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If you attend for your regular dental appointments, the chance of developing a dental emergency should be rare, but unfortunately things happen that are out of our control. Therefore the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre have some useful advice and guidance on what you can do should you suffer a dental emergency over the festive period.

Toothache

If you find that you are suffering from unexplained toothache, ring the surgery as soon as possible and we will endeavour to fit you into one of our emergency appointments.

While waiting to be seen, it is okay to take over the counter painkillers to help relieve the pain. You can also apply a cold compress to your cheek over the painful area. At your appointment, the dentist will be able to find the source of the pain, this may be an infection in the tooth or gum or a chipped or cracked tooth where the sensitive dentine has become exposed.

Chipped or broken tooth or lost filling

If you chip or break a tooth or lose a filling, you will need to book an appointment. The dentist may be able to re-fill or crown the tooth or in the worst case the tooth may need to be extracted. If this is the case the dentist will be able to advise on the treatments available to replacing a missing tooth, this could be a bridge, a denture or a dental implant.

It is possible to buy over the counter dental cement to help relieve any discomfort temporarily.

Knocked out tooth

If the tooth has been knocked out by a direct trauma, trip or fall, if possible, try to put the tooth back into the socket ensuring that it is the right way around. If this is not possible, store the tooth in a container of body temperature milk.

If there is severe bleeding apply direct pressure to the area and in all cases, seek immediate dental help. There is the greatest chance of a successful outcome if you can see a dentist within an hour of the incident.

Lost Crown

If you lose one of your crowns, try to ensure that you keep the crown safe and book an appointment as soon as possible with the dentist. If you are unable to get to your dentist, it is possible to temporarily recement the crown using over the counter dental cement available in pharmacies.

Broken braces or wires

If a wire on your braces breaks or sticks out of a bracket, it can be very irritating. If it is not possible to reposition the wire, place a small amount of orthodontic wax over the end of the wire to help protect your mouth and gums from further damage. Never cut a wire as you may end up swallowing it! Book an appointment to see the dentist as soon as possible.

The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre will be open as normal in the run up to Christmas, until Friday 24thDecember. Should you have any problems while the surgery is closed, please call 01622 682 029 and the answerphone message will provide details of how to contact the on-duty dentist.

There are a number of key steps involved in using Invisalign to straighten your teeth.

In this month’s blog we look at these key stages.

• Attend a consultation appointment

Using the iTero Element scanner, your dentist can take a fast and precise 3D digital scan of your teeth determining if you are a suitable candidate and mapping out a custom treatment plan.

• Moulding Process

Digital scan, photographs, and x-rays create an accurate model of your mouth and teeth. These are sent to the Invisalign laboratory for your custom aligner trays to be created

• Start wearing your aligners

When you pick up your first custom aligners, your dentist will examine your smile, ensuring high standards from start. With your trays fitted, and your aftercare program clearly explained, you’re ready to go! Your Invisalign aligners are virtually transparent and easy to take out, so you can eat and brush your teeth as normal.

• Regular appointments

You’ll have check-ups roughly every 6-8 weeks to check your progress and collect your next set of aligners. Your dentist will check your tooth movements, and tray fit. before providing you with your next set of trays. Depending on the complexity of your case, you could complete your treatment in 6 months, and you’ll start seeing results in a matter of weeks.

• Straighter teeth

After a period of time, your teeth will have straightened out and you will have the smile you desire.

• Retainers

It is important that you wear your retainers following treatment to ensure that your teeth do not regress back into their initial position.

At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre you can be safe in the knowledge that you will always receive the highest possible level of care, in a relaxed and calm environment. If you would like more information about Invisalign and teeth straightening or have any questions do not hesitate to ring the surgery on 01622 682 029.

The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre are pleased to be supporting this year’s Mouth Cancer Action Month. Whenever you visit one of our dentists for a routine examination, they will also perform an examination for mouth cancer.

Mouth cancer is one of the few cancers in the UK which has seen cases rise, over the past decade there has been an increase of over 50% in the number of people being diagnosed with mouth cancer.

Oral health checks and visual examinations are the best way to identify any suspicious lesions. Another great reason to ensure you book in for your routine dental appointment.

• Your appointment

When you come in for your appointment the dentist will ask you a number of lifestyle questions. If you smoke, drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol per week, are over 50 or use chewing or smokeless tobacco these factors can increase your risk of developing mouth cancer.

The dentist will then perform a methodical examination of your mouth to detect any abnormalities.  They will use a mirror to check all the tissue in your mouth including your tongue and the sides of your mouth.

If the dentist finds anything that is unusual or abnormal they will refer you to the local hospital for a specialist to perform a thorough examination of your mouth and throat. They may take a biopsy of any affected areas, so the cells can be looked at closely under a microscope.

If mouth cancer is spotted early the chances of a complete cure are very good and the smaller the area or ulcer the better the chance of a cure. However too many people do not visit their dentist for routine dental appointment so often any problems are noticed too late.

Top tips to ensure that your mouth stays healthy

• Visit your dentist for regular appointments so that any problems can be identified early and treated quickly.
• When brushing your teeth look out for any red or white patches or ulcers that do not clear up within three weeks
• Ensure you have a full a varied diet, rich in vitamins.
• Cut down on the amount you smoke and drink
• When out in the sun be sure to use a high factor sun cream on your face and neck and a barrier cream on your lips.

If you are concerned about any changes in your mouth or would like advice on reducing your risk of developing mouth cancer call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 to book an appointment today.

Feel that you’re too old for braces? Think again! Teeth straightening treatment can improve your smile no matter what your age is. There are a number of options now available from clear Invisalign aligners to more traditional fixed braces.

Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we work hard to ensure that we provide you with enough information about your teeth straightening treatment so you can make an informed choice about your dental health.

Questions we will answer prior to treatment

1. How will dental braces correct your problem?
2. What type of braces are available to you?
3. How long you will need to wear braces for?
4. What the overall cost of treatment will be?
5. What payment modes we off and when the payments are due?

Types of Braces

The different options include:

• Metal braces – these are the traditional train track braces
• Clear ceramic braces – they work just like metal braces but are less noticeable.
• Lingual Braces – The brackets on these braces aren’t visible as they are attached to the back of the teeth
• Clear aligners – These are clear removable trays, that allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone knowing

Reasons to get adult braces

• Lower Risk of Decay – It might not be a surprise to learn that having crooked teeth can actually impede your toothbrush and floss from accessing all the spaces in-between the teeth. Remember that improper cleaning of the teeth can cause gum disease, tooth decay and other oral health issues. Spaced out and straight teeth are much easier to access and clean.

• Release Oral Discomfort –Did you know that in certain cases misaligned teeth can cause headaches, jaw pain, and difficulties swallowing? This is true for more people than we would like it to be. Thankfully, teeth straightening can help with all those discomforts that arise from misaligned teeth. If you are one of the individuals currently living in discomfort due to your smile, please contact our team. We would love to be part of the solution.

• Correct Jawbone Changes – The body changes as we age, and the jawbone is no exception to that rule. Unfortunately, with age your jawbone can begin to shift which can cause the teeth to crowd in the front of the mouth and become generally misaligned. Teeth straightening can correct this issue.

Invisalign Over Traditional Braces

There are various options available for adult braces. One of the most popular adult braces options is Invisalign. There are several reasons why Invisalign is a top pick amongst adults.

• Firstly, Invisalign aligners are much easier to clean than traditional braces. With Invisalign, you can easily remove the aligner trays and gently clean them in the morning and at night. This also means you don’t have to make food adjustments, as you can remove the aligners when you eat!
• In addition to less cleaning time, Invisalign results in fewer office visits than metal braces as you do not have to come in to have the wires and bands tightened.
• Perhaps most important for the busy adult – Invisalign looks much better than metal braces. They are often barely noticeable, as they are made from transparent material!

A Perfect Smile

We wanted to put this last, but we understand that for most people a perfect smile is the main reason to have teeth straightening. No matter how old you are, a perfect smile will make you feel confident. You deserve to navigate through life with confidence and with a glowing, happy smile. Teeth straightening can grant you that.

The decision to have teeth straightening as an adult can be full of uncertainties. Our team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre is here to help guide you through it. Give us a call on 01622 682 029 to set up an appointment. We are happy to assess your personal situation and to provide you recommendations on which braces would work best for you.

What is standing in the way of you having a beautiful, strong, healthy smile? In this month’s blog we look at four of the biggest threats to your oral health and how you can safeguard your smile for the future.

Plaque

Until it is brushed or flossed away, plaque builds up on your teeth. If left it can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and in the long run tooth loss.

Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on your teeth. Technically speaking, it is a microbial biofilm that contains a range of bacteria strong enough to continue thriving in the dark crevices of the mouth.

Any foods or drinks containing carbohydrates can trigger the formation of plaque, especially those with high sugar content like fizzy drinks, chocolate, cake, and sweets. As you chew, carbohydrates combine with the natural bacteria in your mouth to create plaque.

Plaque’s acidic base slowly eats away at your tooth enamel. This is why cavities are considered the first warning sign of plaque damage.

In order to keep your teeth healthy, it is important to schedule regular scaling and polishing with the hygienist. The hygienist will remove any plaque and calculus build up, will provide advice on lifestyle factors that may be affecting your oral health and will help you put together an oral hygiene routine that will keep your teeth looking their best in between appointments.

Teeth Grinding

Millions of people grind their teeth and night, also known as bruxism and may not even realise that they are doing it. They may be coping with the symptoms like tooth sensitivity, headaches, and jaw pain, without realising the cause.

Night-time teeth grinding is difficult to identify as it occurs completely subconsciously while you are asleep. Chronic clenching and grinding place so much pressure on the muscles, tissues, teeth, and other structures around the jaw, symptoms can be felt long after the grinding stops.

A few of the most common bruxism symptoms include the following:

• Jaw pain and stiffness
• Sore gums
• Sensitive or broken teeth
• Clicking jaw joints
• Chronic dull headaches
• Earaches
• Flat, short, or blunt teeth surfaces

If left untreated tooth grinding can wear down your teeth, cause breakages and leave you in chronic pain. If you have been experiencing any of the common symptoms, as your dentist to examine your mouth for signs of teeth grinding at your next appointment.

Misaligned Teeth

Most people want to straighten their teeth for the aesthetic benefits, but there are many important dental health benefits to fixing crooked teeth.

Common misalignment issues like crowding, spacing, and poor bite make it difficult to perform a thorough oral hygiene routine, meaning you are at increased risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay.

Gum Disease

There are many different reasons that the bacteria in your mouth might gain too much power: smoking, poor oral hygiene, and a high-sugar diet are just a few common causes. This very quickly can progress to gum disease.

The following are all symptoms of gum disease:

• Bad breath that doesn’t fade even after brushing or drinking water
• Bleeding gums
• Pain when chewing food
• Loose or wiggling teeth
• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Receding gums
• Unexpected tooth loss
• Multiple cavities and infections

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important that you book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, the damage caused by gum disease isn’t limited to your mouth. It also has serious implications on the rest of your body as well. Researchers have been studying the link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease for decades. Statistics indicate that people with gum disease are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular problems.

Stop The Threats to Your Dental Health Now

By contacting your dentist, keeping your appointments every six months, and receiving any treatments or procedures your dentist suggests, you can restore health and balance to your smile.  Call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, today on 01622 682 029 to schedule your appointment and put yourself on the path to better oral health.

For many people when the dentist mentions the word root canal treatment, they reel back in horror. In this month’s blog we look to bust some of the most common myths about root canal treatment.

• Root canal treatment is painful!

The perception that root canal treatment hurts started decades ago when root canal treatment was painful. Today with the advances of modern technology and better anaesthetics,  root canal treatment is no more painful than having a filling. Recovery times are just a few days and post appointment discomfort should be minimal. Normally root canal treatment is able to relieve you of the toothache you are experiencing. Yes, that is right root canal treatment relieves pain.

• Root canal treatment requires multiple visits!

With the advances in technology, it is possible for root canal treatment to be completed in as little as one or two visits. Many root canal treatments can be completed in one appointment while some cases require two or three visits due to the infection and inflammation. Often people think that an extraction is a faster option, which may be true, but you will then need to attend for a bridge, a dental implant or denture treatment to fill the missing gap, meaning it can actually require much more time in the dental surgery.

• An extraction is a better alternative!

Keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is very important for proper eating and chewing functions. Root canal treatment can also provide a less expensive option than having the tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge, a dental implant or denture.

• Root canal treatments are not often successful!

This is not true. Root canal treatment has about a 95% success rate. The tooth and gums will need to be kept healthy with good oral hygiene to ensure that the natural tooth lasts a lifetime without further treatment.

• Root canal treatment causes illness ! 

This was a rumour started by Dr Weston Price in 1910. His researched claimed that endodontically treated teeth could leave patients susceptible to infection and illness. Dr Price’s research has been criticized and proven to be flawed. Having root canal treatment does not increase your likelihood of illness or disease. There is no medical evidence that confirms a link between root canal treatment and the cause of other illnesses. In fact, root canal treatment aims to remove bad bacteria from the mouth and prevent reinfection. This means that root canal treatment is designed to fight off illness and infection. Not cause it!

At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre you can be safe in the knowledge that you will always receive the highest possible level of care, in a relaxed and calm environment, ensuring that you can keep your teeth as healthy as possible for as long as possible. If you would like more information or have any questions do not hesitate to ring the surgery on 01622 682 029.

It is important to ensure that you start to brush your child’s teeth from the moment their first tooth appears to ensure that you can start to build healthy habits that will last a lifestyle.

The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre has some simple to follow steps to ensure that your child’s smile lasts a lifetime. By putting in place a good oral hygiene routine you can ensure that you protect your child’s oral health for the future.

• Brush teeth twice a day

It is important to ensure that you brush their teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and soft bristled, small headed toothbrush, before bed and at one other time during the day.

• Supervise children until at least 7 years old.

It is important that you supervise your child while they are toothbrushing to ensure that they do not miss any areas. Using disclosing tablets once a month can also help to give your child a clear understanding of any areas that they may be missing.

• Spit don’t rinse!

After toothbrushing just spit out the toothpaste. Do not rinse your mouth as this will wash away the fluoride protection.

• Reduce the amount and frequency of sugary foods and drinks.

It is important to keep sugary foods and drinks for mealtimes, helping to protect your child’s teeth from frequent sugar attacks that can lead to tooth decay.

• Wear a mouthguard when playing sport.

Ensuring your child wears a mouthguard while playing contact sports can help to protect your child’s teeth and jaw from damage.

• Consider fluoride varnish applications.

Fluoride varnish provides extra protection against tooth decay when used in addition to brushing. Fluoride varnish is a pale-yellow gel that sets quickly when applied to children’s teeth using a soft brush. The varnish sets quickly, has a pleasant taste and a fruity smell. Scientific studies have shown that fluoride varnish gives added protection to teeth against decay when used in addition to brushing teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste.

• Attend for regular dental appointments.

It is important that you attend for regular dental appointments as soon your child’s first tooth appears. By starting visits at a young age, you can reduce the risk of dental fear. Your dentist will then be able to advise you on how often you should be bringing your child in for routine dental appointments.

If you would like to find out how to ensure your child’s teeth last a lifetime, call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, today on 01622 682 029 and book your children’s dental appointment today.

 

Dental implants are now the most popular treatment to replace a missing teeth and are the closest possible restoration to having your natural teeth back.

Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution to tooth loss and they can last between 20 and 30 years. However, their lifespan depends entirely on how well you look after your teeth and your oral hygiene.

In this month’s blog we have some top tips to keep your dental implants looking their best

1. Good oral hygiene

Although the titanium screw and the ceramic crown on top are resistant to decay, the teeth and gums surrounding the dental implant are not. This is why very good oral hygiene is essential.

To ensure your dental implants functionality and longevity, they need to be looked after just as a natural tooth would, which means daily cleaning and flossing. You should brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least two minutes and clean interdentally daily.

2. Lifestyle Choices

Lifestyle choices such as excessive smoking and heavy drinking can have a dramatic effect on how long your dental implants last.

3. Injury or Damage

Sometimes, dental implants have a limited lifespan due to circumstances that are beyond your control. While dental implants are a permanent treatment option, the ceramic crowns are not indestructible. If you use your teeth as tools to open things like bottles or plastic packaging, you are not only risking damage to your dental implant but also your gums and your natural teeth as well.

4. Medical Conditions

Certain pre-existing medical conditions can also affect how long dental implants last. For example, conditions such as diabetes or a weakened immune system can impact on the effectiveness of your treatment and also how long your dental implants will last before they need to be replaced. Both diabetes and a compromised immune system can make you more susceptible to infections and can cause your body to take longer to recover and heal.

5. Regular dental appointments

It is important that you attend for your routine dental and hygiene appointments to keep your dental implant looking its best. Just because your teeth are artificial does not mean that you shouldn’t attend regular dental check-ups. During these appointments, not only will your dentist assess your oral health, but they will also be able to check for any issues with your dental implants. Cracks or damage to the crown can be identified quickly, and your dentist will discuss with you the best way to fix any issues.

Regular hygiene appointments will also help to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible, ensuring that your dental implants last as long as possible. During your hygiene appointments, you will be shown how to properly care for and clean your natural teeth and your dental implants.

While brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is absolutely essential for good oral health, there are certain areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. This is why interdental cleaning has a big part to play when it comes to keeping our teeth and gums healthy, removing plaque and trapped food that if left may lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

1. Reduce the risk of bleeding gums.

Many people who suffer with sensitive or bleeding gums may be tempted to avoid interdental cleaning for fear of making their bleeding gums worse. But in fact, interdental cleaning can improve the health of your gums, thereby helping to prevent them from bleeding. The fact that your gums are bleeding is the first sign for gum disease developing (which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK), making it even more important that you continue with your interdental cleaning.

2. Reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Food particles can become caught in between teeth in areas that brushing alone will not reach. If left this food will begin to be broken down by the bacteria in you mouth leading to gum disease, bad breath and tooth decay. Interdental cleaning helps to remove any food trapped between teeth, keeping your teeth looking their best.

3. Other Health Benefits

Daily flossing does not just keep your teeth healthy – practicing good oral hygiene contributes to your health in other ways, too. In fact, there is an increasing amount of evidence linking periodontal disease to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, strokes, poor pregnancy outcomes and even dementia. Looking after the health of your gums through a good oral hygiene routine is even more important than ever.

What should I do first?

Brushing may come before flossing in the dictionary, but it should not when it comes to our oral hygiene routine. Interdental cleaning loosens bacteria and food debris from between the teeth, which allows brushing to be much more successful at removing plaque. The fluoride in your toothpaste is also better able to do its job in protecting your teeth if the plaque particles are removed first.

If you would like to find out more about how interdental cleaning can help to improve your oral health, do not hesitate to contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 to book an appointment with our hygienist today!

Alongside our Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Straightening, and Dental Implant services the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre also offer a full range of General Dentistry treatments including regular check-ups, fillings, and Dental Crowns. If you are considering having a crown fitted, repaired, or replaced it is likely that you’ll have lots of questions about the treatment process and caring for your teeth afterwards. One of the most frequent questions we get asked is how long do dental crowns last?

Dental Crowns sit over teeth like small caps and are used for a wide variety of reasons. Much like fillings, they are one of the options we use to repair and protect damaged or decaying teeth from further harm.

Dental Crowns can also be used to fix cosmetic dentistry issues by covering crooked teeth helping to give you a whiter, brighter smile. Broken, chipped or visibly damaged teeth can also be improved with the use of dental crowns, and our expert team can talk through all the options available to you in your initial consultation session.

• How should you look after your Dental Crowns?

Crowns are used as a treatment to protect damaged teeth or improve your smile, and we often get asked if they are permanent. On average dental crowns can last for up to 15 years or more with the right aftercare. You do not actually need any specialist treatments to look after your crown, unless it becomes damaged, and you can usually treat it just as you would a natural tooth.

Regular teeth brushing twice a day and daily flossing will help to maintain the condition of the crown as well as benefiting your overall oral health. You should also continue to attend regular dental check-ups with your general dentist and hygienist. Your dentist will be able to advise you on how best to look after your teeth and how to keep your crown clean.

Even though crowns can last up to 15 years, this does not mean that they are indestructible within that time frame. Like your regular teeth, dental crowns are susceptible to chipping, cracking or increased wear and tear if they are not looked after properly.

• When should you replace a Dental Crown?

Dental Crowns are a long term solution it’s important that you attend regular dental check-ups so your dentist can check the signs and symptoms that indicate when your crown is coming to the end of its natural lifespan. If you have chipped, cracked, damaged or dislodged your crown, then it will need to be repaired or replaced .This is to ensure that the tooth underneath continues to be protected and does not sustain any further damage or decay.

While crowns cannot decay because they are made of ceramic, the tooth underneath can. If your dental crown was created and fitted to protect a damaged or decayed tooth, then you need to make sure that you follow all your dentist’s advice to keep the crown, tooth and gum line clean and healthy. A build-up of plaque could cause the tooth underneath to start, or continue, to decay. If you notice any tenderness or swelling from your crown or the tooth it is covering, please arrange to see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid the problem becoming more severe.

• Find out more!

As you can see, Dental Crowns are an excellent treatment option to strengthen and protect any damaged teeth and give you back your smile confidence. There really is no straight forward answer to the question of how long dental crowns last because it varies so greatly from person to person. But by following the guidance of your dental team and practising great oral care at home you can make sure your crown and your natural teeth stay healthy and secure.

If you would like to discuss our dental crown treatments please get in touch today on 01622 682 029 to book a consultation and find out how our expert team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre can help you reclaim your smile.