Dental Blog - Garden View Dental Care

Still wonky after all these years?

Maybe when you were a kid and the dentist told your mum that your teeth weren’t wonky enough to warrant having to wear NHS braces you thought you were one of the lucky ones. How do you feel about it now? Wish your teeth had been more out of alignment so that you qualified for treatment? Think that the only way to get straighter teeth is to go through at least a year of cumbersome metal braces that make you look like all those poor kids you saw suffering in school?

If so, well have we got news for you! At Garden View Dental Care, you can get your teeth realigned with clear braces in Buckinghamshire.

What are clear braces in Buckinghamshire?

At Garden View Dental Care, we are accredited providers of Six Month Smiles, so-called because the average treatment time is only 6 months.

These braces use the well-documented technology of brackets and wires, which have been proven over many years to provide predictable and accurate alignment. However, these brackets and wires are different from the ones that made so many adolescents miserable back in the day.

The brackets are made of clear ceramic, so you can still see your teeth behind them. Plus the wires are finer than on old-style braces, and there’s only one instead of 2. It’s coated in a tooth-coloured material, so it also blends in with your teeth. In fact, your braces look more like a necklace of clear square beads on your teeth than a straightening device. From across the room, no one will be able to see it, and close up, it will look attractive rather than disfiguring.

Who can have clear braces in Buckinghamshire?

Six Month Smiles are designed to straighten the front 6-8 teeth. These are the ones that can be seen during most interactions. They only have one root, unlike molars, which have 3 roots. This makes them easier to move with gentler forces.

So, if it’s your front teeth that are mildly to moderately out of whack, then these clear braces in Buckinghamshire are likely for you. The best way to find out if they are is to come in for a consultation.

Dental terminology explained

When you visit us at Garden View Dental Care, we are conscious of the fact that the better informed you are about any check-ups or treatments, the more comfortable you will be. That’s why we do not use jargon or technical terminology or, if we must, we back it up with clear explanations. Please feel free to ask us any questions before, during or after your treatment if there is anything you think could be clearer. We welcome any feedback and the chance to improve your patient experience when you visit the dentist in Buckinghamshire.

Here we explore some common terms that are used quite often during a general visit to the dentist in Buckinghamshire.

Arch

You have a set of teeth at the top of your mouth and one at the bottom. Each of these is called an ‘arch’. They are usually referred to as the upper or lower arch. If you need a full denture, this can also be referred to as an arch.

Bonding

Bonding is a common dental term that can refer to the way a prosthetic is attached or the way a tooth is repaired. Composite bonding is when resin or another suitable material is used to make repairs or cosmetic improvements to the teeth. It can be used to fix cracks and chips as well as cover stains.

Cavities

This is a word you are likely to have heard and you know it’s bad when the dentist uses it about your teeth. Cavities are effectively holes in your teeth that are caused by decay. They are more common in children’s teeth. Once they have appeared, they need clearing and filling to stop them getting worse and needing more extensive repairs.

Dental practice

At Garden View Dental Care, we have a whole team to support you when you visit the dentist in Buckinghamshire. Our dental practice has a couple of dentists, a hygienist, a dental nurse and our receptionist. We are all standing by to support your dental health.

Extraction

There are lots of reasons why people have teeth extracted. Sometimes it is because the tooth is no longer functional but other times it might be to reduce overcrowding or make room for realignment.

Preparation is key

There’s a reason why being prepared is seen as important. Whether you are a boy scout, a decorator, or a person just going through life, if you have done your preparation, what happens next will be so much easier. If you are hit by an emergency, but you are prepared, then the crisis will be a much easier ride.

Emergency Dentist in Buckinghamshire That’s the thing with emergencies. They come out of the blue and you have to deal with them there and then, otherwise there could be terrible consequences. If you don’t know where the water stopcock is in your house and the pipes burst, you could well ruin the floors and furniture before you find it. If you have an accident and break or lose some teeth, you could end up paying out lots in dental bills and suffering a great deal of pain if you don’t have the number of an emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire handy. Garden View Dental Care offers emergency dental appointments so put our number in your phone now. Store it under emergency dentist, just in case it’s someone else who has to hunt through your phone to find the number, and they don’t know the name of our practice.

Knocked out teeth

If you have had teeth knocked out, please tell the emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire when you ring. We need to make you an appointment within a couple of hours if we are to get your teeth back in and get them to reattach to your sockets. If the teeth are intact, pick them up very carefully by the crown. Don’t touch the roots or the fibres on them: they are alive and we need them to stay that way if they are going to reattach. Try to put the teeth back into their sockets, but if you can’t, tuck them inside your cheek or store them in some milk to get them to us. Never ever use tap water on them. The chemicals in it will kill them. Also, don’t let the tooth dry out.

You also need to come to the emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire if you have had toothache for more than 3 days.

The types of teeth and their common issues

When you come for a check-up, the dentist in Buckinghamshire at Garden View Dental Care will be checking all around your teeth and gums. They’ll inspect the tongue and even take a glance at your neck and face. This is all part of checking that the whole dentition system is working and there are no obvious issues. When they are checking the teeth, they will work their way around carefully, so each tooth is examined.

While many dental issues can happen to any of your teeth, the dentist in Buckinghamshire would expect to see certain issues more commonly on each of the different types of teeth. Some of these are explained below.

Incisors

These are the flat teeth that sit at the front of your mouth. There are usually 8 in an adult set. They are used for tearing food and they are the ones that are most visible when you smile. For the latter reason, people often concentrate on these teeth when they want cosmetic work. The incisors are also the most vulnerable teeth when it comes to accidental chips and cracks. There are several ways that the dentist in Buckinghamshire can addresses these including light filing for very minor chips, cosmetic bonding and veneers.

Canines

These are the pointy teeth that sit either side of the flat front teeth. They are used to shred and break down food. There are just four of these in the mouth. It’s quite common for these teeth to come through a little twisted or misaligned in some way. The dentist in Buckinghamshire might look for signs of this in young patients so they can advise about future realignment treatment.

Pre-molars and molars

These are the flatter teeth. Pre-molars are smaller and towards the front of the mouth and molars sit at the back. They are all used to grind food into smaller pieces and start the digestive process. The molars are the teeth that are most prone to decay partly because of the heavy use they experience and partly because they are harder to clean. Fortunately, there are lots of techniques the dentist can use to protect and repair your molars and pre-molars if you visit for regular check-ups.

How to know which clear braces in Beaconsfield are right for you

Until recently, the only option for patients in need of teeth straightening were the traditional visible metal braces that most of us still imagine when we talk about braces. However, dental technology has evolved and there are now several different types of braces available to help correct a wide range of dental issues.

From tooth-coloured alternatives to the popular Invisalign, Garden View Dental Care is dedicated to helping you find the right clear braces in Beaconsfield. If you are unaccustomed to teeth straightening, however, all these choices can be puzzling.

Tooth-coloured braces

These clear braces in Beaconsfield are also known as ceramic or porcelain braces. Ceramic braces are the same size and shape as traditional braces, and function in much the same way. As they are matched to the rest of your teeth, they blend with your natural tooth colour for a discreet smile.

Tooth-coloured braces are an ideal option for teenagers and adults who wish to minimise the visual impact of teeth straightening. These braces are more cosmetic than other types of braces, yet they are not ideal for everyone. Clear brackets and wires are more sensitive to breakage, therefore they are not recommended for people who require a lot of pressure to have their teeth moved into the correct position.

Removable aligners

Removable aligners are a quick, easy and painless way to straighten your teeth and correct your bite problems. This system consists of a series of clear aligners that need to be replaced every week or so. Each of these aligners is customised with exact calculations to help your teeth move gradually into their correct position over a prescribed period of time.

Removable aligners are easier to maintain than regular braces because you can take them out every time you wish to eat or brush your teeth. Good oral hygiene is simple to uphold with these clear braces in Beaconsfield since food cannot be trapped around the wires or brackets. In order to achieve the best results possible, however, you have to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day. For this reason, clear aligners are not recommended for irresponsible teenagers or adults.

Why everyone needs a dentist in Buckinghamshire

It can be tempting to save money by not visiting the dentist in Buckinghamshire for the recommended twice-yearly check-up. If you are an adult and you have no kids to set a good example to, it can be even easier to ignore this important health routine. And if you are a bit scared, or a lot scared, of going to the dentist, you may find it actually hard to come along for a check-up.

But there are very good reasons why everyone needs regular visits to the dentist in Buckinghamshire, and at Garden View Dental Care, we like to make sure our patients understand what’s a stake with regard to their dental health, and their overall health if they don’t come along.

Plaque

Plaque is the name we give to that sticky film that builds up on the teeth during the day. It is made up of millions of bacteria, reproducing away merrily, and really going for it reproduction-wise when we eat sugar, which is what they feed on. Plaque is what we are trying to remove when we brush our teeth. We sweep it away with brush and paste, floss and interdental brushes. But we can’t get all of it, no matter how hard we try, and after 3 days, plaque hardens into something called calculus or tartar. This is a solid as cement and the only way to get it off is to scrape it away with special tools.

Decay

The trouble with plaque is that the bacteria give off acids when they eat, and these acids eat away at the enamel on our teeth, creating little holes through which decay-causing bacteria can enter and start to eat away inside our teeth. That’s when we need fillings. Left alone, decay will destroy the entire tooth from the inside, leading to infections that go down into the roots and can then get into the jawbone and destroy that too.

Gum disease

Acids also attack the gums and then then the tooth root and jawbone underneath the gum. Gum disease is associated heart disease, diabetes and other inflammatory diseases. Getting plaque removed at the dentist in Buckinghamshire can make a difference to your whole body.

Benefits of visiting an emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire

Having access to an emergency dentist is really important and can be beneficial to your oral health. Receiving proper treatment at the first sign of discomfort or infection can help you stay on top of your oral health and eliminate the need for expensive and extensive dental treatment.

At Garden View Dental Care, we can often provide you with same-day appointments to help you overcome pain and safeguard the health of your teeth and gums. By choosing our emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire, you will reduce potential damage to your teeth.

What’s involved in emergency dental care?

Our emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating emergency dental issues such as:

Broken and avulsed teeth
Serious dental sensitivity
Extreme toothache
Chipped and cracked teeth
Damaged restorations
Abscessed teeth.

Pain relief

If you are in severe pain, an emergency dentist can provide all the help you need to fix your problem for good. Prolonged pain and oral discomfort can ruin your daily activities, therefore visiting the emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire should be a priority. The longer you wait to receive dental care, the worse the treatment length, cost or process may need to be to address the problem. Dental pain can become unbearable and interfere with your everyday and professional life.

Preventive care

Depending on your problem, your emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire will create a treatment plan to ensure that your teeth are protected against more serious issues. Pain and inflammation are often indicative of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. While a toothache might seem hardly an alarming issue at first, treating it immediately can help prevent more serious oral issues later (e.g. abscesses). Likewise, without immediate intervention, knocked out teeth will need to be replaced with dental implants.

Peace of mind

Many people avoid visiting an emergency dentist in Buckinghamshire unless it is absolutely necessary. Even if your dental problem is not as important as you may think, visiting the emergency dentist will provide you the peace of mind you deserve.

We are here to help

If you think you have a dental emergency, give us a call and we will do our best to book an appointment for you as soon as possible.

Dismissing myths about gum disease

Gum disease is a condition that affects many people around the world and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that they suffer from gum disease. Part of the problem is that they neglect to visit the dentist regularly, relying instead on common myths about gum disease.

At Garden View Dental Care, we are committed to educating our patients on all aspects of oral healthcare, including gum disease prevention. However, if you have already developed gum disease, you can arrest assured that our dentist in Buckinghamshire will devise a personalised treatment plan to suit your individual dental needs. Our experienced dentist in Buckinghamshire will help debunk common gum disease myths and help you stay on top of your oral health.

Bleeding gums can be overlooked

No matter what, red, swollen, puffy and bleeding gums are always a sign that something is wrong with your oral health. If people notice blood on their toothbrush or sink when they clean their teeth, they should prioritise a visit to the dentist in Buckinghamshire to be checked for gum disease. In addition to tooth loss, gum disease can contribute to the development of other diseases including diabetes and heart disease.

Flossing is not necessary

If anything, flossing daily can prevent gum disease by removing the build-up of bacteria that have trapped in-between your teeth.

Poor oral health is responsible for gum disease

Skipping good oral hygiene can definitely contribute to the development and progression of gum disease, but this is not the only risk present. For example, smokers and diabetics have a greater chance of developing gum disease. Other factors that may increase the risk of gum disease include poor diet, stress and even genetics.

Gum disease is responsible for tooth loss

Although periodontitis (late-stage gum disease) can lead to tooth loss and serious gum infection, patients will not lose any teeth to gum disease if they practice proper and thorough oral hygiene every day. Visiting your dentist in Buckinghamshire for check-ups and professional cleanings will help you stay on top of your oral health and prevent gum disease from developing.

Three feelings associated with clear braces in Beaconsfield

When you are planning a long-term dental treatment like clear braces in Beaconsfield with Garden View Dental Care, it’s important to make a positive emotional connection with your procedure. We know that this can help to motivate you to get the work done, see you through the treatment and help you enjoy the results.

At Garden View Dental Care, we know the importance of the patient experience during our treatments. We want you to look forward to getting your teeth straightened with clear braces in Beaconsfield rather than approaching it with gritted teeth! This is why we talk about the emotions associated with teeth straightening.

Empowerment

It’s hard to overestimate how satisfying it can feel to finally take control of the appearance of your teeth. Knowing that you can work with a treatment that is designed with adult concerns in mind can really help to cement the feeling of empowerment that comes along with getting clear braces in Beaconsfield. Not only can you refine your smile, but you can do it in a way that fits in with your lifestyle. This feeling can really give you a boost and help you get on with receiving the treatment that you want.

Determination

There are some adaptations that you need to make, even with innovative clear braces. You might have to change your food choices a little, for example, or commit to taking some paracetamol or ibuprofen when you experience discomfort. This is where determination comes in. You just need to keep your results in mind and remember that you have made a powerful choice that will last for a lot longer than any discomfort or the treatment itself.

Happiness

There’s always room for a little happiness. You might jump for joy at the thought of having your smile well-aligned for an important occasion, for example, or you might just have a little quiet contentment about the improvement to your oral health.

Wherever you derive your happiness from, you’ll be able to smile with confidence about it when you have clear braces in Beaconsfield with Garden View Dental Care. We can’t wait to share the teeth-straightening journey with you and support you whenever you need it.

Preparing for your child’s first visit to the dentist in Buckinghamshire

Just like adults, children should visit the dentist regularly to ensure that their teeth and gums stay healthy and functional. For a child, a trip to the dentist can be a stressful experience. However, the earlier they start, the better are the chances that they develop good oral hygiene habits for life.

At Garden View Dental Care, we cannot stress enough the importance of early dental examinations. Generally, you should make your child’s first visit to the dentist in Buckinghamshire at the age of one year, or shortly after they develop their first tooth. Studies have shown that children who visit the dentist from an early age are less likely to encounter dental issues as they grow up.

First visit preparation

If you are a new parent, you may be wondering how to start with your children’s dental care. At Garden View Dental Care, we are experienced in dental care for children and our dentist in Buckinghamshire will do their best to ensure that your child remains calm throughout the procedure. They will try to cultivate a positive relationship with your child by providing comprehensive and age-appropriate dental services.

If you are unaware of how to prepare your child for a visit to the dentist in Buckinghamshire, you may wish to educate them about their teeth and gums. Young children are very impressionable and curious about their body, therefore it is never too early to start talking about their teeth and proper dental care. Using fun activities to prepare your child for the dentist is recommended. For example, you can read stories about teeth and tooth brushing and listen to fun songs, specifically tailored for children.

All these activities will help raise awareness with your child about their teeth and help them develop a healthy relationship with the dentist.

What to expect

At Garden View Dental Care, we strive to build a relationship with your child already from the very first visit. Our aim is not only to prevent and address any dental problems, but also to educate your child on tooth care and maintenance. Schedule visits every six months to ensure your child’s teeth are healthy, since baby teeth can be vulnerable to cavities.

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