Managing Your Child’s Fear of the Dentist
Lots of children are happy to come to the dentist and many even enjoy it! For one reason or another, some are not and this anxiety can range from mild nerves to panic and refusal to be seen. While it is upsetting to have to force a stressed child into the dentist chair (and we wouldn’t advise it) it is important to look after their oral health. Here are some tips that we have found to work after many years of seeing nervous children at our dental practice.
- Bring them with you to your check-up appointments to show them it is nothing to fear. This can be a very effective way for them to get used to the dentist, but don’t bring them to filling appointments as the drills can be off putting for them.
- Start dental visits while they are young. It is unlikely that your child will have any problems, but starting the appointments when they are young means they will see how quick and easy it all is and they will be familiar with us.
- Communicate with them, but don’t overdo it. Telling your child at the last minute that they are going to the dentist can cause anxiety for them, give them a little bit of notice so they can feel prepared. Use phrases like “the dentist just wants to see how many teeth you have” or “the dentist wants to see how big and strong your teeth are”. These phrases are better than scary phrases like “you have to go to the dentist so he can see if you have been eating too many sweets”.
- Play dentist at home. Play at being the dentist and let your child be dentist to you so they can make it a fun experience at home. It will get them used to opening their mouth and having their teeth checked.
- Read dental story books. There are many dental story books available filled with easy fun trips to the dentist. These books can be a good way of letting your child know what to expect from the dentist and making them feel reassured.
- Teach your child the importance of good oral hygiene. Keeping on top of brushing twice a day and reducing sugary snacks will increase the chances of an easy visit, children will soon learn that it is not scary.
- Lead by example. Children pick up fear and anxiety from their parents so if you are showing that you are anxious or scared of the dentist then they will likely do the same. Likewise if you show that you are happy to go and happy to look after your teeth then they will learn this positive attitude.
Call us on 01844 343381 or visit us at the Bank House dental practice in Princes Risborough to book an appointment for you and your child.
If you are missing all or most of your teeth, dentures are the simplest way to restore the look and function of the mouth. Normal dentures are however, often uncomfortable and can move when you eat unless you have natural teeth to clip them on to.
Because replacing each missing tooth with individual implants can work out very expensive, implant retained dentures are a great solution as they ‘click’ securely into place. On top of feeling more comfortable than normal dentures, they support your face better and improve your ability to speak and chew. Because they are more secure, we can often make them smaller and less invasive in the mouth as they need less surface area to hold onto. The dentures are simple to remove and can still be taken out and cleaned as normal.
The implant placement procedure only requires a minimal incision and the healing time is much less compared to when a tooth is extracted.
We offer free consultation appointments for implants so there is no reason not to enquire. Please call us on 01844 343381 to book an appointment or visit our dental practice in Princes Risborough, Bucks.
There are many ways to whiten your teeth but we believe the best and most cost-effective way is ‘at home whitening’. Therefore it is now the only type of whitening that we offer here at The Bank House Dental Centre. The ‘at home whitening’ involves the use of custom made trays and syringes filled with whitening agent gel which you apply yourself and wear overnight.
All you need is two appointments – one for the impressions and the second to fit your whitening trays and to give you full instructions on use, then you are ready to go! The benefits of this type of whitening are that:
- it is much gentler on your teeth,
- it cause very little sensitivity,
- you will have gel left over to ‘top up’ your whiteness,
- you will always have the trays to use in the future.
Teeth whitening is the fastest and easiest way to improve the look of your smile! If you wish to discuss tooth whitening further, please call us on 01844 343381 to book an appointment or visit us on the High Street in Princes Risborough.
What are wisdom teeth? – Wisdom teeth are your third molars and are located right at the back of the mouth. They are called wisdom teeth as they tend to arrive between the ages of 17 and 25 although many people get them much later.
Why do my wisdom teeth hurt? – Wisdom teeth do not always cause problems, but lots of people experience symptoms when they erupt. Sometimes this is simply due to them pushing through the gum but sometimes it is due to it being impacted against the tooth in front, or due to an infection.
Do I need my wisdom teeth taken out? – Most of the time wisdom tooth pain will settle down and cause no further problems but in some cases the impaction can damage the tooth in front or an infection can keep occurring and its best to have them taken out, your dentist will advise you.
How can I relieve discomfort from my wisdom teeth? – Hot salt water mouthwashes can help to reduce the inflammation and regular painkillers will also help. If the tooth is partially through it is important to keep the area clean with a small headed toothbrush to kelp keep any infections away. Chlorhexidine mouth wash is also a good way of reducing inflammation, but it can stain the teeth so it is important to follow the instructions given to you by your dentist.
If your wisdom teeth are causing you a problem, it is important to have an appointment with your dentist to make sure you don’t have an infection. We can also give further advice depending on the cause of discomfort and sometimes we will take an X-Ray to see what’s going on. Call the Bank House Dental centre in Princes Risborough on 01844 343381 to book an appointment.
While we all know how important it is to have a healthy mouth and keep our teeth for as long as possible, we don’t always know the best advice to take. The five tips below are a very good place to start!
- See a dentist regularly. The usual recommendation is every 6 months for a check-up and 6 months for a hygienist appointment, but some people see the hygienist every 3 months if they have problems with plaque build-up or gum disease. Your dentist will advise you which is best for you.
- Eat a healthy diet. A healthy balanced diet is always a good idea for the health of the whole body, and also the teeth and gums. Lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts and healthy fats found in fish will provide all the nutrients you need.
- Cut down on the frequency of sugary foods. The acid produced by sugary foods and drinks repeatedly attack the teeth and lead to tooth decay.
- Brushing and flossing. It is vital to the teeth and gums to brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and to floss regularly. Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 months.
- Stop smoking. Smoking is not only bad for your body for obvious reasons but is also bad for your teeth and gums. Smoking reduces the blood circulation to the gums, increases the risk of oral cancer and the tar in the cigarettes stains the teeth.
Make an appointment with us at the Bank House Dental Practice in Buckinghamshire for a routine examination. As well as the above, we can also spot: signs of gum disease, wear and tear from tooth grinding, dry mouth, old fillings that need replacing and oral cancer. Call on 01844 343381 to book an appointment.
We all know what our teeth do, and why it is important to look after them, but what are they actually made of?
Enamel – this is the outermost layer of the crown of the tooth and is the hardest substance in the human body. It is our biggest protection from tooth decay so it is important to look after it as it is susceptible to acid erosion from foods and drink. It can also be fractured or chipped from eating hard foods or biting hard objects. The enamel does not regenerate, so if it is destroyed, your body will not make more to replace it.
Cementum – this is the outermost layer of the root of the tooth which helps to attach the teeth into the jawbone. The cementum that covers the root is not as strong as the enamel that covers the tooth crown, so it is important to keep the teeth and gums free of plaque to avoid gum recession.
Dentine – this is the layer located beneath the enamel and cementum and can become exposed if the enamel is lost due to trauma or erosion. It is hard but nowhere near as hard as enamel, so will wear away much faster. It is made of many tubes or ‘tubules’ which communicate with the nerve of the tooth. This means that if you have exposed some dentine, things such as hot and cold may become sensitive or painful.
Pulp – also referred to as the ‘nerve’ this is the living centre of the tooth which extends from inside the crown, down the length of the root and is made up of blood vessels and nerves. The nerves are helpful as they are sensitive to stimulation and can be a big indicator of a problem with the teeth. They are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, and sweet or acidic foods.
At your dental check-up we make sure that all the dental structures are intact to help avoid pain and sensitivity and give advice on how to look after your teeth and gums. To book and appointment at The Bank House Dental Centre in Princes Risborugh, Buckinghamshire call us on 01844 343381.
A common question that we are asked by many of our patients at our dental practice is if that they should be using a mouthwash? It can be confusing with adverts on the TV and aisles of options to know what to use.
Our advice to patients is that a mouthwash can be a good addition to your oral care routine but it is important not to use one straight after brushing. Brushing is the most important part of the home routine and the toothpaste you use when you brush contains the right amount of fluoride for the teeth. Mouthwashes have a lesser amount of fluoride so all they will do is rinse away the concentrated fluoride from the toothpaste.
We recommend brushing twice a day morning and night and then using a mouthwash after lunch to boost the fluoride and keep the teeth protected.
Which mouthwash shall I pick?
As long as it contains fluoride, the brand you choose is personal preference. Many people make the mistake of buying Corsodyl, but this is a very strong mouthwash and should only be used for short periods of time following a dentist’s instruction. This is because the active ingredient causes staining to the teeth and can damage taste buds if used for too long. Other than that, the choice is up to you!
If you need further advise, come and visit our dental practice in Princes Risborough, Bucks.
As we get older, our teeth tend to move out of line and become more crooked which can make them harder to clean, stain more easily and they don’t look as nice!
Luckily, we offer adult orthodontics to correct teeth that are out of line but what can we do to stop our teeth from moving in the first place?
Essix retainers are removable retainers made from a type of discreet transparent plastic. They are becoming increasingly popular and are a very effective way to keep teeth exactly where they are, avoiding costlier orthodontic treatment in the future. They are easy to wear, in fact most people only need to wear them at night.
Have you noticed that your teeth have started to move, but not enough to need full orthodontic treatment? Book an appointment or visit us on the High Street in Princes Risborough to have an Essix retainer fitted, and keep your teeth in place.
Most of us suffer from the occasional sensitive twinge when eating something hot or especially cold – like ice cream! While it can be a mild sensation for some, many people find it so painful it can put them off eating certain foods altogether.
So, what causes sensitive teeth?
- Gum recession – caused by one of two things – plaque build up, or over brushing. This reveals the root of the tooth which does not have a protective enamel coating.
- Acid erosion – caused by consuming acidic foods and drinks which wear away the enamel.
- Tooth decay and cracked teeth – these are also causes of tooth sensitivity.
How can I improve my tooth sensitivity?
- Brush your teeth effectively but avoid over brushing. It is essential to be thorough but over brushing and scrubbing can cause the gums to wear away. Most modern electric toothbrushes have a way of indicating to you if you are brushing too hard (either a judder or a red light). If you use a manual brush it may be a good idea to switch to a softer brush for sensitive teeth.
- Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar, and steer clear of carbonated drinks including fizzy water! Drinks that have been carbonated are more acidic. If you must consume acidic things, keep them to meal times as the main cause for acid erosion is the frequency of consumption rather than the acid content alone.
- Tell your dentist. It is very important to tell your dentist if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity. This is to ensure that the sensitivity isn’t due to decay or tooth fractures, which will worsen if left, causing more pain!
If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, call us at The Bank House Dental Centre on 01844 343381 to make an appointment or visit us in Princes Risborough.
How To Make Your Smile Appear Younger
Studies show that smiling with nice teeth makes people look more attractive and several years younger!
We all want to look young, fit and healthy but years of grinding, chewing and eating certain foods can leave your smile looking yellow and neglected. Here are some tips for a younger looking smile.
- Avoid staining your teeth. Smoking, drinking dark liquids and eating dark foods can leave your teeth looking discoloured and stained which can add years onto your smile. Tea, coffee, red wine, curries and tomato based sauces are some of the common culprits so reduce your intake of these things. Seeing a hygienist for regular scale and polish appointments is important to keep gums healthy but they can also remove all the staining.
- Whiten your teeth. To go one step further, tooth whitening is a great way to remove stubborn stains and lift your teeth many shades lighter. Tooth whitening is the simplest way to get a big improvement in how your teeth look and results can be achieved in a short amount of time. Remember to always see a dental professional for this treatment.
- Have missing teeth replaced. Many people are missing teeth due to decay or gum problems and the gaps left behind can be aging. There are many ways we can replace missing teeth including implants, bridges and dentures depending on the individual patient.
- Have crooked teeth straightened. Crooked and uneven teeth can add years to your smile. Orthodontic treatment, in particular short – term orthodontics, are becoming increasingly popular among adults. In just a matter of weeks, teeth can be realigned making them much more aesthetically pleasing.
If you wish to make your smile look younger, contact us on 01844 343381 for a free cosmetic consultation to discuss your options.