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The term ‘dental implant’ is used to describe the titanium screw in place to support false teeth. These screws are utilised by replacing the root of the tooth by being placed where the root used to be, in the jaw bone. In this article, we look at the benefits of dental implants, whether you may need one, and how long they last for.
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The importance of keeping up with regular visits to your dentist should not be understated. Having regular check-ups mean that any problems with your mouth can be detected, and you can receive advice on how to keep your oral hygiene at a good standard. You shouldn’t only see your dentist when a problem arises, through regular visits, little issues such as cavities can be fixed before the develop any further. Here are some of the benefits of attending regular dental appointments:
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Taking care of your teeth isn’t always as simple as brushing twice a day. There are many reasons why you may need to see your dentist, however, it is important to differentiate the difference between needing to see your regular dentist, and needing an emergency visit. Accidents happen every day, but some injuries will require immediate treatment, while others can wait for the normal business hours in which your dentist operates.
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Dentures and dental implants have resolved the issue of losing teeth or gaps in your smile. Dentures have been the remedy for people with missing teeth for years. However, new specialized dentures have been introduced, known as ‘flexible dentures’. These provide a more comfortable experience whilst wearing, due to the softer material that they are made of. In this blog, we will explore both the benefits and negatives surrounding flexible dentures, so you can make a more informed choice should you need dentures.
What are dentures made from?
Dentures are usually comprised from a variety of different materials, consisting of acrylic resin, chrome cobalt and nylon. Recently, resin has taken over from porcelain as the preferred material to manufacture dentures with, due to it being lighter and cheaper to make. The material also sticks a lot better with the base of the dentures.
The base of the dentures are usually made from acrylic resin or chrome cobalt metal. Acrylic metal can be easily dyed In order for it to match up with the patients gum, however the metal is sturdier and less likely to break if the dentures have been dropped. Flexible dentures are made from nylon, and are becoming more popular, especially over the past few years.
Issues with having regular dentures
Dentures comprised of a rigid metal base can be quite uncomfortable to wear, and take a while to get used to. You need to learn how to carry your dentures in your mouth with your cheeks and gums, which can be quite a long and painful process to perfect. They also require a lot of maintenance in terms of cleaning, so that they don’t break easily.
Why choose flexible dentures?
Flexible dentures are ideal for those who don’t require the use of regular dentures. They aren’t as brittle as the standard dentures, so are less inclined to break upon impact. They also don’t require any dental adhesive or metal clasps to keep them in place on the gums, as they cling to them naturally. The material they’re made out of is clear, so they don’t need to be dyed in order to match the gums natural colour, as well as needing less time to manufacture.
Comfort is a very important factor when it comes to producing dentures, as they are designed to be worn frequently, so the less pain one is in whilst using them, the better. Flexible dentures have the edge over other types in this respect, as they are simple to put in, wear, and to take out of the mouth, without causing discomfort.
Flexible dentures are also a great alternative for those who are allergic to the materials inside of standard dentures, such as acrylic resin and nickel.
Problems with flexible dentures
Although flexible dentures can be more convenient, they aren’t without their own problems in some circumstances. The material in the flexible base is prone to harbouring a lot more bacteria on it than regular dentures, meaning they require a lot of cleaning to avoid a build up of germs on your dentures. The dentures should be removed every day and brushed with a toothbrush all over with warm water. Following this, swill in mouthwash to prevent gingivitis.
If you are looking for further advice on choosing the right dentures or proper denture care, why not contact Ascent Dental Care Tamworth today, to see how we can help you!
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There are plenty of teeth whitening products out there, but often these aren’t very effective and can sometimes even pose a danger to your oral health. The best way to approach teeth whitening, is to consult your dentist. Having a professional whitening your teeth is a lot safer and more beneficial.
How do dentists whiten your teeth? Why should you choose your dentist to whiten them? In this article, we will explore the process and benefits of teeth whitening through your dentist.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is the process of bleaching your teeth to lighten the shades of your teeth. This will not make your teeth a dazzling white, but can improve the colour of them dramatically.
Who can perform teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a particular form of dentistry, and should only be performed by dental professionals. Some beauty salons offer teeth whitening services, but it is only legal if a dental professional is on hand to supervise.
You can also purchase teeth whitening products, but they do carry risks to your oral health, and pose a danger due to it not being applied by a professional, through absence of their expertise.
What happens during professional teeth whitening?
Professional teeth whitening involves several appointments at the dental surgery over the length of a couple of months.
To begin with, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth to create a mouth guard, and will then show you how to effectivley use it through applying bleaching gel.
Through using your mouth guard at home, you will regularly apply the gel for the length of time your dentist has told you to do so, usually between 2 to 4 weeks.
Laser whitening is another form of teeth whitening, also known as power whitening. This involves a bleaching product being applied to the teeth, and then shined on by a light or laser to activate the product. The whole process is a lot quicker then using a mouthguard, as laser whitening only takes about an hour to complete.
If you are looking for whiter teeth, why not contact Ascent Dental Care Tamworth today, to see how we can help you!
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Although many people forget or skip flossing during their brushing routine, it is recognised as an important part of a daily hygiene process. The question is how important is it when compared to brushing your teeth? Is it really worth the extra time to do? In this article we will look at the benefits of flossing, and look at how important it is in improving your health and day to day life.
The benefits of flossing
Flossing is recommended from a young age. Generally speaking, as soon as you develop two teeth that touch, you are able to start flossing. So why is this practice so heavily recommended by dentists? Well, to start with; through flossing you remove up to 40% of plaque and sticky bacteria from your teeth. Plaque can develop acids which can lead to gum irritation, cavities or gum disease.
Without flossing, we aren’t cleaning all five sides of our teeth exposed, leaving two unclean and therefore able to produce more bacteria. Through flossing, you are able to reach and cleanse all regions of your mouth effectively, removing bacteria and improving your overall oral hygiene.
Flossing, in some cases, can also help with keeping your youthful looks for longer, as preventing gum disease means less damage caused to your gums, teeth and jaw. People who floss look better as they age due to their bones being better maintained and preserved.
The damage of not flossing
Your dental hygiene is important and by not flossing, you are putting yourself at risk of developing detrimental dental problems in the future, such as gingivitis and cavities in between your teeth. This is due to the bacteria in your dental plaque building up after not being removed, irritating the gum tissue. The gums will become inflamed and start to bleed if left untreated, leading to more bacteria being created and gingivitis developing.
The same bacteria harming your gum tissue, is also wearing down the enamel in between your teeth, leading to holes in your teeth known as cavities.
Conclusion
It is very clear that flossing should be incorporated into all of our daily routines, just as much as brushing. You should floss at least once per day, the optimal time being just before bed to remove any excess food debris and plaque left over from the day.
Through flossing more, you will gradually notice the benefits to your oral health, and add more protection from potential oral diseases and cavities!
If you are concerned about your oral health, why not contact Ascent Dental Care Tamworth today, to see how we can help you!
We serve customers in Lichfield and Tamworth