Teeth Health
How Often Should I Brush My Teeth?
If possible, you should aim to brush your teeth 1 hour after every meal for maximum protection & prevention against tooth decay. If this is not possible, then you should brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes. It is important to clean in between your teeth (as your tooth brush doesn’t reach here and it’s a common place for your teeth to decay). The best way to do this is by using floss or interdental brushes.
Which Foods Should I Avoid in Excess?
A variety of foods in excess can be damaging to the enamel of your teeth or cause discolouration. Acidic, starchy or sugary foods and fizzy drinks can all cause decay to form or the wearing down of your enamel. Drinks such as red wine & coffee and foods such as curry and tomato sauces can cause discolouration of your teeth.
Does Chewing Gum Help Keep My Mouth Healthy?
Sugar-free gum is a great way to keep your teeth healthy. This is because chewing gum produces saliva in the mouth. Saliva contains minerals and proteins that protect your tooth enamel so chewing gum can help protect your teeth from tooth decay. Some gums contain Xylitol which has been shown to inhibit the plaque bacteria that can cause decay.
Tooth Whitening
Tooth Whitening - Is it Safe?
If you have cosmetic tooth whitening carried out by a qualified professional dentist it is a completely safe procedure. It is illegal for a teeth whitening procedure to be carried out by anyone but dentists and dental hygienists. Be very cautious and avoid any non dental company or individual offering cosmetic teeth whitening as it is illegal, and may cause lasting damage if the wrong products are used.
Why are my Teeth Sensitive after Teeth Whitening? Should I Avoid in Excess?
Your teeth may be sensitive or more sensitive than usual during the teeth whitening procedure. This is because oxygen is released which can increase sensitivity to hot or cold changes. Tooth whitening provided by your dentist will not damage your teeth and your dentist will give you advice on how to manage sensitivity during whitening. Sensitive toothpaste can be used to brush with or place in your whitening trays to help reduce side effects.
Is Teeth Whitening a ‘One Size Fits All Solution’?
Not necessarily. Should you suffer from severe discolouration then teeth whitening may not work. Should this be the case then do not worry as there are other cosmetic treatments such as porcelain veneers or composite bonding which can make your teeth appear pearly white. Any dentistry (such as white fillings, crowns or veneers) will not change colour with tooth whitening and you may need to consider replacement after whitening or alternative treatment.
Missing Teeth
Should I Worry About Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth can cause several issues such as problems chewing and talking, as well as being an aesthetic concern. Adjacent teeth can tilt and move into the spaces, and can be more likely to fracture. It’s therefore highly recommended to seek the help of a dental professional should you have missing teeth
What Causes Missing Teeth?
There’s a number of reasons as to why your teeth may fall out. This could be due to an accident, trauma, medical condition, smoking or other lifestyle choices. Alcohol and illegal narcotics are also accredited to causing teeth loss. Some people do not develop teeth as might be expected.
What happens if a Missing Tooth is Not Treated?
Your other teeth have to work that bit harder during chewing, resulting in possible tooth, crown and filling fractures. Your other teeth may move and tilt into the space, resulting in an uneven smile and difficulty cleaning. Your jawbone can begin to shrink due to lack of stimulation. We recommended you seek advice from your dentist should you suffer the loss of a tooth or teeth.
Can Cosmetic Dentistry Replace Missing Teeth?
There are a number of procedures that can be used to replace missing teeth, such as removable dentures and bridges. Dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth but need to have a suitable volume of jaw bone in order to allow the implant a firm fixture site. If your jaw bone is not immediately suitable for dental implants, there may be an option to augment the bone with a 'grafting' procedure using a synthetic product, and you may even need a sinus lifting procedure to increase the space available in the top jaw. These are reasonably common procedures here at Primley Park Dentistry, carried out in the expert hands of Dr Craig Parker.
Visiting the dentist
Can you help with Dental Phobia?
You are not alone, it’s thought that 1/4 adults in the UK suffer from a fear of the dentist. At Primley Park Dentistry we aim to make your experience as stress-free as possible. Our modern dental practice is designed to be comforting, and to reduce stress for nervous patients. There’s also other options available such as sedation which makes time seem to move more quickly and makes you unaware of your procedure.
When Should I Visit the Dentist?
There’s no official rules as to when you should visit the dentist. Visits are agreed based on your risk factors and treatment needs. It is important to ensure that any dental treatment you need is preventative rather than a reaction to discovering that something is wrong. Although it may seem as if there is nothing wrong with your teeth from a visual inspection, a visit to the dentist may involve taking X-rays and a digital scan, helping us to detect any underlying issues.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Are There Procedures to Improve My Smile?
There are a number of procedures that can improve your smile. You can carry out straightening of your teeth using contemporary, discrete aligners such as Invisalign aligners. Tooth bonding and contouring can also be used to change the appearance of your smile. This is where tooth coloured materials can be bonded to teeth or shaping of the enamel for tooth contouring. Tooth bonding is the quickest and least expensive method of improvement but is not always a suitable alternative to crowns and veneers.
Can Anyone Have a Cosmetic Procedure Carried Out?
At Primley Park Dentistry we take time to fully assess your needs, wants and desires. Using photography, videography, intraoral scanning and Digital Smile Assessment we can design the perfect smile for you in most instances. Treatment goals, expectations and costs will all be discussed before treatment.
I want straight teeth but don’t want a brace
Many individuals prefer not to go through with traditional 'train-track' braces. These can be very painful when they are adjusted, make it difficult or even impossible to eat certain foods (as they can damage the braces) and is a significant lifestyle adjustment, usually for a number of years. If you do not have a severe issue that needs to be rectified, Invisalign® Invisible Aligners can be used as an effective alternative. These are much more discreet than traditional braces and do not need significant adaptations to your lifestyle.
How do I make a complaint?
View our complaints procedure here