Dental Problems and Their Solutions

From time to time, we notice things about our teeth that aren’t quite right. Whether dental problems are in the early stages or in a more developed stage, this blog outlines some of the problems that affect teeth. Also, this blog tells you how we at Midlands Smile Centres can provide treatment to alleviate these problems. This is good news for you. The MSC boast a team of highly skilled, proficient and experienced dentists ready and willing to give you the help you need.

Poor Oral Health

It is very important to achieve and maintain the standard of your oral health. Failing to do so can lead to an increased chance of tooth wear, tooth decay and gum disease. Making an effort to prevent gum disease is especially important because gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss.

The Solution

The most important thing to do to maintain your oral health is to brush twice daily to floss and use mouthwash.

After that, the most helpful thing to do to keep on top of your oral health (or to fix it, if you know it is already poor) is to visit the hygienist.

The hygienist will give your teeth a good, through and professional clean. This process is commonly referred to as a scale and polish. In addition to this, the hygienist will provide advice about helping you to keep your teeth plaque-free. The hygienist will also advise you about your diet and ways to prevent tooth decay.

Wisdom Teeth

This is a very common issue that affects many people. As wisdom teeth come through, they can cause pain or discomfort. The reason for this is that often there is not space inside the mouth and the wisdom teeth push against the other teeth in the mouth or emerge at an angle.

The Solution:

It is important to be seen by a dentist if you have any problems when your wisdom teeth come through. The dentist will take an X-ray of your teeth and determine whether or not the wisdom teeth need to be taken out, and how to do this. The MSC dentist will perform this extraction if it is deemed necessary.

Dissatisfaction with teeth’s appearance

This problem is an entirely subjective one. Put simply, some people are not happy with the way their teeth look, and feel this is an issue that needs rectifying. Crooked or crowded teeth, or teeth that are thought to not be white enough are examples of the complaints that some people have with their teeth.

The Solution:

There are many and various cosmetic dental treatments to improve the appearance of teeth:

Orthodontics

Orthodontic treatment (or braces) is a common treatment for crooked or crowded teeth. We at MSC can offer you traditional braces, Invisalign (invisible) braces and Six Months Smiles. All of these forms of braces are designed to make a positive difference and help you achieve the smile you want.

Veneers

These are tooth-coloured, thin layers of material. They are usually made of porcelain and are placed over irregular shaped or discoloured teeth.

Tooth Whitening

If the dentist decides that it is suitable for you, you will have the option of being able to use a home whitening kit. For these kits, specially made trays will be created that can be filled with whitening gel and worn for a few hours every day until the desired result is achieved.

Airflow

This form of cosmetic dentistry utilises a pressurised jet of air, water and sodium bicarbonate to remove stains, clean between your teeth and remove the build-up of plaque.

White Fillings

An alternative to grey metal amalgam fillings, white fillings will provide the necessary function along with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Gold services

For an extra touch of style, gold services at MSC may just be what you’re looking for. We offer gold implants, gold crowns/custom crown design, gold inlays and gold veneers.

Missing Teeth

The problem of a missing tooth can be a result of many things including illness, accident, injury, sporting injury or simply poor oral hygiene. Missing teeth pose various problems not only with eating, but with tooth development and gum integrity. Perhaps one of the most significant problems is that a missing tooth can undermine a person’s confidence due to the impact they have on their smile.

The Solution:

There are several different ways to deal with the issue of missing teeth. These range from dental implants, denture implants or gold implants, to bridges and dentures. Where a tooth is only partially damaged a crown may be recommended to restore the missing part of a tooth.

In Conclusion:

There are many ways in which people can experience dental problems and a good look at them only highlights the need for careful dental hygiene and regular check-ups with your dentist and hygienist to quickly identify and deal with emerging problems.

When dental problems have developed and intervention is necessary, it is advisable to seek immediate help with a good, trusted and competent dentist. Midlands Smile Centres offers professional and experienced dentists, who are able to provide high quality dental treatment solutions to any of your dental problems. Contact us now to book your appointment.

Easy Tips for Dental Health

There are a number of things that we can all do to make sure our teeth stay in a healthy condition. As this blog should make clear, doing this needn’t be complicated. Follow this easy guide and discover simple ways to ensure you have healthy teeth.

Brushing

Without applying too much pressure, it is important to brush your teeth twice every day. Two minutes is the recommended time that you should brush your teeth for. It is also recommended that you brush your teeth after every meal. Consider carefully the type of toothbrush you use and maybe think about using an electric toothbrush. These offer greater efficiency when it comes to cleaning, especially due to the fact that they can make contact with areas that are difficult to reach.

Make sure you choose the best toothpaste for you, as there are many types available. Make sure that your toothpaste contains fluoride, as this strengthens the teeth and helps prevent tooth decay.

Likewise, mouthwash and flossing can be very helpful for keeping a healthy mouth. Mouthwash can be used to freshen breath, disinfect the mouth and fluoridate the teeth. Flossing helps extract pieces of food lodged between your teeth, cleaning areas that a toothbrush cannot reach and helping to protect against gum disease.

Eating and Drinking

Be sure to limit the amount of sugary food and drinks you consume, as high-volumes of sugar and starch in your diet contribute to elevated levels of acid in your mouth which undermines your dental standards. Alcohol is one type of drink to be wary of, as it has the potential to deteriorate the surface of teeth which can cause the loss of enamel.

One drink that can actually be of benefit to your teeth is water. This is because water is free from sugar and it can be used to clear your teeth of any food particles, which, if left lodged between your teeth, could cause decay or plaque.

Another method of improving your dental health is by eating a varied diet that includes a large quantity of vitamins and minerals. Doing this helps to provide a defence against gum disease. Calcium is also an important part of diet, as it improves the strength of your teeth. Calcium rich foods include cheese, yoghurt and soybeans. Vitamin D aids your body’s absorption of calcium.

Regular Visits to the Dentists

This is critical to maintaining the standard of your dental health and can allow for early detection of problems with your teeth. This, in turn which helps you to avoid elaborate and costly treatment for problems that could have been spotted before they were allowed to develop.

Your dentist can also recommend habits that you can instill to improve your dental health, and point out any current habits that you may have that could be deleterious to your dental health.

Find a Midland Smile dentist near you.

Sealants

These thin, protective layers applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth can protect teeth from decay. Enquire with your local dentist to find out more about sealants and how they can help you.

Taking Care of Sensitive Teeth

Use a brush with soft bristles, a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and brush gently if you suffer from sensitive teeth. Be careful with acidic and sweet food and drink because they can contribute towards sensitivity. Consider consulting your dentist if the sensitivity persists.

Maintaining Saliva

Saliva is a key part of keeping your teeth healthy. In the absence of saliva, a dry mouth develops which can cause problems with your dental health. Saliva is important for maintaining the pH of your mouth, ensuring that the acids that attack your teeth are neutralised. Consulting a doctor is the best step towards alleviating the causes of dry mouth.

Refrain from Smoking

Stopping smoking will increase the health of your teeth, not to mention your overall health. Toothpaste designed to prevent the staining and bacteria from smoking is available for those that smoke. Remember, your oral health is very closely linked to your overall health, which makes smoking that extra bit more harmful. Help is available for those who wish to stop smoking from your doctor or dentist.

Seek Medical Advice About Acid Reflux Symptoms

Due to the fact that acid reflux symptoms or GERD can damage the enamel of your teeth, it is wise to seek advice from your doctor to help gain control over the symptoms.

Keep Your Teeth Protected

Keep your teeth in a healthy condition by not using teeth for opening or holding things. Be aware also that mouth piercings can damage teeth. The use of mouth guards during sports activities is also advised.

Sugar-free Gum

This helps create saliva which alleviates oral dryness and assists in the neutralisation of plaque acids and in maintaining the mineralisation of teeth.

Taking Care of Your Braces

Brush your teeth after mealtimes, making sure you brush your braces at the same time. When you do this, take out the removable parts including the elastics without interfering with the wires. Flossing before and the use of mouthwash after brushing is also advised.

Foods that are softer should be favoured in the first few days after brace fitting, while hard and sticky foods should generally be approached with caution. Try to lessen your consumption of sugary food and drink, and consult your dentist if you experience any difficulties with your brace. Get in touch with your dentist if you feel any pain in the first couple of days of having your brace fitted, or if you break or lose your brace.

For More Advice

Visit our website for more dental tips or contact us for more advice from a friendly and professional dentist near you.

Smoking and its Effects on Your Dental Health

Smoking has a dramatic effect on a person’s overall health. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet. On average 1 in 6 adults smoke. 17% of men and 16% for women. This means that, in the UK, there are 9.1 million adult smokers. Smoking causes a range of dental health issues. Gum disease and mouth cancer have been rising in more recent years. Here we aim to provide a facts and figures guide to smoking and how it can affect oral health.

Smoking and its effects on dental health   

As we all know, smoking can cause a wide range of problems in all areas of the body. One of the major areas includes your mouth. Constant inhalation of the toxins nicotine and tar can result in a host of problems. Research conducted by Cancer research UK find that 9 out of 10 cases of mouth cancer are down to poor lifestyle choices such as smoking. Reading this you may wonder what causes such a vast number of people to take up smoking or why people find it so difficult to stop? The key drug in cigarettes, nicotine, is highly addictive. In fact, it can be as addictive as cocaine. This means that giving it up is easier said than done. So, why bother in the first place? One misconception about smoking is that it only takes one cigarette to get addicted. Opening yourself to smoking is the first step to becoming addicted. You tend to find that people who are open to a “social smoke” or the idea of smoking end up getting trapped, however it also seems that many smokers are starting from a young age and have one or more close family members that smoke.

 

Damage caused by smoking    

Smoking has a dramatic effect on your dental health, you may notice that smokers tend to have yellow or rotted teeth. This is not down to the fact that they do not do a good job of cleaning, but brushing alone is simply not enough to remove these stains. Teeth whitening could be the only way to return teeth back to their natural state. Tobacco, over time, leaves a yellow stain on your teeth which is extremely difficult to remove once it’s there. This is not the only issue that affects the smoking population. Rotting teeth, mouth cancer and gum disease are all common issues for smokers. One major issue that we come across at MSC is tooth loss, many people end up needing dental implants to fix these problem.

What can you do about it

There are many options open to smokers to help them avoid the problems of smoking. These include: nicotine gum, nicotine spray, nicotine patches and e-cigarettes or vape pens. Several of these options are not highly successful. It is not simply nicotine that needs to be suppressed, but the actions that come along with it. If you are to ask someone who has smoked at some point in their life, they may tell you that the action of moving their arm, having something between their fingers and the taste/feel also play a part. In more recent years, vape pens and e-cigarettes have become the most popular way to quit, offering almost everything that comes with smoking without containing as many harmful substances. All of these options offer an exit, however they fail to provide a cost-effective way to do so.

Cold turkey

It is not often that you see many people take this route to quit smoking, but it is quite easily, the most effective and cost efficient path. The simple fact is, that if you have the determination to fight the addiction for the respective time, you will quit. It also ensures that you won’t become dependent on any other form of quitting. We understand that this may not be true for everyone and would not discourage anyone form using other methods, however figures suggest that you are much more likely to quit due to the fact you shorten your withdrawal period.

To find out more information about smoking and its affects to your dental health. Head to the Midlands Smile Centres website where you will find the mouth cancer figure page.

Ten things that you can use an old toothbrush for

After a few months of brushing your teeth it might be time to change your toothbrush for a fresh one to continue cleaning your teeth. Many people fail to realise that old tooth brushes can be used for several difficult tasks. Here are ten great ways to get the most out of your old tooth brushes: 

1.      Surprisingly, tooth brushes are great for removing crayon stains from the wall. Carefully scrub with a solution of soap and water to remove the horrible mess that’s been stuck on your wall for weeks.

2.      A tooth brush is great for cleaning underneath your fingernails. The fine bristles get into hard to reach spaces and leave you with lovely looking nails. Apply soap underneath your nails and wait for 30 seconds, then with the tooth brush scrub to remove. 

3.      Cleaning your shoes can be difficult, but a tooth brush can get in between the tread of your shoes to remove dirt and stones. What many people don’t realise, however, is that it can also do a perfect job of tops of your shoes. Cleaning your shoe bit by bit and removing the dirt from the brush as you go along is sure to bring that shine back to your shoe.

4.      Did you know a computer keyboard can be dirtier than a toilet seat? Soften the bristles on an old tooth brush and use it to brush your keyboard including in between the gaps. This will ensure you purify your keyboard completely.

 

5.      Believe it or not a tooth brush is a great tool for removing splinters. Using some warm soapy water, gently rub the tooth brush over the affected area. This should help to bring the splinter to the surface.

6.      Everyone’s least favorite job when doing the dishes is that pesky grater. If you’re not careful it’s a recipe for injury. The tooth brush can stop all your worries. With its long stem and thin shape, it can reach and clean all the gaps that you would normally miss due to fear of injury.  

7.      It’s not just indoors that your old tooth brush is useful. Bike chains can be easily cleaned with a tooth brush. Getting full coverage and removing the debris from it will help your bike to run smoothly and avoid breakdowns.

8.      Keep your delicate jewelry in tip top condition. A tooth brush is great for doing this without causing any damage to your valuables. Use gentle circular motions to maintain the colour and bring back that priceless shine.

9.      Keep your fingers clean when cleaning the fish tank. Avoid getting your hands dirty by using a tooth brush. The soft bristles allow for a quick and easy clean and will result in a perfect shiny tank.     

10.  Are you forever struggling to remove stains from your bathroom tiles? A toothbrush is the answer. Get stuck in with an old toothbrush to for great results. The small, soft bristles provide great cleaning to those irregular, rough surfaces.

How about that? Ten great ways to use that old tooth brush. Who knew there were so many fantastic ways they could be used? Midlands Smile Centres has a range of great blogs covering everything you need to know about dental services, facts and figures and how to maintain an awesome set of teeth. Be sure to check out some of our other blogs and head to the site to find out more about MSC and how our services could benefit you.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Smile Dentistry

Smile dentistry covers an entire range of cosmetic dentistry treatments that are available for those who would like to improve their smile. Finding the right treatment can be difficult because there is such a wide variety available on the market today. Here we will discuss a few of the most common ones with their benefits and drawbacks.

White Fillings

White Fillings are an alternative option to grey metal amalgam fillings. They are suitable when all that is needed is an ordinary filling.

Whilst in the past white fillings were weaker than metal fillings and not expected to last as long, in recent years the composite used for white fillings has become much stronger. Nowadays, white fillings will last almost as long as ordinary grey amalgam fillings, whilst also being much more aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Pros: 

- simple and relatively cheap

- natural looking
- can make you look younger
- cosmetically appealing
- will make you feel less self-conscious than silver fillings
- strong and durable

Cons:    

- they don’t last quite as long as metal fillings
- usually slightly more expensive than metal fillings
- they will not cover up or remove any other imperfections in your teeth

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a process that whitens teeth, removing common stains such as those caused by coffee, smoking and alcohol. The process involves teeth whitening trays, which are filled with whitening gel and worn for a few hours every day for a few weeks until the desired result is achieved.

Pros:     

- sparkling, pure white teeth in just a few weeks

- quick results with minimum expense and effort

- you are in control, simply stop the treatment when you are satisfied with the results you see

- this treatment can be used for different degrees of tooth discolouration.
- when using Midlands Smile Centres, you will be given the latest tooth whitening gels, containing the legally safe amount of peroxide.
- with MSC you can expect bespoke trays that offer greater comfort and a better result.

Cons:   

- Tooth whitening is not suitable for use if you have veneers, implants or other dental work in your front teeth. The whitening gel will not bleach artificial work in the same way that it will natural teeth so you may end up with an uneven result. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the best solution for you.

- tooth whitening involves the use of peroxide which can cause irritation. If you have sensitive skin, it may not be suitable for you to use tooth whitening gels.

Airflow

This is a specialised polishing treatment that utilises a pressurised blast of air, water and sodium bicarbonate to clear away stains, build-up of plaque and to clean between your teeth.

Pros:     

- effective cleaning

- faster than regular methods of plaque and stain removal
- comfortable
- suitable for those with sensitive teeth
- no risk of irritation or burns
- can reduce teeth sensitivity

Cons:    

- this treatment will not cover up or remove any flaws or imperfections in your teeth

- may not be suitable for all teeth. Your dentist will be able to advise you.

For more information on airflow visit our website.

Gold Services

Gold services include: gold teeth implants, gold crowns/custom crown designs, gold inlays and gold veneers. All of these are available at Midlands Smile Centres.

Pros:     

- various practical benefits depending on what you choose, such as tooth restoration and replacing missing teeth

- visual impact
- a stylish twist on conventional forms of dental treatment
- longer lasting and more durable than white composite or grey amalgam solutions

Cons:    

- very visible, which will not be for everyone

                        
Visit our website for more information on various gold services and treatments.

Veneers

Veneers are tooth-coloured and are usually made of porcelain. They come in thin layers and are placed over teeth that are either damaged, discoloured, decayed or have an irregular shape to hide the disfigurement.  They can also be used to mask misaligned teeth.

Pros:     

- great aesthetic results

- minimal tooth destruction
- often just one or two veneers can make a huge improvement to your smile

Cons:    

- when placing the veneer, a part of the outer surface of the tooth is removed to make room for the veneer, so that it aligns correctly with the teeth around it. This is usually not as great as in a filling, inlay or crown but it still involves some original tooth removal.

Your Choice

There are a number of options available to you for Smile Dentistry. Take your time and consider what is involved and what is right for you before making your decision. Smile Dentistry can really make a difference to your smile and increase your confidence, so it’s important to make the right choice.

Get in touch with Midlands SmilesCentres today and find out what we can do for you.        

Shaping Your Smile with Implants

This Blog has been updated and can now be found here

Root Canal Treatment at MSC

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment (also known as endodontics) is a procedure that is used to remove infection from the root canal of your tooth.

Why it’s Important

The blood or nerve supply of a tooth - known as the pulp- can become infected due to decay or injury, and if this happens, the infection could spread through the root canal system of the tooth, potentially leading to an abscess. Therefore, root canal treatment (RCT) is important because it helps to stop the spread of infection. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the spread of infection will occur and it is possible that the tooth will need to be taken out.

Given that the pulp cannot heal once it is destroyed and that it is not advisable to leave an infected tooth in the mouth, there is the alternative option of having the tooth removed. While this may seem like a preferable option to some people, it is usually best to keep as many natural teeth as possible.

What Happens During Treatment?

A time-consuming treatment that requires a lot of skill, root canal treatment means you will need to make a minimum of two visits to your dentist. Firstly, the infected pulp is removed; also, if there are any abscesses, these will be drained at this stage. After this, the root canal is cleaned and shaped to prepare it for filling. A temporary filling is put in before the tooth is then left to settle.

At a later visit, the tooth will be checked. Once all of the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.

Following Treatment

There are treatments available to you if the root canal treatment leads to tooth discolouration, which is rare. It may be a good idea to restore the tooth with a crown to strengthen it. Take care of any teeth that have undergone this treatment in the same way as you would with your normal teeth; clean them at least once a day- ideally with a fluoride toothpaste, reduce the number of sugary snacks you eat and keep them to mealtimes if possible, and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups.

If the root canal treatment is not advised by your dentist, or if the treatment is unsuccessful and repeated RCT attempts also fail, apicoectomy becomes necessary. This form of treatment attempts to get rid of the root tip and all of the infected tissue. A small incision will be made into your gum before the infected tissue and remaining few millimetres of the root tip are taken away. Finally, a filling is placed to seal the root end. Depending on the location of the tooth and the complexity of the roots, the treatment can last between 30-90 minutes.

How Midlands Smile Centres Can Help

Root Canal Treatment is a very important type of treatment for patients. Given the problems that a damaged or decayed root canal can cause, you will be happy to learn that root canal treatment is available here at Midlands Smile Centres and is performed by our highly skilled, experienced dentists. If you're experiencing pains, swelling or abscesses, it's important that you book a dental appointment as soon as possible, to reduce the amount of permanent damage that could be caused.