There is a good chance that you will skip the odd dental check-up from time to time in Weston-super-Mare, for varying reasons: you can’t be bothered, you’re too busy or you may have a phobia about going. Whatever the excuse, you are putting your oral health at risk because in the time in which it will take to get a new appointment, you may have had something going wrong and that will worsen until you can see your dentist again. In effect, what may have been easy to fix in the first place may well develop into something more complex by the time you finally make it to the surgery. Dentists are programmed to look after you, their patient, and do whatever it takes to keep you and your mouth healthy, and if they can’t, they will refer you to someone who can. Check-ups look for any flaws that you may have in your daily oral hygiene programme that have allowed tooth decay and gum disease to start in your mouth. This is done by x-rays and a physical check in and around the teeth and gums. If you are okay, then you are given a quick clean and you are done for another 6 months. If not, the dentist will get straight onto it and deal with any signs of trouble. Don’t forget, this visit should be seen as a two-way check-up where you can ask questions about certain treatments and hygiene issues. If you contact Clifton Dental of Bristol, they can give you information all about dental Check-ups in your area.
Throughout your life Chepstow, you will brush your teeth thousands of times and you know what, you only have to turn your back for a couple of days and what do you find, bacteria and plaque still causing havoc- as if taunting you, you’d think they would have given up in the face of you, their enemy, who is constantly smashing away their work with your big old toothbrush. The thing is though, they don’t give up and if the acids from these bad boys are allowed at any time to eat away at the surfaces of your teeth, your teeth will suffer from decay, and you most certainly know about it because you will begin to suffer from excruciating darting pains shooting through your teeth whenever you bite down on them. An x-ray will reveal the extent of your damage: if it’s light, you will need a filling, if it’s bad, you will need a root canal. If however you still manage to turn a blind eye to this, tooth decay can go on to cause a tooth abscess to erupt and gum disease to flourish. In the area, Clifton Dental of Bristol can give you all the details about oral hygiene, the causes of tooth decay and what to do if you suffer from it.
Mouth-guards can be used for all manner of sporting reasons in Chepstow, as well as in dentistry. If you are of sporting nature, it would be wise to protect yourself, especially if you play in a sport that has a lot of physical contact involved, like rugby for example. It is possible to buy a basic guard over the counter, although seeing that they come in only a few sizes, it would probably be wiser to buy one that you heat up in hot water and then mould it to your mouth so that it fits you better. However if you are really into the game that you play, it may better to get one that is designed specifically for you and that can dissipate the forces from any blows you may get from the sport that you play. This is because there is more at stake than just a bloody mouth. A good mouth-guard will be able to absorb impact and prevent injury to your jaws, head and neck. It is not only sport though that benefits from mouth-guards. Dentists use variations of them in certain procedures; some aligners are shaped just like a gum-shield and help to re-align the shape of the teeth. But probably its best application in dentistry is used to help in the fight on teeth grinding and with one worn at night (and in the day if the condition is bad), it can prevent untold damage to the teeth. If you would like more information on mouth-guards and gum-shields, you should contact Clifton Dental of Bristol.
Patients from Weston-super-Mare and surrounding areas can require a mouth guard for a variety of reasons. These come in all shapes and sizes, but at Clifton Dental Studio we always recommend you have one prepared by your dentist.
Mouth guards are used most frequently by people playing contact sports such as ice hockey or rugby, but can be used in any occasion where you are worried that your teeth are in danger. The second most common reason for wearing a mouth guard is for people who grind their teeth at night. For this you can get a form of guard called a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint to reduce the damage done while you sleep.
The most basic form of mouth guard can be bought in a sporting goods shop or department store. These do not cost very much but nor can they be adjusted to the shape of your mouth. This can make breathing and talking difficult and they do not provide the best protection. One step up from this is the ‘boil and bite’ guards which are also sold in sports shops. These are made from thermoplastic material which is placed in hot water to soften it. Then, when it is placed in your mouth, the material is moulded around your teeth for a better fit.
Ideally though, we would recommend that you get a custom-fitted protector from your dentist. This will undoubtedly create the best fit for your teeth as it is created by a professional. Your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and then mould a mouth guard over your teeth. Obviously this is more expensive than the other options but it will also be the most comfortable and provide the best protection. It depends how much you value those teeth!
Mouth-guards are probably one of the greatest inventions to anyone in Weston-super-mare who loves their contact sports. The mouth is one of the most vulnerable areas of the body when you are throwing yourself around or being battered, especially if you love boxing. The idea of a mouth-guard is to absorb impact forces and stop any damage being done to your teeth and gums, your jaws and your neck, because rectifying injuries caused in this area can not only be costly at the dentists, but can take a long time to recover from as well. There are three types you can choose from: the first is one that is made specifically for you, the shape of your mouth and the sport you will be participating in. the second is one that you soak in warm water and then mould to your mouth before you go out to play. Finally, you can buy one across the counter that generally fits all. Dentists too incorporate mouth-guards in their work. For those people who grind their teeth, it can be very destructive indeed, so mouth-guards are used to prevent further damage being done. They are also used for orthodontic work. To find out how you can look after your teeth and gums and protect yourself with a mouth-guard, you can get more information from Clifton dental.
A lot of people may well question the need for repetitive dental check-ups in Bath because all the products on the market promise to protect you from problems such as plaque- well they don’t promise anything of the sort and to sit there after cleaning your teeth and think ‘job done’ is sheer bloody minded ignorance. Bad things multiply very quickly in the mouth, things that you can’t see and you will only realise this when you have pains shooting through your teeth; a dentist would be able to have spotted this had you bothered to go for a check-up- and then fixed it. The point of a dental check-up is to ensure your mouth is operating properly, and that there are no signs of tooth decay or gum disease setting in. The dentist can then clean your teeth, removing any tartar form around the base of the teeth and gums, and then give you a polish before you leave. But if you were to ask anyone at Clifton dental, this isn’t just how you should see a dental check-up. You don’t see your dentist that often so this is the time to talk about any concerns that you may have concerning your mouth; talk about oral hygiene, talk about cosmetic dentistry- this is the time to get things off your chest and if they are seriously worrying you, don’t just wait for your next check-up, get in straight away- after all, it’s your oral health that is on the line.
Most people from Bath and generally around the UK assume that you have to get a dental check up every six months. However, at Clifton Dental Studio we would say that everyone is different. You should ask your dentist what they think as some people need more frequent checks, others do not need to visit as often as this. It all depends how healthy your teeth and gums are. It usually ranges from every three months to every two years that we would recommend.
Having a check up is important to your teeth in the same way as an MOT is for your car. It makes sure that any problems you may have do not go unnoticed or untreated and provides a little peace of mind. It should assist in ensuring that treatment is carried out at the earliest opportunity before further damage is caused. It is certainly nothing to be scared of!
A check up usually entails your dentist examining your mouth, gums and teeth and asking about the general state of your health and any issues you may have had with your teeth since your last visit. Your dentist will usually also help by giving you advice on how best to look after your teeth. For example, your diet, alcohol use and teeth cleaning habits may be discussed. Then he’ll finish off by setting an approximate time for your next visit.
At Clifton Dental Studio in Bristol we frequently have patients telling us they wish they had come in earlier but they had put off a visit. Commonly, excuses are made about not having enough time and sometimes, although they do not want to admit it, people are a bit scared of going to the dentist. The outcome is, however, always worse if you wait. So, stop procrastinating and visit your dentist!
Patients from Swindon and surroundings areas are talking about digital x-rays as dentistry takes another step forward. At Clifton Dental Studio we have embraced this new technology with open arms and we would like to spend a moment to enlighten you about the latest in dental x-ray techniques.
Part of the reason that digital x-rays are not more widespread in the UK dental industry is that the machines can be so expensive. Partly, it is simply because the technology is so new and not every dentist has their finger on the pulse of the latest gadgets! However, it is safe to say that this process will become standard in the future.
With digital radiographs, rather than using film, this is replaced with a flat electronic pad or sensor. The X-rays hit the pad the same way they hit the film but instead of developing the film in a dark room, the image is electronically sent directly to a computer where the image appears on the screen. The image can then be stored on the computer or printed out. Not only does this speed up the development process but it allows for a higher image specification than you would get with film. This means that radiographs obtained in this manner can be digitally compared to previous radiographs in a process called subtraction radiography. This is one of the great advantages of this process.
The computer can digitally compare the two images, subtract out everything that is the same and give a clear image of anything that is different. This means that tiny changes that may not be noticeable with the naked eye can be caught earlier and more clearly with digital-subtraction radiography. If your dentist does not have the equipment now, he probably will do soon!
Yes, it’s that irritating little time that you have to go through twice a year that seems like a complete waste time, a check-up at the dentists. Most times you are in and out without apparently having anything done. But a warning to the impatient misguided here because if you start taking this bi-annual trip for granted and start skipping appointments on the basis that they are unnecessary, you will be setting yourself up for a big fall in the future in Bath. Yes you may think you are god’s gift to oral hygiene, but it only takes a couple of days for things to spiral out of control in your mouth if you take your eye off the ball game. During a check-up, your dentist will bring out their bible which is a set of rules on what to look for in you, their patient. As much as you think you have done at home, your dentist will pick up on things you can’t see and may have missed. They will start by giving you a quick x-ray to ascertain any form of tooth decay, and where necessary, plug up the hole with a filling. They will also clear any signs of plaque and tartar from around the lower part of the teeth where the gum meets and then afterwards, give your teeth a polish and send you on your way. The point of all this is to ensure that the threat of gum disease and tooth decay is kept to a minimum in order to keep your mouth healthy and free of disease and you can get all of the information you need from Clifton Dental of Bristol.
Tooth decay is the dental condition in which the outer layers of your teeth become worn away by the acid that can be found in your mouth. Extensive tooth decay may require fillings and may even result in a painful abscess in the tooth. Preventing tooth decay with good oral hygiene is one that Clifton Dental of Bristol believes is one of main points to address in Chepstow.
Dental plaque is made up from bacteria and food debris. When carbohydrates are consumed, bacteria in plaque converts it into acid, this acid then slowly erodes the surface of the teeth, wearing down the enamel. When tooth enamel is lost, toothache may be experienced as the neuronal cells become vulnerable and then teeth are now exposed to the elements and other substances.
The ways in which you can protect your teeth from tooth decay are by reducing the amount of starchy and sugary foods you consume. This should reduce the bacteria’s ability to produce harmful acids and thus prevent tooth decay. In addition, proper brushing of the teeth and tongue should reduce the amount of bacteria and plaque that resides in your mouth in the first place. Finally, keep attending regular check-ups with your local dentist as they will be able to spot any early signs of tooth decay.
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
