Category: Blog

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, Invisalignaligners 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 029to 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.

Mouth Cancer Action Month

Airflow stain removal is a simple and effective way to remove surface stains from teeth. The system uses a focused jet of compressed air, water and bicarbonate particles. It takes just one appointment and will leave your teeth feeling smooth, clean, polished and ready to smile with confidence.

Airflow is a great way to remove surface staining, caused by tea, coffee, wine, curry, chlorhexidine and tobacco, but it will not lighten the base colour of your teeth. To achieve this, you will need to consider a course of teeth whitening.

Following treatment teeth can remain stain free for up to a year, but this will entirely depend on your lifestyle. Most patients who chose Airflow stain removal will have the procedure around once a year, and also just before any special occasions. It is perfect for getting wedding ready.

The key benefits of Airflow stain removal

Dramatic results in only one appointment

Airflow stain removal treatment is a pleasant and comfortable oral cleansing therapy. It takes just one appointment and will leave your teeth feeling smooth, clean, polished and ready to smile with confidence.

Remove stains caused by tobacco, foods and drinks

Airflow uses air, sodium bicarbonate or glycine powder and a gentle jet stream of water to remove surface stains. You will immediately see and feel the difference.

Gentle on teeth and gums

Airflow stain removal is kind to the tooth surface; it will significantly improve tooth brightness and give you a noticeably sparkling fresh healthy mouth in an instant.

Affordable and Pain Free

Most patients who choose Airflow stain removal cleaning will have the procedure around once a year, and also just before any special occasions. Anaesthetic is not required, and the cleaning is pain-free. The only thing is that you may get a little wet.

If you would like to book an appointment contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682029.

Your reminder’s come through, it’s that time of year again, you are due for your routine dental appointment. You don’t have any problems, surely it won’t matter if you put it off for a couple of months?

Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we have some very good reasons why even if you don’t have any problems you should still attend for your routine dental appointment.

Keep up With Preventative Care

Keeping up with preventative care is important. Damage to teeth, gums, or mouth can happen at any time. Preventative care and regular dental maintenance help make sure that it has less of a chance to happen. Make sure you speak with your dentist about preventative care for your oral health.

Avoid Possible Later Pain

Preventative care also helps you avoid possible later pain. Tooth or gum pain is no joke, so it is important to take care of it upfront. For example, if you get a cavity, it can cause you a lot of pain. If that had been taken care of sooner rather than later, you can avoid more pain and procedures that could have been prevented.

Oral Health Links With Your Whole Health

You cannot underestimate your oral health. It is linked to your health overall. Leaving dental problems untreated is dangerous. Certain dental problems left untreated can cause more severe health concerns, such as stroke, heart disease, and more. A regular dentist appointment will save your health and your wallet.

It Will Cost More Later

Waiting on your dental needs may make your wallet emptier too. You can expect the cost for more severe or emergency situations to be much higher than regular preventative services. If you wait, the cost also goes up because your needed treatment plans may change. A simple cavity filling is one thing, but a root canal is much more expensive.

Pain, Pain, Go Away! Book Your Appointment to See Us Today

Due for your routine dental appointment? Call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682029and book your consultation today.

Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we see patients regularly for their scheduled hygiene appointments in order to keep their gums and teeth healthy. We tailor all hygiene appointments to the needs of our patients, as some require specific help, for example denture wearers, children and teenagers with braces.

Question: How often should I visit the dentist?

To keep your teeth and gums healthy, it is important to schedule regular checkups and dental cleanings. Adult patients should visit the dentist at least once every six months. Regular dental cleanings remove stains and plaque buildup, preventing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Question: How can I prevent cavities?

Cavities are permanent small holes that develop on the hard surface of your teeth. Tooth decay is associated with a variety of factors, including your dietary choices and dental hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing once a day are the most effective ways to remove plaque buildup from between the teeth and below the gumline. Regular dental cleanings and checkups at your local dentist also support proper oral and dental hygiene, especially when combined with fluoride treatment. To minimize acid-producing bacteria that attack your tooth enamel, drink fluoridated tap water and maintain a well-balanced diet that is low in sugary or starchy foods and acidic beverages.

Question: Why does the dentist take X-rays?

X-Rays allow your dentist to look for oral health issues that may be difficult to identify with a visual examination alone.

Question: Why is fluoride important for your dental health?

Fluoride plays an important role in fighting tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to acid-producing bacteria. By drinking fluoridated tap water, using toothpaste with fluoride, or rinsing with fluoridated mouthwash, you can protect your teeth against cavities.

Question: Do I really need to floss daily?

To achieve optimum oral health, you need to floss your teeth every day. Lots of people ‘don’t like it’ or find ‘that it hurts’ but if you floss correctly it shouldn’t hurt, it’s just about making it part of your daily routine. There are also lots of different flosses and tools you can try if you find it awkward, and we are happy to advise you on finding the product that works best for you.

 Question: My gums bleed when I floss, is that gum disease?

Once you begin to remove the plaque build-up the bleeding should then reduce, so it is important to keep going. If you feel pain that persists, or the bleeding doesn’t stop, you should speak to your dentist who will check the method you are using to floss as well as your oral health to see what might be causing the problem.

 Question: Is mouthwash good or bad?

Mouthwash can be used as part of your oral health regime to reinforce all the good things you are doing during brushing and flossing. Most mouthwashes contain fluoride, so they work alongside your toothpaste to remineralise the teeth and help to fight cavities. Antibacterial mouthwashes that contain ingredients like Chlorexhidine or alcohol can also help to protect against gum disease.

Question: Should I see the dentist if I don’t have symptoms?

Even if you do not have any symptoms, it is still important to schedule regular dental checkups to identify minor issues before they develop into larger problems.

If you have any questions, be sure to book an appointment with us today to discuss your options. Contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682029and get the advice you need today.

5 steps to ensure your child’s smile lasts a lifetime.

University Oral Health survival guide

At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, we understand that a trip to the dentist can be scary. That’s why our first priority is your comfort. However, this fear of oral care has led to many myths being spread regarding your dental care! That’s why we’ve collated these five common dental myths and busted them for you, to put your mind at ease and make that trip to the dentist a little easier.

Brushing With Bleeding Gums Is Bad

If your gums are bleeding, that’s a sign of plaque or food accumulating on the gum line, to which the solution is to brush to remove all that gunk! This will help lessen the irritation and inflammation on your gums. Dentists recommend you brush at a 45° with the bristles pointing towards your gums as the best method of removing this build up.

Brush Hard, Brush Long

This one’s often well-meaning, but you can actually be damaging your teeth if you brush too hard and for too long. Your mouth is sensitive, and overzealous brushing can grind down the tooth enamel and damage the gums. Dentists recommend brushing twice daily for two minutes each time.

Tooth Decay Is Inevitable

This is often an excuse to slack off on the oral care, but it’s simply not true. Tooth decay is preventable, and with the right oral care and help from your dentist, you can maintain your teeth for life.

Teeth Whitening Weakens the Teeth

If your teeth whitening is done according to your dentist’s instructions – then you’ll experience no weakening of your teeth’s structure at all. Overuse of these products may cause some brief teeth sensitivity or irritation, but this still is not a sign of weakened teeth.

Oral Health Doesn’t Affect My Overall Health

Nope! Research has shown that there may be a correlation between your oral health and the state of your heart, meaning that proper dental hygiene is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Our team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre can help with your oral health. We’re experts in preventative and restorative dental treatments and can aid you in ensuring that your oral health doesn’t suffer from the listed myths! Contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01622 682029and get the advice you need today.

Causes of sensitive teeth

Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, we want to ensure that everyone has the chance to improve the appearance of their smile. There are a number of different treatments that can be used to give you a smile makeover including:

White Fillings – composite or white fillings can be matched to the natural colour of your teeth, ensuring that they are less noticeable when you talk, laugh and smile.

Veneers – Veneers are a very thin layer of porcelain or composite which is fitted over the front surface of your tooth to improve the colour, shape, or position. Veneers are often used to repair chipped teeth or to close small gaps, where braces would be unsuitable.

Teeth Whitening – Using our professional teeth whitening system it is possible to restore your teeth to their natural colour or even lighter. Teeth whitening is the safest and most cost-efficient cosmetic treatment which causes no damage to your teeth. The team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre have whitened thousands of teeth and will ensure you achieve the smile you deserve.

Crowns – Crowns are placed over broken, damaged or root treated teeth to help strengthen and repair them. Crowns are normally made from a white ceramic which can be colour matched to your natural teeth.

Dental Implants – dental implants can be used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Dental implantsare placed into the jaw and are used to support crowns, bridges or denturesdepending on the number of teeth to be replaced.

Teeth Straightening – Teeth straighteningis no longer a procedure reserved only for teenagers. Over the past few years there have been an increasing number of adults improving the appearance of their smile with teeth straightening.

Facial aesthetics – At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we are experienced at providing facial and skin care treatments. We provide a wide range of facial aesthetic treatments that are aimed to help you look and feel great again. All of our treatments are carried out by Dr Gill, who has undergone extensive training to qualify in the latest facial aesthetics treatment, ensuring you will always receive the right treatments and products to meet your needs.

These treatments can be combined to straighten, lighten, reshape, and repair your teeth whether for a wedding, special occasion or simply for you! A smile makeover involves a careful combination of these select treatments to achieve the attractive smile you have always wanted. At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we listen to your concerns and come up with a bespoke treatment plan to help you achieve a smile that you might never have dreamed possible!