Gum disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the attachment fibres and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. Left untreated this disease can lead to tooth loss. The first signs of gum disease are reddened, swollen or bleeding gums caused by the build up of plaque and known as ‘gingivitis’. This can be easily prevented by good oral hygiene at home and with the assistance of your dental hygienist.
Are you at risk?
Some people are genetically predisposed to gum disease so it’s a good idea to check if either of your parents lost teeth as a result of gum disease.
Smoking can hide the signs of gum disease as well as reduce the positive effects of any treatment. Not to mention all the other harmful effects not related to your gums!
Stress has been shown to reduce resistance to gum disease meaning people can be susceptible at different times in their lives depending on their lifestyle.
However, regardless of your susceptibility, you and your dentist can keep gum disease in check with good oral hygiene at home combined with regular check ups and the appropriate treatment where necessary.
To book a consultation give one of our friendly team a call on 0116 2891317 or alternatively email info@smileessential.co.uk
Many people may conjure up horrible images when they hear the words root canal, especially if they have a phobia of going to the dentist, but root canal treatment is a very safe procedure that can save a tooth. Root canal treatment is used to treat teeth that are severely decayed or damaged as a result of an accident or injury.
The root canal procedure involves removing decayed pulp tissue from the tooth; the pulp contains all the living tissue in the tooth, including the nerves and blood vessels and if the pulp becomes severely decayed, the tooth effectively dies. Root canal treatment removes all the decayed tissue and cleans the tooth so that a new crown can be placed over the tooth, creating a natural looking tooth that functions in exactly the same way as an original tooth.
If a tooth is severely decayed or damaged and it is left untreated, there is a risk of an abscess developing and the bone surrounding the affected tooth may become damaged; the condition of the tooth can quickly disintegrate and it may have to be extracted, which will create a gap in the teeth. Gaps not only affect the aesthetic of the smile but they also have an effect on the individual’s ability to eat and speak clearly.
Root canal treatment may be a daunting prospect for people who are worried about injections, pain or generally going to the dentist; however, the procedure is carried out under anaesthetic and many dentists now offer specialist services for patients with dental phobia. In the vast majority of cases the rewards of the procedure far outweigh the risks and the treatment can prevent the tooth from being lost. Root canal treatment is usually carried out over two appointments.
I’ve recently had Botox with Lina Kotecha at Smile Essential, Leicester.
Firstly the consultation: excellent, Lina really listened to me. She answered all my questions and concerns about the procedure fully, as this was my first time having something like this done. I was happy to go to the next step…
The procedure: the treatment was done with a great deal of care and attention. I felt relaxed and in safe hands.
Mrs K.B, leicester
Lina says ‘Botox and dermal fillers have become an increasingly popular facial
treatment that I offer to all of our patients who are wanting a simple, safe
procedure without having to go for more drastic surgery options. Having undergone
extensive training in facial rejuvenation at the world renowned Harley Street in
London many of our patients are enjoying the benfits of a more youthful appearance
combined with the reassurance that they are having their treatment carried out by
someone who understands the anatomy of the face and it’s muscles.’
Immediately after the treatment, their may be slight redness, swelling, tenderness and an itching sensation in the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection. The inconvenience is temporary and generally disappears in a day or two. If the inconvenience continues or if other reactions occur, please contact the clinic.
Apply an ice pack to the treated; this will reduce the initial swelling.
If you are having lip treatment the initial swelling may last longer. It can last for about a week and the lips may look somewhat uneven during this time. Therefore the result directly after the treatment should not be seen as the final result.
Avoid touching the treated area within six hours following treatment. After that, light makeup can be applied and the area can be gently washes with soap and water.
Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. solarium and sunbathing) or extreme cold.
If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the injections could contribute to another eruption of cold sores. Should this happen please contact your practitioner immediately so that treatment can be provided if necessary.
If you are using aspirin or any similar medication, be aware that these may increase the risk of bruising or bleeding at the injection site.
Since the dermal filler is absorbed, the correction effect reduces over time. Many people choose to be treated again within six months of the original treatment.
If you have any concerns please contact the practice on 0116 2891317
You should frown repeatedly for about one hour immediately following the treatment. This will help the treatment to be more effective by increasing the uptake of targeted muscle groups.
Do not rub the treated area, stay upright for at least four hours and try to avoid sleeping on your face the first night.
You can gently apply light makeup after the treatment but use a light dabbing motion instead or a rubbing or spreading motion for the first day.
Do not have any facial treatments for seven days after treatment as they may cause ‘tracking’ of Botulinum Toxin Type A to neighbouring areas.
Side effects of this treatment are rare. Occasionally, temporary drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow may occur, which usually lasts for a few weeks and if longer, will resolve when the effects of the toxin wear off.
If you have any concerns please call the practice on 0116 2891317.
The following steps will help prevent bleeding and relieve soreness after a dental extraction
ON THE DAY OF TREATMENT
Rest for a few hours, but you do not have to lie down.
Strenuous exercise is best avoided for a few hours.
Do not vigorously rinse the mouth for at least 24 hours.
Avoid HOT fluids, alcohol, hard or chewy foods. Choose cool drinks and minced or soft foods.
Should the wound start to bleed, apply a small compress. This can be made from some cotton wool in a clean handkerchief. Place this on the bleeding point and bite firmly on it for 5-10 minutes, longer if necessary.
Any pain or soreness can be relieved by taking pain killers advised by your Dentist.
If prolonged bleeding or pain occurs, contact your Dentist.
Smoking is best avoided for 24 hours following treatment.
ON THE DAY FOLLOWING TREATMENT
It may be beneficial to use an antiseptic rinse or a warm salt water rinse to bathe the wound. This may be carried out after each meal until healing is complete. A salt water rinse is made by dissolving a level teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. The solution should be held in the mouth for two to three minutes to bathe the wound and then discarded.
Continuing mild pain can be treated by taking pain killers, but not containing any aspirin
Botulinum Toxin, or Botox as it is commonly known, is a type of purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is quite safe and is injected directly into facial muscles in very tiny amounts during treatment.
How does it work?
Botox works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the facial muscles that have been injected. This makes the muscles less active and therefore softens and smoothes the appearance of persistent lines and wrinkles.
How many treatments will I need?
In most cases patients can see a real difference after one treatment. This is because Botox works gradually, smoothing and softening lines and wrinkles for up to a month. Every face is unique of course and we’ll advise you on how many treatments you’re likely to need and how often, depending on the results you’d like to achieve.
How long does Botox work for?
The effects of Botox often last up to four months, depending on the patient. If you decide to stop treatment, any permanent lines and wrinkles will gradually return.
Is the treatment painful?
It’s very rare for treatment with Botox to be painful. Most patients experience a feeling of slight discomfort during the treatment itself but that’s all. We at Smile Essential will talk you through what to expect before your first injection of course, so you’ll be fully prepared prior to treatment.
Do wrinkle reduction treatments such as Botox actually work?
There’s several ways of reducing or removing wrinkles from your forehead and around the eyes, nose and mouth. One of the best-known treatments is Botox™, a muscle relaxant that is used to relax and soften ‘frown’ lines around the forehead and eyes. Whilst dermal fillers, such as Hydra Fill? are commonly used to ‘fill in’ and smooth wrinkles around the lower half of the face, such as the mouth. Although both treatments reduce or remove wrinkles, they work in a very different way.
Brushing your teeth is by far and away the most important way of keeping them clean, healthy and free from decay. Effective brushing is the first line of defence against a whole series of nasty and unpleasant dental health concerns that could cause you a lot of pain, embarrassment and expense throughout your life.
Leicester dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for three minutes. It is recommended to use a soft-bristled brush, unless told otherwise by your dentist for specific reasons, as they are the best at removing plaque and ultimately that is the number one aim of tooth brushing. Plaque is the sticky, filmy substance that coast teeth and releases acids which eventually break down enamel and cause cavities. If left untreated, dental cavities will worsen until the enamel is breached and the sensitive inner part of the tooth including the dental nerve is exposed to bacteria and infection. This can be very unpleasant and the source of severe pain and ultimately tooth loss.
When brushing it is important to angle the brush at 45 degrees to the gums so that they are also gently cleaned. This helps to keep plaque off the gums and prevent gum disease, the number one cause of tooth loss in the UK. Using a small-headed toothbrush is also recommended because it allows easier access to more parts of the mouth.
Although brushing is very important, it is also still a good idea to floss your teeth at least once a day as this helps to remove plaque and food debris from between the teeth. As well as this, it is also highly important to make sure you keep up six-monthly appointments with the dentist as even the most rigorous brushers can still be affected by decay and disease.
It is very important to invest in a good toothbrush to help maintain effective brushing and prevent gum disease. There are so many toothbrushes on the market, it can be difficult to know what to buy. We recommend a Philips Sonicare rechargeable electric toothbrush as being one of the best toothbrushes on the market.
There are 5 simple steps that you can use for effective brushing.
1. Always look in a mirror whilst brushing. It sounds so simple but many people do not use a mirror and hence cannot see where they are brushing and so miss cleaning certain areas.
2. Use a methodical approach, concentrating on one tooth at a time.
3. Make sure that you brush the outside, inside and biting surfaces of the teeth.
4. Try to begin brushing in a different place everyday to ensure that you do not neglect any particular area.
5. Toothbrushing should last for at least two minutes (A good tip is, if you listen to the radio in the morning you should brush for the duration of 1-2 songs).
Flossing techniques
Some people say that they spend a long time brushing their teeth and therefore they do not need to floss, this is not the case. Although the bristles of a tooth brush are fine, collectively they are still to thick to get in-between the teeth effectively. It is very easy to forget that teeth have more than two surfaces and they all need the same care and attention, especially as food can get trapped in-between teeth and if left it can cause decay/ carries/cavities. The only way to remove this is by flossing.
1. Take about 45-50cm (18inches) of floss and wind the ends around your middle fingers, leaving a short distance between them.
2. Using your thumb and first finger, gently move the floss between your teeth and wrap in a C shape around the tooth.
3. Guide the floss to where the tooth meets the gum, but take care not to damage the gum by flossing too vigorously
4. Then move the floss up and down the tooth. During use the floss spreads out for more effective plaque removal.
Interdental (Tepe) Brushes
Interdental (Tepe) brushes are small pocket sized brushes that are available to buy in different sizes. A dentist would recommend what size is best for the patient, and some people are advised to use two different sized brushes corresponding to the size of the gaps between teeth.
For the ultimate feeling of a fresh mouth, don’t forget to use a tongue scraper as your tongue harbors many bacteria that can cause bad breath.
Should you need any further advice on brushing and flossing techniques, speak to one of our team members who will be happy to help you.
Of course they do, unless however your water has bubbles in it. Drinking sparkling mineral water is the same as drinking other non-sugar or diet fizzy drinks. While these drinks do not contain sugar they are acidic and can lead to acid erosion of the tooth surface which in turn can lead to sensitive teeth and excessive tooth surface loss.
If you can’t make the bubbles a complete thing of the past then…
Drink them through a straw- the acid has less chance to attack the teeth
Only have fizzy drinks occasionally- children especially should have not have fizzy drinks regularly
Wait at least half an hour before brushing, to give your teeth a change to break down the acid.
If your teeth are sensitive you should…
Tell your dentist! Acid erosion is not the only cause of sensitivity.
Limit your intake of acidic drinks and food such as red wine, fizzy drinks, citrus fruits and fruit juices
Use a desensitising toothpaste to brush your teeth
The dentists at Smile Essential advice that drinking plain (still) water is best!
