Author Archives: Brightside Dental

Dental Mavericks – Charity Of The Quarter

Dental Mavericks are a charity set up to help end daily dental pain for the children of Morocco. Our Principal Ketan Shah has joined the Mavericks team for the past 2 years with their projects and travelled to Morocco to help the children.
Just imagine, living with your family in an isolated fishing village with no dentists, a high sugar diet, no toothbrushes and no fluoride tooth paste. You don’t need to be a dentist to imagine the consequences, but the dental neglect shocks even the most experienced of this group of national dentists and their team. Abscesses, pain and distress, parents of these children in Morocco are no different to any other around the world, they want their children helping.

Ketan along with a group of dentists and team members travelled to the Rif mountains to remote villages. The team treated hundreds of children over the course of the week and mostly carried out extracting rotten teeth, along with fillings and providing education so that the children can look after their own teeth on a daily basis. For Ketan this was a chance to use the skills he has to give something back to people who have considerably less.

Dental Mavericks are also in the process of setting up permanent clinics and oral hygiene programmes working in conjunction with Moroccan dentists.

This September the Dental Mavericks team will be returning to Morocco to continue their work.
If you would like to know more or to support the Mavericks team visit:
http://www.dentalmavericks.org/
You may donate online here: http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/KetanShah2

We will be having a number of fundraising events in the practice over the coming weeks. The best way to stay aware of these is by following our Facebook page, where we will keep you updated: https://www.facebook.com/BrightsideDentalUK

Would You Like A Sparkling Smile For The Summer?

Teeth whitening is the simplest and most cost-effective way to improve your smile. This is provided it’s carried out by a qualified and trained dental professional. You may have seen stories in the press recently of people who have visited beauty salons for teeth whitening and have ended up with permanently damaged teeth. You wouldn’t come to see me to have your hair done – would you?

You can see more about our teeth whitening treatments and what some of our patients have thought about the outcome of their treatment here:

https://www.brightsidedental.co.uk/teeth-whitening-bounds-green.html

All the whitening systems we provide at Brightside Dental are the highest quality products and I, along with most of our team members use them ourselves.

We currently have a fantastic offer for you to freshen up your smile. Professional tray whitening, plus free top up whitening gel is only £199, saving you £96 – maybe to get your hair done by a professional.

Hurry, we have limited availability for this offer which ends on 31 July 2016, so give us a call or email us to secure your booking. You may also share this with a friend who may be interested.

8 Tips To Ease Dental Fear

If you are anxious about seeing the dentist here are 8 tips to ease the fear:

Find an understanding dentist. Ask friends and family if they can recommend one or look for someone who advertises themselves as an expert with anxious people.
Once you’ve found someone you think may be suitable, visit the practice to have a look around, meet the receptionist and dentist and see the environment. Tell the dentist that you are anxious so they know beforehand.
Pick an appointment time early in the morning so you have less time to dwell on it.
The first appointment will simply be a assessment so don’t worry that you will be launched into having a filling, the drill or a needle. See this first visit as your chance to get to know the dentist.
Take a friend or relative with you to your appointment. The dentist won’t mind if they accompany you throughout the check-up or treatment.
Agree a sign with the dentist to signal that you need a break and want them to stop. It can be as simple as pointing your finger, and will help you feel more in control.
If you think it will help, start gradually with a clean and polish then work up to more extensive treatment once you’ve built up trust and rapport with your dentist.
Bring headphones with you to listen to music during your visit. It will help you relax.

If you are extremely nervous you may prefer intravenous sedation (through an injection into your hand or arm) during treatment. The drugs won’t send you to sleep—you’ll be awake and able to talk to the dentist—but they will calm and relax you so deeply you probably won’t remember much of what happened.

If you are nervous about dental treatment, give us a call on 020 88884401 and we can have a chat with you and work with you on how to overcome your dental fears.

Are Your Teeth Wearing Away While You Sleep?

Bruxism is a habit that affects around 8-10% of the population. It is broadly characterised by grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw that can cause tooth wear and breakage, disorders of the jaw (pain and limited movement) and headaches. Bruxism occurs in both children and adults but is most common in 25-44 year olds. However, most people grind and/or clench their teeth occasionally to a certain degree.

Bruxism is classified into awake bruxism and sleep bruxism. Awake bruxism is characterised by involuntary clenching of the teeth and jaw bracing in reaction to certain stimuli. There is generally no tooth grinding with awake bruxism. Sleep bruxism is characterised by automatic teeth grinding with rhythmic and sustained jaw muscle contractions.

Grinding your teeth can aggravate the joints in your lower jaw, also known as the temporomandibular joints, or TMJs. This can lead to pain or tightness in the joint area, and even earaches and headache. The habit can wear down your enamel, cause increased tooth sensitivity, and result in chipped or broken teeth.

If you have this habit, you might want to consider visiting your dentist as there are ways to overcome it.

Stress can play a big part in causing of aggravating bruxism. Most people are not aware they have this habit as it occurs while sleeping (in the same way as snoring) – often it’s a partner that notices, but only if they are a light sleeper.

There are a range of treatments that can be provided to help with bruxism and protect the teeth from further damage.

To find out more, give us a call on 020 88884401

Should You Visit The Dentist If You Suffer From Headaches?

If you have a headache or migraine, quite often the first port of call is the medicine cabinet for pain relief or a visit to the doctor. However, if it occurs regularly, you might consider seeing a dentist as the cause might be lying inside your mouth.

Most dental headaches are classified as “tension” headaches, and are the result of muscular tension that builds up in the region of the face and jaw or simply called the “bad bite”. The other two issues that might cause this so called dental headache are Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder and Bruxism. TMJ is a neuromuscular jaw condition caused by an imbalanced bite. When the joint causes pressure to be put on the nerves muscles and blood vessels that pass near the head, the result can be headaches and migraines, a condition that affects one in seven people in the UK. Bruxism is excessive teeth-grinding and jaw clenching. Other causes of your headache might also be because of cavities, infection or an abscess.

Headaches can be very disturbing for many people and can affect your daily routine and mood. People may act angrily at things and sometimes people who don’t know your suffering might misunderstand you. It makes you less productive as it can be a bothersome condition.

There are treatments a dentist can provide that can often help with headaches and migraines.

It is also important to see your doctor or optician to ensure there is not another underlying problem causing the symptoms .

So next time you have a headache, you don’t need to put up with it and a visit to the dentist might be the best option for you.

Are Dental Implants Better Than Dentures?

Losing teeth can be very upsetting and raise many concerns such as difficulty in eating, social effects, impact on confidence. The good news is that in todays modern world and with the fantastic advances in dentistry, you have many options available.

Dental implants, bridges and dentures are the most common options available. In the past, dentures were the main solution to replace missing teeth, however nowadays most people don’t want dentures for comfort, convenience and social reasons.

Dental implants are a fixed solutions, using a titanium post that fits into the jawbone, replacing the root of a missing tooth. The implant joins strongly with the jawbone creating an anchor which is used to hold a replacement tooth. They can be used to replace single or multiple teeth, supporting crowns, bridges, and even dentures. They are the closest option we have to replacing your own teeth.

Dentures, on the other hand, are a removable replacement for missing teeth. They are made from acrylic and sometimes metal. A denture fits over the gum and sometimes uses teeth (if present) to help hold it in place.

Implants are regarded as gold standard for replacing missing teeth due to the way they replicate natural tooth roots which helps preserve the jawbone and gum tissue. While dentures can be tricky to wear, restrict your food choices and need to be replaced more frequently.

Dentures may seem to be cheaper initially, but implants can be the ideal long-term solution to replace missing teeth.

Before making the final decision, whether to have an implant or denture, take into consideration the pros and cons of it and which one will benefit you for long-term. We can help advise you on the options most suitable for you.

Give us a call on 0208 88884401 or email us if you have any questions or if you would like to be sent a dental implant guide for more information.

When Should Children First Visit The Dentist?

Parents often ask, when is the right time to do my child’s first visit to the dentist?

The answer? As soon as baby teeth have started to come through.

Yes, you have read it right. Many parents sometimes compromise their children’s first visit because they thought that it’s too early for them or they don’t think that their child does not need one yet. Little did they know that as early as the first tooth comes out, the possibility for cavities hiding behind is also starting.

According to research, most pre-school children that have tooth decay have not seen a dentist yet. Baby teeth should be well taken care of because they are the ones holding the space for the permanent teeth. If it happens that the baby teeth are in not in good condition, chances are high that the permanent teeth will also have a problem.

When preparing your child for their first dental visit, it is important that you take into consideration that the dentist is very experienced in dealing with children. You should try to explain what will happen during the visit or take them to the practice and let him become acquainted with the environment.

Taking your child at an early age will help in the prevention of tooth decay and can lead to lifetime’s good dental habits.

Sensitive teeth? They could be trying to tell you something…

Many people suffer from toothache caused by sensitivity, but for many this could be a warning sign of something more serious…

If you experience sharp and sudden pain when eating certain foods or exposing your teeth to extreme changes in temperature, then you almost certainly have a sensitivity problem. This pain is caused when the dentin of your teeth is exposed along the gumline.

Dentin is a relatively soft material that helps to support the tooth, so when gums start to recede they expose this dentin which can cause pain when we eat hot or cold foods, and even sweet or spicy foods.

Tooth sensitivity is uncomfortable and can strike suddenly, causing a sharp pain in one or multiple teeth. It’s most common in the front teeth, although many people also experience the pain in their molars.

Now, whilst sensitivity is a problem in itself, it can also suggest there are more serious health issues going on. A quick trip to your dentist for a check up should help to put your fears at rest and also net you some advice on how to prevent tooth sensitivity!

So what causes it?

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by overzealous brushing, teeth grinding together during the night, gum disease and tooth decay. It’s an unfortunate problem that can have a serious negative impact on daily life. For instance, you may need to avoid certain foods or use special products and brushes for especially sensitive teeth.

So if your teeth are particularly sensitive and it’s negatively impacting your life, it’s absolutely a good idea to speak to your dentist about any sensitivity you are experiencing.

You can find out more about treatment and advice for sensitive teeth by booking an assessment with us, just give us a call on 020 88884401

Did you know your dentist can provide Botox?

In the past, you might have gone to a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist for Botox injections. Getting Botox was a lot less common, and fewer professionals carried out the procedure, making it very expensive.

Today, dentists and nurses, with proper training, can carry out the procedure as well. Botox is used to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines to help correct and improve areas of the face affected by the ageing process.

Understanding Botox…

If you’ve ever considered getting Botox, it’s important to understand what it is and what it does. It comes in the form of a purified protein, which is injected directly into the neuromuscular tissue. Botox, originally used for medicinal purposes, is now commonly used for cosmetic procedures.

Many people get Botox to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face. It is most commonly injected on the upper third of the face – the forehead (horizontal and frown lines) as well as crows feet, but can be used on other facial and body areas as well. Botox both prevents and corrects ‘dynamic’ ageing lines caused by muscle movement.

The protein attaches to the nerve endings and stops the nerve impulses from transmitting to the muscles. This stops the muscles from contracting, therefore reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The effect is usually noticeable after 7-10 days and takes full effect after 2 weeks.

Botox treatments usually last on average, 3-4 months depending on a number of factors. It’s important to remember that Botox is a temporary treatment and must be repeated over time to maintain a consistent look.

Head to the dentist!

Today, some dentists are able to perform this facial aesthetic treatment alongside other standard dental treatments. Botox treatments work well within the dental community in a number of ways – especially since it can help with more than just cosmetic procedures.

We commonly have patients suffering from teeth grinding, and Botox is a great option for those who suffer with it as it weakens the muscle contraction that normally occurs at night. Other areas where Botox can help include: facial pain, excess sweating both under the arms and on the hands and feet, and some types of migraines. Your dentist (with advanced training) can administer Botox to all of these areas.

In fact, dentists are actually best placed to work with Botox, as we are knowledgeable in facial anatomy and carry out injection procedures regularly!

Finding the right dentist…

When you’re considering Botox treatments, it’s important to make sure you find the right dentist. Not all dentists do these treatments, so you may need to look for someone other than your regular dentist. Make sure that you look specifically for a dentist that is certified and experienced in administering Botox treatments.

We at Brightside Dental hold Cosmetic Liability Insurance, so we can assure you that we know exactly what we’re doing.

Give us a call on 020 8088 2079 to book yourself in for an initial consultation and we can talk you through your options. In the meantime, check out our facial rejuvenation page on our website: https://www.brightsidedental.co.uk/dental-treatments-bounds-green.html

When will my wisdom teeth come through?

There is no exact answer to the question, “When will my wisdom teeth come through?” But as a vague rule most people tend to get their wisdom teeth between the ages of 17 and 25.

Also known as ‘third molars’, wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through and come in much later than other adult teeth. Some people even find that their wisdom teeth will come through years after their twenties.

In total, adults can expect to get four wisdom teeth: two on each side, one on the top jaw and one of the bottom. These four teeth complete the full set of 32 adult teeth found in humans. However, a lot of people’s jaws are not big enough to accommodate the full set, and so a set of 28 is common.

In some cases wisdom teeth won’t come through unless another tooth is removed, perhaps due to decay. This is because the extraction frees up space in the mouth for the extra molar to push through.

We get many people worried about the pain of having wisdom teeth come through, but unless the tooth is impacted – that is to say that it tries to come through but gets stuck against the tooth in front of it and emerges at an angle – wisdom teeth won’t cause much discomfort.

As with all dental health matters, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly and using mouthwash will help to limit the chances of infection as your teeth push through your gums.

The most important thing to remember is that keeping up with regular dentist appointments will help to monitor the health of your mouth in general, and ensure that any problems with emerging wisdom teeth are spotted early!

So give us a call on 020 8088 2079 to book yourself in for that appointment, or if you’d like any advice regarding your own wisdom teeth.

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