Dental hygienists are experts in oral hygiene and aim to promote good oral health through oral hygiene. A dental hygienist may also be involved in the treatment of oral health diseases.
Why would I need to see a dental hygienist?
Even people who brush their teeth twice a day may need to see a dental hygienist at some point for an extra level of cleanliness. Hygienists provide cleaning treatments that are much more intensive and effective than brushing with a manual brush and can help prevent oral health diseases from developing.
Cleaning treatments, such as a scale and polish, are powerful cleaning treatments that remove plaque and bacteria and can shift tartar and bacteria from areas that are hard to reach with a brush. Your hygienist will be able to see any problem areas and address them, helping you to reduce the risk of developing symptoms associated with dental problems. Such symptoms include swelling, pain, soreness and bleeding.
Your dentist may refer you to a hygienist if your teeth could benefit from a thorough clean or you are suffering from gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. You can arrange an appointment if you feel in need of a deep clean; many people enjoy the feeling of a deep clean as it leaves their teeth feeling smooth and looking shiny and healthy.
Dental hygiene tips
Dental hygiene is key for good oral health and a good everyday oral hygiene routine will help to prevent dental problems and enable you to flash a healthy, radiant smile. Your daily oral hygiene routine should incorporate using a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush morning and evening, as well as flossing and using mouthwash. Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups is also really important and most dentists advise patients to attend check-ups every six to twelve months.
As we get older, the natural whiteness of the teeth starts to fade, and the smile can look a little dull. Staining can be accelerated by your diet, and if your enamel becomes thinner, the yellow dentin section underneath becomes exposed, causing your teeth to look discoloured. With tooth whitening, we are able to give your teeth a healthy glow and create a brighter, healthier looking smile without any pain, needles or drilling. If you’re looking for perfect pearly whites this winter, why not try our amazing home whitening treatment?
Home whitening treatment with Clifton Dental Studio
We are always on the lookout for the best treatments and we highly recommend our professional home whitening system. This treatment gives you the chance to enjoy a beautiful, gleaming smile with the added benefit that treatment takes place at home. This means that you can fit your treatment around your normal day to day life and enjoy all the benefits from the comfort of your house. This convenient, easy and safe system provides amazing results that will last for several months.
Home treatment is very straightforward and involves the patient wearing a custom-made whitening tray containing bleaching agent at home. We normally recommend a treatment period of 10 days to 2 weeks for the best results and most of our patients choose to wear the tray at night. The trays should be in place for around 6 hours per day.
Wearing a whitening tray is not painful or uncomfortable and it won’t prevent you from enjoying a good night’s sleep. After the treatment period, the results will be visible for several months and you can top up your treatment very easily if you wish to in the future.
Is whitening safe?
Our whitening treatments are both safe and effective. We use products that are approved by the EU and contain a maximum quantity of 6% hydrogen peroxide.
Composite bonding, also known as cosmetic bonding, is a commonly used dental procedure and an excellent option for patients with chipped or worn teeth. In this procedure, the dentist uses their experience and skill to shape soft dental composite to repair chips and increase the bulk of tooth structure on worn surfaces to enhance the aesthetic of the smile.
During the first stage of treatment, the composite is soft and this enables your dentist to mould it. Once the composite is in the right place, your dentist will then use a curing light to harden it and the tooth will be stronger, as well as looking more aesthetically pleasing.
Bonding generally takes less than an hour, there is no pain and therefore no injections and the results are amazing. Even the smallest chip in the tooth can make you feel self-conscious about the look of your smile and chips can also increase the risk of further damage to the tooth. With bonding, the tooth becomes stronger and your smile looks gorgeous and healthy. Bonding can also be used to reduce the size of a gap between two teeth.
Is cosmetic bonding the best option?
There are other options available for chipped and worn teeth, such as veneers and other restorative treatments. However, in cases where the damage is minor and patients are looking for a quick solution, this treatment is often the best choice. If you have chipped or worn teeth, call our friendly reception team today and we can arrange a consultation to go through the different treatment options with you.
Advancement in technologies, novel materials used in dentistry and innovative dental techniques have led to the development of modern denture solutions for replacing missing teeth. Teeth can be lost due to tooth decay, gum disease or oral trauma. Modern day dentures are able to replace one or more missing teeth.
Assessment for modern day dentures
After assessment, if dentures are suitable, individuals have choices in the type of denture they may prefer. Using dental impressions and images, dentures are custom-made. Time may be needed for gums to heal from extraction before temporary dentures are provided. The bespoke dentures are then fitted and adjusted, providing fully functional teeth with a natural smile.
Options in modern day dentures
Individuals are offered choices in dentures for partial or full teeth replacement. Partial, immediate and complete dentures may be:
acrylic resin bonded to metal base
plastic
Dentures serve to mimic natural teeth and gums, restoring oral function for eating and speaking, and giving aesthetic appeal to the face and smile. Immediate dentures may need adjustment as the oral contours change. Plastic dentures may be less flexible than acrylic resin dentures with a metal base.
It is natural for gum tissue to change over time and dentures may need adjustment. There is also an initial period of getting used to denture wear. For better retention and stability, some people opt for implant-supported dentures that feel and look just like natural teeth supporting facial structures and expression.
Wear and care of modern day dentures
Dentures are designed for daily wear, approximately eight hours per day. Dentures may be soaked in a cleansing solution or lukewarm water overnight and cleaned with a soft-bristled brush, allowing gums to rest overnight. Following dentist-recommended guidelines for oral hygiene practise, denture care and repair allows patients to get the best out of their dentures for longer-lasting results.
If you are interested in having dentures please contact Clifton Dental Studio in Bristol today for a consultation.
Daily dental flossing forms part of an oral hygiene regimen for keeping the mouth clean and healthy. Flossing maintains healthy teeth and gums for a beautiful smile.
Removing plaque
Getting between hard-to-reach dental contours, floss removes debris that sticky plaque may adhere to. When plaque builds up between teeth and the gum line, it may cause bacteria to over-colonise, triggering the start of tooth decay and gum disease.
Dental floss ensures food debris, plaque and bacteria are removed for good oral health. If left, these agents cause rotting in the mouth, smelly breath and raise the risk of oral trauma, leading to tooth loss. Ideally, teeth should be flossed after meals and when teeth are brushed in the morning and before bedtime.
There are a range of flosses or dental tapes at various shop outlets that may be used as part of a daily oral cleansing schedule. The dentist or dental hygienist may advise on what dental cleaning instruments are most suitable, particularly for those with dexterity problems.
Flossing technique
Take about 18 inches of floss, with sections enough for each tooth along a dental arch. Wrap the dental floss section between the index fingers and slide between the teeth, back and forwards and along the gum line. Think of the motion as making a C shape, scraping debris from the surrounds of the each tooth.
Be gentle and use separate sections of the 18 inch floss for each tooth along the arch. If you started with the upper arch, get a new 18 inch of floss to do the lower arch of teeth one by one. Work in a pattern from side to side, not missing any teeth out so that all are cleaned.
Some bleeding during flossing is normal, however persistent bleeding should be checked by a dentist as it may be a sign of gum disease.
Brushing and cleaning your teeth should be a daily occurrence for everyone. But you may wonder whether you are doing it right. It may sound strange but there is a right and wrong way to brush your teeth, and this may be the difference to having a healthy smile and one troubled with tooth decay and gum disease.
The key components to brushing your teeth are:
Timing
You should always spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth to ensure that you have thoroughly cleaned away the plaque and bacteria (most adults throughout Bristol and the UK don’t spend anywhere near this amount of time brushing).
Thoroughness
Make sure you get every single space there is. This is because the hardest places to reach are where the majority of bacterial build up will occur, which can result in erosion. The backs of the teeth are particularly important, along with the tongue and roof of your mouth, as these are the areas most people forget.
The gum line
Bacteria congregates on the gum line quite a lot and if left unattended can result in gum disease, bad breath and tooth decay. To avoid sensitivity issues, just brush along the gum line gently at a 45-degree angle.
Use the right brush
Firm bristles aren’t the most effective way of cleaning your teeth and soft bristles are actually much more efficient at removing plaque and food particles between your teeth, which could be missed with firmer bristles. A smaller head will also allow you to get into more places than a bigger headed toothbrush.
Do more than brush
You may think that by just using a toothbrush and some toothpaste you are doing everything in your power to protect your teeth. Make sure you floss regularly and use mouthwash to clear any bacteria that may be hiding or managed to escape your toothbrush.
If you’re looking for perfect porcelain veneers in Bristol, look no further than Clifton Dental Studio. Our master dentists have years of experience in creating stunning veneer makeovers and you could soon have a perfect set of bright and beautiful pearly whites. Whether your teeth are in need of repair and a bit of TLC or you want to go all-out on the glamour front, we have the ideal treatment for you.
What are veneers?
Porcelain veneers are very thin shells made from porcelain and are placed on top of your natural teeth in order to create a beautiful aesthetic. Veneers are laminated with a glossy finish and are trimmed and shaped to fit the teeth perfectly and create the smile of your dreams. Veneers are not a standard size or shade and you can choose the ones that best suit your face shape and your idea of the perfect smile.
With veneers, we are able to offer a solution to problems such as staining and chips, as well as giving the smile sparkle and radiance. Veneers can also be an alternative to orthodontic treatment for patients who have gaps between their teeth although they merely hide the gaps, rather than physically moving the teeth.
How are veneers fitted?
Veneers are fixed onto the teeth using dental adhesive. This procedure isn’t painful and it doesn’t take long. Before the veneers are fitted, the planning stage takes place and this involves drawing up designs and sharing ideas about the look of the new smile and also preparing the moulds for the veneers. Before the moulds are created, the teeth are buffed and shaped to make room for the veneers to ensure a natural looking result. When the veneers have been crafted, you dentist will place them on your teeth to check that you are happy with them before securing them firmly.
Bristol dentists advise on chewing gum benefits to enhance oral hygiene
Fresh breath is not the only benefit that chewing gum can give you. It is an activity that can really help your oral hygiene. It is one of the simplest ways to achieve increased production of saliva, which helps to protect your teeth from being damaged by build ups of plaque.
Having fresh breath can increase your confidence in social occasions by ensuring that you are not worried about the smell of your breath while talking and smiling. Chewing gum is an easy and convenient way to achieve this by increasing saliva production and combatting the uncomfortable sensation of having a dry mouth.
When you eat sugary and starchy foods, the acids produced in the mouth form into plaque. Plaque breaks down your teeth’s natural defence, enamel, and can lead to cavities and painful tooth decay. Saliva is another of your mouth’s natural defences as it neutralizes these harmful acids. You can produce saliva by chewing gum.
Another chewing gum benefit is that it actually helps to clean your teeth. Of course it is no substitute for brushing and flossing but you might find yourself in a situation without access to your brush and chewing gum will be the next best thing for after dinner at a party, for example. The activity of chewing means that some debris will be moved from the teeth and gums and plaque finds it more difficult to form.
Chewing gum also helps teeth to retain a degree of whiteness by preventing stains from taking hold.
Looking for a cosmetic dentist? Bristol dentists are here to help
Your Bristol dentist can advise you which of the chewing gums on the market are best for enhancing your oral hygiene.
We all want to have teeth white enough to show off proudly but recent research has shone a light on the lengths some people will go to achieve a bright shine.
Bristol cosmetic dentists attend dental school for years, studying to perfect their area of expertise before gaining a full dental licence. However, it is now possible for hairdressers and beauty consultants to attend a one day course to gain a licence qualifying them to legally whiten teeth.
Cases of botched teeth whitening procedures are on the rise and dentists and doctors both agree that it can be linked to this unsafe qualification.
Dentists are now urging patients to avoid going to beauty salons and clinics to receive this popular but potentially dangerous procedure and to only use fully qualified professionals.
When done correctly, teeth whitening is perfectly safe and dentists train for years to gain ability, confidence and experience before performing the treatment. Burns to gums and other oral tissue can be severe if whitening is not carried out correctly and it is often the same dentists who are warning against the use of beauty clinics that have to examine and treat these burns.
While doctors and dentists are calling for a ban on day long courses that can give beauty therapists and others the legal ability to whiten teeth, Clifton Dental Studio would like to ensure patients that staff at our prestigious dental studio are fully trained in this area of expertise and are chosen for their remarkable skills and abilities, both at their specific job and when it comes to interacting with patients, treating patients to the level of kindness and professional demeanour that you deserve.
If you’re feeling slightly blue after a summer of fun and the dark evenings are getting you down, why not treat yourself to a smile makeover? With a brand new smile, you’ll be ready to take on autumn and celebrate the festive period in style.
If you’ve ever seen a television makeover show, you may be aware what a difference a new smile can make to a person’s appearance, as well as their confidence. If you fancy starring in your own makeover story, we have some amazing treatments at the ready.
About smile makeovers
Smile makeovers are designed to transform the smile and create a truly stunning result. We use a range of different treatments to address existing problems, enhance the beauty of the smile and compliment the facial features to produce the ultimate smile. All our patients are different and we tailor each makeover we do to suit the individual. One patient may choose to have completely different treatments to another.
The planning stage is really important and we work closely with our patients at this stage of treatment to share ideas, identify problem areas, choose the best treatments and most importantly, design the perfect smile. We want you to be absolutely over the moon when you look in the mirror after your treatment is complete!
Smile makeover treatment options
We offer a comprehensive range of general, cosmetic and restorative treatments as well as orthodontics and tooth replacement treatments. We choose treatments based on what you want and need and we can also take other factors, such as cost and duration, into account. Popular smile makeover treatments include porcelain crowns, white fillings, cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers and teeth whitening. We can also offer dental bridges, dental implants, cosmetic braces and gum reshaping.
If you fancy overhauling your smile this autumn, don’t delay! Call us now and we can start planning your amazing new look!
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
