Garden View Dental Care

Why clear braces are a practical consideration for senior patients

Clear Braces in Buckinghamshire no longer belong to the realm of teenagers and young adults. Patients in their senior years can also benefit from viable orthodontic treatments. With age the body undergoes all sorts of changes and the mouth structures are no different. Patients may have previously had a gleaming set of straight teeth but the situation can change as they get older. Some of the common dental issues many older patients experience include excessive tooth wear, teeth shifting out of alignment, and the formation of gaps.

Modern healthcare has contributed to longer lifespans. Senior patients are living longer and are often more engaged in social activities in their retirement years. Self-confidence can play a significant part in socially active lifestyles – self-confidence that can be boosted by straight smiles and healthy teeth.

Orthodontic care offers a lot more than just aesthetic value

Orthodontic concerns, such as overcrowding or misaligned bites, have an impact on oral health that goes beyond cosmetice value. There are associated issues that include tooth decay, the loss of bone quality, and lack of adequate gum support. It is primarily for these reasons that we encourage senior patients to seek professional dental treatments at a reputable dental clinic. Here are a few more ways dental braces can help patients in their senior years.

Improved mouth function

Clear Braces in Buckinghamshire can be used to promote oral functions. A key benefit is better chewing efficiency. When teeth do not align properly, this can result in reduced chewing functionality and restrictions placed on what one can eat.

Proper maintenance

Correct teeth alignment improves a patient’s ability to better take care of their oral health. It is easier to clean straighter teeth than it is to clean crooked teeth. With more effective cleaning, teeth are less likely to see the appearance of cavities or the development of gum problems. Patients opting for Clear Braces in Buckinghamshire to address their maintenance issues are less likely to need more costly dental care later on.

Enhanced overall health

Orthodontic problems can cause discomfort and correcting these issues can enhance overall wellbeing. Temporomandibular joints (TMJ), headaches and muscle pain, reduce quality of life.

Many of the common dental conditions that are a result of ageing teeth can be successfully treated with orthodontic treatments. Why not take advantage of dental technology that can address issues such as cracked teeth and gum recession? Older patients should be aware that in order to benefit from braces, they need to satisfy the dental practitioner that their gums are disease-free, and that the quality of their jawbone is suitable to receive treatment.

Being proactive about orthodontic care helps patients take control of their oral health. Thanks to the array of orthodontic options available in the dental industry today, senior patients can choose the most suitable option for them. Our experienced and compassionate dental practitioners at Garden View dental clinic can help you with your orthodontic needs. Call our office today to schedule a consultation. We offer a range of braces to choose from.

The dentist answers your commonly asked questions about bad breath

The cause for one of the most common dental issues – bad breath – is hard to pin down without the help of a Dentist in Buckinghamshire. This is because there could be a number of different factors that come into play from poor oral health to a medical condition. It is best for patients to consult with a Dentist in Buckinghamshire to determine the root cause or causes. Once our Dentist in Buckinghamshire conducts a thorough oral health assessment, we can then advise on the best course of treatment to address the problem.

What patients want to know most about bad breath

In the interests of patient education, we thought we’d provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions our dental practitioners are asked about bad breath.

What are some of the best ways to prevent bad breath developing?

The first thing we recommend is to look after your oral hygiene. This means not only taking the time to clean teeth and gums, but to brush the tongue as well. Many patients are often unaware of the importance of tongue cleaning. Bacteria can thrive on the tongue’s uppermost layer which leads to bad breath.

Seek appropriate dental care for underlying issues such as tooth decay, abscesses, dry mouth and periodontal disease. The role of a dentist is critical in not only treating bad breath, but in preventing the condition too.

Can smoking tobacco cause bad breath?

Smoking has been associated with bad breath along with other dental issues such as teeth discolouration, gum disease and oral cancer. If smoking is the cause of bad breath, the only option for the patient is to stop the habit.

Can a health issue bring on bad breath?

There are a number of medical conditions that can give rise to chronic bad breath. These include: diabetes, kidney problems, and acid reflux. It is important to let our dentist know if you have any of these health issues.

Can sugar-free gum help improve bad breath?

The main role of chewing gum (sugar-free variety is recommended) is to stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth. This is especially important for patients exhibiting dry mouth syndrome. The mouth requires saliva to help flush out bacteria, as well as food particles that are left behind after eating.

What products can I use to banish bad breath?

Patients can make use of a number of products that may assist in controlling bad breath. These are specially-formulated products that we can recommend. Toothpastes, mouth rinses, and oral sprays can be particularly beneficial.

To help a dental practitioner identify the cause of bad breath, a good idea is for patients to record what they eat in a food diary and to bring this along to their appointment.

Bad breath is a very treatable condition and there is no need for a patient to shy away from social events. If you suspect you may have a halitosis problem, why not schedule an appointment with one of our experienced dentists at Garden View dental clinic today? It is always best to address any dental issues as soon as it arises to prevent the need for complicated treatment in the future.

Got a dental emergency? What you can expect from our emergency dentist at Garden View Dental Care

Have you been experiencing an unrelenting pain under one of your teeth all day at work? Did one of your fillings fall out at 2 am?

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time. While most people don’t want to imagine themselves being in a distressing amount of pain due to dental issues, it is always important that you know what to do should such an eventuality occur.

At Garden View Dental Care, we are extremely proud of our onsite emergency dentist in Beaconsfield and are able to offer anyone who is in intense discomfort a same-day appointment. Our team will take the time to see you as soon as possible and take extra care when examining your mouth and teeth.

What can you expect if you call our emergency dentist in Beaconsfield?

Thorough examination

Many people have some idea of what may be causing their dental emergency; if you have excessive discomfort, swelling and pressure under a tooth, you probably have an abscess.

Regardless, our emergency dentist in Beaconsfield will take extra time and care to conduct a thorough examination of your mouth to determine what is causing the issue.

Once the examination is over, our team will decide on the quickest course of action to relieve any discomfort or pressure you are experiencing.

Pain relief

While it is common to be worried about needles at the dentist, many people who are experiencing extreme discomfort are relieved when they are offered pain relief in the dental chair.

Our emergency team is dedicated to getting you out of pain as soon as possible and will take extra care to ensure that any injection you receive is not in a tender area of your mouth.

Cleaning

At Garden View Dental, we often see emergency patients who are experiencing a dental abscess, a chipped or cracked tooth or a lost filling.

While it may seem odd to our patients, our emergency team will always sterilise any affected area or tooth in the mouth, to eliminate and kill any bacteria that may be lurking. This will help increase your overall recovery time and will prevent the likelihood of any infection forming or returning.

Restoration (if applicable) or extraction

If you have lost a filling or a crown, when you visit our dental team, we will aim to restore your tooth either temporarily or permanently. If we offer you a temporary restoration, it is important that you visit your regular dentist to have the restoration completed.

If you have severe decay or your tooth is broken beyond repair, we will remove it and ensure that any potential infection is treated swiftly and painlessly.

Aftercare

Depending on why you came to visit our emergency dental team, we may offer you aftercare in the form of a mouthwash, antibiotics or toothpaste to take home.

Remember, if we state you need to visit your regular dentist to complete any treatment we have started, please ensure that you do as soon as you can.

Worried you have a dental emergency? 4 of the most commonly seen emergencies at Garden View Dental Care

When discussing dental emergencies, few people know what actually requires a same-day appointment with a dental practitioner.

Of the following two options, which would you suppose requires emergency dental treatment? A toothache that is causing some discomfort or a sudden, painless swelling on the gum?

While the toothache obviously requires attention soon, the painless swelling is the more worrying of these two presentations, as it could be indicative of oral cancer.

Surprised?

When many people think about dental emergencies, they instantly envision painful conditions, that keep you up at night or prevent you from eating. While any dental issue that does this is indeed an emergency, not all conditions requiring urgent dental care are painful.

At Garden View Dental Care, our dentist in Buckinghamshire is experienced in handling dental emergencies and can offer you same-day treatment to get you out of any discomfort you are in quickly. The sooner our team sees you in the event of an emergency, the more likely it is you will recover without further repercussions or complications.

But aside from a toothache and a painless lump on the gum, what else may need same-day treatment from our dentist in Buckinghamshire?

Chipped tooth

One of the most common emergencies our team sees at Garden View Dental Care are chipped or cracked teeth.

While these may not cause any discomfort, the moment you notice that your tooth is cracked or chipped, you need to book an appointment to see our emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire so they can repair it.

Not treating a cracked or chipped tooth can cause the damage to spread further into the tooth, causing discomfort or even an infection.

Facial swelling

Although facial swelling could indicate anything, it is important to rule out a dental cause as soon as you can.

Swellings are commonly seen by our team in people who have infected wisdom teeth, dental abscesses or have suffered a trauma to the face. Regardless of the cause or lack of discomfort you feel, if you notice one side of your face is swollen, book an appointment to see us as soon as possible.

Lost filling or crown

An irritant to anyone who has them!

Lost crowns and fillings can be a serious annoyance as they can seemingly occur for no reason and may or may not lead to discomfort, but almost always lead to extreme sensitivity.

Even if you notice a loose filling, it is vital that you contact one of our emergency team as soon as possible. If the filling is particularly deep in the tooth, the pulp may now be exposed, which can lead to extreme discomfort and allows bacteria to enter into the tooth.

Acute dental discomfort

As mentioned previously, if you have had a toothache that has kept you awake and cannot be controlled by painkillers, we need to see you!

Persistent, throbbing or pulsating dental pain could mean decay has reached the pulp of your tooth, which could lead to infection or a complicated dental abscess.

‘How do I keep my ceramic braces stain free?’ Read Garden View Dental’s top tips on reducing staining

When you choose to have cosmetic braces fitted to help straighten your teeth, there is a real expectation now that your braces will look good and not draw unwanted attention or stares.

With invisible braces, like Invisalign, this is fairly straightforward; the braces are clear, made from an easy-to-clean plastic that only requires rinsing under the tap.

However, when you and your dentist decide that you are more likely to benefit from ceramic braces, you need to know how to take care of them properly to prevent staining.

At Garden View Dental, our team is proud to be able to offer our patients both invisible and clear braces in Buckinghamshire and are aware of how your choice of brace will impact on your day to day life. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to keep your ceramic braces clean, stain free and functional.

So, what are the best ways to prevent staining on ceramic braces?

Floss and rinse

We are all aware of how regular flossing and rinsing with mouthwash can reduce plaque build-up, but it can also prevent staining.

When you are fitted with our clear braces in Buckinghamshire, consider investing in more dental floss and mouthwash, to prevent your ceramic braces from becoming stained and more visible. Alternatively, why not invest in some of the more recent dental options, like the Waterpik, that eliminates both plaque and prevents discolouring of ceramics?

Regular brushing

Our team at Garden View Dental know you brush your teeth twice a day.

But when you have clear braces in Buckinghamshire fitted, you need to brush your teeth twice a day and usually after every meal to prevent staining.

This ensures that any colours used in your food are washed away quickly and leave your teeth and braces looking and feeling a lot whiter.

Avoid certain foods

No one likes being told what to eat, but if you want to keep your ceramic braces stain free, there are a few foods you should be actively avoiding.

Foods that are higher in acids such as tomatoes, mustard, berries, and beetroot should all be avoided when you are wearing ceramic braces. Unfortunately, there are many drinks that should be crossed off of your consumption list too, which include coffee, tea, red wine, sodas, and juices.

If you have to consume any of these products, remember to brush and floss afterward to keep those ceramic brackets looking their best!

Reduce or stop smoking

We all know smoking is a big no-no and it can obviously impact your teeth.

Nicotine stains not only your natural teeth but can also stain any ceramic materials you have in your mouth, so if you want to keep your new braces looking discreet, it is advisable to cut down or eliminate smoking altogether.

Smoking while wearing any type of brace also increases the risk of gum disease, gum recession, white spots on the teeth and tooth loss, so if you want good oral health, give up smoking as soon as possible.

Worried about your upcoming root canal? Five ways our dentist can save your smile with endodontics

One of the most dreaded of all dental procedures, the root canal, is wrongly judged by many dental patients. Incorrectly associated with intense discomfort, swelling and long recovery time, endodontics is actually a very beneficial and very important area of dentistry. A mixture of both restorative and preventive dentistry, a root canal is a popular way to restore a tooth and keep your smile intact.

At Garden View Dental Care, our dental team is well aware of the fears surrounding all root canal treatment and aims to reassure our patients of our competence at performing this extremely common dental procedure. Our dentist in Buckinghamshire performs root canal therapy to restore tooth function while also removing the underlying infection.

So, if our dentist in Buckinghamshire tells you that you require a root canal, should you agree to the treatment? Below are five reasons to say yes to endodontics!

Preserves the tooth

In the past, if you had attended your dental surgery with an infected or dead tooth, they would have simply taken out the offending tooth to clear the infection.

However, if the tooth was located at the front of your mouth, this would inevitably lead to a very visible gap in your teeth – not a great look! A root canal allows our dental team to clean your teeth from the inside out, remove the infection safely and preserve the function of the tooth.

Prevents further infection

In the past, dental surgeries would have removed any infected tooth and simply flushed out the root. However, if the infection in the tooth had spread into surrounding tissues, it would become harder to treat.

Root canal treatments involve our dentist in Buckinghamshire taking an X-ray, which allows them to see if the infection has spread to other areas in the mouth. This allows better treatment and gets you out of pain faster.

Pain relief

Anyone who has had a dental abscess will tell you that they are far from fun!

When you come to Garden View with a dental infection, our team is likely to offer you short term pain relief and once the root canal has been completed, we will often prescribe you some strong pain relief.

Delaying a root canal can cause you unnecessary discomfort and can cause damage to surrounding tissues and teeth; a root canal can be performed in under an hour and you will never feel discomfort in that tooth again!

Preserves your smile

As mentioned earlier, if your infected tooth is one of your front teeth, then you really need a root canal.

A recurring infection can damage your tooth beyond repair, leading to an eventual removal. Choosing endodontic therapy eliminates the infection and keeps your smile intact.

High success rate

As a procedure alone, root canals have a very high success rate long-term, well over 90%! Choosing a root canal is a great way to preserve that once troublesome tooth long term and keep you smiling for many years to come.

How an emergency dentist in Beaconsfield can help you

Everyone’s nightmare scenario is a problem occurring with their teeth and the practice is either closed or there are no immediate appointments available. In that situation we would recommend that you make an appointment with our emergency dentist in Beaconsfield.

emergency-dentist-beaconsfield For those who are unsure what we can help out with at short notice we’ve comprised a short list.

Perform temporary repairs

One of the main reasons you would see our emergency dentist in Beaconsfield is if you require temporary repairs to keep things in place until your regular appointment can be made. This can involve things such as providing a cover for a tooth that’s chipped or inserting a filling that your normal dentist can complete later on.

Short-notice repairs are pretty common for patients that are involved in a lot of sports or situations where damage to the teeth has a high chance of occuring. To limit the need for these types of appointments in the future we would also recommend a mouthguard to be worn, to protect your teeth from further damage.

Emergency diagnosis of symptoms

Another example of when an emergency visit may be needed is if you require someone to diagnose a problem with your teeth immediately. This could cover situations such as sudden sharp pain that doesn’t subside with painkillers or lasts for more than 24 hours, persistent bleeding of gums or sores that prevent you from eating or drinking.

At Garden View Dental Care our team will get to the root of your problem fast, to help alleviate your symptoms and get you back on the road to recovery.

Recommendation for further treatment

In some more extreme cases our emergency team can also recommend you have further treatment if it’s necessary. This can involve things such as X-rays, the introduction of a specialised treatment or an additional practitioner for a separate procedure.

Dental surgery

In the same vein as temporary repairs, in the event that you require immediate dental surgery our emergency practitioners can step in to help you. This may be in situations such as badly damaged teeth that a quick repair won’t fix, or if a tooth has become diseased and is causing a lot of pain or other health problems.

Repairs for orthodontics

But it’s not just teeth, in the event that you damage a set of braces or dentures our team can step in to help fix them. This could be things like a broken bracket or wiring that may have snapped or become snagged and damaged, or for denture wearers if there are any cracks or breaks that crop up and you do not have a replacement set readily available.

These are just a few situations where one of our team can help you in an emergency. If you’re in need of any of the examples we listed above, then do not hesitate to get in contact with us as the sooner we can help you, the better off you will be. If you’re not sure that your situation warrants an emergency appointment then call and check, our team will be happy to alleviate any concerns you may have.

Diet tips for healthy teeth from our dentist in Buckinghamshire

Our diet plays a big part in the lifespan of our teeth and the sorts of problems you can run into later in life such as cavities, fillings or decay. To keep your teeth looking good as you get older our dentist in Buckinghamshire has come up with a few things you can change in your diet to give those pearly whites a greater chance at lasting longer.

Stop smoking

First on the list of diet changes from our dentist in Buckinghamshire is to cut out smoking. One of the main causes of tooth decay, aside from sugar, is smoking. Having that quiet puff outside during work hours may help you de-stress, but over time this can stain your teeth, cause bad breath, increase your chances of gum disease and make you more vulnerable to other serious oral health problems such as mouth or throat cancer.

Reduce your sugary drinks intake

As we mentioned above, the amount of sugar you go through on a daily basis can have a drastic effect on your teeth. That’s why we recommend you try some alternatives such as sugar free substitutes or even just a glass of water instead of a fizzy drink. Having at least one glass of water a day is not only tooth friendly, but it can also help your concentration, hydrate your body and leave you feeling less thirsty than if you were to have a cola or other caffeinated drink.

At Garden View Dental Care our team will use their experience and knowledge to recommend some tooth friendly dietary alternatives if you’re unsure where to start.

Cut down on alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption is another leading factor in the cause of tooth decay and depending on the amount you drink, it can seriously damage your teeth.

For example, those that ‘binge’ regularly and consume more than the recommended amount will suffer from an increased rate of enamel erosion and staining of the teeth. This in turn leads to them needing fillings or whitening sessions to try and restore their teeth back to their previous state of whiteness. If you can, try to limit the amount of alcohol you consume as much as you can.

Try to be food smart

Having a balanced diet is key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Try to cut down on the amount of sweets and sugary snacks you eat or even replace them with healthier alternatives, swap that chocolate bar for a stick of celery and crisps with tomato slices. Vegetables and starchy foods like pasta and potatoes are quite tooth friendly and can improve your overall health, plus dairy products like yoghurt and milk contain calcium which helps to strengthen your teeth.

These are just a few changes that you can make to your daily diet to improve your overall oral health. If you would like to learn what else is beneficial to your teeth then have a chat with our team at the practice to see what else you can do to keep those pearly whites shining for longer.

Straighten up that smile with clear braces in Buckinghamshire

When it comes to keeping your teeth looking great our team have a number of tricks up their sleeves in the form of innovative and unique treatments that will help your teeth stand the test of time. One particular procedure we might recommend for you is to book an appointment for removable clear braces in Buckinghamshire.

clear-braces-buckinghamshire Here’s a little additional information about why and when we would recommend this to our patients.

What are they?

Patients looking for clear braces in Buckinghamshire, (which are not the fixed ceramic braces), can expect to be given a see-through plastic removable aligner, worn for a set period of time to straighten up crooked teeth. The idea is that this appliance will exert a small amount of pressure on your teeth at key points to slowly realign them, just like an ordinary brace. But where this one differs is that you can take it out at any point to clean your teeth or eat meals, as well as keep the appliance free from bacteria, plaque and food particles.

Treatment times last up to 12 months depending on a number of factors such as the amount of teeth being realigned, their location and the age of the patient.

How do I wear them?

Wearing the brace is incredibly easy as all you need to do is just pop it into your mouth and leave it there for as long as you’re instructed to by your dentist. Ideally you should have it there for a minimum of 22 hours a day to ensure that the realignment goes through without a hitch, but you can remove it for cleaning and eating as we previously mentioned.

At Garden View Dental Care our team will explain how the braces work in detail, to allow you to make the most of your new oral addition.

Facts about the fitting process

The actual method by which we will measure and then fit you for braces is where things get interesting and a little science fiction! Using a series of lasers or LEDs, depending on the type of machine, we will be able to scan your teeth to map out their exact measurements. This data is then used to produce a 3D image that we can then manipulate to show you how and where your teeth will be realigned. This is then sent off to a laboratory to produce your set of braces that you then have to wear.

Depending on the realignment needed you may be asked to wear a number of graduated braces with different pressure points built in, but our team will usually discuss this with you first.

How to keep your braces clean

Generally, we advise that you use a recommended cleaning solution that is lightly scrubbed over the brace every other day. This will kill harmful bacteria, clear out plaque and help reduce staining.

These are just a few interesting facts about these practically invisible braces. If you are interested in learning more about this procedure or would like to see what they can do for you, then contact our practice and have a chat with our team as soon as possible.

Signs you should see our dentist In Buckinghamshire

Apart from the regularly scheduled check-up every six months or so, some patients still miss out on getting help from our team when they really should. This can be down to a number of reasons, but mainly it’s due to patients not knowing when to contact their dentist aside from appointments for ordinary treatments.

buckinghamshire-dentist That’s why we’ve comprised a short list of a few things to keep an eye out for that might be signs that you should come in and see our dentist in Buckinghamshire for some help.

Constant or sharp pain

First on our list is if you are experiencing any intense or recurring pain in your teeth or gums that is not subsiding despite the use of painkillers. This could be a sign that there’s something seriously wrong with your teeth or there may be some potential nerve death, if this is the case, you should immediately book an appointment at the practice. This also applies to any pain that does not go away after 24 hours.

Persistent bleeding

Another sign that you need to come and see our dentist in Buckinghamshire is if there is persistent bleeding in your mouth or around your gums. You wouldn’t ignore blood continually coming out of any other part of the body so your teeth should be no different. At Garden View Dental Care our team will strive to diagnose your problem in a quick and professional manner to get you and your smile on the road to recovery.

Damaged, cracked or chipped teeth

Although it may seem obvious, some patients still don’t come in for help if they’ve managed to damage, crack or chip their teeth. This could be for a number of reasons, but mostly it tends to be that patients don’t feel the damage is extensive enough to warrant a visit. Any damage should never be ignored, as if left alone it could potentially get worse.

Cavities or decay

Cavities and decay tend to form from a poor oral health routine and if left alone they can lead to further decay, rot and even disintegration of the jawbone, if disease or a serious infection manages to creep in. So make sure any cavities or decaying teeth are immediately seen to before it gets any worse.

Gaps or crooked teeth

Gaps and crooked teeth may seem like something you can easily live with, but through cosmetic dentistry our team are able to help fill in and straighten your smile to give you a confidence boost as well as provide you with that stellar smile that you deserve. We manage this through the use of treatments such as dental implants for filling in gaps and braces for straightening out any troublesome teeth.

These are just a few things to keep an eye out for that might hint at you requiring a visit to our practice. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then do not hesitate to get in touch with our team, as solving these issues before they get worse should be your number one priority.

Author: Garden View Dental Care