Archives for July, 2011

Adults and Braces: A Delicate Mix

July 29th, 2011

Often seen primarily in the mouths of teenagers, for years braces have been seen as a painful and embarrassing dental treatment reserved for children of a certain age and developmental stage. However, more and more people are undergoing teeth straightening treatments later in life, and the truth is braces are an appropriate teeth-straightening and bite-correcting method for people of all ages.

Things to consider

There are a few things to consider when getting braces as an adult, the first of which is to find out all the information you can while making your decision. If possible, get multiple opinions from dental professionals. A good place to start is by talking to your dentist; secondly, consult with an orthodontist to determine which type of braces will best suit you.

You can choose from traditional metal braces with brackets or clear braces that are shaped and feel like the traditional metal braces. Another option would be invisible braces such as Invisalign. As mentioned, consulting with your dentist and an orthodontist will help you to determine which route will be the best for you.

Where can I get treatment?

While orthodontic treatment is available for NHS patients, it is only an option for people under the age of 18 and who have a clear need for the treatment. If you are an adult wanting to have orthodontic treatment, you will have to pay out of pocket for it from either an NHS orthodontist or a private orthodontist.

What are the effects of wearing braces?

It is also important to consider the impact braces will have on your self confidence and self esteem. As with teenagers, wearing braces can be an emotionally painful experience, especially if one feels picked on or treated differently because of the dental treatment. While adults do not tend to face bullying from peers in the same way, adults with braces have reported dips in self confidence and self esteem while wearing braces. It is important to take this into consideration—your smile is often the first thing people notice when they see you.

Treatment time

One last thing to consider when thinking about braces is how long you would like to have them on for. Traditional metal braces can take up to four years to correct mouth problems, while new technology has led to an abundance of braces offering complete treatments in just months. Determine how fast and how intense you would like your treatment to be before making your final decision about getting braces as an adult.

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Perfect smile for a perfect day

July 27th, 2011

When it comes to your wedding day, every bride – and increasingly every groom – wants to make sure that they look their best. You can spend thousands of pounds on the right dress, the perfect hair cut and top-of-the-line make-up, but if you reveal a mouth full of crooked or discoloured teeth when you smile for the cameras, then you’re not going to look back fondly on you’re album of wedding pictures in ten years’ time.

A trend on the rise

Having dental work, whether serious or just cosmetic changes, prior to getting married is becoming more and more common, and even the celebrities are joining in. Earlier this year, the British tabloid press was full of speculation that Kate Middleton had been undergoing dental treatment to make sure she had a smile fit for a princess ahead of her wedding day. Of course, some dental work can take many months to work, so if you have a problem with your teeth that you want to get fixed and the wedding day is approaching fast, make sure you get a consultation booked. After all, the only thing worse than crooked teeth on a wedding picture are teeth that are hidden by braces!

A modern solution to wedding smiles

Of course, these days braces can be pretty much invisible. Systems like Invisalign are not only more comfortable to wear, but won’t show up on photographs either. It can take six months and longer, from start to finish, for you to get the straight teeth you want for the wedding day, so plan your trip to the dentist well in advance. Invisalign Lite could be one option if you have left it a bit late and you only need minor alterations made to your front teeth. These also use the same comfortable, invisible aligners but because they are only working on a few teeth, the process is much faster. Some people achiever their perfect smile within weeks rather than months.

What kind of changes do you need?

If you need more serious corrections or your teeth are discoloured rather than crooked, veneers could provide an instant fix. Well, not quite instant as you need to have a couple of sessions in the dentist’s chair to have them prepared, but once they are ready it takes only one visit for them to be fitted onto your own teeth, immediately giving you the perfect smile. Many people try teeth whitening at home ahead of their wedding day, but this is a really bad idea. After all, this is the most important day of your life; would you take this opportunity to try out a home spray tan for the first time or to try a new hair dye? Stick with a professional treatment and you know that not only will nothing go wrong on the day, but you’ll walk down the aisle with a dazzling set of pearly whites to match your dress.

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How to prevent tooth irregularities

July 25th, 2011

Orthodontic problems are very common and there is greater awareness of tooth irregularities than ever before as people have a greater interest in the appearance of their smile. Inspired by celebrities, millions of people are choosing to have orthodontic treatment to straighten out their teeth and create a more attractive smile.

Common tooth irregularities

Most people have tooth irregularities of some kind. It is very rare to have a perfect set of straight, healthy teeth and this is why orthodontic treatment has become so popular. The most common types of tooth irregularities include crooked teeth, twisted teeth, protruding front teeth (also known as buck teeth or overjet), crowding, gaps between the teeth and problems relating to the bite (this is the way the top and bottom sets of teeth fit together when the jaw is closed).

Preventing irregularities

In many cases, genetics may play a role in determining the positioning and appearance of the teeth. If you or your partner have buck teeth it is likely that you may have a child with larger than average front teeth. However, this is not always the case and there are many other reasons why people may have tooth irregularities. One major cause of crooked and protruding teeth is thumb-sucking; sucking the thumb for a prolonged period of time pushes the front teeth forward, causing them to stick out further than the bottom teeth. Sucking your thumb can also affect the development and positioning of the neighbouring teeth and this may cause problems such as crowding and malocclusion.

Similar to thumb-sucking, research has also shown that using a bottle for a long period of time can also cause problems for the development of children’s teeth. Instead, experts recommend using a cup when the child is old enough to hold and control the cup properly.

Trauma and injuries can also cause tooth irregularities; the most common causes of dental injuries include accidents (such as road traffic accidents), trips and falls and sports injuries. It is impossible to prevent accidents but wearing a seat belt in the car and keeping passageways and stairways clear at home will help to reduce the risk of trauma. It is also advisable to cover sharp corners in the home and install stair gates if you have young children.

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Dentistry and sport performance are coming together as one

July 22nd, 2011

It may seem unusual to link sport with dentistry but the relationship between these two multifaceted areas is becoming increasingly important and high-profile. Many people may assume that sport has very little to do with dentistry but this is not the case and the relationship between the two has become a subject of intrigue in many spheres, including sporting performance and physiology, as well as product development, design and dental practice.

Dental injuries

Common examples of dental injuries include broken and chipped teeth, damage to the jaw joint, including fractures and lost teeth. The impact of objects or surfaces can have a serious effect on the teeth and the surrounding structures and teeth can easily be knocked out by falling awkwardly, tripping or getting a ball in the mouth. In many cases, a tooth that has been knocked out can be saved if you act fast enough and see a dentist quickly. If you do still have the tooth, try to insert it back into the socket and apply gentle pressure using a cloth; if you cannot do this, keep the tooth in a glass of milk until you can see your dentist.

In addition to treating broken or lost teeth, sports dentistry is also concerned with damage to the facial structures and conditions that are associated with these injuries. This may include damage to the gums, gum disease or abnormalities with the jaw joint.

Preventing dental injuries

Dental injuries are extremely common in sport, especially in contact sports and sports that involve hard objects or surfaces. As a result of this, it is no surprise that there has been an increase in the range of equipment and products designed to protect sports players and athletes. In the past, a simple mould-it-yourself mouth guard was an option for safety conscious participants but now times have changed and technology and design have become incredible advanced and you can buy state of the art, performance enhancing mouth guards, which can make a significant difference to an athlete’s performance.

The science and technology behind some of the modern gadgets is incredible and it is hard to believe that simply wearing a special mouth guard can actually make a difference to overall sporting performance. However, years of research and trials have proven this to be true and elite athletes can now add this to the collection of sophisticated equipment available to them.

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Protecting your toddler’s dental health

July 20th, 2011

Increasing Tooth Decay in Toddlers

A shocking recent report has shown that one third of children now suffer from tooth decay. The British Dental Health Foundation is now working with the Infant and Toddler Forum to help raise awareness of the issue with health-care professionals, parents, carers, and guardians. Read on to discover how to protect your toddler’s teeth from the onslaught of negative, long-term repercussions on their dental health.

Little Buds into Acorns Grow

According to experts, one of the main reasons toddler tooth decay is on the rise is due to the general widespread misconception that milk teeth are expendable so parents and carers fail to look after them in the same way as the adult teeth. Sadly, failure to look after the milk teeth can result in tooth decay which may lead to premature loss of the milk teeth and subsequent overcrowding of the adult teeth.

How to look after your child’s teeth

We all know the saying, ‘monkey see, monkey do’. Likewise, whatever you teach your children from a young age, and whatever they see you do, they will copy and eventually imitate as second nature. Therefore as adults you have a responsibility to show your children how to look after their teeth from an early age.

As soon as your child breaks their first tooth brush it with a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Use a regular adult fluoride toothpaste and aim to avoid sweetened ‘kid’s’ toothpastes, as these are not as effective. Also, use an electric toothbrush as they are far more effective at removing plaque and stains than a manual toothbrush.

Choose the Right Foods

Common sense tells you to steer clear from sugary sweets and drinks, especially in between meals, and the same applies to your child. Sugary sweets, drinks and excessive citrus based foods and drinks, particularly in between meals, can lead to an excess build-up of natural acids on the surface of the teeth which are the chief cause of plaque and tooth decay. Encourage your child to drink milk and water and to snack on more alkaline food such as apples, cheese and breadsticks in between meals.

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How can cosmetic dentistry boost your confidence?

July 18th, 2011

If you listen to psychologists talking or even tune into a chat show you will constantly hear that confidence is key; confidence can affect several areas of a person’s life and they may behave in a completely different way if they receive a confidence boost or start to feel more comfortable in their own skin.

For many people confidence is not merely governed by how you look, although there is so much impetus on looks in society that this relationship has become something of an obsession. For other people however, confidence is completely dependent on their outer appearance and this is why cosmetic treatments, including surgical and non-surgical treatments and dental treatments have become so popular.

Cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is booming; the range of services and treatments is expanding all the time and more and more people are taking the plunge and going to see their dentist to discuss the options available to them. Research has consistently shown that people consider their smile to be one of their most important physical features and therefore it is no surprise that cosmetic dental treatments are amongst the most popular cosmetic services on offer.

There is now a huge range of cosmetic dental treatments, including tooth whitening, veneers, invisible braces, smile makeovers and crowns.

How does a trip to the dentist increase confidence?

Some people may feel really down about their smile, especially if their teeth are damaged or in a poor state of health, they are discoloured or crooked and for some, even smiling in public may be difficult. In this scenario, a trip to the dentist could literally change their lives by giving them a smile that they are proud to show off; they may change from being awkward and self-conscious in public to being outgoing and sociable, purely because they are happy with the way they look. Even for people with mild dental problems or complaints, cosmetic treatment can make a huge difference; with a new smile comes a new sense of worth and a desire to get out there and flash that smile.

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Skipped Appointments Leading to Larger Bills

July 13th, 2011

For whatever reason, many of us skip, cancel or postpone the odd dental visit. It may be because of current financial problems (and increasingly common in today’s economic climate) or it could be due to dental fear. No matter the reason, those of us who have regularly cancelled appointments may actually be robbing ourselves of more money that if we made regular visits to the dentist.

What?!

Many dentists from around the world are beginning to notice a trend: Those of us who haven’t visited the dentist due to money problems – most likely brought on by the recession – are now noticing problems with our dental health and have to return to the dentist despite the cost. Because they have neglected visiting the dentist and getting regular professional help, the damage done to their oral health has actually made things much more expensive than if they had gone for regular check-ups!

Preventative dentistry

Preventive dentistry or minor repairs have always been much cheaper than any dental treatment to repair major damage, which is one reason dentists always advise regular check-ups; after all, most dentists entered their career primarily to help people, not specifically to make money.

The option of dental insurance of finance

If you still feel you can’t afford the cost of visiting the dentist even after reading this, it might be worth looking at dental insurance (especially if you have a family as it will make things significantly cheaper) or organising a meeting with your local dentist to explain your situation. Most dentists will at least understand and empathise with your current situation and may even offer some form of finance option. The dental NHS also offers free dental care to certain individuals if they are in serious financial difficulties.

You may believe you look after your teeth enough that a dental check-up isn’t necessary, but no matter how well you look after your teeth, not visiting your dentist for an extended period of time is a problem waiting to happen. I may very well save you money in the long run, so is it really worth the risk?

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Who is Better: Girls of Boys?

July 11th, 2011

A new survey has found that women are more proactive in taking care of their teeth than men, and that women are also more likely to notice oral health problems in others too! Survey results like this are not really that surprising. After all, women and girls are generally more concerned about taking care of their appearance; applying creams every night, make-up in the morning and spending hours on their hair before they can leave the house – although there are some guys who would give them tough competition! Oral hygiene may be more of a health issue, but it is still linked to your appearance. Forget to brush or floss and you could soon find yourself with a discoloured smile or even rotten teeth.

The gender attitude to health

Other surveys in the past have found that women are also better at seeking help for medical problems, whether it’s visiting the doctor when they’re feeling sick or visiting the dentist when they have a toothache. This attitude towards their bodies and their health means that girls are less likely to develop serious oral health problems, unlike men who will stoically put up with any pain, and then end up needing serious and expensive treatment to fix whatever problem their stubborn attitude has caused.

Not only are women better at maintaining a good oral healthcare routine, with many of the participants brushing, flossing and using mouthwash twice a day, but they also have a better understanding of the kinds of health problems and conditions that can be caused by poor oral hygiene. Some of the male participants, on the other hand, didn’t even know that gum disease could lead to tooth loss if left untreated!

Cover up your imperfections

It seems that women don’t just care about their own oral health, either, as they are more likely to notice when someone else, including members of the opposite sex, have a problem with their smile. In fact, females are more than twice as likely to notice a missing tooth on another person as their male counterparts. Single guys should pay attention to figures like that and take better care of their teeth if they want to secure the girl of their dreams; it seems like she might not be interested if you have an ugly-looking gap in your grin. And married men probably shouldn’t get too cosy either. Can you imagine the amount of nagging you’d have to put up with if you ignored the signs of gum disease or tooth decay for so long that you ended up losing your teeth? Probably best to just improve your oral hygiene routine and enjoy a quiet life…

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Good manners could lead to good health!

July 8th, 2011

Did your mother ever tell you to be nice to people and have good manners? Well, new research may have proved that mother knows better than even she believed! New research conducted by Dettol and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has found that those with good manners, a pleasant attitude and who are generally more ordered in their day to day life are more than twice as likely to lead healthy lives compared to those who are unpleasant and have bad manners.

Is that it?

No. According to a recent report in the Daily Express, a positive and caring attitude and outlook on life goes hand in hand with leading a healthy lifestyle, including having a better attitude to hygiene, as well as eating better and doing more exercise.

Good mannered people are therefore less likely to be affected by colds and diarrhoea, as well as being two and a half times more likely to be in good health. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has also discovered that elderly people attempt to look after their health more than younger people, and it is also proved that elderly people also have better manners.

Do good manners mean you’re healthy, then?

Obviously, this doesn’t mean having good manners automatically makes you a healthier person, but the report has generally found that those who have respect for other people and treat others with respect, are more likely to respect themselves as such.

Unsurprisingly, the report also discovered that some of the least healthy people in the country are in fact students, as well as office workers. Men are also less hygienic than women in general. It was also found that some of the healthier and most hygienic people in the country were home-makers.

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What Can Invisalign Teen do for me?

July 6th, 2011

Today’s teenagers have so much; mobile phones, I-Pods, Twitter, 3D cinema, Twilight, and now… Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign Teen is the revolutionary clear brace less than 1mm thick used to straighten teeth as an alternative to old fashioned metal brackets or wires. Absolute genius! And to think others spent over a year of my teenage life tortured by painful, protruding, ugly metal braces, ashamed to open their mouths to laugh, smile or speak.

Invisalign Teen now has around 1 million users worldwide. It’s an utterly perfect way to combat the aesthetic problems created by both crooked teeth and the treatment process is efficient, effective, ultra cool and designed to give you as much freedom as possible. Teens today have a lot to be thankful for…

Trade in the train tracks

Although metal braces can help to give you back your smile and confidence, they can cause a great amount of discomfort and embarrassment. Many don’t look back with fondness at memories of straining their upper lip over their top teeth like Helena Bonham Carter in ‘Planet of the Apes’, whenever anyone cracked a joke in their presence, and most certainly don’t remember having their braces tightened with a  particular lightness of heart.

Some frequently asked questions:

How will I know when to change my aligner?

Each aligner has a blue dot wear indicator that lets you know when a new aligner tray needs to be used.

What if I lose my aligner?

We understand that you might accidentally throw your aligner in the bin so the Invisalign Teen package includes six free aligners. Rest assured mums and dads!

How do I start treatment?

If you think you would benefit from Invisalign Teen then your next best step is to contact some dentists and find if your condition is suitable for this advanced treatment.

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