Archives for June, 2011

Get a Snap-on, Snap-off Hollywood smile … with a Snap on smiles

June 29th, 2011

While it can be astounding to think on how much of a difference modern medicine can make to us, both medically and cosmetically, not everyone can afford to have the amazing and often expensive procedures available to make this happen. For that reason, getting the beautiful Hollywood smile you desire is one of the many things a lot of us want but cannot afford.

This point was realised by one Dr. Marc Liechtung, an American dentist working at the prestigious Manhattan Dental Arts dental surgery. It was during his time there that he became aware of the problem, many people face, in that they suffer from a smile that ruins their confidence but are unable to do anything about it.

How does Snap on Smile work?

Snap on Smile is an easy way to instantly gain perfect teeth. The device is created to easily slip over your natural teeth, giving the illusion of flawless whites. The material the device is made from is a thin resin material, which means it can be exceptionally thin while retaining its toughness. This thinness also makes them very easy to use for the wearer, as well as being almost impossible to notice unless pointed out for the benefit of observers.

Because of the thinness of the device, they can be worn while eating and drinking, which make them perfect for an instant smile makeover needed for a fast approaching wedding or interview. They are also said to not affect speech because of their comfort within the mouth, although it is advised to wear the device for a day or two before your big event so as to get used to them.

Snap on Smile is also remarkably durable. With correct care they can last much longer than most people would think; their inventor Dr Marc Liechtung estimates they could last 1 to 3 years, and he should know as he has been using them since he invented them!

Other great options

There are a range of orthodontic treatments that are innovative and gentle in their manner of straightening a smile, and it is often advised to keep your natural teeth. There is also the option of porcelain veneers, which can also offer immediate results.

 

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How far would you go to look good?

June 27th, 2011

The High Street is full of new and innovative ways for you to look good and look younger; surprisingly, your local dentist surgery is no different! Cosmetic dentistry is becoming a much more common request from patients whose teeth are perfectly healthy, but perhaps don’t look quite as good as they would like them to. Some of these so-called “cosmetic” treatments, such as braces, are also used to treat dental conditions or problems that could cause dental conditions to develop in later life, but they can also be used simply to make a patient look – and feel – much better.

Is there anything wrong with wanting to look better?

There’s nothing wrong with seeking help from an expert to look better. If we feel good about the way we look, then we feel better about ourselves. Our confidence and self-esteem is higher and we are less likely to develop mental health conditions. If you have always been self-conscious about that gap in your smile, your crooked and discoloured teeth, or even the wrinkles and lines in your face, then make an appointment with your dentist and find out if they can help.

Advances in technology and treatment

Braces used to be the domain of teenagers; huge metal contraptions that cut the inside of your mouth and looked worse than the crooked teeth had ever done. These days, more and more adults are opting for such corrective treatment, having seen the new types of invisible aligners that are available. Not only are these new plastic aligners or tooth-coloured ceramic braces practically invisible, they also work much quicker than the old-style braces and are much more comfortable to wear. OK, they’re more expensive, but as adults spend more and more of their disposable income on fashion and beauty products, you could look at braces as an investment for the future.

There are dozens of home teeth-whitening kits on the market, none of which are as effective as getting the treatment carried out professionally at your dentist’s office. Dentist’s can use stronger whitening gel, coupled with technology like lasers, to get a much more impressive result. Also, by getting a professional to do the dirty work, you are ensuring that nothing will go wrong, and that you won’t end up looking worse than when you started!

Facial aesthetics at the dentist

Many dental surgeries are even starting to offer non-invasive cosmetic procedures like Botox and dermal fillers. These simple and safe procedures can help smooth out your wrinkles, temporarily, and appointments often only last a few minutes. If you are worried about your worry lines, make sure you find a practitioner who has the relevant experience and qualifications. By getting your injections done by a dentist, you know you are being taken care of by someone with advanced medical training – not just someone who took a week-long course at beauty school…

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Accent altering surgery? Not at Harley Street Dental Studio!

June 24th, 2011

Recently, a woman called Karen Butler has been gaining attention from American media because of her British accent … despite never having even been to Europe!

Karen Butler, from Toledo, Oregon, has become something of a local attraction since her dental surgery to remove a number of teeth in November 2009. Following the surgery – which was quite significant, needing all her top teeth and a number of her bottom teeth removed – she suffered with altered speech while the swelling around her mouth went down. A common and not unexpected side effect and one her dentist told her would pass after the swelling went down. But once she had made a full physical recovery, she found she had a European accent, either British, Swedish or Eastern European, according to different people.

Foreign Accent Syndrome

After the problem continued for a number of weeks, Butler did some research and believed she had the symptoms of the aptly named, Foreign Accent Syndrome. While this is usually a very rare side effect of brain injury, Karen Butler insists she has it. The syndrome is also accepted by neuroscientists to be a genuine syndrome and not just something created by the patient.

Karen Butler is not looking at the downside however, and has been carrying on with her life as normal, with the only difference being a family who occasionally make word requests to their new novelty.

Before any potential or current patients of Harley Street get worried about something similar happening to them (imagine walking out of a dental surgery with an American accent for example!) we would like to say that we have never had a patient suffer from Foreign Accent Syndrome and find it very hard to believe we will at any point in the future … the syndrome is of course, usually associated with brain injury and is rare even then.

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What is the difference between bruxism and TMJ disorder?

June 22nd, 2011

Many people get confused between bruxism and TMJ disorder. They can be associated and interrelated but they are two very different things.

Bruxism

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a condition which occurs as a result of an individual grinding or clenching their teeth. In many cases, people grind their teeth during the night and therefore they may be unaware that they do it. Some people also clench their teeth during the day.

There are different reasons why people may grind their teeth; in many cases, bruxism is linked to the subconscious and it has a strong link with stress and anxiety. Other possible causes include insomnia, problems with the bite or the alignment of the teeth, alcohol consumption and prescription drugs.

If you grind your teeth, you may find that you experience pain and discomfort in your head and jaw; it is always a good idea to see your dentist as teeth grinding can contribute to oral health problems.

TMJ disorder

TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint disorder) is a medical condition, which affects the jaw. TMJ causes the jaw joint to become inflamed and it can contribute to headaches, sensations of dizziness, problems with hearing and pain during chewing and biting.

TMJ disorder is linked to stress and can be caused by bruxism; if you experience any of the symptoms listed above, see your dentist as soon as possible.

Treatment

If you experience symptoms of bruxism or TMJ disorder, arrange to see your dentist as soon as possible; grinding the teeth can cause oral health problems so try to get treatment as quickly as possible. If you grind your teeth during the night, your dentist may advise you to wear a guard to prevent you from grinding your teeth.

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Preparing your child for their first trip to the dentist

June 20th, 2011

Many parents may think that there is no need to take their child to the dentist until they start school. However, this is not the case and dental care should start long before this. Most dentists advise parents to take their child for their first check-up at the age of twelve months.

Preparing for a check-up

A little preparation can make a huge difference to your child when going to the dentist. Try to promote going to the dentist as a fun thing to do and do not let your child detect that you are nervous or anxious about seeing the dentist. Try to be very positive when talking to your child even if you, as a parent, suffer from dental anxiety; your child will notice if you seem tense or anxious and this will affect them.

Talk your child through what is going to happen when they go to the dentist; it is also helpful to read stories about going to the dentist with your child. If your child is a little emotional and tense, sit with them and reassure them constantly. You will find that your dentist and the staff at the dental practice will make every effort to interact with your child and make their experience a positive one.

Oral health for children

It is really beneficial to introduce your child to their dentist early on. Taking them for regular check-ups will get them used to going to the dentists and this will help to prevent them from suffering from dental anxiety when they are older, as well as reducing the risk of them developing oral health problems.

Try to encourage your child to adopt a healthy attitude towards oral health from an early age; encourage them to get involved in oral hygiene, set a good example for them to follow and keep an eye on what they eat and drink. Talk to your child about healthy eating and the effects of drinking and eating sugary foods and drinks on the teeth.

If you are having trouble persuading your child to clean their teeth, try to make teeth cleaning fun by making up games, setting challenges and buying oral hygiene products which are specially designed for children. Many toothbrushes are decorated with bright colours and pictures of popular cartoon and film characters which are more attractive for children.

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The versatility of the toothbrush

June 17th, 2011

A survey conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation for National Smile Month has revealed that toothbrushes can be used for a range of different purposes. Many people throw away their toothbrush once the bristles have started to become worn; however, the survey has found that many people keep their brushes and use them for other jobs and tasks around the house.

More than one thousand people participated in the BDHF survey and the results showed that 4 in 5 people keep their brushes after they have stopped using them for cleaning their teeth. The most common use for the toothbrush (40 percent of participants) was for cleaning between the tiles and in small spaces in the bathroom; 28 percent also said that they used toothbrushes for cleaning out kitchen appliances.

The survey also showed that older people are more likely to keep hold of their brushes and adapt their use. The over 75’s were three times more likely to use their brushes for other purposes than young adults aged between 16 and 34.

Green living

Keeping hold of your toothbrush is not only beneficial for household cleaning – it also helps to contribute to the global effort to conserve the environment. Dentists recommend you change your toothbrush every three months and this means that a lot of toothbrushes are thrown away every day. If you can continue to use your brush for other tasks around the home, this is a positive step forward.

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Dental Prices: Cheaper at Home than Abroad

June 15th, 2011

It may sound strange, but some people find it more cost effective to travel abroad for major and serious dental treatment. However, once you look at the price of some dental procedures, especially in the private sector, it may become more appealing to travel to places that are frequently used for cheap dentistry such as Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria and Thailand.

But is it really cost effective?

While the surgery itself is often cheaper and flights are often so cheap it just makes sense to go abroad for your treatment. But, what about the price of food? Or time off work? Many major dental procedures also require multiple visits, often spread across an extended period of time, meaning three, four or even five separate trips to and from the country. And what about aftercare? As well as this, many airlines will not let recent surgical patients travel within a certain number of days after their procedure. Meaning you can add accommodation to your list of addition costs.

Another significant factor that is helping to draw some travelling dental patients back to Britain is the simple, age old belief that you get what you pay for. British dentistry is of an excellent quality. And if you’ve found a dental practice abroad that is cheaper, even after adding travel expenses, time off work and accommodation, then can the quality of the practice be to the same standards as one found in Britain? It can be smart to try to save money on dental treatments, especially with major surgery that can be exceptionally expensive. But is it worth putting your oral health at risk?

British dental practices fighting back

Some private dental surgeries are now trying to lower their prices to keep interest in Britain and away from foreign dental practices. By fixing prices directly influenced by prices abroad, some private practices are making it much cheaper to stay in Britain when looking for dental work.

Dental quality in Britain

The quality of dental work in Britain is world class and many dental studios – regarded as some of the best in the world – can be found in Britain, but with this there does of course come a high price for treatment. After all, you get what you pay for.

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Dazzle the masses from the comfort of your home

June 13th, 2011

Home teeth whitening kits have come a long way since the days of Pearl Drops. No longer does whitening your teeth at home have to be a laborious, drawn-out affair with skimpy results. There are many brilliant home whitening kits on the market today that you can bag for under thirty pounds (the equivalent of a pound a tooth or a rather average night out).

There are even home whitening kits designed for soft-hearted, pain sensitive little souls like myself that contain no peroxide or enamel damaging chemicals. It really is a safe option!

Causes of tooth discolouration

The reason our teeth get discoloured over time is because they contain millions of tiny pores. Over time, stain causing food and drinks penetrate the pores causing discolouration and a yellow/grey/green appearance. Yuck!

Why choose home whitening

Unlike most regular toothpastes, teeth whitening products contain a special chemical to remove stains. This whitening process is achieved by a chemical reaction called oxidisation which blasts away the stains from the pores of the teeth. Chemicals like Ardox-X break down into oxygen and are found in many home teeth whitening kits.

Choosing a kit that’s right for you

Depending on your budget, the level of staining and sensitivity of your teeth, you might want to consider some of the following home teeth whitening kits.

Further information

For a wealth of teeth whitening products and information, look online or visit your local dentist.

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Dental anxiety solutions

June 10th, 2011

Dental anxiety is a very common problem. Most people experience a degree of anxiety before going to the dentist, but for some the mere thought of going to the dentist causes them to become extremely nervous and this may cause them to avoid going to the dentist and put their oral health at risk.

Why is dental anxiety so common?

There are many reasons why people may feel anxious about going to the dentist. For many, the fear of pain is the major cause of anxiety, as they associate going to the dentist with experiencing pain and discomfort. Some people put off going to the dentist because they are worried about what the dentist will tell them, especially if they haven’t been to their dentist for a long time. They may expect to be told that their teeth are not in good condition and therefore need further treatment.

For some people, the fear of going to the dentist dates back to their childhood or a particular experience in the past. Some people have bad memories of going to the dentist and some feel nervous because they suffered pain during a procedure or they disliked the feel of the instruments in their mouth or the sound of the drill.

What can be done to conquer dental anxiety?

If you suffer from mild anxiety, your dentist may be able to clam you down and help you to feel relaxed. Dental practices are now much more welcoming than they used to be and many are kitted out with gadgets and gizmos to keep you entertained and take your mind off the procedure.

If you have more severe anxiety, you may really struggle with the thought of going to the dentist, let alone the actual appointment. There are various methods which can be used to help to relax you and make you feel more comfortable with the idea of having dental treatment.

Sedation is a popular treatment for patients who feel anxious during dental treatment; sedation effectively puts patients to sleep during the procedure so that they cannot feel anything. Many patients are comforted by the fact that they will not experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure.

Other possible alternatives to general anaesthetic include cognitive behavioural therapy and hypnosis.

Hypnosis versus cognitive behavioural therapy

Research carried out by teams at St. Augusta Hospital Dental Clinic and Wuppertal University in Germany found that cognitive behavioural therapy is a very effective treatment for dental anxiety. Cognitive behavioural therapy, often known as CBT, is a psychological therapy which helps to retrain the brain and find effective ways of dealing with sources of stress and anxiety triggers.

The researchers found that CBT was much more effective than hypnosis.

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Are receding gums the cause of your dental health problems?

June 8th, 2011

Receding gums occur when the gum tissue shrinks or recedes to expose the lower portion of the tooth. Once the tooth is exposed it becomes more susceptible to damage and decay and there is an increased risk of gum disease. If receding gums are treated early, treatment is usually straightforward and very effective. However, if the condition is left untreated, it can become very serious and eventually the teeth will come loose and fall out.

Who suffers from receding gums?

Receding gums are commonly associated with older people, as their gum tissue tends to shrink. However, it is a condition that can affect people of all ages. Receding gums are fairly common but this condition is not normal and it should be treated as early as possible.

Symptoms and signs to look out for

Symptoms of receding gums usually develop gradually so it may take a while for you to even realise that there is something wrong. Symptoms to look out for in the early stages include increased sensitivity, especially when you drink hot or cold drinks, redness and tenderness in the gums and mild swelling. As the condition becomes more advanced, you may notice symptoms such as bleeding gums, gaps between the teeth, pus oozing from between the teeth, very swollen gums and exposed roots of the teeth; as the teeth become increasingly loose, they may start to fall out. Receding gums also cause the teeth to appear longer, as a greater portion of the tooth becomes visible.

What causes receding gums?

There are many possible causes of receding gums. These include bruxism (grinding the teeth), overzealous brushing, smoking, pressure from tongue piercings and poor oral hygiene.

What can be done?

Mild cases of receding gums can usually be treated. Your dentist will usually determine the cause and address this. If you have poor oral hygiene, you may be advised to have a cleaning treatment and your dentist will talk to you about your oral hygiene routine and offer advice about improving your oral hygiene routine. If you smoke, your dentist may advise you to stop smoking and provide you with information about getting help to quit. If you grind your teeth, you may be advised to wear a special guard during the night; this helps to prevent damage to the teeth and jaw joint.

In many cases, brushing too hard can cause receding gums. If this is the case, you should use a brush with softer bristles or an electric toothbrush – electric toothbrushes are designed to do all the work for you.

More severe cases of receding gums may require more intensive treatment. In some cases, gum tissue may be grafted from another part of the mouth to boost the area of receding tissue.

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