Category: Blog

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?

• • 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.

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.

If you’re considering treatment to straighten your teeth, it’s likely you’re trying to decide between traditional metal braces and Invisalign. You know that Invisalign looks better, but does Invisalign work as well as metal braces? In this month’s blog, the team at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre have put together their thoughts on the most significant benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces.

You Can Eat and Drink Whatever You Want

With traditional metal braces, there’s an extensive list of verboten foods. Hard foods can cause brackets to break off of your teeth when you bite into them, while chewy foods easily get stuck on, in, and around your brackets and wires, creating the perfect breeding ground for sugar-loving bacteria. With Invisalign, you’ll never have to worry about committing a list of forbidden foods to memory. Simply take your aligner trays out before meals and snacks, eat whatever you want, brush (or at the very least, rinse with water), and put your aligners back in place.

Invisalign Is Virtually Invisible

Before Invisalign, so many adults liked the idea of having straighter teeth, but were put off by the prospect of traditional metal braces. Invisalign is a game-changer for anyone in need of teeth straightening treatment. Most people won’t even know you’re wearing your aligners––they’re made with thin, clear plastic that’s almost invisible. Now you can get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted without drawing attention to the fact that you’re straightening your teeth.

Oral Hygiene Is Easier

Metal braces make good oral hygiene extraordinarily difficult. It’s not impossible, of course, but flossing and brushing around your brackets and wires takes a lot of time and patience. With Invisalign, oral hygiene is as simple as removing your plastic aligners and brushing and flossing as usual.

You’ll Never Have Orthodontic Emergencies

One of the many inconveniences of traditional braces is the inevitable teeth straightening emergency. Invisalign aligners are strong––you don’t have to worry about breaking them. That means no emergency visits to the dentist.

Invisalign Is Comfortable

Invisalign aligners are made with smooth plastic that fits snugly against the teeth, in contrast to obtrusive metal brackets. There are no wires poking your cheeks and soft tissue, and no painful wire tightening every four weeks––instead, you’ll switch your aligners yourself at home every two weeks.

You Can Remove Your Aligners

Because Invisalign aligners are practically invisible, there’s really no need to ever remove them. Sometimes, though, our patients have special events that they’d prefer to attend without wearing their aligners––a wedding, giving an important speech at a conference, or even a first date. With Invisalign, removing your aligners for a few hours is not a problem.

Invisalign Is Just as Effective as Traditional Metal Braces

Invisalign isn’t just made with plastic––it’s made from advanced SmartTrack® material, for more predictable, controlled tooth movements. Invisalign is just as effective as metal braces for almost all orthodontic cases..

You’ll Spend Less Time at the Dentist

You spend a lot of time at the dentist with traditional metal braces. Every four weeks, you’ll go in for a scheduled visit where your braces will be adjusted and tightened. Because there are no wires with Invisalign to tighten, you only need to follow up with us every six weeks, and these visits are much quicker than they are with traditional braces. We’ll just take a look to make sure your treatment is on the right track and send you on your way.

Find Out More About Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre Invisalign Services

If you’d like to learn more about whether Invisalign is right for you or you’d like to schedule an appointment for a consultation with one of our dentists, contact us on 01296 712264.

Many adults who suffer with headaches may never realize, however, that their dental health may cause or worsen their headache symptoms.

If you find yourself struggling with unexplained headaches, you may need to evaluate your teeth or jaw for any underlying conditions that might factor into your pain. Discover three such issues that can play a role in acute or chronic headaches.

Tooth Damage

Any tooth damage that exposes sensitive nerve tissue can cause pain. However, this pain may not limit itself to the affected tooth. Pain in the tooth’s nerve pulp can travel along the trigeminal nerve to other parts of the head, resulting in what feels like a classic tension headache or light or sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.

A cracked, broken, or severely worn tooth should receive prompt professional care, not only to guard against infection and improve function but also to prevent or relieve pain. Permanent crowns can cover and protect damaged enamel, safeguarding the nerve tissue against unwelcome stimuli and preventing additional damage.

Infections and Abscesses

In addition to triggering nerve pain, a fractured or decayed tooth can also develop a painful bacterial infection. The bacteria destroy the sensitive pulp chamber of the tooth, causing symptoms such as pain, fever, and swelling. It can also invade the jaw, resulting in an abscess.

Diseased nerve tissue can transfer pain to the face or head just as easily as acute damage to the tooth enamel. An abscess in the upper jaw can also produce an acute sinus infection, causing debilitating sinus or migraine headaches.

Fortunately, you can avoid the worst of these complications by treating that nagging toothache as quickly as possible. Root canal treatment can often save even a seriously infected tooth, while antibiotics can clear up any infection in surrounding tissues. As the infection recedes, so will your headaches.

Bruxism

The unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth can produce chronic headaches. This problem, known as bruxism, typically occurs during sleep. Emotional stress and alignment problems between the top and bottom teeth can fatigue the jaw muscles, wear down the enamel, or even lead to tooth fractures.

The tooth damage from bruxism can transfer nerve pain from the teeth into the face and head. Meanwhile, strain on the jaw muscles can cause pain that spreads from these muscles to your head, resulting in a TMJ-related tension headache.

Your dentist can help you ward off bruxism-related headaches. You may need to have a custom night guard fitted to reduce overnight jaw tension and enamel wear.

If you suspect that your headache problem might actually stem from a dental problem, start your search for solutions at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01296 712264to schedule an evaluation and learn more about dental treatment for headaches.

5 Oral health tips to keep your whites pearly.

It seems that if you have missing teeth,your dentist will be singing the praises of what dental implants have to offer.

But with that said, dental implants do have some down-sides to consider. Fortunately, many of those supposed disadvantages have very beneficial advantages that outweigh them.

In this month’s blog we look at the pros and cons of dental implants

Pro: A Dental Implant Can Last a Lifetime

Studies have shown that well-cared for dental implants can last decades, suggesting they’ll be a lifelong part of your smile. The failure rate of dental implants is extremely low. With a 98% success rate, dental implants are the most proven and effective treatment offered in modern dentistry.

Con: The Restoration on Top Can Wear Out

Your implant is only the part of the tooth that supports a fixed restoration on top of it. If you get a crown or a bridge, the porcelain can still wear out and need to be replaced every decade.

Pro: Dental Implants Mimic Natural Teeth

Dental implants’ design is based on the natural size and shape of the tooth they’re replacing. This feature allows them to support your bone and facial tissues for a healthy and youthful appearance.

Con: You’ll Need Enough Bone to Support Them

As with natural teeth, you’ll need enough bone to hold dental implantsin place. Going quite some time with a missing tooth allows for the bone to shrink. Fortunately, a bone graft can help with this dilemma.

Pro: They’re the Most Cost-Effective Missing Tooth Treatment

Compared to other types of restorations that need to be routinely replaced every several years, the price of dental implants is relatively less.

Con: Initial Investments Cost More Than Other Options

Your upfront treatment expenses will be slightly more if you get dental implants, compared to choosing something like dentures. However, it’s the long-term numbers that prove this investment is worth it!

Pro: You Can Replace as Many Teeth as You Need To

With dental implantsit is possible to use one, two, or as few as four to support anything from a single crown to a full arch denture. You do not necessarily need an individual implant for each tooth that is missing. They are extremely durable and support more weight than a natural tooth.

Con: The Process Can Seem Time Consuming

Planning your dental implant surgery requires several phases of treatment. From the consultation and exam to the surgical placement, followed by the healing phase and restorative visits, you may wind up requiring multiple appointments over the course of around six months.

If you are considering getting dental implants, schedule a consultation at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01296 712264 and see what our highly trained team of dentists can suggest to restore your smile to its former glory.

At the start of a new year, we all look at ways of tightening our belts to recover from the excesses of Christmas. Want to find ways of maintaining a healthy smile without blowing your budget? Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we have several ways to help you save money on your dental care.

Attend for regular, routine appointments

It may be easy to postpone your routine appointments if you do not feel you have any problems with your teeth, but it is much easier to fix any problems if they are identified and treated early. Just remember, the bill for a small filling will be much less than when you require an emergency appointment for a large cavity or abscess.

Set up a payment plan

At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we want you to achieve your desired smile. To make this goal achievable for everyone, we offer dental financing options including a 0% finance facility. This makes large treatments more affordable by allowing you to pay for it over an appropriate period, ensuring that you can get the treatment you need to make you look and feel amazing.

Maintain good oral hygiene at home

Routine dental appointments will help to cut down on your dental costs, but in order to ensure that you do not get a scare at your next visit, you need to ensure that you stay on top of the day-to-day care of your teeth as well.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
• Use interdental cleaning aids daily.
• Change your toothbrush every three months or more often if the bristles become worn
• Cut down on how often you consume sugary foods and drinks.

 

If you would like to find out more about cutting the cost of your dental treatment, do not hesitate to call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01622 682029.

A recent survey revealed that 3 in 4 UK adults don’t like smiling for the camera. A bright white smile can not only help you to appear younger and more attractive but can also help to improve your confidence and self-esteem. Smile makeovers are performed for many reasons and our dentists will ensure that your treatment plan is tailored to ensure that you achieve the results you are looking for.

Teeth Whitening

Here at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we are able to offer two different whitening treatments.

At Home Teeth Whitening – Following your consultation the dentist will take impressions of your teeth, which will be used to create custom whitening trays. The treatment will be customized so that it can best fit around your daily routine.

In Surgery Teeth Whitening – You will need to attend the surgery for a 45-minute appointment during which a peroxide gel will be applied to your teeth. This is then activated using a blue light. This treatment will provide instant whitening results. The gel will be applied, activated, and then washed off at least three times during the session.

Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain which are attached to the front of your teeth to improve the appearance or color of your teeth. They can also be used to close small gaps where teeth straightening treatments would not be appropriate.

Cosmetic Bonding

Dental bonding is a procedure where a tooth-coloured resin is applied to the teeth to improve the shape and close gaps between teeth. The resin is hardened with a special light, which will bond the material securely to the natural tooth.

By using cosmetic bonding it is possible to ensure that the minimum amount of tooth structure is removed. This helps to enhance the potential life of your teeth

Dental Implants

If you are missing some teeth, dental implants can provide the closest possible replacement to having your natural teeth back. Unlike bridges or dentures, dental implants are secured to the jaw using a titanium post, so they will not shift or move, allowing you to live life to the full, talking, eating and smiling with confidence.

Teeth Straightening

Over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of adults turning to teeth straightening procedures to help improve the appearance of their smile.

Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre are able to offer Invisalign, Six Month Braces, Quick Straight Teeth, Social Six, Damon Braces, Lingual Braces and Inman Aligner. The wide variety of different treatment options means that no matter what the problem we will have the teeth straightening procedure to help.

Facial Aesthetics

At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre we are your local facial aesthetics specialists.

Facial aesthetics can be used to give you a more youthful and confident appearance easily and painlessly. At your consultation we will discuss your concerns in order that we can provide the right solution to meet your needs.

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.

Call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on 01296 712264 and see what our highly trained team of dentists can suggest to help you achieve your perfect smile.

The Christmas holidays are one of the most joyful times of the year. Cue the parties, delicious foods, and drinks that hit the right spot- what’s not to enjoy? But while we’re having the time of our lives, our skin has other plans. The late nights and overindulgence begin to take a toll on our skin, so by the time the big day comes around, our skin isn’t feeling so merry and bright. Facial treatments can help you to stay festive and fabulous throughout the Christmas holidays. With many different types of facial treatments available, you can target just about any skin concern to look and feel your best on Christmas Day.

Lucious lips

The most popular beauty treatment all year long, it’s time to book your Christmas lip filler appointment. Boosting volume and definition as well as hydrating the lips, lip filler can be a major boost in confidence for many of us.

Slim the face

Many of us are self-conscious about our face looking too bulky. Anti-wrinkle injections can be injected into the masseter muscle. This works to relax the muscle, making the face appear slimmer.

Tackle a trio of wrinkles

Wrinkles and fine lines can become increasingly prevalent and pronounced on our faces during the colder months, making us look tired and older. For a quick refresh and rejuvenation, anti-wrinkle injections can be used to tackle the trio of most common wrinkles including forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet.

Skin Peels

Chemical peels have long been the best way to take your skin back to the drawing board, and our fabulous Skin Peels are certainly no exception! As the perfect treatment for those afflicted by seasonal acne, unsightly scarring or all manner of tonal inconsistencies, this powerful, three-step facial can be adapted to meet your skin concerns head-on, with your skin tone and type also playing a leading role in our approach to treatment.

As we’re sure you can imagine, the treatments listed above are but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what we have to offer at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre. To find out more about how we can help you get your skin ready for Christmas, call us on 01622 682 029 today.

Are you struggling with your Christmas shopping this year? Although oral hygiene gifts may not be at the top of everyone’s wish list, they are essential to keep our pearly whites healthy and clean.

If you are fresh out of Christmas shopping ideas, you have come to the right place! Check out our list of 6 must-have items, from the dentists at Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre.

6 Gift Ideas to Make Everyone on Your Christmas List Smile

1. Sugar-Free Chewing Gum: Not only is sugar-free gum a perfect stocking filling, but it is also great for your oral health. If you chew sugarless gum 20 minutes after you eat a meal, then you will be less likely to develop cavities. The gum helps wash away food particles by increasing saliva production. It also helps neutralize cavity-causing bacteria.

The acid in your mouth not only causes cavities, but it can also cause enamel erosion. Because chewing gum helps reduce acid, it can help protect your enamel. If you have a stronger enamel, then you will be less likely to develop cavities.

2. Toothbrush Timer: Most people know you’re supposed to brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, but how many of us actually time it? A toothbrush timer makes it easy to keep track of how long you’re brushing, and it’s the perfect size for a stocking filler!

3. Professional Whitening Treatments: At Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, teeth whitening is one of our most popular dental treatments we offer. Teeth whitening is a safe, fast, effective and an affordable treatment that can drastically improve the appearance of teeth.

4. An Electric Toothbrush: It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Not only do electric toothbrushes make great gifts, but they can improve your loved ones brushing habits and oral hygiene.

5. Water Flossers: Water flossers are gentle and less likely to cause gum irritation, inflammation, and bleeding. They are also able to clean out the periodontal pockets in our mouths where both toothbrushes and traditional floss can’t reach and are an effective way for all individuals to keep their mouths clean and happy.

6. Sports Mouth guard: Does your child play contact sports such as rugby, hockey, or lacrosse? If you have a sporty child, consider getting them a mouth guard for Christmas. Custom-made mouth guards are safer, more comfortable, and more likely to be used. They can also be customised with team colours, logos, glitter, etc.

We hope our list of dental inspired gifts helped help diminish your shopping woes.

Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre your local dentist in Maidstone, Kent is a mixed NHS and Private Dental Practice. Our experienced dentists are highly trained to ensure that your needs are listened to and met. Our dentists will ensure all treatments are conducted in a calm and relaxing environment. Whether you are looking to maintain your healthy smile or craft the smile of your dreams, we can help.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our patients a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you all again in 2023!