any downtime. Your results should also be instantaneous, which is certainly an exciting prospect if you’re a little impatient!

How long do the results last for?

For anti-wrinkle injections, the results should last for around 3 months, before you will need to get a top-up to maintain your fresh face. For dermal fillers, the results can last up to around 12 months, although it is normally 6 months for lip fillers.

So, if you are looking for a fresh face, surprise yourself by getting great facial aesthetics treatments from a dentist.

If you’re looking for a great way to stay on top of your oral health and ensure you have healthy teeth and gums, consider booking regular visits with the dentist Stevenage.

Not only is your dentist able to assist with general dentistry needs such as fillings and root canal therapy, but they can also assist with cosmetic treatments and preventive dentistry too.

Enjoy a glowing smile with teeth whitening

Are you looking to find a way to enjoy a whiter smile and healthy teeth and gums? Consider having a professional teeth whitening treatment which can assist with offering the ideal solution.

Patients can look forward to having their teeth professionally cleaned and then whitened for a truly glowing smile. An additional advantage is that you will experience improved levels of oral health and wellbeing.

The treatment requires no downtime so you can look forward to minimal disruption to your schedule and there will be no pain or discomfort.

Regular check-ups with your dentist help with early detection

Did you know that early detection is one of the most efficient ways in treating gum disease or infection in patients? It is a common misconception that you only need to see a dentist if you are in pain or have a dental issue that requires treatment.

Contrary to popular belief it is actually recommended that you visit your local dentist for regular check-ups in order to stay on top of your oral health.

In addition to regular visits with your dentist, patients are advised to have a dedicated hygiene routine that includes daily flossing and brushing. This will help to lower your risk of infection and any plaque that may be building up over time.

For those patients who may experience any mild symptoms and feel that there may be an instance of infection, reach out to your local dental practitioner as soon as possible. Treatment can be offered if needed and your condition will be monitored to ensure it doesn’t develop into something serious.

It is advised that adult patients have routine appointments with their dentist at least once every 12 months and for junior patients once every 24 months or so.

To replace missing teeth, consider dental implant surgery

Do you currently have a loose or missing tooth that you hope to fix? Would you like to find a way to replace your tooth with an enduring solution? Consider dental implant surgery. Not only does an implant serve as a natural feeling replacement for missing teeth due to the artificial root, but it offers functionality to patients as well.

Dental implants can help patients to bite and chew as well as improve their ease of speech. In addition, dental implant surgery has been known to help improve your self-confidence and can empower patients to live a better quality of life.

If you find that you feel embarrassed about your smile or that you shy away from social interaction with others as a result of your missing tooth, dental implants are an ideal solution. They are barely visible and appear similar to your natural teeth so that they cannot be easily detected. They also function in a similar way so you can enjoy dining out and socialising without having to worry about any limitations.

With the right care and hygiene routine your dental implant can last for many years.

 

When thinking about attending your next routine dental check-up, or even the next photograph you are due to be in, it is unsurprising that crooked teeth may be playing on your mind. Many people experience some level of self-consciousness in a smile which is not what they desire it to be. Alternatively, you could be looking into treatment for crooked teeth due to health reasons. You could be experiencing plaque build up or decay due to insufficient cleaning caused by crooked teeth. Perhaps your teeth are worn down due to crossbite, or you are aware that overbite or underbite are causing you trouble. If any (or many) of these things resonate with you, then don’t lose hope. There are lots of options for correcting these problems, and your friendly dentist at Smile Care Dental Clinic would be thrilled to discuss these with you. Following a detailed examination of your teeth and mouth, your dentist may suggest that Invisalign Leicester could be a good option for you.

What is Invisalign?

It’s possible that you may be able to work out from the name that invisalign is a method of realigning the teeth utilising clear (invisible) braces. The braces are made with flexible clear material, and worn similarly to a sports mouth guard. Multiple aligners are used, consecutively, each slightly different from the last. It is by these small changes that progression is made from your starting point towards your end goal (when the aligners are worn correctly).

How does it work?

Understandably, now that you know what invisalign is, you would like to know how it works. As with many treatment plans, Invisalign begins with a consultation with a qualified dentist, usually following an appointment in which it is agreed that this is a good care plan for your needs. They can discuss the process with you in detail. You can expect to have your mouth and teeth assessed at this appointment and then, at Smile Care Dental Clinic, they will use the Clin-Check program from Invisalign to show you a 3D image of your mouth and teeth. Through the use of this program, it is possible to show you how your teeth can be expected to move. Also, in discussion with you, you and your dentist can form an end goal for your treatment which again can be viewed on the Clin-Check program. This amazing technology therefore shows you what you can expect at the end of your personalised care plan.

Not only this, but the personalisation extends to the aligners too. Of course, they are made for your mouth, so you can expect them to fit your teeth well. Along with this, they can be trimmed down to help reduce the possibility of rubbing against your gums, enhancing the comfort you feel throughout the process of wearing them.

After your consultation your individual aligners will be made and you will be invited back to an appointment to check the fit of them, and for your dentist to give you the first couple of aligners to take home. This provides you with another opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Following this, for the course of the care plan, you will be invited for regular progress check-ups, where you may also expect to receive the next set of aligners.

The length of invisalign treatment plans is variable depending on each individual patient. But as a guide it can take between 6 and 24 months for your teeth to progressively move to their new placement. It is important to continue to wear your aligners when your treatment has finished to maintain this new position.

There are many benefits to pursuing straighter teeth, especially because having teeth which are more aligned allows you to clean your teeth more accurately, thus improving your overall oral hygiene. This, in turn, can extend the lifetime of your natural teeth (alongside regular dental check ups) by helping to reduce the damage caused by plaque build up or decay. If confidence in your smile was previously lacking, you may also find that this increases as you progress through your treatment plan to your desired outcome.

So, if you are interested in finding out more, please don’t hesitate to contact your dentist at Smile Care Dental Clinic where one of their friendly team would be delighted to explore this with you further.

 

Some of the most common dental health issues among adults in the UK are those concerning teeth which are crooked or protruding. These types of conditions can cause a patient to have to live with further oral health complications which might be avoidable with the use of tooth alignment treatment. Many patients who live with misaligned teeth report having to live with some level of discomfort or pain within their mouth on an almost daily basis, as in a large number of cases they may be living with problems such as tooth decay or plaque build-up.

The main problem many adults who are living with misaligned teeth have is that they struggle to keep their teeth fully clean when using brushing or flossing on a twice-daily basis. This can put their oral hygiene standards at risk and may promote the development of oral health issues. If these patients can be encouraged to engage with tooth alignment treatment as a way to gain straight teeth this should then help them to gain improvements in the oral health and hygiene standards that they enjoy in their daily lives.

When adults begin to look into receiving teeth alignment treatment they are looking for a method that can address two main criteria, it must give them the great results they are looking for and should not make their mouth look unappealing to others during the treatment process. This is where a modern treatment such as Invisalign Luton can play a perfect role in the treatment of many patients.

The need to prepare for treatment

Before undergoing any tooth alignment treatment a patient must ensure that they prepare correctly for what may be a lengthy treatment process, as the procedure may take twelve to eighteen months to fully complete.

It is important that any patient undergoing treatment with Invisalign maintains high standards within their daily oral cleaning and hygiene routines, as the treatment can cause a patient to be at greater risk of developing dental health complications, making cleaning the teeth and aligner during treatment a vital activity.

The patient must attend a consultation appointment with a dentist or orthodontist in order to ensure that tooth alignment treatment is the right course of action in their case. At this appointment, the patient’s mouth and teeth can be examined and the options available to them can be fully outlined and discussed with them before a final treatment decision is made.

Resolving common oral health problems

As already talked about, tooth alignment treatment can allow the patient to improve their oral hygiene standards by making the teeth easier to navigate when flossing or brushing, but this is not the only problem orthodontics can resolve.

Many patients who live with misaligned teeth also report experiencing weakness in their bite, this can lead to difficulties when consuming tougher foods. By aligning a patient’s teeth correctly added strength can be built into their bite and this will make eating a more enjoyable activity.

Make the change

There is no need for any adult in the UK to live with misaligned teeth, as there are modern treatments such as Invisalign available that can help most patients gain the straight teeth that they desire.

 

Teeth straightening methods are commonly associated with pain, so it may surprise you to learn that there are now straightening options that offer minimum discomfort throughout the process. One such option is Invisalign St Albans. Invisalign is a type of clear brace which is used to achieve greater tooth alignment. Several of these aligners are used, consecutively, to progressively move the teeth from one position to another. Each of these aligners is marginally different from the last, thus causing the teeth to move.

What kind of cases can be treated with Invisalign braces?

Many different dental issues can be addressed through the use of Invisalign aligners. Whether your teeth are overcrowded or overspaced, you could be a candidate for an Invisalign care plan. Overbite, underbite and crossbite are all treatable with these clear aligners. They can be used for both adults and teenagers so if you are an adolescent (or a parent of one) these transparent braces could also be an option for you. To get a better idea as to whether Invisalign is a suitable treatment for you, book a consultation with a qualified Invisalign practitioner.

What does the process of Invisalign look like?

To begin with, your invisalign dentist will utilise a few different tools to create your personalised plan. These can include: photos, X-rays, impressions and digital scans. A 3D image can then be created which would allow you to view your end goal digitally.

The impressions and scans would be sent off for your customised braces to then be made. These are designed to fit your teeth snugly, allowing for little movement, and can be trimmed to fit your gum line in order to reduce the chances of discomfort caused by rubbing. When the aligners are ready, you will be invited for an appointment to check the fit of your first aligner, and to receive the instructions and aligners you need before your next check-up.

Check-ups happen regularly in order for your dentist to be able to see what kind of progress your teeth are making. This also affords you the opportunity to make any enquiries that you may want to throughout the process.

Because each patient is different, it is important to recognise that the full process will take varying lengths of time depending on an individual’s needs. As a rough guide, treatment can take anywhere from 6-24 months to complete, and when your teeth are in their final position you must ensure that you continue to wear your aligners to maintain this.

Are there any advantages to the process that I should be aware of?

Absolutely! There are lots of advantages to using clear aligners to realign your teeth. Firstly, they are removable, giving you the freedom to eat and drink as you wish, remove them for sports if necessary (it is important to make sure that you wear them for the recommended 22 hours daily) and also enabling you to take them out for teeth cleaning. In turn, maintaining good oral health is a benefit to the lifespan of your teeth, and can help towards preventing other dental problems.

Your treatment plan is created in advance. This gives you the benefit of predictability through the knowledge of when each change in your aligners should come, and how long the overall process should take. In addition to this, the transparency of the braces means that they are unlikely to be noticed by friends and colleagues. This may improve your confidence in your journey to straighter teeth. Results can start to be seen in as little as one month!

 

You may not believe it, but there are people just like you who have missing teeth and haven’t done anything about it. Whether it’s because they’re nervous about having treatment, or they think they can just make do without replacing their natural teeth, the fact is that leaving gaps in your smile can lead to further health issues for your remaining teeth and gums. It is really important that you bite the metaphorical bullet and head to see a dentist in Ipswich to discuss a treatment that is the next best thing to having your natural teeth. Dental implants are used as a method for securing replacement teeth in your mouth permanently, all the time, just like your natural teeth.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants are titanium screws that are attached to your jawbone. The gums heal around them to fix them into place. The screws then act as artificial roots for your replacement teeth to be attached to and, once they are, they shouldn’t go anywhere. You won’t need to worry about taking them out at night and you only have to brush and floss to take care of them, as well as visit your dentist for your routine check-up appointments. It couldn’t be simpler to get your smile back on track. Dental implants don’t require major surgery to have them fitted either. You just need to go for a couple of appointments to have them fixed. During the first appointment you will have the screws attached to your jawbone and temporary replacement teeth will be attached to them. After this, you will need to wait a few weeks while your gums heal, before you return to your dentist to have the permanent replacement teeth attached to the screws. After this, you could have your dental implants for a lifetime, if you take care of them.

Any other positives for having dental implants?

The great thing about dental implants is that nobody should realise that you don’t have all of your natural teeth. What’s more, by filling in the gaps in your smile, you are protecting the teeth and gums from being exposed more to bacteria and developing further issues. If you had jaw pain, chewing or speech difficulties, you could also find that these improve, once you have dental implants. Another benefit of dental implants fitted is the fact that it could help your face to look younger as well! Sometimes, when you have missing teeth, your face loses its structure and can look shrunken. By replacing your missing teeth, you give the skin the support it needs to look fuller and healthier, and more youthful too!

Can anyone have dental implants?

Some people may not be eligible for dental implants, and this may be because they have gum disease, for example. The best way to find out whether or not dental implants are right for you is to visit a dental implant dentist and let them examine your mouth during a consultation. They will then be able to explore the treatment options with you. If dental implants are considered a suitable treatment, however, you could have your beautiful smile back in your life again; you don’t have to miss out!

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For people who suffer from bad breath, it can actually be really debilitating and upsetting. Halitosis (the proper name) can linger on and on and cause disruption and frustration, especially if you don’t understand why or where it has come from. So, how can you get to the bottom of the bad breath blues? Your dentist Dublin is the place to turn to.

The Science Bit

Our mouths are actually filled with thousands and thousands of bacteria, and because of all these bacteria, in most cases, the actual cause of bad breath is simply bad bacteria and a dirty mouth. Food gets trapped between our teeth all the time, particularly along the gum line, which is a real hotbed for all the bacteria we really don’t want. This area is very often neglected when cleaning as lots of people still don’t engage in regular flossing.

Of course, there are other reasons for bad breath, such as the consumption of strong-smelling foods. And there are medical reasons too, as some medications actually dry out the mouth, and the lack of saliva causes bad breath.

Diagnosis

When it comes to bad breath, the most important thing you can do is determine the cause; if it’s being caused by poor oral care, you need to know. If it’s being caused by medication, you need to know. If it’s being caused by a medical condition, yah you guessed it – YOU NEED TO KNOW! And who can give you this info… your dentist. Your dentist will be able to give you a quick inspection to find the source of the smell, and from there, you can work on a plan of action together.

Top Tips To Improve Your Breath

Here’s a little overview of things you can do to keep your breath minty fresh.

BRUSH YOUR TEETH AND FLOSS

It’s still so common for people to brush once a day and not floss, and this is a big mistake not only for your breath but for your general oral health. Flossing and brushing will get rid of the hard-to-reach bacteria if done correctly and regularly. If you’re unsure about any techniques, there are hundreds of online sources with all the information you need.

CLEAN YOUR TONGUE

People forget that their tongues are a part of their mouth and, as such, should be counted into their oral hygiene routines. It doesn’t take much to clean your tongue, just a little toothpaste and a good scrub. You can take tongue health to new heights if you engage in tongue scraping.

STAY HYDRATED

As we’ve already touched on, if you don’t stay hydrated, your mouth will start to smell. Saliva keeps the mouth smelling fresh, which is why you get ‘morning breath’ after sleep. Salvia constantly cleans your mouth without you realising it, so drink up.

BE MINDFUL

Eat what you want, but just be mindful that certain foods will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth; it’s not going to do you any harm to carry a travel toothbrush and use it after meals.