Preventing gingivitis and periodontitis and how to reverse it when it occurs.
There is, perhaps, some misunderstanding about the potential severity of gum disease.
Although most of us will have some degree of gum disease during our life, this may be barely noticeable and may rectify itself when we improve our brushing and flossing regime.
If ignored though, gum disease can have disastrous consequences and may even result in tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is the largest cause of tooth loss in the UK. This is a tragedy really as it is relatively easily prevented and/or treated in its early stages.
Symptoms
Dental Implants – Some Commonly Asked Questions
Replacing missing teeth at the Bank House Dental Centre.
Losing a tooth, or a number of teeth, is no laughing matter. In fact, lost teeth can often result in a loss of confidence and a reluctance to smile or even hold conversations for fear of revealing the gap in the teeth.
As a smile can have a significant effect in some areas of our life, such as relationships and job interviews, to name just two, it is no surprise that people seek out methods for replacing their missing teeth by artificial means.
Although dentures have long been used for this purpose, patients from nearby Chinnor and Aylesbury are increasingly taking up the option of dental implants. Less well known than dentures, it is probably not surprising that potential dental implant patients have a number of questions that they would like answered before going ahead.
The following are just a few of the more common ones which we have answered at the Bank House Dental Centre:
So what actually are dental implants?
Ways to improve your smile in 2015 at Bank House Dental Centre.
Some of us will, perhaps, have made a number of New Year Resolutions; possibly to become fitter or lose weight. One of the most easily achievable ones which can be made though, is to improve your smile.
With the modern cosmetic dental procedures available at our Princes Risborough dental practice, a new smile in just a short period of time is highly achievable and can make a dramatic positive change, not only to your appearance but also possibly your life.
A number of pieces of research have shown that those who have a great smile generally find it easier to find relationships and also have more successful careers. Whilst we can’t guarantee this, of course, we can certainly help you along the way by improving your smile.
We will take a look in more detail at the various cosmetic dental procedures that we have on offer in later blogs, but, for now, here is a brief introduction to some of our more popular procedures that are available to patients, not only from Princes Risborough, but also surrounding places such as Chinnor and Thame.
Replacement teeth
If you would like to visit us for an appointment but are not already a patient here at the Bank House Dental Centre then you will need to come in for a ‘new patient examination’.
When you arrive you will be required to fill in a form with your details and medical history information, it is important to have to hand a list of any medications that you take as this may have an important bearing on any future medications we may need to prescribe to you.
The aim of the ‘new patient examination’ is to carry out a thorough check of your teeth, gums and soft tissues. This appointment will also include X-rays for a more accurate diagnosis of anything that cannot be visually seen. We also record your existing teeth and previous treatment that you have had for a complete documentation. This is also an opportunity for you to discuss with us any fears or concerns, and also any questions regarding any treatment you may wish to have. We offer treatments such as braces, dental implants and cosmetic dentistry.
The new patient examination appointment takes around 30 minutes and costs £62.50. Contact us on 01844343381 to make an appointment. We are bases in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire.
Dentures or “false teeth” are removable and are worn to replace lost or missing teeth. Dentures can be either a full set (when all of the teeth are missing) or partial (which replace one or just a few missing teeth). They can be made of either acrylic alone, or strengthened with chrome, and can be used to replace teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.
Dentures when fitting correctly fit snugly over your gums and will help you to eat comfortably and improve your confidence and self esteem. When you are missing teeth, you can lose support to your lips and cheeks which can give your face a sagging appearance and make you look older. Also if you have gaps between your teeth, then the other teeth can move to take up some of the space and you can end up with crooked or tilted teeth.
Dentures should last many years if they are properly looked after. However as time goes by, your gums can shrink and change shape which can mean the denture no longer fits as it once did. Regular dental checkups are needed to make sure that the denture is fitting properly.
In order to make dentures your dentist will take measurements and impressions of your mouth, and then send these off where they will be made by a dental technician. Before the final denture can be fitted, a trial denture is sent which can be tried in to ensure a comfortable fit – and to make sure the shade of the new teeth is correct.
If you think you need dentures, or if you already have dentures but are unhappy with any aspect of them such as the fit or colour, then contact our dental centre in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire for an appointment.
Orthodontic treatment is a means of moving and straightening teeth and is used to improve their appearance and function. Here at The Bank House Dental Centre in Buckinghamshire, we offer short term orthodontic treatment for those who wish to correct the position of their teeth, sometimes in as little as 8 weeks. The three most common options are the Inman Aligner, Six Month Smiles and Invisible braces.
Inman Aligner
The Inman Aligner is a popular removable appliance and is usually very fast, safe and good value for money. It uses two bows to gently guide your teeth into the correct position from as little as 6 – 16 weeks, depending on how out of alignment they are.
Six Month Smiles
Six Month Smiles is a fixed orthodontic brace using clear and tooth coloured components in order to remain relatively discreet compared to metal braces (train track braces). The treatment will last an average of 6 months but normally can range anything between 4 – 8 months in total depending on the position of the teeth.
Invisible Braces
Invisible braces are completely clear removable braces, like Invisalign, that can move teeth. They are virtually invisible and do not affect your speech. The treatment, however, usually takes longer when using invisible braces.
We have Before and After images of some of our orthodontic treatments on our smile gallery.
If you are unhappy or self conscious about the position of your teeth and want to see how they can be improved, call us on 01844 343381 and book yourself a free consultation.
Mouth guards are an essential piece of kit for any sports man or woman, especially if you are playing full contact sports. They can also be worn by children playing contact sports. It only takes a single miss placed kick to lose or break a tooth. If this does happen of course not all is lost there are ways to try and save it, or there are very good replacements if need be. But it is simpler to avoid losing a tooth in the first place by investing in a mouth guard.
Your dentist will be happy to make you a custom-made mouth guard, which will fit your mouth exactly and offer maximum protection and comfort. Custom-made mouth guards will cost more than the shop bought variety but as with most things, you get what you pay for. The custom shape will fit the teeth much more accurately than an of the shelf type, thereby absorbing and dissipating any force applied to it much more effectively.
A new molecule has been developed by scientists in Chile to help keep teeth cavity free. This molecule has been named ‘Keep 32’ after the amount of teeth in the mouth.
According to the first experiments, ‘Keep 32’ has been able to kill all the cavity causing bacteria in the mouth in less than 60 seconds and can be added to toothpastes, mouthwashes and even food. By exterminating these bacteria, ‘Keep 32’ is able to protect the teeth before any erosion to the teeth can happen.
The researchers aren’t expected to limit this chemical to the dental world either. It is also hoped to be licensed to sweet companies meaning that consumers would no longer need to be worried of the harmful effects of sticky sweets and chocolate on the teeth.
The product has now been tested for the last seven years and is moving on to testing on humans. If the tests are as successful as they have been in the lab, it could make its way onto the market in the next few years! In the meantime, still keep visiting your dentist regularly.
Nowadays, everybody is more aware that smoking is bad for our health. It can cause many different medical problems and, in some cases, fatal diseases. However, many people don’t realise the damage that smoking does to their mouth, teeth and gums, due to its contribution to tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss and in more severe cases mouth cancer.
One of the effects of smoking is dark staining on the teeth due to the nicotine and tar content of cigarettes. It can make the teeth yellow in colour, and heavy smokers often complain that their teeth are almost brown after years of smoking.
Smoking can also lead to gum disease. Patients who smoke are much more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. The gums are affected because smoking restricts the oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums fail to heal and progresses more rapidly. Gum disease still remains the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
Oral cancer, which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat), can be caused by smoking. These cancers can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.
It is important that you visit a dentist regularly both for a full mouth examination. Make an appointment with your dentist in Buckinghamshire so that any conditions can be spotted early.
Smile makeovers are becoming increasingly popular as they not only transform your smile, but your whole face, making you look and feel younger and improving your self confidence.
A smile makeover involves one or a combination of cosmetic procedures to improve and enhance the aesthetics of your smile.
- Porcelain veneers used to improve the appearance of a smile.
We have many more examples of smile makeovers we have carried out on our Smile Gallery page.
There are different procedures available to improve the way your smile looks. Crooked teeth can be safely brought back into alignment with the Inman Aligner or 6 Month Smiles braces. Discoloured teeth can be improved with whitening or veneers, chipped teeth can be repaired with cosmetic bonding and missing teeth can be replaced with bridges or dental implants.
If you are unhappy with your teeth but not sure how to proceed, book a free consultation to see our dentist in Buckinghamshire and he will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment.