Category: Blog

Do you or your children participate in sports? Then read on. As an athlete or a parent, you’ve probably heard about mouth guards, the flexible piece of plastic you can wear over your teeth. Mouthguards are not required for every sport, so it can be easy to forget about it or let it slide, but it is estimated that over 3 million teeth are knocked out every year in kids’ sports! Mouth guards significantly minimize the risk of sports injuries to the mouth and jaw and while it is obvious that a mouth guard is beneficial during collision and contact sports, you may not be aware of the benefits of wearing a mouth guard for other sports to. Basically, for any sport where there is a risk of face contact with other people or surfaces, a mouth guard can reduce the risk of suffering a dental injury.

So, although mouth guards may not be the coolest thing to wear, there are three big benefits that may quickly change your mind.

1. Protect your teeth

Without a mouth guard, your teeth are more likely to be chipped, broken teeth or even get knocked out (tooth loss). Saving you money in the long run, by reducing the risk of needing root canals, dental crowns, bridges, dental implants and splinting or TMJ treatments.

2. Protect your face and mouth

A mouth guard can prevent bruising and cuts to the lip, tongue, or face. This is especially important for anyone with a fixed orthodontic appliance.

3. Protect against other serious injuries

This includes root, bone damage and jaw fractures. Mouth guards can help avoid a situation where the lower jaw jams into the upper jaw. Also, mouth guards may reduce the severity of concussions by acting as a buffer to a blow.

For more information about protecting your teeth during sports or athletic activities, talk to your Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre dentist at your next appointment. They will be able to help you select the most effective protection for your specific needs. Call today on 01622 682 029 to book your appointment.

With all the children now thinking about heading back to school, we look at the vital part a good oral hygiene routine plays in keeping teeth healthy from an early age.

In this article we look at some of the common problems in achieving this and tips to ensure your children’s teeth stay in tip top condition.

• Not brushing thoroughly

It is common for children to rush through brushing their teeth, meaning that parts of their mouths are missed.

Get your child to imagine their mouth is divided into four segments and they need to brush each segment for 30 seconds. This will mean that it is more likely that they will brush all the surfaces of their teeth.If you think they have missed any teeth, follow up by brushing their teeth yourself when they have finished.

• Not brushing for long enough

Many young children have no concept of how long two minutes is. A great way to ensuring that they are brushing for the required length of time is to introduce a fun timer using their favourite song, an egg timer, or an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer. This way they get a clear idea of how long they need to be brushing their teeth for.

• Not wanting to brush their teeth

Making brushing fun is the best way to ensure successful brushing.

1. You could allow them to pick their own toothbrush with a favourite cartoon character on it.
2. Make a special toothbrush holder with stickers and coloured paper
3. Brush along to a favourite song
4. Fill in a brushing reward chart every day leading to a reward at the end of the month

Top tips for children’s teeth brushing

• Use a toothbrush recommended by your dental team and get your children to choose their favourite colours or characters
• Use a suitable fluoride strength toothpaste for their age group:

Under three years old – 1000ppm

Over three years old – 1350-1500ppm

• Find a toothpaste that they like the flavour of
• Children easily swallow toothpaste, so it is best to use a smear of toothpaste for babies and children up to three years of age, and a pea-sized blob for children aged three to six
• Brush for two minutes, twice a day. This should be last thing at night and on one other occasion during the day – usually in the morning.
• Divide brushing into four sections in the mouth and brush each quadrant for 30 seconds – upper left, upper right, lower right, lower left.
• Brush in a circular motion and brush each surface of each tooth – tops and sides.
• Spit the toothpaste out after brushing but do not rinse. Rinsing washes away the protective fluoride

If you would like some more help and advice on ensuring your children’s teeth stay healthy, call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 and book an appointment today, all our staff are highly experienced dealing with children and can ensure that any visit is fun and stress free!

The key risk factors for students heading off to university regarding their oral health are from excessive alcohol consumption, caffeine dependence and a poor diet.

The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre have therefore come up with some top tips to ensure that you can enjoy university without worrying about your oral health.

• Oral hygiene routine

Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and clean inter-dentally daily. This will help to ensure that you remove any food and plaque trapped between teeth, where brushing alone misses, reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay

• Use a straw

Sounds silly right? Drinking from a straw helps prevent stains because you avoid direct contact with the front of your teeth. It also reduces the time harmful acids are in contact with your teeth reducing the risk of acid erosion.

• Limit your sugar intake

Sugar is one of the biggest factors that contribute to tooth decay. While having sugar in your diet is essential, most people tend to have too much. Try to limit sugar to mealtimes wherever possible and avoid constantly grazing on sweet treats to help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

• Donot constantly sip

Sugar in wine, mixed drinks and fizzy drinks combine with bacteria in your mouth to form acid which then attack the teeth. This ‘attack’ generally has a life span of 20 minutes so every time you take another sip, the cycle restarts. The long-term effect is weakened enamel and susceptibility to tooth decay.

• Visit the dentist

Whether you choose to register with a dentist at university or remain with your dentist at home, it is important that you attend for regular, routine appointments as often as your dentist recommends to maintain your oral health.

Want to ensure that you can hit the ground running when you arrive at University? Why not book in for a routine dental appointment and ensure that your oral health is top notch before you go. Call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 today to book your appointment.

Gum disease is a swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. The initial stage of gum disease is gingivitis and if left untreated it can progress to periodontal disease which is irreversible. Gingivitis is where the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen and the gums will often bleed when they are brushed.

Gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene which allows plaque to build up on the surface of teeth and gums. As well as affecting your teeth and gums, poor oral health can cause or make worse heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and lung disease. Gum disease is also the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK

Signs of Gum disease

Gum disease may progress painlessly, producing few obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. Although the symptoms of periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. The symptoms of gum disease include:

• Inflammation of the gums, causing them to be red, swollen and to bleed easily, especially when brushing
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Bad breath
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth
• Regular mouth infections
• Changes in the way teeth fit together upon biting down, or in the fit of partial dentures

If you notice any of these signs you should speak to your dentist who will be able to investigate further.

Keeping your smile healthy

During a dental exam, your dentist typically checks for these things:

• Gum bleeding, swelling, firmness, and pocket depth (the space between the gum and tooth; the larger and deeper the pocket, the more severe the disease)
• Teeth movement and sensitivity and proper teeth alignment
• Your jawbone, to help detect the breakdown of bone surrounding your teeth

The goals of gum disease treatment are to promote reattachment of healthy gums to teeth; reduce swelling, the depth of pockets, and the risk of infection; and to stop disease progression.Your dental team will remove all the plaque from your teeth and advise you on the best dental aids to use to maintain your oral hygiene routine in between visits. The best way to prevent gum disease is to put in place a good oral hygiene routine.

• Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean your teeth interdentally daily using floss, tape, or interdental brushes
• Stop smoking
• Attend for regular dental appointments

If you are at all concerned about your teeth or believe you may be suffering with gum disease call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682 029 and book an appointment for a consultation today

It is that time of year again, the days are getting longer, and the sun is beginning to shine. Although this year is very different from many we have experienced, we are all hoping that things will start to return to a new sort of normal in the coming weeks and months. Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we know that having a smile you can be proud of can help to boost your self-esteem and improve your confidence. There will no longer be a need to hide when someone has the camera out and you can be confident that your smile is always looking its best. 

Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, our highly trained and dedicated team have a wide range of services that can help to improve the appearance of your smile. In this blog, we look at the benefits of just a few:

• Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an effective way to lighten the natural colour of your teeth, without causing damage to the teeth or the surrounding gums, it can be used alongside other treatments to help ensure the best results. Teeth whitening can be completed either in the surgery or at home and it is currently the number one cosmetic dental procedure worldwide.

Benefits

• Teeth whitening can help to dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth, for a relatively small cost. Having a beautiful smile is achievable for anyone.
• Teeth whitening can help you make a great first impression. We all make decisions based on first impression and having the confidence to smile naturally can really help to improve your likeability factor
• Teeth whitening helps to make you look more youthful. A bright, white smile is associated with youth so Teeth whitening can help you to look years younger. 

 

• Teeth Straightening

At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we have a wide range of teeth straightening procedures available, so will always be able to find one to meet your needs and your budget. Teeth straightening has increased in popularity over the last few years, with more and more adults considering improving their smile. 

Benefits

• Teeth straightening can help to improve your confidence in your smile. Improved confidence can lead to achieving more both professionally and personally. 
• One of the first things people notice about you if your teeth. Teeth straightening allows you to be sure of making a good impression
• Teeth straightening can help to improve your oral health. By straightening your teeth, it will be easier to perform a full oral hygiene routine, reducing the risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay.

Facial Aesthetics

Facial aesthetic treatment can help to improve the appearance of your skin, plumping and volumizing skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The key aim to all facial aesthetic treatment is to ensure the most natural looking result possible. People should never be able to tell that you have had treatment

Benefits

• Facial aesthetic treatment is fast and easy, treatment can be completed in your lunch hour and you will then be able to return to work with very few visible side effects. 
• Results are immediate but tend to look even better a few days later. 
• Facial aesthetic treatment allows you to control your looks subtly as you age.

The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre work closely with you to customise individual treatment plans that successfully meet your personal needs, helping to ensure you can have a smile you can be confident in. If you would like to discuss improving your smile do not hesitate to call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01622 682 029 or contact us on info@maidstonndental.co.uk.

A single lost or damaged tooth can influence your daily life. Even though it may be at the back of your mouth and not visible from the outside, over time it can start affecting your appearance, self-esteem, your oral health and even your health in general.

Physical Consequences

• Shifting Teeth

Over time the teeth next to the missing tooth will move towards each other to fill the gap. This can cause the teeth to become misaligned, putting extra strain on the jaw, causing difficulty chewing and an increased risk of tooth decay. The treatment for this would be teeth straightening which will likely end up more expensive than a single tooth replacement. 

• Headaches or migraines

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) that connect your jaw to your skull can be put under strain when your teeth shift out of position, often causing headaches and other pain and discomfort.

• Digestive Issues

Missing teeth can lead you to not chew your food properly which can lead to digestive issues such as acid reflux and malnutrition from nutrients not being absorbed properly in the digestive tract. You may also look to avoid certain foods that are too difficult to eat. Getting your tooth replaces restores your full chewing function so you can go back to enjoying the foods you love. 

• Bone loss

A lack of teeth can severely reduce the density of jawbone because it is no longer stimulated when chewing. This leads to a shrinking jaw line which makes you look older than you really are. 

Mental Consequences

• Low self confidence

Society casts a negative light on people with missing teeth. Characters on the TV that are supposed to be poor or unintelligent often have at least one missing tooth. These perceptions spill out into reality where nearly anything can be said on social media. Even the toughest skin will weaken over time.

• Self-doubt

As life expectancies continue to rise, you could be living with the stigma and difficulty speaking or eating for decades, even if you lose a tooth at age 50 or 60. 

Do not allow this to happen, you have the power to change your appearance. 

Restoring your smile

The most common treatment to replace a missing tooth is a dental implant. A dental implant is inserted into the jaw bone and a crown placed on top to give the closest possible restoration to having your natural tooth back. The process will take between 3-6 months to complete, depending on whether you need additional bone grafting. 

The result is a tooth that looks and feels just like the one you lost. Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we are pleased to be able to offer finance to help you spread the cost of your tooth replacement, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent you from achieving the smile of your dreams. 

A dental implant is an investment in your oral health, helping to protect your remaining teeth and giving you back your smile. 

If you would like to find out more about replacing a missing tooth call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01622 682 029

Taking care of your teeth is important for your overall health. The quality of your smile also affects how much you show off your teeth and your overall mood in general. Of course, you can smile and laugh no matter what your teeth look like, but you are more likely to do it if you know that you have a smile worth showing off. You will get a big boost of self-confidence, and some other great physical and mental benefits.

Here are a just a few fun facts about smiling and laughing and why it is so great to smile:

1. Improved Mood

When you are in a bad mood, the last thing you feel like doing is smiling or laughing. But did you know that faking it can help improve your mood? Just the act of curling your lips into a smile or letting out a small giggle is enough to trigger your brain into feeling happier.

That sounds like something that is too good to be true, but studies show that it does in fact happen. Try it the next time you are feeling angry or sad and see what happens. It might feel weird at first, but it could turn into a long-term coping strategy for when those feelings arise.

2. Become More Approachable

Not only will you help yourself feel better when you smile and laugh, but you will also give the signal to others that you are a good person to be around. 

The more you can engage and interact with others, the happier you will be. It is a cycle that is worth getting into. Smiles and laughter are contagious — whenever you see someone else doing it, you cannot help but do the same. You can thank your mirror neurons for that. Whenever we see someone doing certain behaviours, we feel inclined to do the same.

3. Be More Productive

Work might not be a place that makes you smile or laugh, but the more you can do those things, the more productive you will be. When you smile and laugh, your mood improves, and you will be able to better focus on the task at hand.

4. Physical Health Benefits

Laughing works your abdominal muscles and releases endorphins that can alleviate pain and boost your immune system.

Studies have even found that smiling and laughing can help decrease your risk for heart disease because they literally protect the heart and prevent the build-up of fat and cholesterol. These actions can also lower your blood pressure and keep it that way for up to 24 hours.

5. The Best Perk of All…

Putting all the scientific research aside, the best reason to do more smiling and laughing is that it makes you feel good. We should all strive to spend time doing things that make us feel that way, and that begins with smiling and laughing.

Whether your teeth look the way you want them to or not, everyone can benefit from a happier life. Do not let the state of your teeth get in the way of that.

The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre work closely with you to customise individual treatment plans that successfully meet your personal needs, helping to ensure you can have a smile you can be confident in.  If you would like to discuss improving your smile do not hesitate to contact us on info@maidstonndental.co.uk and we will endeavour to answer your questions. 

Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we understand that deciding to undergo teeth straightening is a big decision and we want to ensure that you have as much information as possible so you can decide whether it is the treatment for you. 

Therefore in this month’s blog we are going to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about teeth straightening.

1. Can I get teeth straightening treatment on the NHS?

Teeth straightening is currently only available to children under the age of 18 and adults with complex dental needs on the NHS. If your case is less severe or is for aesthetic reasons you will probably need to have teeth straightening treatment through a private dentist. 

2. Is there an age limit for teeth straightening?

There is no age limit for teeth straightening, it can be done at any time of life, provided your teeth and gums are healthy. 

3. Will I have to have teeth extracted?

We will do everything we can to preserve your natural teeth and straighten your smile without the need to carry out any extractions. Although we will of course let you know if we feel an extraction is the best course of treatment. 
Six Month Braces and Invisalign can usually be carried out without the need for extractions. 

4. How long will treatment take?

How long teeth straightening treatment takes will depend on your individual case, the degree of movement and the type of treatment you are having. Prior to starting treatment we will provide you with a detailed treatment plan that will provide an estimated treatment time scale. 

Teeth straightening can be carried out in as little as four to six months for minor issues or up to 24 months for more complex cases. 

5. How often will I need to attend the surgery?

Again this will depend on the teeth straightening system you have, but is normally every four to eight weeks. 

6. How do I look after my braces?

Once your brace is fitted the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre will provided you with detailed aftercare advice. It is generally advised that you brush your teeth after every meal and use interdental cleaning aids daily. 

7. What is a retainer?

A retainer can be removable or fitted to the back of the teeth in order to keep the teeth in their final position after teeth straightening treatment has been completed and the brace has been removed. The retainer prevents the teeth from regressing back to their original position.

8. How much will it cost?

All costs will be fully explained when you attend for your consultation appointment. At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we want to ensure that financial considerations do not prevent you from achieving the smile of your dreams and we are therefore pleased to be able to offer a range of finance options, to help you spread your treatment into manageable monthly amounts. 

We are currently in the process of reopening for routine dental treatment so if you would like to find out more about teeth straightening email Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on info@maidstonndental.co.uk and we will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as possible.

Looking after your teeth and gums is an essential part of learning to live with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as problems with teeth and gums can be more common for people with diabetes. 

If left untreated diabetes can cause:

• Dry mouth
• Increased risk of cavities
• Inflamed and bleeding gums
• Problems tasting food
• Oral thrush
• Delayed wound healing
• Increased risk of dental infections
• Tooth loss

It is important that you inform your dentist if you have either new onset or long-standing diabetes as this will affect your dental treatment and how often the dentist will want to review your teeth and gums. 

Diabetes and Dental Hygiene

People with diabetes who have poor control of their blood glucose levels are more likely to develop dental health problems. Keeping your blood sugar within a normal range will help to reduce this risk. Eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and giving up smoking is also advised to help lessen the risk of oral health problems. 

Symptoms of dental health problems

You should visit the dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms, to enable them to prevent any problems from worsening:

• Sore or swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth 
• Bad breath

Diabetes and gum diseases

Gum disease is the most common dental disease affecting those living with diabetes, affecting nearly 22% of those diagnosed. Having prolonged high blood glucose levels can lead to gum disease developing or worsening more quickly, too much sugar in your blood can lead to more sugar in your saliva, and that’s the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria produce acid which attacks your tooth enamel and damages your gums. High blood sugar levels can also damage the blood vessels in your gums, and this makes them more likely to get infected. Keeping your levels within a normal range reduces the risk of infection spreading.

Unfortunately, when your body begins to fight an infection, blood glucose levels will usually rise in response. Should the infection in your mouth become worse, you could have problems with food intake, which might affect your diabetes management.

Your dentist can help you with your diabetes if you have developed gum disease or another mouth infection.

Diabetes and thrush

Thrush is a fungal infection which can occur in the mouth. People with poor blood sugar control are more likely to develop thrush. 

Signs of oral thrush include white patches within the mouth, redness of tongue and cracking of the skin at the corner of the lips. 

Dental appointments

It is important that you arrange your dental appointments to fit your diabetes treatment regime. This will help to reduce the risk of hypos during treatment. 

7 tips to maintain good oral health

1. 1.Check your blood sugars regularly to keep them in your target range
2. 2. Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
3. 3. After brushing spit don’t rinse, to enable to fluoride in the toothpaste to continue working. 
4. 4. Use interdental cleaning aids to remove plaque from between teeth, ideally before toothbrushing
5. 5. To prevent dental decay, you should reduce the frequency of sugary snacks and carbonated drinks
6. 6. Water is the only drink you should take to bed at night
7. 7. If you are diagnosed with gum disease your blood sugar may be more difficult to manage, but effective gum treatment can help to improve it
8. 8.Your teeth and gums should be checked every 6 months and your dentist will advise how often you should attend for appointments with the hygienist

Diabetes increases your risk of dental problems, so it is important that you attend for regular dental appointments. The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre work closely with you to customise individual treatment plans that successfully meet your personal needs. Although we are currently unable to see patients for face to face consultations if you are concerned about your dental health do not hesitate to contact us on info@maidstonndental.co.uk and we will endeavour to help you in any way possible. 

There may come a time when you have a tooth that can no longer be repaired, and the only option will be to have the tooth extracted. Then you must decide about what to do with the gap left behind. Two of the most popular treatment choices to replace a missing tooth are dentures or dental implants. 

In this blog we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of both dentures and dental implants to help give you the information you need to make an informed decision on the treatment that best meets your needs. 

Dentures

Dentures are made by creating either an acrylic (plastic) or chrome (metal) base and onto these composite teeth are added in a shade to match your natural teeth. 

Advantages

• Dentures can be made to replace either one, several or all teeth on your upper or lower jaw
• Dentures can be fitted immediately after a tooth is extracted so no-one will even know you are missing a tooth
• Dentures allow further teeth to be added following any future extractions
• Dentures improve your appearance and bite
• Dentures are suitable for most people
• Dentures are less expensive than dental implants

Disadvantages

• Dentures will need to be remade and relined as the shape of your jaw changes overtime
• Dentures do not support the jaw so you will notice bone loss over time
• Dentures will need to be completely replaced every 7-8 years
• Dentures can take time to get used to and you will need to practice in order to be able to speak and eat with confidence

Dental implants

Dental implants are made by inserting a titanium screw into your jaw which is then used to support a crown, bridge or denture depending on how many teeth need to be replaced. 

Advantages

• Dental implants can be used to replace one, several or all teeth. 
• Dental implants can either be placed for individual teeth or can be used to support dentures replacing all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. 
• Dental implants help to improve your appearance, bite and how you speak.
• Dental implants help to maintain the bone levels in your jaw and can even help to promote bone growth needed to stabilise and secure the implant
• Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth so you will be able to speak and eat with complete confidence
• Dental implants allow you to eat a full and varied diet, nothing is off limits!
• If properly cared for a dental implant should last for at least 10 years

Disadvantages

• It takes 3-4 months for the dental implants to be completed. The base of the implant will be inserted and then left to heal before a crown, bridge or denture can be placed on top.
• Dental implants can only be placed if you have sufficient bone in your jaw and it is healthy enough. If not, a bone graft will be required prior to treatment starting
• Dental implants are not suitable if you smoke and if you suffer with gum disease there is a higher risk of the implant failing
• Dental implants are expensive to place initially

No one treatment is better than the other. It is dependent on what you would like and whether you are suitable for that treatment.

Currently we are unable to see patients for face to face consultations but if you would like to find out more about dentures or dental implants email Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on info@maidstonndental.co.uk and we will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as possible.