University Oral Health survival guide
5 Dental Myths Busted!!
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
Causes of sensitive teeth
Get your smile summer ready!
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!
Growing old gracefully
Over the past few years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people turning to facial aesthetics treatments to help them grow old gracefully.
Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, we are please to be able to offer you a wide range of facial aesthetics treatments.
Anti-wrinkle Treatments
Wrinkle reduction treatment after a thorough consultation, may help to relax the muscles under the skin so that when you frown or smile, the treated muscles stay relaxed and do not crease the skin. Wrinkle reduction can be used to help improve the appearance of lines on the forehead, round the eyes and eyebrows and in the neck area.
Dermal Fillers
Looking for a treatment that provides younger looking skin in as little as an hour? Dermal fillers are a popular and versatile treatment, that plumps, volumizes and lifts the skin leaving it smooth, contoured, and youthful.
Lip Enhancement
Lip enhancement treatment is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment procedure aimed at improving the appearance of your lips by adding shape, structure and volume to them. Lip enhancement treatment is a popular treatment which improves your appearance and boosts your self-esteem.
Nose Reshaping
Non-surgical nose reshaping has become popular in the last 10 years due to the cost and lengthy recovery times required for surgical nose jobs.
Non-surgical Rhinoplasty also known as nose reshaping is a medical procedure which involves the altering or reshaping of the nose with injectable fillers. By filling in depressions, smoothing out sharp angles and improving the symmetry of the nose, these injectable fillers can give it a more streamlined appearance without surgery.
Pdo Thread Therapy
PDO Thread Therapy is an effective cosmetic procedure that aims to reduce or tighten sagging skin tissues particularly around the neck, jawline, cheeks and nose to mouth folds and the brow areas.
Belkyra Double Chin Treatment
Belkyra- double chin treatment may be suitable for you if you are unhappy, self-conscious, or embarrassed about fat under the chin area, which is also known as submental fullness. Also, if you feel you look older with your sagging chin and don’t want to undergo surgery this may be a suitable treatment for you.
Obagi
Obagi is a professional skin care system that can help to protect and preserve youthful looking skin and correct visible signs of ageing. It is never too early to start taking care of your skin. By protecting your skin from sun damage and other environmental conditions you can take a proactive approach to prevent future skin problems before they arise.
Microneedling
Microneedling uses a dermaroller with very fine needles to puncture the top layers of the skin on the face. This slight injury to the skin helps to promote the skin’s own production of new collagen and skin tissue, helping to give your skin a smoother, firmer, and more toned appearance. Microneedling can be used to help improve the appearance of scars, wrinkles and large pores.
Skin Peels
Skin peels are a fantastic way of treating a range of conditions including wrinkles, scarring, acne, sun damage and pigmentation. They can also help to refresh tired looking skin. Skin peels work through the upper layers of the skin, right down to the lower levels of the epidermis. This helps to give more dramatic, longer lasting results.
If you would like to find out more information about facial aesthetics treatments or to book a consultation appointment please call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01296 712264. Invest in your skin, it is going to represent you for a very long time!
My experience of Root Canal Treatment
Following my root canal treatment last month, I wanted to help to reassure those people with reservations about root canal treatment, that it is definitely worth it.
I first attended my dentist with some pain when biting down. They took x-rays and explained that there was infection present in the root of the tooth. I was given two options either the tooth could be extracted, or I could have root canal treatment.
Now although root canal treatment may seem scary, once the dentist had explained the benefits of trying to save the tooth, I decided to go ahead with the root canal treatment. This was especially important for me as the tooth is visible when I smile, and I really did not want to be left with a gap.
I made sure to book an early appointment to give me as little time as possible to get anxious and worried about the treatment.
The dentist gave me a local anaesthetic to ensure that the tooth was numb, and I would experience no discomfort while the treatment was completed. In order to perform the root canal treatment, the dentist must first gain access to the area inside the tooth where the nerve resides. In my case this involved removing the old filling.
For the next step the dentist will clean the interior of your tooth. To do this they will use root canal files and irrigation. Root canal files have a rough surface and when they are twisted into the tooth they will scrape and scrub the sides of the tooth’s canal, thus cleaning it out. As an additional part of the cleaning process, your dentist will wash the tooth out to help flush away any debris. This part of the treatment may seem a bit repetitive, but it is important to ensure that all the infection is removed.
Once this was complete the dentist put a temporary filling over the tooth and advised me that I would need to attend for another appointment the following week.
When I attended for my second appointment the dentist assessed the tooth. The temporary filling was removed, and a permanent filling put in its place. I have been advised that I should have a crown put on the tooth as it is now rather brittle.
I felt no pain throughout the process and have not had any adverse effects to treatment. My tooth was a little sore for a couple of days but nothing some over the counter painkillers couldn’t keep at bay.
If you’re dentist advises you that you need a root canal treatment, do not fear. 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 have any concerns or queries do not hesitate to ask one of team on 01296 712264.
Benefits of Interdental cleaning
Benefits of Interdental cleaning
A day in the life of a Dentist
For many of you, your only experience of a dentist will be your six-monthly check-ups, so you only see us in action for 40 mins a year!
What do we do for the rest of our time though? There’s no such a thing as a ‘normal’ or average day, as each appointment is different.
One of the most enjoyable things about being a dentist is that there is no such thing as a routine day. Every day is different, and every day is varied. However, here’s is a bit of an outline and insight into what we are up to all day!
Patients
Most of my days are spent in surgery assessing and treating patients. I am always pleased when someone chooses us to look after them and want to ensure that we always offer the highest possible standard of treatment.
Dental Emergencies
We ALWAYS try and get you out of pain, but we can’t always do the full treatment there and then, as we simply don’t know how long we will need until we’ve seen you. Sometimes I have to rebook you back in for a longer appointment to carry out the full treatment once I’ve patched you up.
Notes
After every appointment – regardless of the reason for the visit, there are notes to write on the computer and I need liaise with reception, so they know if you need to come back for any reason.
Managing the team
I would not be able to work efficiently without a skilled and efficient team and at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre I am incredibly lucky to have one of the best. The nurses help to keep the surgery running to time, whilst the reception team are amazing at ensuring that my appointment book is always full but that we always have the ability to see a patient in a dental emergency.
Training
As part of my ongoing registration with the GDC I am required to complete a certain amount of training every year, some of this is linked to improving my skills and knowledge so that I can provide a higher service to patients, whilst other parts are involved in health and safety, safeguarding, infection control or medical emergencies. To name but a few!
Why did I want to become a dentist?
I loved science, I loved working with people, and I couldn’t stand the idea of sitting behind a desk.
One thing I really like about dentistry is that you can usually help someone pretty instantly. You can take a tooth out, do a root canal or put in a filling there and then. I like the instant feeling – I can put my gloves on and I can fix your tooth.
There is also a lot of planning involved and it’s nice to have a mixture of both. Sometimes I look at a patient’s mouth and see they haven’t been to the dentist in a while and need a number of different treatments. I do enjoy the planning and staging, doing the appointments and seeing the results over a longer period of time. That’s equally satisfying.
What’s The Best Thing About my Job?
I like the variety. I like being able to rebuild someone’s smile.
I like seeing patients who were previously too nervous to even come into the room, and now we’re doing treatment. I like seeing patients over a long period of time, from little kids to teenagers, to bringing in their own children and even grandchildren.
Every patient is different, so every day is different. Yes, there are the most common treatments: fillings, root canals, making crowns and check-ups. But every day still brings something different, a new challenge or a more unusual procedure.
Over the years dentistry has changed far more than I could ever have imagined when I first qualified and I am sure will continue to grow and evolve in the years to come, ensuring that patients are pain free and feel confident in their teeth and smile.
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01296 712264.
What does the dental hygienist do?
What is a hygienist?
Dental hygienists are specially trained members of the dental team who focus on preventative dental health and treating gum disease, currently the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK.
What does a hygienist do?
The hygienist will scale your teeth to remove any plaque and calculus, will advise you on the best oral hygiene routine to use in between visits to maintain your oral health and they will advise you on lifestyle factors that can affect the health of your teeth and gums.
They will be able to give you focused advice to help care for dental implants, teeth straightening appliances and may also suggest that you give up smoking. Smoking will have a detrimental effect on your teeth increasing the risk of gum disease and staining.
How often should I see the hygienist?
How often you should visit the hygienist will depend on the health of your teeth and gums. To begin with the hygienist may advise that you attend every three months but over time as your oral hygiene improves you should need to visit the hygienist less often.
What are the benefits of visiting the hygienist?
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- Demonstrations on effective tooth brushing techniques to remove plaque without causing tooth wear and receding gums.
- Discussions on the latest oral hygiene products.
- Advice on the best aid to clean in-between teeth.
- Detailed explanation of gum disease.
- Removal of plaque and hard calculus deposits.
- Discussion on the secondary factors that cause gum disease, for example smoking and diabetes.
- Discussion on how gum disease could affect or complicate other health problems, for example heart disease.
- Prevention of tooth decay and erosion
- Diet advice on how to reduce sugary and acidic food and drink.
- Advice on fluoride and apply fluoride varnishes to help remineralise early signs of tooth caries.
- Polishing the teeth to remove food and drink stain.
- Helping to change red and inflamed gums to a healthy pink.
- Stopping gums from bleeding when brushing.
- Preventing teeth from becoming mobile and drifting.
- Preventing unpleasant tastes and bad breath caused by the damaging bacteria in the mouth.
Can I see the hygienist without seeing the dentist?
You are now able to see the hygienist without first seeing the dentist. It must however be noted that a visit to the hygienist is no an alternative to seeing the dentist. You will still need to see the dentist for your routine appointments and the hygienist will refer you to the dentist if they notice any problems or you require treatment which is outside of the training.
What should I do to look after my teeth in between hygienist visits?
In between visits you should follow the oral care routine advised by the hygienist including:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
- Using interdental brushes to clean between your teeth where brushing misses.
- Cutting down on how often you have sugary food and drink.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of attending for a hygienist appointment, contact the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre on 01296 712264.
Top tip for replacing a missing tooth.
Dental implants are safe, reliable and established cosmetic treatment that helps you replace missing teeth. A dental implant is a replacement for the root of your tooth or teeth. Dental implants are secured into the jaw bone and will not be visible once they have been placed. The implant is then used as a base to support a crown, bridge or denture depending on the number of teeth to be replaced. Along with replacing lost teeth, dental implants help maintain the jawbone’s shape and density. This means they also support the facial skeleton and, indirectly, the soft tissue structures — gum tissues, cheeks, and lips. Dental implants help you eat, chew, smile, talk and look completely natural. Dental implants are made of titanium which is lightweight, strong and biocompatible, which means that it is not rejected by the body. Dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device but as with all implants there is no 100% guarantee of success.
Prior to treatment
Prior to any treatment the dentist will need to complete a full assessment of the level and health of bone present in your jaw. To do this they will need to take x-rays of your jaw. If you do not have sufficient bone or the bone is not healthy enough it may be necessary to perform a bone graft prior to any treatment being completed.
Treatment
Dental implants are placed under a local anaesthetic so should be no different to having a filling. You may experience some discomfort in the week following surgery as the bone begins to fuse to the implant. This will then be left for 3-5 months to form a secure foundation.
Once the implant has fully healed an abutment is fitted over the top, which will support the crown, bridge or denture. Depending on the number of teeth to be replaced it may be necessary to have more than one implant to support a bridge or denture.
Prior to starting any treatment, the dentist will provide you with a full written treatment plan explaining exacting what treatment will be carried out and the estimated cost.
Aftercare
Dental implants should last for at least 10 years provided that they are properly cared for. Cleaning around the teeth attached to the implants should be no more difficult than cleaning your natural teeth.
If you suffered from gum disease prior to implant placement there is a chance that gum disease will develop around the implant. Provided you keep the area clean with regular toothbrushing and interdental cleaning and attend the dentist and hygienist for regular routine appointments there should not be a problem.
If you are a smoker the dentist will advise that dental implants are not the best treatment for you as smoking can dramatically reduce the chance of dental implants being successful.
If you have any questions or would like more information on whether dental implants are right for you contact Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01296 712264and arrange a consultation.